Targeting Tumour Angiogenesis In Breast Cancer By Altering MicroRNA Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$660,151.00
Summary
Despite advances in treatment, breast cancer remains one of the leading underlying causes of death and disability in Australia. Preventing cancer spread therefore has the potential for enormous economic and social outcomes. Small RNAs have recently been identified as key regulators of cancer cell biology. This project seeks to take a leadership role in the area of small RNA biology by targeting small RNAs implicated in blood vessel formation as a means of suppressing breast cancer spread.
Stealth Liposomes And SiRNA For The Treatment Of Respiratory Viral Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$528,793.00
Summary
Respiratory infections caused by Influenza and Respiratory syncytial virus cause significant hospitalisations and deaths within the community. For example, RSV causes around 1000 hospital admissions of young children a year and there is no cure or vaccination. Therapies are limited and toxic. We will develop and test a novel therapy based on gene silencing to specifically target viral genes, and combine this with our novel drug delivery system for better treatment of these diseases.
Immuno-polymeric Drugs For Prostate Cancer Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,995.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men over 50 and the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths in Western society. Docetaxel is the first line of chemotherapy when other intervention strategies are unsuccessful, but 30% of patients suffer from severe side-effects. To address this problem, we will utilise carriers for docetaxel that directly target prostate tumours using a novel antibody approach. This increases accumulation at the tumour site while decreasing off-target toxicity.
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.