Characterisation Of A Novel PI3-kinase Signal Terminating Enzyme In Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$633,512.00
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among females, affecting 1 in 9 women before the age of 85. Normally cells divide only when they receive a stimulus from a hormone or growth factor. The PI3K pathway which responds to these stimuli has been implicated in cancer where cells divide uncontrollably and invade surrounding tissue. We have identified a potential cancer suppressing gene, PIPP, which turns off PI3K growth signals. We aim to characterize the role of PIPP in breast cancer.
Characterising The Tumour Suppressive Function Of Myoepithelial Cell Stefin A In Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,840.00
Summary
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a pre-invasive stage of breast cancer, whereby the tumour cells remain restrained by myoepithelial cells that surround breast ducts. Predicting which cases of DCIS will later develop invasive cancer is difficult, meaning that the majority of patients have treatment. Stefin A is a protease inhibitor in myoepithelial cells shown to block cancer invasion and we aim to test the function of this protein in DCIS and its potential as a prognostic marker.
Use Of Circulating Tumour DNA To Characterise The Mutational Landscape Of Marginal Zone Lymphoma, Monitor Treatment Response And Detect Emergence Of Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) is a subtype of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma for which the molecular drivers of disease are poorly understood. We hypothesise that circulating tumour DNA may be ideal for characterising the genetic mutations that underpin MZL, monitoring treatment response and detecting emergence of resistance. This non-invasive method of disease monitoring has the potential to transform management of cancers such as MZL, identify new treatment options and improve survival outcomes.
SFRP4 As A Novel Diagnostic And Therapeutic Target For Gastric Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$137,700.00
Summary
Gastric cancer is a common cancer with poor survival, but is and potentially curable when diagnosed at an early stage. However currently there are no non-invasive markers for the early detection of gastric cancer, and treatments for advanced cancer are limited. Secreted frizzled related protein 4 (SFRP4) is a protein that is thought to play a role in invasion of gastric cancer. This study will investigate the utility SFRP4 as a diagnostic test and possible therapeutic for gastric cancer.
Molecular Characterisation Of Serous Ovarian Cancer With Poor Clinical Outcome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$532,136.00
Summary
Ovarian cancer is the 5th most common cancer in women, and most lethal gynaecologic malignancy. Despite aggressive surgery and multi-drug chemotherapy the majority of women experience recurrence and ~70% will succumb to the disease. This project will investigate two molecular subtypes of ovarian cancer previously identified by our laboratory to better understand mechanisms associated with poor treatment response.
The Contribution Of Host Caveolin-1 To Breast Cancer Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$517,992.00
Summary
Mortality in breast cancer rises to 80% in cases where secondary tumors form in other organs. To improve outcome, a better understanding of the processes involved in cancer spread is needed. Normal cells contribute to the growth and spread of a tumour and are a target for therapy. When a protein called caveolin-1 is lost from normal cells in a tumour, the prognosis for the patient is much worse. The aim of this project is to understand how this protein can regulate the spread of breast cancer.
The Role Of Clathrin In The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint And As An Anti-cancer Target
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$651,768.00
Summary
Cell division produces two daughter cells. Incorrect localisation and modification of proteins that regulate mitosis cause errors that can lead to cancer. As well as using a unique machinery mitosis uses proteins involved in non-cell cycle pathways. This project investigates the role during mitosis of one such protein: clathrin. We will identify lead clathrin inhibitory compounds, pitstops, that have potential anti-cancer properties, ultimately to be used as a chemotherapy agent.
Characterisation Of The Tumour Suppressor Function Of Caspase-2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,096.00
Summary
Aberrant cell death (apoptosis) is associated with many diseases including cancer. Apoptosis is mediated by a group of enzymes called caspases. Recently we have discovered that one of these enzymes, caspase-2, acts as a tumour suppressor. We now wish to validate this finding in several preclinical models of cancer and understand precisely how caspase-2 works to safeguard cells against cancer development. These studies will help better understand cancer and ways to treat it.
Alpha-actinin-4 As An Oncogenic Driver And Therapeutic Target In Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,786.00
Summary
Despite the recent advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, curative treatment of metastatic melanoma remains an unmet health problem. In this project, we will potentially demonstrate that a protein called ACTN4 is abnormally expressed at high levels in melanoma cells and plays an important role for melanoma cell survival and resistance to treatment, and thus identify inhibition of ACTN4, either alone or in combination with other drugs, as a novel approach in the treatment of melanoma.
Role Of LncRNA IDH1-AS1 In Regulating C-Myc Driven-glycolysis And Tumorigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$685,043.00
Summary
It is thought that understanding cancer metabolism will reveal vulnerabilities that can be exploited in the clinic. Indeed, compared to most normal cells, cancer cells utilise different fuels to sustain proliferation and to adapt to their environment. Herein we have discovered a molecular switch that regulates the key metabolic enzyme IDH1 and show this controls tumour growth. Given this switch may be active in 50% of cancers we anticipate our work will have significance to many cancer types.