Targeting Tumour Angiogenesis In Breast Cancer By Altering MicroRNA Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$660,151.00
Summary
Despite advances in treatment, breast cancer remains one of the leading underlying causes of death and disability in Australia. Preventing cancer spread therefore has the potential for enormous economic and social outcomes. Small RNAs have recently been identified as key regulators of cancer cell biology. This project seeks to take a leadership role in the area of small RNA biology by targeting small RNAs implicated in blood vessel formation as a means of suppressing breast cancer spread.
Parathyroid Hormone-related Protein (PTHrP), Common Genetic Variants In The PTHrP Gene (PTHLH), And Breast Cancer Risk And Survival
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,253.00
Summary
In a partnership between Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St Vincent's Hospital, and The University of Melbourne, we are investigating the role of PTHrP, a peptide integral to the growth and spread of Cancer. Initially thought to facilitate cancer spread, recent studies suggest it may actually be protective. In a new approach, we will analyse new DNA databases and patient data from around the world. We hope to extend our understanding of PTHrP, and perhaps find novel drug and therapeutic targets.
Transient Tissue ‘priming’ Via FAK Inhibition To Impair Pancreatic Cancer Progression And Improve Sensitivity To Gemcitabine/Abraxane
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,848.00
Summary
The success of cancer drugs is dependent on many factors including the properties of the tumour tissue. As a tumour grows it changes the tissue around it, and this affects response to treatment. Combining classical biology with engineering to generate 3D models that mimic tumours, along with cutting-edge imaging technology and mouse models, we will target FAK-controlled cancer cell pathways that sense tissue changes, together with already approved cancer drugs to improve patient outcome.
Single-cell Optical Window Imaging In CDK1-FRET Biosensor Mice To Assess Tissue Stiffness And Optimise Delivery And Therapeutic Response To Gemcitabine/Abraxane In Pancreatic Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$676,979.00
Summary
Inefficient drug response in solid tumour tissue is commonly a limiting factor in the clinical effectiveness of cancer therapies. Using cutting-edge imaging technology and 3D models that mimic the disease, we have mapped areas of poor drug response within distinct regions of tumours. Here, we pinpoint and specifically target key factors limiting efficient drug targeting in order to improve the encouraging anti-cancer profile of the new drug combination Gemcitabine/Abraxane in pancreatic cancer.
Reversing The Biomechanical Dysregulation Of Cancer Cell Signalling To Improve Targeted Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$663,447.00
Summary
The limited success of cancer drugs is dependent on many factors including the physical properties (stiffness) of a tumour. In particular whether a tumour is soft or stiff affects how it responds to treatment. Combining classical biology with engineering to generate 3D models that mimic tumours, along with cutting-edge imaging technology, we will determine how we can target the physical properties of tumours together with already approved cancer drugs to improve treatment and patient outcome.
Biosensor Imaging In Preclinical Pancreatic Cancer Targeting: Taking Cancer Targeting To New Dimensions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,210.00
Summary
Using cutting-edge imaging technology and 3D models that mimic cancer, we can map areas of poor drug response within distinct 'stages' or regions of tumours. Here, we pinpoint and specifically target key factors limiting efficient drug response in order to improve the encouraging anti-cancer profile of new or current drugs in pancreatic cancer.
Much of the death and suffering caused by cancer is associated with secondary tumours, but alot remains to be learned about how cancer spreads through the patient's body. This project will determine how genes that enable the growth of tumours work with other genes that enable cancer cells to detach from the tumour, enabling them to enter the bloodstream and form secondary tumours in other organs.
The Microniche: A Novel In-vitro And In-vivo Prostate Cancer Model System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$561,012.00
Summary
Maintaining primary prostate cancer cells (PCa) in vitro remains an enormous challenge for the field, and this obstructs efforts to systematically characterize cell behaviour and quantify drug response. Our group recently developed a 3-demsensional (3D) organoid culture system that does maintain PCa in vitro, and here we will integrate this technology with our 3D bone maorrow niche model system to better characterize PCa bone metastases and identify new clinical treatment regimes.