New methods to improve regional isotope therapy of liver tumours in cancer patients. The most common cause of death in cancer patients is secondary tumours in vital organs. Successful treatment of liver tumours with regional isotope therapy now offers improved survival rates. This project will research novel radiolabelled nanoparticles and advanced computer imaging algorithms to improve regional isotope therapy of liver tumours. It will provide better methods of objective assessment and manageme ....New methods to improve regional isotope therapy of liver tumours in cancer patients. The most common cause of death in cancer patients is secondary tumours in vital organs. Successful treatment of liver tumours with regional isotope therapy now offers improved survival rates. This project will research novel radiolabelled nanoparticles and advanced computer imaging algorithms to improve regional isotope therapy of liver tumours. It will provide better methods of objective assessment and management that can reduce risk and improve patient survival.Read moreRead less
DNA methylation-based diagnosis of cancer and identification of novel therapeutic targets. In our aging society, cancer represents a severe economic and quality-of-life threat. DNA methylation switches genes off, and recently, it was shown that defects in DNA methylation contribute to human diseases including cancer. This project will identify defects in DNA methylation associated with cancer. Identifying these defects will enable us to design non-invasive, early diagnostic tests for cancer on b ....DNA methylation-based diagnosis of cancer and identification of novel therapeutic targets. In our aging society, cancer represents a severe economic and quality-of-life threat. DNA methylation switches genes off, and recently, it was shown that defects in DNA methylation contribute to human diseases including cancer. This project will identify defects in DNA methylation associated with cancer. Identifying these defects will enable us to design non-invasive, early diagnostic tests for cancer on blood or bodily excretions, and to pursue novel therapeutic approaches for treating cancer. The expected outcomes would generate exports to markets in the USA and Europe and replace imports of drugs and technology to treat cancer.Read moreRead less
THE ROLE OF SMALL NON CODING RNAS IN BONE MARROW MEDIATED TUMOR ANGIOGENESIS. Despite advances in treatment and diagnosis cancer remains the leading underlying cause of deaths, representing about a third of all deaths each year in Australia (ABS stats. www.abs.gov.au). The ability to understand the process of tumour vascularisation and spread has enormous economic and social outcomes. Indeed, the most effective anti-angiogenic therapy developed to date Avastin (aka Bevacizumab), although providi ....THE ROLE OF SMALL NON CODING RNAS IN BONE MARROW MEDIATED TUMOR ANGIOGENESIS. Despite advances in treatment and diagnosis cancer remains the leading underlying cause of deaths, representing about a third of all deaths each year in Australia (ABS stats. www.abs.gov.au). The ability to understand the process of tumour vascularisation and spread has enormous economic and social outcomes. Indeed, the most effective anti-angiogenic therapy developed to date Avastin (aka Bevacizumab), although providing only a modest survival advantage (4-6 months) has annual sales of several billion dollars. microRNA represent a relatively newly discovered form of gene activity regulation. Taking a key leadership role in this area will put Australian science at the forefront of international research initiatives.Read moreRead less
Specific gene inhibition through functional genomics and high through-put small molecule screening. This project will utilise functional genomic technologies in an attempt to identify genes in childhood neuroblastoma as potential candidates for the future development of molecular-targeted gene therapy. By screening large 'libraries' of chemical compounds, we aim to identify compounds with the ability to specifically inhibit these gene targets. This project will therefore define novel molecular t ....Specific gene inhibition through functional genomics and high through-put small molecule screening. This project will utilise functional genomic technologies in an attempt to identify genes in childhood neuroblastoma as potential candidates for the future development of molecular-targeted gene therapy. By screening large 'libraries' of chemical compounds, we aim to identify compounds with the ability to specifically inhibit these gene targets. This project will therefore define novel molecular targets and possibly facilitate the future development of new therapeutic approaches to treating neuroblastoma. In addition, the project will develop know-how that can be utilised by both the industry partner and the broader research community and will introduce to Australian science novel techniques and skills. Read moreRead less
Molecular signals that regulate the regenerative properties of intestinal epithelial cells. Most cancer deaths are due to the cancer spreading to other organs. Cancer is much more difficult to treat once it has spread to other organs in the body where the cancer cells can exist in a dormant state. Dormant cancer cells evade conventional anticancer treatment and can remain dormant for a very long time before they change back to a 'tumour-growing' state. An understanding of how the cancer initiati ....Molecular signals that regulate the regenerative properties of intestinal epithelial cells. Most cancer deaths are due to the cancer spreading to other organs. Cancer is much more difficult to treat once it has spread to other organs in the body where the cancer cells can exist in a dormant state. Dormant cancer cells evade conventional anticancer treatment and can remain dormant for a very long time before they change back to a 'tumour-growing' state. An understanding of how the cancer initiating (stem cell) property of tumour cells is maintained offers potential novel avenues to eliminate persistent cancer cells. This knowledge will ultimately lead to better management and treatment of cancer, and increase survival. An understanding of stem cell behaviour is also central to the control of degenerative conditions.Read moreRead less