Circulating Tumour DNA As A Marker Of Complete Pathological Response And Long Term Outcome For Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Treated With Pre-operative Chemoradiotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,183.00
Summary
Rectal cancers are often treated by chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery which may result in long-term stoma. A significant proportion of these patients can achieve complete remission to CRT alone. This project will assess the accuracy of a promising blood marker (circulating tumour DNA) for predicting response to treatment in patients with rectal cancer undergoing CRT. If confirmed to be a reliable marker, this test could be used to select patients who may be able to avoid or delay surge ....Rectal cancers are often treated by chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery which may result in long-term stoma. A significant proportion of these patients can achieve complete remission to CRT alone. This project will assess the accuracy of a promising blood marker (circulating tumour DNA) for predicting response to treatment in patients with rectal cancer undergoing CRT. If confirmed to be a reliable marker, this test could be used to select patients who may be able to avoid or delay surgery.Read moreRead less
Novel Role Of Innate Immune DNA Sensors In Promoting Gastric Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$774,025.00
Summary
Stomach cancer is the third most lethal cancer worldwide, and is strongly associated with inflammation (gastritis) caused by Helicobacter pylori bacterial infection. However it remains unknown how Helicobacter triggers gastritis and stomach cancer in people. Using a mouse model for gastritis-associated stomach cancer, our aim is to demonstrate the role of immune system proteins in the stomach which detect bacterial and host DNA to drive chronic inflammatory responses that lead to stomach cancer.
Individuals with stomach cancer, the second most lethal cancer world-wide, have a poor survival rate which is largely due to our poor understanding of the mechanisms which drive this deadly malignancy. Our aims are to identify how over-activation of a specific molecule of the immune system, called STAT3, in the mitochondria of cells promotes the growth of stomach tumours, and also examine whether blocking the actions of mitochondrial STAT3 can suppress the growth of gastric cancer cells.
Improving Outcomes For Women Diagnosed With Mucinous Ovarian Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,238.00
Summary
Mucinous ovarian cancer (MOC) is different from other ovarian cancers but few studies have characterized the genetic changes specific to this subtype. It is often confused with metastases from other organs and does not respond well to standard ovarian cancer therapies. If MOC is more similar to mucinous cancers from other organs than other ovarian cancers, it may be better treated with chemotherapeutics that show success with other mucinous tumours.