Australian Ovarian Cancer Study (AOCS): A Multidisciplinary Ovarian Cancer Resource For The Genomic Era
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,404,500.00
Summary
Ovarian cancer is relatively uncommon and is histologically very diverse, making it difficult to analyse ovarian cancer at a molecular level, to identify genetic risk factors, or to understand the interaction of genes and environment. Recognizing that a large collaborative study was the only way to achieve sufficient power to address major translational questions in ovarian cancer, the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study was established and is now the largest study of its kind in the world. This pro ....Ovarian cancer is relatively uncommon and is histologically very diverse, making it difficult to analyse ovarian cancer at a molecular level, to identify genetic risk factors, or to understand the interaction of genes and environment. Recognizing that a large collaborative study was the only way to achieve sufficient power to address major translational questions in ovarian cancer, the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study was established and is now the largest study of its kind in the world. This proposal aims to maintain and add value to this unique resource for ovarian cancer research.Read moreRead less
Biomarkers Of Phenotype, Prognosis And Response To Therapy In Pancreatic Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$105,845.00
Summary
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the 4th leading cause of cancer deaths in our society. This research is aimed at the discovery of novel biomarkers with the ability to forecast prognosis and response to treatments in patients with PC. Ultimately, this will lead to the “individualisation” of the treatment for each patient, so that the most appropriate therapy could be given to an individual patient. This would significantly improve the overall survival and the quality of life for patients.
Melanoma Mutation Profiling For Personalised Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$571,191.00
Summary
Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer, and the leading cause of skin cancer related deaths. Disease spread is difficult to detect and extremely difficult to cure. This bleak clinical outcome is changing with the development of personalised therapies which include small molecule inhibitors to treat metastatic melanoma. Here we seek to identify the spectrum of mutations in patient tumours and circulating tumour cells for advanced personalised treatment.
Molecular Determinants Of Risk, Progression And Treatment Response In Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$15,161,573.00
Summary
The investigators, all associated with the Melanoma Institute Australia, have recruited numerous people and biospecimens in order to study the causes, subtypes and treatment strategies in melanoma. The team aims to develop a scientific basis for improved 1) management of individuals at high risk of melanoma development and progression, and 2) treatment of patients with early and disseminated melanoma, thereby contributing to improved prospects of successfully treating this dangerous cancer.
Characterisation Of The Molecular Pathogenesis Of Cancer Cachexia Syndrome In Colorectal Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,381.00
Summary
Cachexia is a hypermetabolic wasting syndrome involving depletion of both fat and muscle which affects 80% of cancer patients. The exact mechanisms of this syndrome are unknown at the molecular level and this affects our ability to predict, prevent or treat this problem. This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of cancer cachexia syndrome with a view to implementing nutritional, exercise and pharmacological interventions to prevent its onset.
The Role Of Microtubule Composition In The Efficacy Of Antimicrotubule Agents In Paediatric Malignancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$173,380.00
Summary
To enhance the management of both childhood and adult cancers improved understanding of the processes responsible for tumour aggressiveness and drug resistance are required. Microtubules are important structural components of cells which are crucial for normal cell division. This makes microtubules excellent targets for anticancer drugs which can disrupt microtubules and kill cancer cells. This proposal will identify whether the microtubule composition of a tumour cell will predict for the aggre ....To enhance the management of both childhood and adult cancers improved understanding of the processes responsible for tumour aggressiveness and drug resistance are required. Microtubules are important structural components of cells which are crucial for normal cell division. This makes microtubules excellent targets for anticancer drugs which can disrupt microtubules and kill cancer cells. This proposal will identify whether the microtubule composition of a tumour cell will predict for the aggressiveness of certain cancers, and whether this influences which tumours will respond to the vinca alkaloids. The vinca alkaloids are an important class of natural product drugs which disrupt microtubules and are particularly effective in the treatment of adult and childhood cancers. Unfortunately, some cancer cells fail to respond to this treatment due to the development of drug resistance. This proposal addresses vinca alkaloid resistance in children?s cancer and will determine why certain cancer cells fail treatment. Furthermore, this study will identify the role of certain components of microtubules that appear to be related to drug resistance in leukaemia and neuroblastoma cells and whose role is unknown. Chemotherapeutic drugs, such as the vinca alkaloids, are important in the treatment of cancer and knowledge about their interaction with their cellular target will improve the design of new drugs and treatment outcome.Read moreRead less
Investigating The Role Of Aberrant Splicing (intron Retention) In Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,135,745.00
Summary
In 2013, we made a breakthrough discovery that certain parts of genes, previously considered “Junk DNA”, are actually carrying signals to control the amount of proteins produced in cells. Our preliminary work now suggests these signals controlling protein levels can be faulty in cancers. Here, we wish to determine whether these faulty signals could cause a deadly blood cancer called acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). We aim to decipher previously unknown causes of AML that will spur novel therapies.