The Importance Of RUNX3 In Preventing Gastrointestinal Diseases And Tumour Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,322.00
Summary
Stomach cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. It is estimated that in 2010, more than 1 million people will die of stomach cancer with an increase of 19%. Studies have revealed that RUNX3 has the ability to suppress the growth of stomach cancer. However the role of RUNX3 in preventing metastasis is yet unknown. Therefore, an understanding of the factors that govern metastasis will inform the design of effective therapies to prevent mortality which is high for this disease.
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.
Contribution Of MDSC-derived Cysteine Cathepsins In Breast Cancer Metastasis To Bone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Cathepsins are enzymes called proteases that function to cleave specific proteins, a process that is important for many normal cellular functions. Aberrant cathepsin activity can result in a number of pathologies, including cancer and inflammation. We are developing tools called activity-based probes to study the function of cathepsins in disease. Specifically, we will investigate their activity within cells of the immune system with the goal of developing novel therapeutic approaches.
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.
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.