Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT): Further Characterization Of Disease Mechanism Will Improve Patient Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$456,484.00
Summary
Thrombus formation occurs as a side effect of heparin treatment in many patients. This condition is called Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT). The clots may be stabilised by secretions from cells called neutrophils. In this project we will study this possibility using a mouse model of HIT and will explore therapeutic approaches to inhibit clot stabilisation.
A Phase I Study Of Autologous CD19 Specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells For Therapy Of Relapsed And Refractory B-cell Leukaemia And Lymphoma (The Auto-CAR19 Trial).
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$584,666.00
Summary
Most people with leukaemia and lymphoma who relapse early after chemotherapy die of their disease. Inserting special genes into immune cells can enable them to kill leukaemia and lymphoma and has led to dramatic cures, but the cost of the viral vectors used to make these cells is prohibitively expensive. We will make leukaemia and lymphoma specific immune cells from patients using an inexpensive non-viral system, then administer the immune cells to patients to assess their safety and efficacy.
Targeting Neutrophil Extracellular Traps To Reduce Inflammation In Severe Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$585,240.00
Summary
People with severe asthma, a chronic disease of the lungs, often have many inflammatory cells in the airways called neutrophils. Neutrophils release a meshwork of fibers in a web like trap called NETs, which are made of the cells DNA and other proteins that fight infection. These NETs can promote inflammation in the persons airways. Current asthma treatments have no effect on NETs. This project will measure NETs in the airways and test a new treatment to reduce NETs, and relieve asthma symptoms.
Alpha-particles linked to recombinant antibodies targeting tumour cells have potential to effectively treat tumours while minimising normal tissue side effects. We will explore a novel alpha-particle therapy approach to solid tumours, by delivering 225Ac directly into tumour cells, or into cells that support the tumour (microenvironment). This approach will hopefully result in development of a new approach to treatment of cancers that are resistant to conventional therapies.
A Phase I Study Of PiggyBac CD19 Specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells For Therapy Of Persistent And Relapsed B-cell Leukaemia And Lymphoma Post Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (The CARTELL Study).
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$357,590.00
Summary
Most people with relapsed leukaemia and lymphoma after bone marrow transplant die of their disease. Inserting special genes into immune cells can enable them to kill leukaemia and lymphoma and has led to dramatic cures, but there is little experience in bone marrow transplant patients. We will make leukaemia and lymphoma specific immune cells from normal bone marrow transplant donors, then administer the immune cells to transplant patients to assess their safety and effectiveness.
Melanotransferrin: A “Missing Link” And A Novel Pharmacological Target For Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,848.00
Summary
Despite >30 years of research, the precise function of the protein, melanotransferrin (MTf), is unknown. However, we have breakthrough evidence that MTf stimulates WNT signalling as a major driver in cancer progression. We will investigate this hypothesis, which will underpin new cancer therapies. Indeed, we designed a new class of drugs that target the WNT pathway via up-regulating the WNT inhibitor, NDRG1. This drug (DpC) inhibits MTf expression to block tumour cell growth and metastasis.
Transient Tissue ‘priming’ Via FAK Inhibition To Impair Pancreatic Cancer Progression And Improve Sensitivity To Gemcitabine/Abraxane
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,848.00
Summary
The success of cancer drugs is dependent on many factors including the properties of the tumour tissue. As a tumour grows it changes the tissue around it, and this affects response to treatment. Combining classical biology with engineering to generate 3D models that mimic tumours, along with cutting-edge imaging technology and mouse models, we will target FAK-controlled cancer cell pathways that sense tissue changes, together with already approved cancer drugs to improve patient outcome.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Low-dose Ketamine In Youth With Severe Depression And Elevated Suicide Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,232,757.00
Summary
Recent research has shown that a single injection of low-dose ketamine has powerful, though short-lived, antidepressant effects. Effective treatments are urgently needed for young people with severe depression. This will be the first controlled study to test whether repeated doses of ketamine, given over 4 weeks, is effective for young patients.
Temporal Trends In The Incidence, Site And Survival Of Metastatic Breast Cancer In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,494.00
Summary
There have been major advances in breast cancer treatment over the last decade. This project will use information collected from the NSW cancer registry and hospitals to report on changes in the type and risk of breast cancer spread and survival for women with a new diagnosis of breast cancer before and after new treatments introduced since 2005. This information is essential for doctors to provide women with up-to-date information; and for planning appropriate health services and research.
Pushing AR Toward Better Outcomes In Breast And Prostate Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$998,754.00
Summary
Breast and prostate cancers kill >6000 Australians each year. These cancers are strikingly similar, both driven by hormone receptors that have ‘gone bad’. Current therapies aim to eradicate the receptors. While often effective, therapeutic resistance is common and results in fatal disease. We aim to develop new, less toxic treatments that switch receptor behaviour from good to bad, without destroying them. This should improve quality of life, while preventing drug resistance and loss of lives ....Breast and prostate cancers kill >6000 Australians each year. These cancers are strikingly similar, both driven by hormone receptors that have ‘gone bad’. Current therapies aim to eradicate the receptors. While often effective, therapeutic resistance is common and results in fatal disease. We aim to develop new, less toxic treatments that switch receptor behaviour from good to bad, without destroying them. This should improve quality of life, while preventing drug resistance and loss of lives.Read moreRead less