A Novel Liver Cancer Therapy Targeting Tumour Stroma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,902.00
Summary
In Australia, there are 1,300 new cases of liver cancer each year with an average survival of 7 months. Liver cancer is now the most rapidly increasing cancer, probably caused by more hepatitis, obesity and diabetes. Our commercial partner has a novel innovative new antibody that shrinks other cancer types and we want to see how well it combats liver cancer in mice. This antibody has a raft of superior features and we have a clear plan towards making it available to patients.
Development Of A Molecular Point-of-care Test For Hepatitis C To Increase Uptake Of Curative Antiviral Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$781,353.00
Summary
This project seeks to develop a new point-of-care test to detect hepatitis C virus infections. This will enable the diagnosis and initiation of curative treatment in a single healthcare visit. It is expected that this will overcome a major barrier to treating high-risk groups with these highly effective medications and will lead to higher number of cured patients.
Robotic Surgical System For Image Guided Non-invasive Focused Ultrasound Induced Ablation Of Liver Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,231.00
Summary
According to National Cancer Institute, liver and bile duct cancers are the fifth most common cancer in men and the seventh in women. Due to poor prognosis involving surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, our aim is to develop a novel image-guided, radiation-free, non-invasive robotic HIFU system with means for compensation of organ movement during treatment. The objective is to produce damage to the target in a predictable and reproducible manner while sparing overlying surrounding tissues.
Development Of A Novel MicroRNA Mimic For Cancer Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$534,179.00
Summary
Liver cancer is a major health burden globally, with a very poor prognosis. New treatments are urgently needed. We have developed proof-of-concept data showing that a tiny RNA, called a microRNA, is a powerful inhibitor of liver cancer growth. We will use this grant application to further develop the microRNA with novel chemistry so that it can be readily translated into early phase clinical trials in the near future.
Development Of Microscope-in-a-needle Devices For Improved Clinical Diagnostics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$327,746.00
Summary
We have developed a new high-resolution optical imaging technology. The unique aspect of our research has been to redesign the imaging probe, miniaturising it to a few hundred microns in diameter, and encase it in a hypodermic needle – a ‘microscope-in-a-needle’. We are developing specific imaging probes to aid in the assessment of lung disease; the diagnosis of liver disease; and integrated into a brain biopsy needle to enable safer brain biopsies.