Ovarian cancer is frequently fatal and an extremely distressing cause of death in women. Our research program draws on the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study (AOCS), involving over 2000 women with ovarian cancer to investigate the genetic causes, and molecular changes that control cancer growth and response to therapy. The program is part of Australia’s $27m commitment to the International Cancer Genomics Consortium, an ambitious, worldwide effort to map the cancer genome.
Novel Therapeutic Approaches To Ovarian Clear Cell Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,920.00
Summary
Our study aims to develop novel therapies for clear cell ovarian cancer, a disease that is generally resistant to conventional therapies. We have found unexpected parallels between kidney cancer and ovarian clear cell cancer, and this has been used to better treat patients. This study investigates the underlying molecular changes the control ovarian clear cell cancer growth.
The Intersection Between Hedgehog And Notch Signalling In Medulloblastoma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,647.00
Summary
Brain tumours are the second most common malignancy of childhood and the leading cause of cancer related death and disability in children. Medulloblastoma is the most frequent malignant childhood brain tumour, arising in the cerebellum. This application looks at the relationship between two genetic pathways responsible for medulloblastoma which are also drug targets. Understanding this interaction will lead to better treatment options for the disease.
A Comprehensive Genomic Analysis Of Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma: Understanding The Genetic Aetiology Of OAC Towards Biomarkers Of Progression, Prognosis And Targeted Treatment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$987,906.00
Summary
Oesophageal cancer (OAC) continues to have poor survival despite surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Selecting patients for the most appropriate therapies and improving survival remain unmet research needs. We propose to undertake a detailed genetic study of OAC, including “next generation” sequencing, in order to catalogue the genetic changes in the disease. This information forms an essential basis for identifying genetic signatures of OAC progression, prognosis and treatment response.
Identification Of Novel Colorectal Cancer Susceptibility Genes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,093.00
Summary
Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers, with around 1 million cases diagnosed annually. These cancers can be caused by a combination of lifestyle/environmental and genetic factors. Genetics cause ~30% of colon cancers, although the cause is unexplained in ~2/3 of these cases. The aim of this project is to discover new colon cancer genes by extensive gene sequencing of multi-case unexplained colon cancer families, and screening of additional cases and cancer-free individuals.
Metagenomic Analysis To Determine The Prostate Microenvironment And The Aetiology Of Inflammatory Mediated Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,534.00
Summary
Infectious organisms have been implicated in the development of several different malignancies. This project aims to determine if this may also be applicable in prostate cancer and if so, to define which organism/s may be responsible, thus providing targets for improving diagnosis, treatment and prevention strategies. The approach will be to identify DNA in the prostate tumour tissue that is foreign to the �normal� prostate environment and indicative of an invading organism.
Leukaemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, constitutes an important component of Australia's overall cancer burden. We aim to improve our understanding of the genetic and familial contributions to this disease. By establishing the Victorian Paediatric Family Cancer Study, we have evidence of a relationship between maternal age, onset of leukaema and overall risk of cancer in the family. We aim to determine if this finding is genetically based, implying a larger inherited component than ....Leukaemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, constitutes an important component of Australia's overall cancer burden. We aim to improve our understanding of the genetic and familial contributions to this disease. By establishing the Victorian Paediatric Family Cancer Study, we have evidence of a relationship between maternal age, onset of leukaema and overall risk of cancer in the family. We aim to determine if this finding is genetically based, implying a larger inherited component than previously recognized.Read moreRead less
Tracking The Origins And Drivers Of Metastasis In Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,022,600.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer but only 10% of men with it, will die from it. Our current ability to discriminate between cancers with an indolent course and those that are lethal is poor. This project will examine the mixture of tumour clones (subclones) that are present in prostate cancers and define and track those cancer subclones that break away from the prostate and lodge in distant sites, causing death.
CLINICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF GENETICALLY DEFINED GERMLINE SUB-GROUPS OF MELANOMA AND BREAST CANCER PATIENTS.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$140,949.00
Summary
In this project I will assess how cancer patients’ genetic makeup influences the nature and outcome of their cancer, especially in terms of how successful treatment is likely to be. We will show how key genetic variants influence cancer behaviour and by combining these genes we will have a better understanding of how to develop more successful treatments.