Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-associated death in the world. We aim to understand why some CRC patients stop responding to EGFR therapy. In particular, we will study small molecules called cytokines that are produced by the tumour microenvironment and determine if the inhibition of these cytokines can over-come the acquired resistance to therapy. Our goal is to identify new ways to improve the current treatment options for CRC patients.
ADAM Metalloprotease Inhibition For Treatment Of Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$770,925.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) causes over 4000 deaths/year, typically from developing drug resistance and spreading to other organs (metastasis). These processes involve tumour cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs), which rely on specific cell surface proteins for survival and function. We are developing antibodies against one of these type of proteins, to test in mouse models of CRC. These already show promise in targeting CSCs and inhibiting drug-resistance and metastasis in mice.
Determining The Tumour Suppressor Function Of The MCC Gene And Its Significance To Treatment Outcomes In Colorectal Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,716.00
Summary
This project analyses the early stages of bowel cancer, where we have discovered a new gene defect. We want to determine how the MCC gene defect promotes tumorigenesis and how it affects treatment outcomes, by studying a novel mouse model of bowel cancer. This will determine which cellular functions are altered following loss of MCC in bowel tumours and if the MCC defect can be exploited to identify patients who would benefit from radiotherapy or specific chemotherapies.
Delineating Mechanisms Of Acquired Resistance To Kinase Inhibitors And Devising Novel Strategies To Combat Therapeutic Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,034.00
Summary
Kinase inhibitors are some of the most successful anti-cancer agents that have emerged in the last 15 years. However, tumors become resistant to these drugs after showing initial response. Understanding mechanisms through which cancer cells become resistant to these drugs will allow us to develop effective strategies to counter it and achieve sustained responses to cancer therapy. I propose to build a research program to systematically study these mechanisms to improve cancer therapeutics.
Clinicopathological Characterisation Of Male Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,322.00
Summary
Male Breast Cancer is an uncommon and poorly understood disease. Due to its low frequency, there is a paucity of studies with large numbers of patients. Our aim will be to establish one of the largest worldwide databases of Male Breast Cancer. This will allow us to more thoroughly investigate clinical, pathological and molecular characteristics of male breast cancer, improve treatment of these patients and potentially develop novel and innovative strategies for treatment of female breast cancer.
Companion Biomarker And Therapeutic Strategy Development For Pancreatic Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$121,031.00
Summary
Innovation of predictive and responsive biomarkers in pancreatic cancer (PC) is of paramount importance. This project contains two parts: 1. Circulating DNA. It has been shown previously that DNA released into the blood stream by cancer can be measured, its usefulness in PC will be assessed. 2. ROCK-I as a predictive biomarker. ROCK-I is a protein involved in cell motility. The ability for ROCK-I amplification to predict for response to ROCK-I inhibitors will be assessed in vitro/in vivo.
Toll-like Receptor 2 Signalling As A Potential Therapeutic Target In Gastric Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$323,091.00
Summary
Stomach cancer is the fourth most deadly cancer in the world. Stomach cancer is closely linked with inflammation, and we have shown that a key inflammatory molecule, called toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), can drive the development of stomach cancer. However, this occurs in a non-inflammatory manner. My research aims to understand how TLR2 is involved in the progression of stomach cancer, with the ultimate goal to find an early biomarker of disease, and to develop better therapies.
Tailoring Targeted Therapy To DNA Repair-defective High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$802,247.00
Summary
Ovarian cancer is a major cause of cancer death in women because current treatments are inadequate. Half of aggressive ovarian cancers have abnormalities in DNA repair and should be susceptible to new PARP inhibitor therapy, yet not all those respond. By developing a new model of studying human ovarian cancers in mice, we can discover markers to predict which ovarian cancers will respond best to these exciting new treatments.
The Oligoadenylate-RNAseL Pathway May Provide A Specific And Low Toxicity Approach To Therapy For Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,314.00
Summary
We have discovered that a pathway used to fight viral infections can be triggered to produce massive cell death in the mammary gland. We hope to be able to trigger this response in breast cancers through the strategic combination of available drugs. If successful this project will establish a new therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.
Discovery, Preclinical And Translational Research In Endometrial Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,716.00
Summary
My research program is focused on “bench to bedside” translational research in uterine cancer. Specifically, identifying the genetic aberrations underlying the development of uterine cancer, understanding the function of these genes in normal and cancer cells, providing proof of principle data that drugs targeting these defective proteins induce cancer cell death in vitro and in vivo and identifying factors associated with whether a patient will respond to one particular treatment over another.