Understanding The Clinical Significance Of Tumour Genomic Architecture And Host Immune Response In Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$94,732.00
Summary
This study uses sophisticated DNA sequencing technologies to help patients and their doctors better understand and treat breast cancer. It also tries to understand how the cancer DNA may change over time, and if this is important to how the cancer is treated. In addition, it looks for a link between the DNA changes in a tumour and the anti-tumour immune response, which may help identify patients that could benefit from immunotherapy in the future.
A Preclinical Humanized Chimeric Model To Investigate Novel Therapeutic Strategies Against Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,362.00
Summary
Using the humanized in-vivo model presented, researchers are in a unique position to develop and evaluate novel therapeutic strategies against breast cancer bone metastasis at multiple intervention points from the primary tumour to bone metastasis. This model makes it possible to study anti-cancer and anti-resorptive effects of human-specific drugs such as the monoclonal antibody Denosumab. The model eventually may help to decrease morbidity and mortality of breast cancer patients.
The Role Of Angiopoietin-1 In The Self-renewal And Metastasis Of Prostate Cancer Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$558,742.00
Summary
Bone metastasis occurs in more than 80% of cases of advanced prostate cancer (PCa), and is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in PCa patients. Understanding why PCa cells preferentially metastasize to bone may lead to the the development of novel therapy for inhibiting PCa metastasis. This project will study how the bone cell-secreted protein angiopoietin-1 promotes the metastasis of PCa cells to bone and whether inactivation of this protein can inhibit PCa bone metastasis.
Elucidating The Function Of Rho-ROCK Signalling In The Regulation Of Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,568.00
Summary
As cancers progress from benign to more malignant forms, the way in which cancer cells respond to external influences changes dramatically. These cells subvert the normal interactions between proteins which pass signals from outside the cell to the inside, to control cell behaviour and assume a survival advantage. We plan to study a form of cell signalling that is often abnormal in cancer in order to identify technologies for limiting cancer growth and spread by interfering with these signals.
Tumours secrete factors which are contained in specific structures called exosomes, and are used to prepare other organs of the body for subsequently incoming tumour cells, thereby facilitating the often mortal spread of the cancer. This project will investigate the way exosomes alter organs before tumour cells arrive, the composition of these exosomes in lung cancer patients and if they are novel markers for diseases progression as well as therapeutic intervention.
Identification Of New Therapeutic Targets In Neuroblastoma Through ABCC Transporter Associated Pathways.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$591,436.00
Summary
Neuroblastoma accounts for 15% of childhood cancer deaths. Children diagnosed over 1 year have survival rates below 40%. New research shows that certain genes previously implicated in drug resistance contribute to neuroblastoma development. We will investigate their role using a new neuroblastoma model and a range of biochemical and cell biology techniques. This research will improve our understanding of neuroblastoma biology and identify new therapeutic targets in this and other cancers.
Sympathetic Nervous System Regulation Of The Tumour Microenvironment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,212.00
Summary
Metastasis is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in breast cancer. These studies will evaluate the translational opportunity of targeting the sympathetic nervous system as a common regulator of cancer progression pathways. By exploiting sensitive imaging technology for non-invasive, real-time assessment of stress biology, these studies will define the neuroendocrine mechanisms that operate in the tumour microenvironment to support dissemination and arrest of cancer cells in target organs ....Metastasis is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in breast cancer. These studies will evaluate the translational opportunity of targeting the sympathetic nervous system as a common regulator of cancer progression pathways. By exploiting sensitive imaging technology for non-invasive, real-time assessment of stress biology, these studies will define the neuroendocrine mechanisms that operate in the tumour microenvironment to support dissemination and arrest of cancer cells in target organs.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Breast Cancer Metastasis By MiR-193b And MiR-342-3p
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,537.00
Summary
When breast cancer spreads to other organs, it results in high morbidity and mortality. MicroRNAs are a class of genes that control the expression of other genes, some of which are involved in the spread of cancer. In this project we will examine the function of two microRNA species that we have found to be associated with breast cancer spread. The anticipated outcome is a better knowledge of the genes that control cancer spread and the identification of new molecular targets for therapy.