Characterisation Of A New Poor-Risk Sub-Category Of Chronic Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$609,320.00
Summary
The introduction of targeted therapy for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) has resulted in excellent responses for many patients. However, some 30-40% of patients respond very poorly to this therapy and therapeutic advances are urgently needed to improve response in these patients. In order to better treat these poor risk patients we aim, in this project, to develop a greater understanding of their disease, and from this identify specific cellular targets for future drug treatment/combination ther ....The introduction of targeted therapy for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) has resulted in excellent responses for many patients. However, some 30-40% of patients respond very poorly to this therapy and therapeutic advances are urgently needed to improve response in these patients. In order to better treat these poor risk patients we aim, in this project, to develop a greater understanding of their disease, and from this identify specific cellular targets for future drug treatment/combination therapy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Of New And Better Treatments For Human African Trypanosomiasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$837,615.00
Summary
Sleeping sickness, or human African trypanosomiasis, is present in 36 countries where there are 60 million people at risk of infection, with 50,000-70,000 new cases and 48,000 deaths per annum. Transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly, this disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, and without treatment, death is inevitable. We have discovered some compounds that weakly inhibit T.brucei and the aim of this project is to make them potent enough to become drug candidates.
Pharmacological Targeting Of Integrated Oncogenic And Tumour Suppressive Pathways Using Novel Therapeutics.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,953.00
Summary
We will investigate NDRG1, a novel molecular target that has been demonstrated to inhibit the progression of numerous cancers. We aim to better understand the underlying function of NDRG1 in pancreatic cancer and how we can potentially target this gene with novel therapeutics being developed in our lab. We hope that this new approach will lead to promising treatments and a better outcome for those suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Investigating The Therapeutic Potential Of FTY720 For Human African Trypanosomiasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$653,736.00
Summary
FTY720, is a drug currently used to treat multiple sclerosis, which we have shown is also be able to kill the parasite responsible for African sleeping sickness, Trypanosomes. We aim to identify the target the drug acts on in the parasite to have its affect. Our objective is to improve the activity further by chemical modification to produce a potent, orally available and well characterised, non-toxic drug suitable for preclinical development.
In Vivo Evaluation Of The Safety And Efficacy Of A Novel Chitosan Gel In The Reduction Of Adhesions Following Abdominal Surgery In Both Animal And Human Models
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$532,076.00
Summary
Up to 95% of abdominal surgery patients will develop adhesions within the abdomen, with nearly 1 in 5 requiring hospital readmission for pain, reduced gastrointestinal function and bowel obstruction. Newly developed Chitodex gel has been shown to be effective in the control of bleeding and the reduction of adhesions following sinus surgery. These projects will now explore its use in abdominal surgery. Chitodex gel has the potential to benefit millions of patients each year and drastically lessen ....Up to 95% of abdominal surgery patients will develop adhesions within the abdomen, with nearly 1 in 5 requiring hospital readmission for pain, reduced gastrointestinal function and bowel obstruction. Newly developed Chitodex gel has been shown to be effective in the control of bleeding and the reduction of adhesions following sinus surgery. These projects will now explore its use in abdominal surgery. Chitodex gel has the potential to benefit millions of patients each year and drastically lessen the burden on our health system.Read moreRead less
Targeting Schistosome Calcium Signalling To Improve And Broaden Praziquantel Efficacy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$481,661.00
Summary
Schistosomiasis is caused by parasitic worms, treatment relies solely on praziquantel (PZQ). Schistosomes respond and recover from PZQ exposure through modulation of the gene CamKII. We will target this gene to both increase and extend the efficacy of PZQ in both adult parasites and in refractory juvenile parasites. Research will expand into assaying CamKII inhibitors to maximise effectiveness and take this work into animal models of this disease.
Prevention Of Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis In A High Prevalence Setting: ‘Connecting The DOTS’ In Vietnam
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,382,020.00
Summary
The close contacts of people with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) have a high risk of developing the disease. The V-QUIN MDR-TB Trial will evaluate the effectiveness of an oral antibiotic (levofloxacin) in preventing drug resistant TB among infected household contacts of TB patients. Household contacts from 10 Provinces in Vietnam will be randomly allocated to receive six-months of either levofloxacin or a placebo, and then followed for two years to see if they develop tuberculosis.
Development Of A Treatment Algorithm For Kinase Inhibitor Therapy In CML.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$527,761.00
Summary
Chronic myeloid leukaemia has become a highly treatable condition since targeted therapy became available. There are now 3 highly effective drugs available, imatinib, nilotinib and dasatinib. We are developing drug sensitivity assays that can be used to predict response to these 3 drugs. We propose that these assays could be used to individualise therapy to ensure that the optimal drug can be provided for each patient from diagnosis to provide a cost-effective customized approach to therapy.
Allosteric Modulation And Biased Signalling At The Calcium-sensing Receptor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,242.00
Summary
The calcium-sensing receptor is a major target for the treatment of endocrine and bone disorders. However, the development of drugs for this receptor is challenging due to limited understanding of potential sites of drug interaction and how individual drugs may differentially change signalling from the receptor. This project will address these critical knowledge gaps, which may allow for improved therapeutic outcomes.
A Novel Nitric Oxide-based Treatment For Recalcitrant Staphylococcus Aureus-associated Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$541,377.00
Summary
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common condition affecting the lives of up to 16% of the population. With yet no cure, the search for effective means of therapy is crucial. Patients with severe disease are most often found to have infection with the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, associated with more severe symptoms and reduced quality of life. This study will investigate the effectiveness of a novel topical liposome-encapsulated nitric oxide in the treatment of this burdensome disease.