Pancreatic Cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men and women in Western societies. Nothing, apart from surgery in a small proportion of individuals gives any hope. The identification of novel treatment strategies in the modern era necessitates a rational scientific approach, where an understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the evolution of cancer underpins the development of such strategies in an efficient manner. Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A, and have b ....Pancreatic Cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men and women in Western societies. Nothing, apart from surgery in a small proportion of individuals gives any hope. The identification of novel treatment strategies in the modern era necessitates a rational scientific approach, where an understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the evolution of cancer underpins the development of such strategies in an efficient manner. Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A, and have been used extremely successfully in the treatment of some leukaemias. Unfortunately, retinoids have not worked as well in other cancers. We have identified an important role for abnormal retinoid function in the evolution of pancreatic cancer, which may be responsible for the lack of effective response to retinoid treatment. This project focuses on identifying if these abnormalities in retinoid function can be reversed with adding specific pharmaceuticals so that retinoid based therapies will be effective in pancreatic cancer.Read moreRead less
Blood Serum MicroRNA Biomarkers For Oesophageal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,433.00
Summary
Oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) is the 6th commonest cause of cancer deaths in the Western World, and is increasing in incidence. In Australia most patients present late and require risky treatments with a low cure rate. There is a big difference in survival between individuals presenting early vs. late. Better methods to detect cancer early or detect pre-cancer will improve outcomes. Our research will develop a blood test for identifying individuals with early OAC to allow earlier treatment.
Effects Of Gastric Bypass And Banding For Obesity On Gastrointestinal Function, Body Weight, Glycaemia And Symptoms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,086.00
Summary
The increasing incidence of obesity poses a significant impact on the health care system. Bariatric surgery not only achieves sustained weight loss but also reverses the associated complications. This proposal aims to examine the mechanisms that mediate weight loss, improvement in blood glucose control and symptoms after bariatric surgery. The results will provide insights into future development of minimally invasive interventions for the management of obesity and diabetes.
Long Term Follow-up Of Randomised Controlled Trials For Laparoscopic Antireflux Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$712,100.00
Summary
17% of Australians use medication for gastro-oesophageal reflux, with many requiring tablets life long. In >15% this is not adequate. The alternative is surgery which is the only curative treatment for reflux and hiatus hernia. It achieves a good outcome in 90%, although some develop further reflux or side effects. To reduce problems procedures have been modified. In a series of trials we are evaluating long term outcomes for modifications, to determine the best surgical treatment for reflux.
Barrett's Oesophagus And Reflux Oesophagitis : Efficacy Of Medical Vs Surgical Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,750.00
Summary
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is very common. In some people it leads to oesophageal cancer, which is increasing in incidence more rapidly than any other cancer in the developed world. Significant resources are required for its diagnosis, surveillance and treatment. There are two main forms of treatment, acid suppressing drugs which may be required for the rest of the person's life, or surgery. The goal of treatment is the control of the symptoms such as heartburn, and the prevention of canc ....Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is very common. In some people it leads to oesophageal cancer, which is increasing in incidence more rapidly than any other cancer in the developed world. Significant resources are required for its diagnosis, surveillance and treatment. There are two main forms of treatment, acid suppressing drugs which may be required for the rest of the person's life, or surgery. The goal of treatment is the control of the symptoms such as heartburn, and the prevention of cancer. It is relatively easy to determine if the symptoms are controlled, and both medical and surgical treatments do this. It is not as easy to measure if a treatment will reduce the risk of cancer, because it takes so long to develop. We will compare a group of patients with reflux disease treated with drugs with a group treated by surgery. In each group we will take oesophageal tissue before treatment and compare it with similar tissue taken after treatment. We will look for reductions in abnormal cells and genes that are in diseased tissue and are important in the development of cancer. This study will help us understand the mechanisms by which reflux causes damage to the oesophagus and how it ultimately leads to cancer. We will learn if medical or surgical treatment is better in healing the underlying damage in the oesophagus, and which treatment is more likely to prevent cancer developing. It may result in more effective management of reflux in our community and help reduce the number of cases of oesophageal cancer.Read moreRead less
The Role Of A Low Emulsifier Diet To Treat Crohn's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,603.00
Summary
Currently, there are no specific diets known to treat Crohn’s disease (CD). Initial lab- and animal-based studies have indicated emulsifiers added to food drive inflammation in CD, but no human trials completed. This study will design and feed high and low emulsifier diets to healthy and CD subjects and measure markers of inflammation. This will establish the role of a low emulsifier diet to treat CD.
Genetic Validation Of Stat3 As A Tractable Pharmacological Target In Gastrointestinal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,964.00
Summary
Cancers of the stomach and the colon are a major health burden. One of the central signaling molecules that drives these cancers is called Stat3. Here we propose to use a novel strain of mice that allows us to experimentally dial down the amount of Stat3 protein and hence to predict how effective a future anti-Stat3 cancer drug will be.
Bacterial pathogens are a major cause of illness and death, producing diseases ranging from acute infections to cancer. However, not all infected individuals will succumb to these pathologies. What factors dictate which individuals develop these diseases is an important complex question. The core focus of my research is the identification and characterisation of novel host factors that are involved in resistance or susceptibility to bacterial-associated diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Regulation Of Cellular Responses To Neuropeptides.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$83,510.00
Summary
Neuropeptides are chemicals released from nerves that are responsible for communication between the nerves, glands, muscles or other nerves. Neuropeptides exert their diverse biological effects by interacting with small structures on the cells they wish to communicate with. These structures bind the neuropeptide and are termed neuropeptide receptors. The responses of tissues to neuropeptides, for example, contraction of muscle, decrease with continued exposure to the neuropeptide. This reduction ....Neuropeptides are chemicals released from nerves that are responsible for communication between the nerves, glands, muscles or other nerves. Neuropeptides exert their diverse biological effects by interacting with small structures on the cells they wish to communicate with. These structures bind the neuropeptide and are termed neuropeptide receptors. The responses of tissues to neuropeptides, for example, contraction of muscle, decrease with continued exposure to the neuropeptide. This reduction in response is termed desensitization is thought to turn off the response to cells following stimulation by neuropeptides. In this study, I will investigate the mechanisms behind the desensitization of VPAC receptors which are a found throughout the body and have many important roles for example, gastrointestinal, pancreatic and reproductive function and control of muscle. VPAC receptors are also highly expressed in certain many cancers such as breast, prostate and colon carcinoma. The wide variety of functions that these receptors perform and the wide distribution in the body suggest that these are very important receptors. To date research into the responses and desensitisation of these receptors has been lacking, and the work that has been done has become confusing as more receptors and neuropeptides which bind them are discovered. The current project aims to carefully study these receptors and to determine their role in health and disease. The understanding the interaction of receptor and neuropeptide can perhaps lead to development of new therapeutic agents.Read moreRead less
Gut motility requires enteric neurons, which are located in the gut wall. During development, enteric neurons arise from precursors in the brain that migrate into the intestine. Failure of enteric neuron precursors to migrate and differentiate normally results in pediatric motility disorders. The aim of this research is to identify the mechanisms controlling the development of enteric neurons so that therapies can be developed for pediatric motility disorders.