A Comprehensive Self-Management Programme For Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease In The Community
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,610.00
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of burden of disease in Australia. It has a major impact on sufferers, their carers and society. This study introduces a new model of community care, based on case management, mentoring to improve self-efficacy and information systems to deliver information and closely monitor disease status. This will improve the quality of life of sufferers, develop healthcare networks and decrease healthcare utilisation.
Surfactant Protein D As A Candidate Therapy In COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,749.00
Summary
Smoking -related chronic bronchitis and emphysema, otherwise known COPD, costs the healthcare system over $800 million per year. People continue to suffer even after they have given up smoking, and the treatments available result in only modest improvements. COPD is associated with a a defect of the scavenging cells in the lung, which normally clear away dying cells, and some of the proteins ivolved in this process. We will investigate whether supplementing these proteins will help.
Molecular Mechanisms Of Wasting In Experimental COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,521.00
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health problem and has been predicted to become the third largest cause of death in the world by 2020. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of COPD and accounts for more than 95% of cases in industrialized countries. Currently no therapies exist to halt the inevitable progression of the disease. To date most of the research has focused on the aspects of this disease which result in destruction of the lung however it is becoming incre ....Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health problem and has been predicted to become the third largest cause of death in the world by 2020. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of COPD and accounts for more than 95% of cases in industrialized countries. Currently no therapies exist to halt the inevitable progression of the disease. To date most of the research has focused on the aspects of this disease which result in destruction of the lung however it is becoming increasingly evident that COPD is a disease of multiple organs. Until recently it had been widely believed that the profound loss of exercise tolerance observed in COPD patients was due to impaired gas exchange secondary to lung structural damage. Loss of lean body mass (muscle) is now recognised as a major co-morbidity of COPD and a direct cause of functional impairment with patients suffering marked deteriorations in quality of life, increased mortality, breathlessness and decreased exercise tolerance. Skeletal muscle wasting is a powerful predictor of mortality in COPD, independent of the lung function impairment. Despite the clinical seriousness of muscle wasting and suggestive evidence that it may be reversible, little is known about the pathogenic mechanisms. Therefore the goal of this project is to use experimental models of COPD to identify the molecular basis of wasting, in order to restore skeletal muscle homeostasis. The insights gained from this research proposal may lead to the identification of potentially novel targets for the prevention and reversal of the debilitating and life threatening effects of skeletal muscle wasting in COPD. For the COPD patient this has the potential to increase quality of life, functional ability and life expectancy.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Apoptosis And Macrophage Function In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,400.00
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex, chronic disease of the lungs principally caused by cigarette smoking. COPD is very common and causes a great deal of debility and mortality in our community. COPD is also linked to an increased risk of lung cancer and carviovascular disease. It is estimated to cost Australians at least $800 million dollars per year in health related costs. Despite its importance, there is a limited understanding of how COPD develops and treatment options ....Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex, chronic disease of the lungs principally caused by cigarette smoking. COPD is very common and causes a great deal of debility and mortality in our community. COPD is also linked to an increased risk of lung cancer and carviovascular disease. It is estimated to cost Australians at least $800 million dollars per year in health related costs. Despite its importance, there is a limited understanding of how COPD develops and treatment options are limited. We have identified large numbers of dying cells in the airways of people with COPD and we believe that these play a critical part in the cause and-or progression of the illness. This project will determine whether the increased rates of cell death are the result of the COPD process or part of the actual cause of the disease. This knowledge will enable us to address the urgent need to predict the risk of developing COPD in current and ex- smokers. Cells obtained from the lungs of healthy controls, current- ex smokers without COPD and current- ex smokers with COPD will be studied. The effects of current treatments for COPD on these cells as well as testing novel treatments will also be studied, paying particular attention to the effects on cell death. In this way we hope that new therapies will be identified to improve the health and well-being of those with COPD.Read moreRead less
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health problem and has been predicted to become the third largest cause of death in the world by 2020. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of COPD and accounts for more than 95% of cases in industrialized countries. Cigarette smoke triggers cells in the lung to release substances which cause inflammation and eat away lung tissue. In addition, these substances enter the blood and muscle where they eat away muscle resulting in signifi ....Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health problem and has been predicted to become the third largest cause of death in the world by 2020. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of COPD and accounts for more than 95% of cases in industrialized countries. Cigarette smoke triggers cells in the lung to release substances which cause inflammation and eat away lung tissue. In addition, these substances enter the blood and muscle where they eat away muscle resulting in significant weight loss. Patients with COPD have severe difficulty in breathing because the lungs are damaged and do not function properly. This process, once started, cannot be reversed and there is currently no satisfactory therapy to help treat individuals with this terrible disease. People with COPD are prone to viral and bacterial infections of the lungs. These infections cause further inflammation, lung damage and difficulty in breathing. These infections place a tremendous burden on health care resources, have a huge effect on the quality of life and are a common cause of death. The reason why respiratory infections are so serious for people with COPD is unclear. Preliminary results from our laboratory show that a substance called GM-CSF, released from cells in the lung, may be involved in the development of COPD. Thus, the aim of this project is to use our mouse models of COPD to determine whether GM-CSF is involved in the development of COPD. The insights gained may lead to the identification of potentially novel ways to prevent and treat COPD.Read moreRead less
Modulation Of Macrophage Function As A Therapy For Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,589.00
Summary
We have established that defective clearance of dying cells by phagocytes in the airway can a) perpetuate inflammation in smokers with-without COPD and b) be improved by administration of therapies (Mannose binding lectin and Procysteine) in a mouse model. The current proposal specifically addresses the role of phagocytes in the ongoing airway damage in our COPD patients, and more thoroughly investigates the mechanisms and effects of administration of relevant new therapies (in a mouse model).
Characterisation And Treatment Of Innate Immune Dysfunction In Older People With Obstructive Airway Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,083.00
Summary
Airway problems in older people are increasing. The two most common airway problems in people over the age of 60 are asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. These diseases have a major impact of the quality of life of older people. Airway inflammation is an important mediator of symptoms and exacerbations in younger people with airway disease, however little is understood about airway inflammation in the elderly. We will study airway inflammation in older people with airway dis ....Airway problems in older people are increasing. The two most common airway problems in people over the age of 60 are asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. These diseases have a major impact of the quality of life of older people. Airway inflammation is an important mediator of symptoms and exacerbations in younger people with airway disease, however little is understood about airway inflammation in the elderly. We will study airway inflammation in older people with airway disease and make comparisons with both younger and older healthy controls. While many changes occur in our bodies with age, we do not understand how ageing affects airway disease. Some of the changes which occur with ageing include increased inflammation and an increased susceptibility to infection. We do not understand how these changes affect people with respiratory disease or how they occur. Respiratory infections in older people with airway disease often result in hospitalisation, and some bacterial pathogens can survive in the airways for long periods of time without the typical symptoms of infection. This bacterial persistence can lead to an increased influx of inflammatory cells and chemicals which can cause destruction of the airways and lead to changes in the airway structure that are not reversible. We will investigate bacterial infection in older people with and without airway disease and investigate an important pathway of the immune system called innate immunity. We will assess the influence of ageing itself on these immune responses, and also the impact of associated airway disease. We will also trial an anti-inflammatory therapy in older people with airway disease who have persisting bacteria in their airways to see if this will help reduce inflammation and reduce the bacteria that persist in the airways. These are new and exciting approaches to a common and increasing problem for older Australians.Read moreRead less
Genetic Dissection Of Biofilm Development By Non-typeable Haemophilus Influenzae
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,516.00
Summary
The bacterial pathogen non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a common cause of chronic infections of the middle ear and of the airways of patients suffering cystic fibrosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These infections are associated with bacterial biofilms that are significantly resistant to both antibiotics and immune defences. This project aims to characterise the process of NTHi biofilm development so that novel diagnostic tools and therapeutics can be developed.
Identifying New Therapeutic Targets For Preventing The Induction And Progression Of COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$649,314.00
Summary
Smoking leads to lung inflammation that causes emphysema, which is a major health problem in Australia. Once induced there is a progressive decline in health, which continues even after stopping smoking. There are no treatments that halt this decline. Recently small genes have been discovered that control inflammation. We may be able to control these small genes and stop the induction and progression of emphysema. This project may lead to a completely new way of preventing and treating emphysema ....Smoking leads to lung inflammation that causes emphysema, which is a major health problem in Australia. Once induced there is a progressive decline in health, which continues even after stopping smoking. There are no treatments that halt this decline. Recently small genes have been discovered that control inflammation. We may be able to control these small genes and stop the induction and progression of emphysema. This project may lead to a completely new way of preventing and treating emphysema.Read moreRead less