Improving Outcomes In Osteoporosis And Bone Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,494.00
Summary
Osteoporotic fractures are a common and increasing problem as the population ages. They are associated with increased risk of re-fracture and early death yet most patients remain untreated. This proposal will identify which fracture patients are at highest risk of re-fracture and premature death (b) identify whether osteoporosis treatment decreases this risk and (c) increase osteoporosis awareness and treatment uptake by general practitioners with an integrated fracture risk prediction tool.
The Relationship Between Osteoporosis And Diabetes: Exploring The Bone-metabolism Interface
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,676.00
Summary
Osteoporosis and diabetes are two common conditions that affect many Australians. Diabetes patients have an increased risk of fractures, however the underlying mechanisms for this increased fracture risk is unknown. We hypothesise that there are changes in the bone remodelling as a result of increased insulin levels (as seen in type 2 diabetes) and will explore the factors that contribute to the increased fracture risk and examine how treatments can reduce fracture rates.
Bisphosphonate Use, Oral Flora, Saliva, Gingival Crevicular Fluid And Bone Markers In Patients With Jaw Osteonecrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$121,751.00
Summary
Bisphosphonates are used in patients with bones that break easily due to conditions such as osteoporosis. Recent research suggests a possible association between these drugs and jaw bone breakdown called jaw osteonecrosis - a devastating condition with no current effective treatment. It is unclear why this condition affects only jaw bones. This study seeks to investigate if bacteria in the mouth, gum disease and saliva are involved in jaw osteonecrosis, which can then help to improve management.
Short-term Use Of Intermittent PTH To Accelerate Healing Of Stress Fractures And During Bisphosphonate Treatment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$633,331.00
Summary
Osteoporosis treatments prevent fractures by hindering cells that erode the skeleton. Normally, those cells also repair injuries like stress fractures. Some patients, treated for long periods, can suffer fractures because the treatment slows bone healing. We have an innovative model to test alternative treatments to accelerate stress fracture healing, while osteoporosis treatment continues. This could prevent unusual stress fractures, in patients who still need the bone-sparing effectiveness of ....Osteoporosis treatments prevent fractures by hindering cells that erode the skeleton. Normally, those cells also repair injuries like stress fractures. Some patients, treated for long periods, can suffer fractures because the treatment slows bone healing. We have an innovative model to test alternative treatments to accelerate stress fracture healing, while osteoporosis treatment continues. This could prevent unusual stress fractures, in patients who still need the bone-sparing effectiveness of osteoporosis treatment.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Adjuvant Zoledronic Acid In Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,132.00
Summary
This project seeks to confirm the highly encouraging early findings from the RADAR prostate cancer trial so that the new treatments tested can be brought in to clinical practice. The trial involved 1071 men at 23 cancer treatment centres in ANZ who had developed extensive cancerous masses in their prostates but without evidence of spread. All received their trial treatments between 2003 and 2007. This project involves the collection and analysis of follow up information up until September 2017.
Targeting The Vicious Cycle Of Cancer-induced Bone Disease With TRAIL And Bisphosphonates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,696.00
Summary
The most serious clinical problem with patients with many forms of solid tumours is metastasis to bone, which leads to potentially debilitating complications that can cause erosion of the patient's quality of life, and eventually death. Unfortunately, bony metastases usually occur before pre-emptive treatments can be applied to prevent it. We have recently shown that recombinant soluble TRAIL is a potent anticancer agent that prevents cancer-induced bone destruction in a mouse model by directly ....The most serious clinical problem with patients with many forms of solid tumours is metastasis to bone, which leads to potentially debilitating complications that can cause erosion of the patient's quality of life, and eventually death. Unfortunately, bony metastases usually occur before pre-emptive treatments can be applied to prevent it. We have recently shown that recombinant soluble TRAIL is a potent anticancer agent that prevents cancer-induced bone destruction in a mouse model by directly targeting cancer cells within bone, and with no evidence of toxic side effects to normal tissues. Death receptor targeting by TRAIL, and bisphosphonates induce cancer cell apoptosis through different but overlapping signaling pathways. Therefore, combination of the two approaches may facilitate killing of tumour cells that resist death induction through either one of the pathways. Combination therapy may also reduce the probability of acquired resistance to either therapy. We propose that a combinatorial approach, using bisphosphonates to selectively target osteoclasts and TRAIL to selectively target cancer cells, would be an ideal therapeutic and safe approach to delay, slow or completely eliminate growth of cancer within bone.Read moreRead less
Does Teriparatide Reverse Osteonecrosis Of The Jaw In Patients With Cancer? A Randomised, Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$137,700.00
Summary
Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a debilitating bone condition involving damage and suboptimal healing of bone involving the jaw. This has been associated with bisphosphonate therapy, which is commonly used for the treatment of both cancer and osteoporosis. My research aims to investigate the role of recombinant parathyroid hormone in the stimulation of bone formation and healing and, thus, its potential to reverse ONJ.
A Randomised Trial Of Zoledronic Acid For Osteoarthritis Of The Knee
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$989,238.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and is increasing markedly due to an ageing population. Despite its large disease burden, there are currently no approved disease-modifying drugs available which modify structural progression of OA. The aim of this study is to compare zoledronic acid treatment to placebo on knee structural change and knee pain over two years. It is hypothesised that zoledronic acid will reduce cartilage loss, knee pain, and bone marrow lesion size.