Microenvironmental Impact In The Treatment Of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,458.00
Summary
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia remains one of the leading causes of death in children and outcomes for adults with this disease remain poor. This project examines how manipulation of the environment where leukemia arises can be used to therpaeutic advancage. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells are highly dependent on the support provided by bone marrow cells but the mechanisms are not well understood. Disrupting signals from the bone marrow cells has potential as a therapeutic strategy.
A-Prof Roberst is a clinical haematologist caring for patients with blood cancers, who is committed to developing new therapies for currently incurable diseases through laboratory and clinical trial research.
Molecular Regulation Of Haematopoiesis In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,413.00
Summary
The blood forming system coordinates production of cells that confer immunity to infection, transport oxygen and assist blood clotting. When the molecular mechanisms that control these functions go awry, diseases including leukaemia and autoimmunity result. This research will define fundamental molecular regulators of blood cell production and function, assess their role in blood cell diseases and explore their potential to provide leads for development of new therapeutics.
The transplantation of healthy stem cells from a donor into a recipient with blood cancer (stem cell transplantation) is the most effective curative therapy for the majority of patients. Unfortunately this process results in unwanted, often fatal, side effects including infection, a rejection process known as graft-versus-host disease and in some patients, the leukaemia still recurs. This research will refine new treatments focused on overcoming these limitations and improving transplant outcome
Regulation Of Normal And Malignant Haematopoiesis By The Bone Marrow Environment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,458.00
Summary
This project will identify factors within the bone marrow that regulate blood and immune cell formation. These include oxygenation and novel proteins identified in the applicant’s laboratory. How these factors from the bone marrow influence the behaviour of normal blood forming cells (called haematopoietic stem cells), and the progression of leukaemia and the response of leukaemia to chemotherapy treatments will be investigated. New drugs that interfere with these new factors will be tested for ....This project will identify factors within the bone marrow that regulate blood and immune cell formation. These include oxygenation and novel proteins identified in the applicant’s laboratory. How these factors from the bone marrow influence the behaviour of normal blood forming cells (called haematopoietic stem cells), and the progression of leukaemia and the response of leukaemia to chemotherapy treatments will be investigated. New drugs that interfere with these new factors will be tested for their potential to treat leukaemia.Read moreRead less
Niche Regulation Of Normal And Malignant Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,655.00
Summary
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) reside in the bone marrow (BM) and make all the cells of the blood system. We study molecules in the BM regulating normal HSC to helping them survive chemotherapy. This means cancer patients should suffer less side-effects from their therapy. Some of these molecule also help leukaemia stem cells (LSC) resist chemotherapy. Inhibitors may a) reduce patient mortality caused by chemotherapy and b) sensitise LSC to chemotherapy enabling long-term cure.
Stem Cell Niches: Biology And Therapeutic Applications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,210.00
Summary
This research aims to identify how stem cells are regulated in the body in order to improve therapies for blood disorders and abnormal bone formation after severe traumas. Targeting molecules that deregulate stem cells will lead to improved treatments for diseases with outcomes including improved treatments for blood stem cell transplantation, improved therapy in cancer patients and reduced complications of spinal cord injuries.
I am a hematologist with expertise in the science of immunology and clinical experience in bone marrow transplantation and the treatment of hematological malignancies. My vision is to study the biology of dendritic cells, which are the specialized white cells that initiate the immune response, and then, to apply this knowledge to the design and introduction of novel diagnostic and therapeutic immune strategies, to improve the survival of patients with leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.