Mu Opioid Receptor Polymorphisms And Variability In Opioid Actions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$239,250.00
Summary
The treatment of pain in cancer patients is not optimal nor is the use of substitution therapy in heroin addiction. What links these two treatments is a group of drugs known as opioids- morphine for pain and methadone for dependence. People differ substantially in the dose of these two drugs to treat these conditions and the reasons for such large differences are not known. This application seeks to explore the role of genetic variations in the target site at which opioids act in explaining why ....The treatment of pain in cancer patients is not optimal nor is the use of substitution therapy in heroin addiction. What links these two treatments is a group of drugs known as opioids- morphine for pain and methadone for dependence. People differ substantially in the dose of these two drugs to treat these conditions and the reasons for such large differences are not known. This application seeks to explore the role of genetic variations in the target site at which opioids act in explaining why people differ in their response to these medicines. Studies on humans and cell preparations will allow one to study the basic mechanisms and then translate this into the actual clinical setting. If successful, the results could mean better dose and medicine selection for people with pain and those seeking treatment for heroin addiction.Read moreRead less
Towards Reducing Resistance And Haematological Toxicity Of Linezolid
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$135,825.00
Summary
Multi-drug resistance in bacteria is increasing at an alarming rate. We have diminishing therapeutic options, and there are few antibiotics in the drug development pipeline that offer much hope. It is therefore important that we look towards ways of further optimising the use of antibiotics that we currently have available. An important last line of defense drug, linezolid, has been available in Australia for less than 2 years and already resistance is occuring. In addition, with broader use of ....Multi-drug resistance in bacteria is increasing at an alarming rate. We have diminishing therapeutic options, and there are few antibiotics in the drug development pipeline that offer much hope. It is therefore important that we look towards ways of further optimising the use of antibiotics that we currently have available. An important last line of defense drug, linezolid, has been available in Australia for less than 2 years and already resistance is occuring. In addition, with broader use of this drug outside clinical trials, there has been an increasing concern over its toxicity to important blood cells. We seek to better understand the determinants of linezolid resistance and toxicity, so that novel dosing strategies may be developed to optimise its use (reduce toxicity and enhance efficacy) thereby extending the usefulness of this last line of defense antibiotic.Read moreRead less
Development Of Anti-CXCR2 Monoclonal Antibodies For Tumour Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$174,867.00
Summary
New therapies to treat cancers and inflammatory diseases are urgently required. Our aim is to develop a new treatment for cancer and inflammation, by blocking the chemokine receptor CXCR2 which is central to angiogenesis (blood vessel growth) and inflammation. We have produced a highly effective monoclonal antibody (mAb) inhibitor of CXCR2, that is suitable for preclinical and clinical development. The project aims to examine the efficacy of this mAb in mouse tumour models and inflammation.
Effect Of Liver Pathophysiology On Hepatic Pharmacokinetics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,500.00
Summary
The liver is the main organ in the body for the metabolism and biliary excretion of natural and foreign solutes. Various liver diseases such as cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease, diet and drug induced fatty livers can affect the uptake and metabolism of drugs and their suitability- dosing needs. Some liver diseases such as fatty livers are very common but how rapidly drugs are metabolised in these patients is not well described. The work is important as it may help us better design new drugs an ....The liver is the main organ in the body for the metabolism and biliary excretion of natural and foreign solutes. Various liver diseases such as cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease, diet and drug induced fatty livers can affect the uptake and metabolism of drugs and their suitability- dosing needs. Some liver diseases such as fatty livers are very common but how rapidly drugs are metabolised in these patients is not well described. The work is important as it may help us better design new drugs and better choose which drugs to give and, if so, in what doses. In addition, many liver diseases require a biopsy for a definite diagnosis of the likely function of the liver. Estimation of liver function is particularly important in estimating whether there will be sufficient reserve on resection of a cancer or deciding if a liver transplant is needed. The liver is also a very complex organ which can trap or breakdown solutes by a range of different systems. Also of importance is how those diseases affect drug disposition in the liver given that an altered hepatic drug disposition may affect systemic response to the drugs and their metabolites. This work seeks to answer these questions.Read moreRead less
Pharmacological Effects Of Oral L-citrulline And Tetrahydrobiopterin In Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$322,283.00
Summary
Citrulline, named after citrullus vulgaris, the watermelon, is a precursor of arginine. Arginine is converted to protective nitric oxide (NO), which is decreased in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Although arginine supplementation can increase NO availability and improve vascular function it is hampered by a low availability. In contrast, Citrulline is highly available and converted to Arginine. Therefore, this project will explore the therapeutic effects of Citrulline in patients with CVD.
Benefits Of Intravenous L-Carnitine Supplementation In Long-Term Haemodialysis Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,648.00
Summary
Carnitine allows the body to utilise fats in our diet, permitting normal functioning of the body. The applicants have shown that patients who receive long-term haemodialysis treatment have abnormal levels of carnitine and have demonstrated a link between these abnormal levels and some dialysis-related conditions. This study will determine whether supplementation with L-carnitine is beneficial in the treatment of some clinical disorders experienced by haemodialysis patients.
Many products are applied to the skin to prevent skin cancer or to treat skin diseases. This project seeks to better understand how we can make such products more affective, safer and appropriate for conditions such as psoriasis. One major component of the grant is concerned with the evaluation of nanotechnology products applied to the skin.
Adouble-blind Placebo Contorolled Study Of Subcutaneous Ketamine In The Management Of Cancer Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$50,000.00
Summary
Palliative care teams are studying an anaesthetic, ketamine, used at low doses for cancer pain which is not responsive to opioid drugs. Clinical experience suggests ketamine may help in neuropathic pain, which is due to nerve damage and is common in cancer. The study involves five days of treatment at three doses of ketamine, to see how well pain is controlled on each dose. The highest dose given will be that which gives good pain control. The study compares ketamine with a placebo, and patients ....Palliative care teams are studying an anaesthetic, ketamine, used at low doses for cancer pain which is not responsive to opioid drugs. Clinical experience suggests ketamine may help in neuropathic pain, which is due to nerve damage and is common in cancer. The study involves five days of treatment at three doses of ketamine, to see how well pain is controlled on each dose. The highest dose given will be that which gives good pain control. The study compares ketamine with a placebo, and patients keep on their usual pain medicines. Participants are randomised to have ketamine or the placebo. The study looks at pain control, quality of life, ketamine side effects, and change in need for usual pain medicines. This is the first national clinical study of a new palliative care research network, the Palliative Care Clinical Trials Collaborative (PaCCSC). It is hoped that if ketamine is proven safe and effective in difficult cancer pain, it will be more easily available for cancer patients.Read moreRead less