Control Of Cell Proliferation And Differentiation In Breast And Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,043,011.00
Summary
Breast and prostate cancer are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women and men respectively, together accounting for >25% of all newly diagnosed cancers in Australia and other developed countries. Although significant improvements in the management of these cancers have occurred in the past 20 years further research is needed to better understand the molecular mechanisms of disease development and progression. Such research is critical to the better management and ultimate control of the ....Breast and prostate cancer are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women and men respectively, together accounting for >25% of all newly diagnosed cancers in Australia and other developed countries. Although significant improvements in the management of these cancers have occurred in the past 20 years further research is needed to better understand the molecular mechanisms of disease development and progression. Such research is critical to the better management and ultimate control of these diseases through better treatments and prevention. A multidisciplinary team of cancer researchers at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, with a 10 year track record of discovery and application of their research into breast and prostate cancer, will employ state-of-the-art research tools to identify new molecules and molecular pathways involved in these diseases. This new information will facilitate the improved management of these cancers through improved assessment of disease progression at the time of diagnosis and the development of new drugs and strategies for treatment and prevention.Read moreRead less
I am a clinician-scientist engaged in basic, translational and clinical breast cancer research, with the long-term goal to identify and exploit novel cancer targets to improve patient outcomes. My research, which covers both sporadic and hereditary forms of breast cancer, is focussed on elucidating the breast epithelial cell hierarchy, in order to identify key regulators responsible for breast epithelial cell proliferation, differentiation and cancer.
Elucidating The In Vivo Role Of The Pro-survival Gene Mcl-1 In Mammary Gland Development And Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$664,691.00
Summary
Breast cancer strikes one in 8 women by age 85 and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Despite recent improvements, the immense breast cancer burden demands new strategies that will radically improve patient outcomes. This project will address a hallmark of cancer: evasion of apoptosis. Understanding the molecular events that promote tumour survival and resistance to therapy represents a key area in cancer biology that has yet to be properly applied to breast cancer.
Cell Survival Pathways As Potential Targets In Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$142,914.00
Summary
Cancer cells are characterised by their capacity for relentless growth, survival and evasion of cell death. This proposal will use patient derived xenograft models of primary breast cancer to test the hypothesis that addition of BH3-mimetics could improve response to anti-HER2 therapy. This technique involves transplantation of patient tumours into immune-compromised mice. This represents a useful method for testing new agents.
I am a cellular biologist studying lineage commitment and differentiation in the mammary gland. Key interests include defining transcriptional regulators that are important for mammary gland development and oncogenesis, and the characterisation of stem cells and other epithelial cell types in breast tissue.