Targeting A Master Regulator Of Tumour Cell Plasticity As A New Adjuvant Therapy For Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$780,338.00
Summary
Prostate cancer (PCa) claims the lives of over 3,000 Australian men each year. This highlights the urgent need to identify new molecular targets that can be developed as additional therapies for men with PCa. Our team has identified the protein, Zeb1, to be highly expressed in aggressive and treatment resistant forms of PCa. This study aims to characterise the role of Zeb1 in the lethal progression of PCa and to develop a new therapeutic agent to inhibit the production of ZEB1 by cancer cells.
Defining Mechanisms Of Androgen Receptor Action That Impede Breast Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$770,619.00
Summary
Androgens (A), commonly considered male hormones, are present in women and may protect them from developing aggressive breast cancer by opposing the cancer-promoting effects of estrogen (E) hormones. We propose that a disturbance in the balance between A and E action in breast cancer worsens the disease and results in a poor outcome for afflicted women. We aim to define how A and E hormones interact in breast cancer, with a view to developing new ways to treat breast cancer and predict outcome.
The Importance Of RUNX3 In Preventing Gastrointestinal Diseases And Tumour Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,322.00
Summary
Stomach cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. It is estimated that in 2010, more than 1 million people will die of stomach cancer with an increase of 19%. Studies have revealed that RUNX3 has the ability to suppress the growth of stomach cancer. However the role of RUNX3 in preventing metastasis is yet unknown. Therefore, an understanding of the factors that govern metastasis will inform the design of effective therapies to prevent mortality which is high for this disease.
A Novel Approach To Restoration Of Tumour Suppression In Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,604.00
Summary
Loss of a tumour suppressor is a key event in every cancer, including lung cancer. Therefore restoration of the expression and/or activity of the tumour suppressor is an attractive approach to anti-cancer treatment. In order to restore tumour suppression, a detailed understanding of the mechanism by which a given tumour suppressor is regulated is required. This application focuses on our discovery of a novel mechanism by which a key tumour suppressor of lung cancer is regulated.
Inhibiting Tumour Growth By Targeting EphA3 And Disrupting Tumour Stromal And Vascular Microenvironment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,136.00
Summary
Tumours consist of cancer cells, tumour blood vessels and connective tissue, all of which are different to normal tissues. Many of the cells making up tumour vessels and connective tissue are recruited, during initial growth and subsequent spreading of tumours, from the bone marrow. Our research will examine the presence and function of the EphA3 receptor on these cells during tumour development and assess how our anti-EphA3 antibody inhibits tumour growth by targeting stroma and vasculature.
Towards Better Treatments For Acral Melanoma Through Functional Genomics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,456,823.00
Summary
Acral melanoma is an uncommon melanoma subtype with bad prognosis that has been poorly characterised at the molecular level. The project will conduct comprehensive analysis of acral melanoma at the DNA, RNA and protein levels. Through subsequent functional follow-up studies of key drivers of this cancer type we will identify novel drug targets to treat this disease.
Therapeutics Discovery Program To Uncover Novel Strategies For Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,252.00
Summary
Liver cancer (HCC) incidence is rapidly rising. It is the fastest increasing cause of cancer death in Australia. There are no therapies that prevent HCC or stop liver disease progression. Liver gene profiles have been shown to be associated with HCC development, poor outcome, recurrence, future risk of progressive liver damage and future HCC. Targeting these gene profiles may yield targets for HCC prevention and halt liver disease progression that may revolutionalise liver disease management.
Dissecting The Roles Of Steroid Hormone Receptors In The Mammary Gland
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,314.00
Summary
Breast cancer remains a major cause of death in women, requiring the development of highly efficient therapeutics. Research into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the normal mammary gland is crucial. This project will increase our understanding of the normal roles of the estrogen and progesterone receptors. This research may have significant implications for clinical studies that use more targeted therapies.
Towards Precision Medicine For Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,652.00
Summary
Better outcomes are needed for lung cancer, a disease that accounts for more cancer-related deaths than any other cancer in Australia or worldwide. My goals are to 1) develop and evaluate in clinical trials targeted therapies and immunotherapies and 2) identify clinically relevant blood and tissue based biomarkers for lung cancer patients. This combination of clinical and translational research will change practice and improve outcomes by delivering precision medicine for lung cancer patients.
FOXP3 Regulated MicroRNAs: A Novel Component Of FOXP3 Tumour Suppressor Function In Breast Epithelial Cells.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$554,716.00
Summary
Until there is a cure, breast cancer research must continue to discover new targets for therapy. We have novel insight into a new tumour supressor; FOXP3, and have identified the genes it regulates in T cells. We can now apply this information to normal breast tissues to reveal the mechanism and targets that FOXP3 controls to prevent cancer