Translating Risk Models To Improve Prevention And Early Diagnosis Of Cancer In Primary Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$479,882.00
Summary
Primary care plays a key role in prevention and early diagnosis of cancer. This fellowship will apply evidence about cancer risk to help GPs provide tailored advice to patients about preventing common cancers. It will also use new risk tools to assess people with symptoms suggestive of cancer to support earlier diagnosis. The research extends to studies relating to how people interpret symptoms and ways of promoting earlier presentation to the GP in patients who are at higher risk of cancer.
Viral infections that mothers catch during pregnancy still cause much illness in babies either in the womb, or after birth. One of these infections called CMV causes more babies to be born with malformation in Australia than any other infection, and is second only to cerebral palsy as a cause of serious problems in babies. Our studies are examining CMV in mothers and babies, leading to better diagnostic tests, researching use of existing and new antiviral drugs to reduce infection in these mothe ....Viral infections that mothers catch during pregnancy still cause much illness in babies either in the womb, or after birth. One of these infections called CMV causes more babies to be born with malformation in Australia than any other infection, and is second only to cerebral palsy as a cause of serious problems in babies. Our studies are examining CMV in mothers and babies, leading to better diagnostic tests, researching use of existing and new antiviral drugs to reduce infection in these mothers and babies.Read moreRead less
Molecular Imaging As A Critical Tool In Discovery Of The Basis Of Tumour Heterogeneity And Developing Novel Therapies To Overcome Therapeutic Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,961.00
Summary
Determining treatment options for cancer currently relies on the size and extent of tumour deposits on imaging, combined with a biopsy. However, this approach fails to recognise the ability of tumours to evolve components that are, or become, resistant to treatment. My laboratory uses advanced molecular imaging, targeted biopsies, animal models and genetic analysis to detect and understand the basis of such resistance and thereby develop new, targeted treatments to improve patient outcomes.
Integration Of Basic And Translational Genitourinary Cancer Research Into Academic Clinical Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,961.00
Summary
Improvements in human health can only occur when the best basic research is tested in the best clinical trials and then applied in clinical practice across the board. Practitioner Fellowships are designed to support people who bridge these areas. This Fellowship will support an integrated program of research involving laboratory studies in prostate cancer, clinical trials in prostate and other types of cancer, application to clinical practice, and high level clinical and research leadership.
Major advances in cancer treatment has been made by identifying gene mutations in cancers to which the cancer is “addicted”, such that turning off the effects of the mutations leads to death of the cancer cells. Grant McArthur has been successful in applying this principle to rare types of sarcoma bringing his work to routine clinical practice globally. In this application he will investigate targeting the BRAF, KIT and MYC genes focusing on melanoma, a major cancer problem in Australia.
Translating Disordered Iron Metabolism And Liver Injury Research Into Clinical Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,014.00
Summary
Disorders of iron excess or insufficiency are common. A major complication of iron overload is liver disease. Another major cause of liver disease is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Most causes of liver disease injure the liver by similar mechanisms. This project will discover new mechanisms by which iron may cause cancer, arthritis, liver and cardiac disease and will define new diagnostic tests and treatments for disorders of iron metabolism and liver disease.
The incidence of melanoma in Australia continues to increase, with Queensland having the highest incidence worldwide. This research uses latest advances in genomics, imaging technologies and microbiopsy devices to develop a personalized screening program for high-risk individuals, with the aim of improving early detection, and reducing the burden of melanoma.
I am a practising hospital physician and a trained scientist and am widely acknowledged at the world leader in my field of study, asbestos cancers. Our latest research discoveries have put us on the threshold of bold new approaches to curing the scourge of these cancers and finding better blood tests but this work now requires extra attention from me to bring it to fruition. A Practitioner Fellowship is an ideal way for me to continue to lead this exciting research.
Molecular Determinants Of Progression And Treatment Response In Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,068.00
Summary
Melanoma, a skin malignancy of pigment cells, is a major Australian health problem and is the commonest cancer in young adults. This project utilises the resources of the world’s largest melanoma treatment service and aims to develop a scientific basis for 1) improved management of individuals at high risk for melanoma progression, and 2) improved treatment of patients with early and disseminated melanoma, in an era of rapid change in the prospects of successfully treating this dangerous cancer.
Translating Molecular Pathology Into Cancer Diagnostics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$479,882.00
Summary
The aim of this research is focussed on translation of basic science through to the clinic by introducing novel cancer diagnostics and technologies. Other integral aims are to identify new changes in DNA and other cancer cell markers in patients, assess the clinical utility of these as biomarkers (surrogates of cancer behaviour) and to conduct novel clinical trials with newly identified molecular targets of cancer and new therapeutics and combinations to assess their efficacy.