Immunotherapy In Mismatch Repair-deficient Colorectal Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
A new drug called PD-1 is effective in treating bowel cancers occurring in people at high risk of cancer called Lynch syndrome but little is known why PD-1 is effective at treating these cancer types. Initial studies have found that certain attributes of these cancers such as high amounts of inflammation may help to predict why these cancers respond to PD-1 but further studies of these tumors are needed to identify other tumor characteristics that may help predict responsiveness to PD-1.
This project will investigate a new class of targeted drugs called Smac-mimetics. These drugs are proving extremely effective in promoting the death of cancer cells. Here, we aim to better understand how Smac-mimetics work as a cancer therapeutic and how they promote immune responses to cancer. This will enable us to identify combination therapies that elicit both death of the cancer cell and stimulate the immune system to promote tumour clearance.
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.
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.
Development Of Autoimmune Pathologies In Response To Cancer Immunotherapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Cancer immunotherapies (CIs) boost a patient’s own immune response towards cancer, providing long-term survival benefits. However, in some cases, CIs imbalance immune activity, leading to aberrant activation against self. This is observed clinically as a broad spectrum of autoimmune syndromes including those affecting the endocrine system. This study will investigate the mechanism by which endocrinopathies develop in response to CIs, offering new strategies for identifying susceptible patients.
Lipid Antigen Recognition By Diverse CD1-restricted T Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$312,625.00
Summary
Natural Killer T (NKT) cells are a specialized T cell lineage that form a key part of the adaptive immune response required for protection against infection, allergy, cancer and autoimmune diseases. Different types of NKT cells exist, expressing distinct T cell receptors that recognize a large array of lipid antigens presented during disease conditions. Understanding the mechanisms involved in lipid recognition is crucial in deciphering how NKT cells can be manipulated for desired immune respons ....Natural Killer T (NKT) cells are a specialized T cell lineage that form a key part of the adaptive immune response required for protection against infection, allergy, cancer and autoimmune diseases. Different types of NKT cells exist, expressing distinct T cell receptors that recognize a large array of lipid antigens presented during disease conditions. Understanding the mechanisms involved in lipid recognition is crucial in deciphering how NKT cells can be manipulated for desired immune responses.Read moreRead less
Cell Pedigree Tracking To Elucidate How Polarity Proteins Alter Fate In B-cell Development And Leukaemia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
During the onset of cancer, the orientation of cells is lost. My research project aims to determine the cellular and molecular basis by which proteins responsible for the orientation of cells are involved in leukaemia. Additionally, my work will investigate whether or not all proteins are equally distributed during cell division in B cell development, and will provide a platform for further investigation into how protein distribution might orchestrate fate decisions during development and leukae ....During the onset of cancer, the orientation of cells is lost. My research project aims to determine the cellular and molecular basis by which proteins responsible for the orientation of cells are involved in leukaemia. Additionally, my work will investigate whether or not all proteins are equally distributed during cell division in B cell development, and will provide a platform for further investigation into how protein distribution might orchestrate fate decisions during development and leukaemia.Read moreRead less
Perforin Trafficking And Activation In Killer Lymphocytes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,639.00
Summary
Perforin (PRF) is a protein essential for the function of cytotoxic lymphocytes during an immune response in humans. Humans deficient in PRF are severely immunosuppressed and fall critically ill if they contract a viral infection. The partial loss of PRF function can also predispose an individual to cancer. We aim to investigate the functional and biochemical properties of PRF. The outcomes of this study will determine how PRF influences the immune system and immune homeostasis in humans.