Compartmental Analysis Of T-cell Responses In Thoracic Malignancies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$851,403.00
Summary
To improve immune therapy for cancer we have to be able to determine how cancer patients ‘see’ mutated cancer proteins. Blood is the easiest & most useful source of immune ‘killer’ cells for that task, but the lymph node that drains the tumour and the fluid that bathes a tumour probably contain a much higher number of these killer cells than blood. If so, studying them would help us better track responses to therapy and enable us to choose the best mutated proteins for a vaccine.
POSNOC (Positive Sentinel Node – A Randomised Trial Of Adjuvant Therapy Alone Versus Adjuvant Therapy Plus Clearance Or Axillary Radiotherapy)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,223,428.00
Summary
POSNOC (POsitive Sentinel NOde – adjuvant therapy alone versus adjuvant therapy plus Clearance or axillary radiotherapy) will address the key unresolved challenge in breast cancer surgery. A controversial US trial, ACOSOG Z0011, indicates that many breast cancer patients with limited disease in the sentinel node can safely avoid further nodal surgery. This would be a major advance, but there is widespread doubt that the results are broadly applicable. POSNOC will clarify this key issue.
Uncovering The Role Of Collecting Lymphatic Vessels In Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,875.00
Summary
Lymphatic vessels are a critical part of the circulatory system, allowing the return of fluid and cells that escape the blood vessels, and playing an intimate role in the body's immune function. In cancer, the lymphatic vessels serve as conduits for the transport of tumour cells to lymph nodes and may contribute to distant metastasis. Our study is designed to understand the role played by major collecting lymphatic vessels in cancer and to identify molecules that control their activity.
The Relationship Between Cancer Surgery, Lymph Nodes, T Cells And Immunotherapy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$960,585.00
Summary
Cancer treatment involves surgery for millions of patients annually, however, many patients do relapse. Surgery often involves removal of cancer-associated lymph nodes at the site. To improve surgical outcomes new immunotherapy strategies aim to activate the patients’ immune cells to eradicate tumours. However the main repository for these immune cells is in the very lymph tissue removed at surgery. This project will investigate the role of remaining lymph nodes in patient recovery/response.
Optimising Non-invasive Ventilation At Birth For Preterm Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$735,912.00
Summary
Infants born very premature require respiratory support at birth to make the transition to newborn life. As these infants are very immature and prone to injury, modern respiratory care strategies utilise the least invasive approaches mainly applied using a facemask. However, we have discovered that the larynx is closed at birth and thereby prevents air from entering the lung. This application is focussed on optimising the efficiency of facemask ventilation at birth and stimulating breathing.
Treating Insomnia Co-morbid With Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Effectiveness Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,869.00
Summary
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a common but serious sleep disorder. Continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) therapy can be very effective in treating OSA. We have found that many patients with OSA also suffer from insomnia, and this can make it hard for them to begin CPAP therapy and hard for them to stick to it. This trial will examine the effect of treating insomnia concurrently with CPAP, with the expectation that overall treatment outcomes will improve.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure For Obstructive Sleep Apnoea In Quadriplegia: A Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,677.00
Summary
Each year in Australia 260 people sustain a SCI, with over half losing full function in their arms and legs (quadriplegia). In addition to the primary disability, there is a very high rate of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). This project is a multi-national randomized controlled trial to treat OSA in acute injury with a nasal mask during sleep. The study will determine if we can help people live better after injury by improving sleep, quality of life, memory and attention.
The Interaction Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea And Cardiovascular Risk Factors On Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,263,050.00
Summary
Cardiovascular (CV) disease and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are common causes of morbidity and mortality. OSA is an independent risk factor for CV disease but little is known about which patients with OSA are likely to develop CV disease, and the interaction between OSA and other CV risk factors. We seek to better understand this interaction by exploring which of 4,100 well characterised patients in the West Australian Sleep Health Study (WASHS) 2005-2010 have developed CV disease.
Separating The Adverse Neurodevelopmental Consequences Of Mechanical Ventilation And Postnatal Steroids In Preterm Lambs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,752,863.00
Summary
Extremely premature infants often develop severe breathing difficulties and need the help of a machine to breathe. Certain steroids help to mature the lung and allow the baby to breathe on his own without help. However, both steroids and long periods on breathing machines may interfere with normal brain development. This study will help doctors to weigh up the long-term risks and benefits of giving a baby steroids to help them breathe on their own versus continuing mechanical ventilation without ....Extremely premature infants often develop severe breathing difficulties and need the help of a machine to breathe. Certain steroids help to mature the lung and allow the baby to breathe on his own without help. However, both steroids and long periods on breathing machines may interfere with normal brain development. This study will help doctors to weigh up the long-term risks and benefits of giving a baby steroids to help them breathe on their own versus continuing mechanical ventilation without steroids.Read moreRead less
The Sleep Apnea Cardio Vascular Endpoints (SAVE) Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,177,047.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects 7% of the population and is increasing with the global epidemic of obesity. Research suggests that OSA may be a cause of premature cardiovascular (CV) disease, but definitive proof is lacking. This 5-year trial will answer this question by comparing the rate of CV events (eg stroke, heart attack) in OSA patients who are treated, versus those not treated, with CPAP. The results may lead to a new medical approach to the prevention of CV disease.