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
The Clinical Significance Of Sex Hormone Crosstalk In Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,009,006.00
Summary
Breast cancer is mainly a disease in which the sex hormone estrogen stimulates uncontrolled growth. We have recently discovered that other sex hormones, including progesterone and androgen, can redirect the actions of estrogen in breast cancers to halt growth or make a tumour disappear. This study will examine the complex interaction between all three sex hormones to develop new, more effective strategies for treating breast cancer.
Targeting MicroRNA-driven Mesenchymal To Epithelial Transition To Suppress Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$741,831.00
Summary
Prostate cancer kills ~3,000 men per year in Australia. The development of metastasis is the major cause of prostate cancer-associated death and has limited treatment options. In this study, we will characterise the role of a group of molecules, termed microRNAs, in prostate cancer metastasis. We will also test whether targeting microRNAs using novel drugs termed antagomiRs is an effective strategy to inhibit metastasis and thereby improve prostate cancer mortality.
Characterisation Of Erusiolin - A New Peptide Hormone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,202.00
Summary
Obesity and type II diabetes are epidemic diseases in Australia. Gut-derived hormones are key mediators in these diseases, due to their role in regulating appetite and blood glucose levels. Therapeutic modulation of these hormones also provides significant benefits for patients. In this proposal, we will determine the metabolic functions, such as appetite control, for a previously uncharacterised hormone, which is an unexplored therapeutic target for obesity and diabetes.
Systematic Expansion Of The Clinical Evidence Base In Opioid Prescribing For Refractory Dyspnoea At The End Of Life
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$414,535.00
Summary
Morphine can relieve breathlessness in the palliative setting. But many important questions remain. What is the best dose, should the dose change over time, do different medications provide the same relief, and how common is dyspnoea in the general population? This three part project will extend our knowledge to answer these questions. Population data will provide critical background to plan best care for future palliative patients distressed by breathlessness.
The migration of cancer cells (metastasis) is responsible for most cancer deaths. Central to this is dynamic organisation of the actin cytoskeleton _ an internal structure that provides cell shape and enables movement. We have identified a family of small molecules (called miR-200) that regulates this actin cytoskeleton through specifically downregulating various genes. We are investigating the nature of these genes and their role in cell motility _ an underlying pre-requisite of metastasis.
Can Decision Analytic Modelling Promote Clinical Translation Of Personalised Medicine Markers For Oncology Drugs?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$69,893.00
Summary
Personalised medicine is an approach that has great potential to improve healthcare. There has been limited success to date, however, in utilising proposed tests in the clinical. It is proposed that use of mathematical models early in the development of personalised medicine tests will allow early understanding of the value that the test will have for patients and society. Such insight will help build a strong case to undertake the research required before personalised medicine can be more widel ....Personalised medicine is an approach that has great potential to improve healthcare. There has been limited success to date, however, in utilising proposed tests in the clinical. It is proposed that use of mathematical models early in the development of personalised medicine tests will allow early understanding of the value that the test will have for patients and society. Such insight will help build a strong case to undertake the research required before personalised medicine can be more widely used to improve treatment for cancer.Read moreRead less
MICROFABRICATED DEVICES: A SIGNIFICANT ADVANCE FOR THE DETECTION AND MOLECULAR ANALYSES OF CIRCULATING CANCER CELLS?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$422,107.00
Summary
Using advanced microfabrication concepts, this project aims to develop a platform technology able to capture tumour cells circulating in the blood of cancer patients. Although present only in extremely small numbers, these cells provide invaluable insights into the pathophysiology of the disease and consequently provide vital diagnostic and prognostic information. Molecular analyses of these cancer cells could ultimately enable the design of improved and personalized cancer treatment.
Personalised Medicine Markers Of Anti-EGFR Antibody Therapy In Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Accelerating Clinical Translation With Collaborative Meta-analyses Based On Individual-participant Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,953.00
Summary
When selecting cancer therapy we take into account ‘biomarkers’, biological cancer characteristics that predict treatment success. We will work with an international group, the Advanced Colorectal Cancer Database, to analyse individual patient clinical trial data. We intend to validate biomarkers used to select treatment with cetuximab or panitumumab. Cancer genes called KRAS, NRAS, PTEN, PIK3CA, EREG and BRAF will be examined. Our study will provide best evidence for personalised treatment.
Mab Immunotherapies For Myeloid Leukemia Patients With Germline Or Somatic RUNX1 Mutations.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$766,995.00
Summary
This proposal presents preliminary evidence and proposes to confirm that 2 cell surface molecules, CD11a (ITGAL) and IL3RA (CD123) are direct (probably repression) targets of RUNX1 in HSCs, and are dysregulated in RUNX1 mutated AML. Monoclonal antibody therapies that target these two surface molecules have already passed different clinical trial phases for different diseases. We plan to show these antibodies are effective in RUNX1 positive AML in preclinical models and then clinical trials.