Clinical And Molecular Analyses Of Nodular Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$130,904.00
Summary
There have been very recent advances in our understanding of the biology of melanoma that are now poised to have major impacts in the outcome of patients with this disease. The nodular subtype of melanoma contributes disproportionately to mortality from melanoma. By using the latest molecular techniques to study these melanomas I will identify causative factors, diagnostic features and molecular profiles associated with these poor-prognosis melanomas leading to new approaches in the prevention, ....There have been very recent advances in our understanding of the biology of melanoma that are now poised to have major impacts in the outcome of patients with this disease. The nodular subtype of melanoma contributes disproportionately to mortality from melanoma. By using the latest molecular techniques to study these melanomas I will identify causative factors, diagnostic features and molecular profiles associated with these poor-prognosis melanomas leading to new approaches in the prevention, early detection and treatment of these melanomas.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Somatic Mutations In CCCTC-binding Factor (CTCF) Binding Sites In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,114.00
Summary
The three dimensional organisation of genomic DNA has been recognised to play a crucial role in maintaining the stability and function of human cells. In cancer this organisation is often perturbed as a result of mutations to proteins that govern this process. This project will examine how mutations in the DNA may potentially alter the three dimensional organisation of cancer genomes and will identify links between these mutations with cancer development and patient prognosis.
Identification And Erradication Of Pre-malignant B Cells In The Prevention Of Lymphoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,771.00
Summary
B Cell Lymphoma is the most frequent type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in adults and despite improved treatment, 40-50% of patients succumb to their disease. T cells are critical in the in the prevention B cell lymphoma development. In this project we aim to identify the earliest stages of B cell lymphoma and mechanisms of escape from T cell control with the ultimate aim to translate these findings to human studies to improve disease diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
Novel Inhibition Of Cancer Cell Growth In Gastrointestinal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$47,474.00
Summary
This research project will focus on new treatment targets for gastrointestinal malignancies, focusing on the mTOR pathway which is important in driving cancer cell growth. The mTOR inhibitor drug Everolimus will be used in colon and biliary tract cancers to look for novel biomarkers of response and resistance to treatment, using cancer cell lines and correlative analysis with data obtained from patients' tumour samples and clinical assessment in current trials.
Restoration Of P53 Activity In Tumours: A New Approach Involving The P53 Coactivator ANKRD11.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,990.00
Summary
p53 is an important protein that functions as the body�s defence mechanism against cancer. Mutation of p53 is observed in over half of all tumours. Not only do these cancer mutations abolish the ability of p53 to protect against cancer, but it also endows the tumours with an ability to spread throughout the body, or metastasize. In this research project, we will identify and develop targets that will not only prevent the spread of new tumours, but it will also re-activate the anti-cancer functio ....p53 is an important protein that functions as the body�s defence mechanism against cancer. Mutation of p53 is observed in over half of all tumours. Not only do these cancer mutations abolish the ability of p53 to protect against cancer, but it also endows the tumours with an ability to spread throughout the body, or metastasize. In this research project, we will identify and develop targets that will not only prevent the spread of new tumours, but it will also re-activate the anti-cancer function in mutant p53 leading to tumour regression.Read moreRead less
Development Of Effective Biomarkers For The Diagnosis And Prognosis Of Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,062,585.00
Summary
Every year ~20,000 Australian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 3,000 die of this disease. The current PSA test for the diagnosis of prostate cancer is not specific and this can result in incorrect diagnosis, unnecessary biopsies and lead to wrong treatments. We have discovered a novel change in the biology of prostate cancer. We will use this information to develop new tests for prostate cancer, which provide early accurate detection and can predict disease progression.
Role Of Proline-rich Tyrosine Kinase 2 (Pyk2) In Ovarian Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$85,254.00
Summary
Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal gynaecological cancers in the developed world. Elevated levels of gonadotropin hormones and cell protein Pyk2 have been implicated in ovarian cancer. Our aim is to determine the role of Pyk2 in growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer when stimulated with gonadotropins. In addition, we aim to identify protein changes which occur in ovarian cancer when stimulated by gonadotropins in order to identify new biomarkers for the disease.
In melanoma we hypothesise there is a series of as yet unidentified gene fusions which provide oncogenic stimulatory signals that promote tumour growth and that these novel fusion products are excellent targets for the design of new therapies to treat melanoma. The aims of this study are to identify oncogenic fusions in melanoma, to assess which of these are recurrent, and to demonstrate that the resulting fusion proteins provide a selective growth and-or survival advantage to the tumour cell.
Identifying The Mechanism Of The G2 Phase UV Checkpoint And Repair Response Commonly Defective In Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$569,656.00
Summary
The UV component of sunlight is the major environmental factor driving the development of melanoma. UV radiation can directly mutate genes resulting in their inability to perform normal functions which may contribute to cancer. Despite the high number of mutations directly attributable to UV radiation, the mechanisms known to repair these mutations are generally normal in melanoma. This research will investigate a repair mechanism we have identified that is commonly defective in melanomas.