Mechanisms Of Resistance To Immunological Targeting Of Primary And Metastatic Colorectal Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,828.00
Summary
The immune system influences the outcome in patients with cancer. We have been early adopters of immunotherapy approaches to target cancer cells using the novel approaches to enhance immune attack on cells that aberrantly express cancer regulators. These represent drivers to which cancer cells are addicted. A central tenant of optimizing immunotherapies has been to employ immune stimuli in concert with removing immune blocking systems. Our research plan is to improve immunotherapy efficiency.
The Role Of Interleukin (IL)-27 In The Endogenous Anti-tumour Immune Response And The Use Of An IL-27 Agonist As A Cancer Therapeutic.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,960.00
Summary
Our data in mice suggest that immune cell signalling protein, interleukin (IL)-27, enhances anti-tumour immune responses and slows growth of mammary tumours and carcinogen induced sarcomas. This project aims to test how IL-27 promotes protective anti-tumour immune responses and to develop a modified IL-27 protein that will be tested as a cancer therapeutic in mice. This will be the first study to examine IL-27 function using physiological tumour models and may provide proof of concept for a new ....Our data in mice suggest that immune cell signalling protein, interleukin (IL)-27, enhances anti-tumour immune responses and slows growth of mammary tumours and carcinogen induced sarcomas. This project aims to test how IL-27 promotes protective anti-tumour immune responses and to develop a modified IL-27 protein that will be tested as a cancer therapeutic in mice. This will be the first study to examine IL-27 function using physiological tumour models and may provide proof of concept for a new therapeutic strategy for some human cancers.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Role Of B Cells In Gastric Cancer For The Design Of New Therapeutic Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,383.00
Summary
Gastric cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Our laboratory has previously established clinically relevant mouse model of gastric cancers, and our preliminary results indicate a strong link between B cell tumor infiltration and gastric cancer progression. In this project, we aim to elucidate the role of B cells in gastric cancer and determine whether B-cell targeted therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy can be beneficial against this malignancy.
Generating Stronger And Smarter T Cells For Cancer Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,332.00
Summary
White blood cells from cancer patients can be modified in the laboratory to react against tumours. These cells can then be given back to the patient, which can sometimes cause cancer regression. However, often the white blood cells lack strength, or they lack the ability to distinguish between tumour and normal tissues of the body. In this project we seek to make stronger and smarter white blood cells that can deliver a lethal hit against tumours without damaging essential organs of the body.
Exploiting The Cross Talk Between Tuft Cells And Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells For Tissue Homeostasis And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$831,162.00
Summary
The project investigates the cellular cross talk within the gastric mucosa between tuft cells, a rare epithelial cell type, and tissue-resident group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2). The tuft cell/ILC2 axis is driven by the two cytokines interleukin (IL)-25 and IL-13 and is required for tissue homeostasis but turns pro-tumourigenic in the context of chronic inflammation. Our investigation will dissect the underlying mechanisms using a combination of mouse models, immunology and bioinformatics.
The Role Of The Actomyosin Cytoskeleton In T Cell-mediated Anti-tumour Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$616,950.00
Summary
T cells, specialised immune cells, are crucial in the defence against tumours. In order to reach cancerous target cells, T cells must enter tumour tissues from the blood stream and then effectively migrate in the extravascular space. This application aims to uncover the role of the cytoskeleton, a group of molecules driving cell shape change and motility, in the efficient execution of T cell anti-tumour function. These studies will aid the development of improved immunotherapies against cancer.
Targeting The Complement Cascade: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy For Metastatic Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$546,496.00
Summary
The incidence of melanoma is increasing world-wide, and Queensland has the highest rate of melanoma in the world. Despite advances in treatment, the 3-year survival rate for metastatic melanoma remains extremely low. This project builds on our recent research demonstrating a role for a key component of the innate immune system (complement C3a) in melanoma growth. Specifically we seek to investigate the potential of C3a as a therapeutic target for metastatic melanoma.
Interactions Between IL-15 And TGF-beta Signalling Pathways Reveal Novel Therapeutic Strategies To Boost Anti-cancer Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,425.00
Summary
This project will determine if new immune inhibitory checkpoints can be synergistically targeted with BRAFV600E inhibition to reactivate and allow NK cells to maximise their anti-tumour immune functions and prevent cancer spread. It is a completely novel approach that will allow for the more rational design of melanoma treatments that targets NK cells following surgery and local radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
THE ROLE OF TUMOUR-EGRESSING T CELLS IN ANTI-TUMOUR IMMUNE RESPONSES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,333.00
Summary
Immune cells can play both beneficial and detrimental roles in cancer. We have devised a novel method to ‘tag’ immune cells inside tumours and follow their fate. Using this method we discovered that immune cells called T cells can leave primary tumours and migrate to lymph nodes. The aim of this project is to investigate the role of these tumour-egressing cells in tumour immunity and to determine whether their migration and function can be manipulated to improve anti-tumour therapies.
Immunotherapy is a new approach to treat cancer, and works by promoting the immune system to attack cancer. Immunotherapies, such as checkpoint blockade and adoptive T cell therapy, are proving to be very successful in certain human cancers. However, combining immunotherapy with drugs that cause cancer cell death may be more effective. This project will investigate the potential of combining immunotherapy with a novel anti-cancer drug, in order to develop more effective treatments for cancer.