Research Fellowship – Genetic Epidemiology Studies Of Hormonal Cancers To Inform Improved Healthcare
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,209.00
Summary
This study aims to identify genetic factors that influence the development of endometrial and other cancers, and to develop statistical and laboratory methods that can better determine if variation in a known cancer gene is disease-causing. The results will be used to identify and prioritise individuals at greatest risk of cancer for the most appropriate clinical management. Discovery of novel cancer genes will improve our understanding of disease development to develop future therapies.
Development Of A Comprehensive Model For Colorectal Cancer Risk Prediction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$317,012.00
Summary
Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in Australia. While the average lifetime risk is 1 in 20, this is a great difference in individual risks. Screening and early detection can prevent 90% of bowel cancer deaths. We need to know who is at high-risk and therefore can be targeted for screening. In this project, I will develop the first tool that can predict precisely an individual’s personal risk of bowel cancer.
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
A Worldwide Study Of Cancer Risk For Lynch Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$710,761.00
Summary
People with the genetic Lynch syndrome are more likely to get cancer but we cannot accurately predict who will get cancer and when. Doctors need this information to improve cancer prevention. Large collaborative studies are needed for this research. We have agreement from the 115 researchers to combine, into a single resource, 8,863 family trees of Lynch syndrome. We will analyse this data to determine the risk of cancer and whether it differs by sex, age, or nationality.
Using Twin And Family Studies To Make Genomics Relevant To Population Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$876,005.00
Summary
This Fellowship will make major impacts on health by building on decades of research creating large studies of families, and in particular twins. One aim is to produce a simple web-based tool for women to accurately know their risk of breast cancer based on family history, mammography and genetic markers. This could transform breast and genetic screening across the world. Another is to develop new ways of analysing twin data which resolve which risk factors are causal and relevant to prevention.
An International Population-Based Study Into The Genetic Epidemiology Of Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and is a major public health issue in Australia. This project aims to find genes and levels of sun exposure, plus ways the genes and exposure interact with each other, that increase people’s risk of melanoma and how long they survive after diagnosis. The results will help to identify people at a higher risk of disease earlier and also better predict prognosis in those already diagnosed.
Young Onset Colorectal Cancer: Genetics Pathology And Environment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,180.00
Summary
There has been a steady increase since 2002, in the age-standardised incidence of CRC in males under 45 years in Australia, contrasting with the stabilisation in incidence of CRC in males of age 45 years and over. Persons under 50 years are not routinely screened unless they have a significant family history of CRC. Young-onset rectal cancer is associated with late presentations and with a higher mortality. This proposal will address the possible risk factors for young-onset CRC.
A Vulvar Cancer Cluster Caused By Genetic Susceptibility: Investigating The Genetic Mechanism.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,154,342.00
Summary
Cancer of the vulva is 70 times more common in young Aboriginal women in Arnhem Land than in other women. Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which also causes cervical cancer, is the usual cause of this cancer; initial investigations have found that HPV is present in these cancers but is not the reason for the excessive incidence. This study will investigate inherited risk factors contributing to the development of this disease in this population.
Finding Genetic Risk Markers For Endometrial And Other Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,668.00
Summary
Studies investigating thousands of genetic markers have revolutionised our understanding of genes involved in cancer. They have also shown that a single gene can be associated with multiple cancers. This project will discover new genes involved in endometrial cancer by detailed genetic analysis, and investigate the genetic similarities between endometrial cancer and different cancers. Results will improve the understanding of cancer and provide opportunity to discover future cancer treatments.
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.