BEST-Australia: A Phase II Study Of Non-Endoscopic Screening For Barretts Oesophagus In Primary Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$513,481.00
Summary
Barrett's oesophagus is common in people with heartburn and may progress to oesophageal cancer. Most cases of oesophageal cancer are diagnosed at a late stage when chances of survival are poor. Currently Barrett's is only diagnosed by endoscopy. We will test how effective and acceptable a non-endoscopic sponge capsule and novel laboratory test is at detecting Barrett's oesophagus early. This could potentially enable early detection of this pre-cancerous condition in general practice.
Use Of Molecular Tumour Markers To Improve Diagnostic Performance Of Bronchoscopy In Assessment Of Pulmonary Nodules And Early Diagnosis Of Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$303,014.00
Summary
Pulmonary nodules may represent early lung cancer though difficulty in accurate diagnosis means many patients experience delayed diagnosis, or unnecessary surgical biopsy or repeat CT imaging (& consequent radiation exposure). I will identify molecular (DNA, protein) markers in bronchoscopic & blood specimens to accurately characterize malignant & benign nodules. These biomarkers will also be investigated for their value as a non-invasive screening test for lung cancer
Endoscopic Removal Of Lesions In The Gastrointestinal Tract
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$71,855.00
Summary
Barrett's oesophagus and flat colonic polyps are premalignant lesions with potential for progression to oesophageal and colorectal cancer, respectively. These cancers make up a signifiant portion of the burden of cancer disease in Australia. This research aims to improve outcomes of patients with Barrett's oesophagus and flat polyps by establishing the most appropriate treatment approach to Barrett's oesophagus, identifying risk factors that cause disease progression and by novel ways of enhanci ....Barrett's oesophagus and flat colonic polyps are premalignant lesions with potential for progression to oesophageal and colorectal cancer, respectively. These cancers make up a signifiant portion of the burden of cancer disease in Australia. This research aims to improve outcomes of patients with Barrett's oesophagus and flat polyps by establishing the most appropriate treatment approach to Barrett's oesophagus, identifying risk factors that cause disease progression and by novel ways of enhancing the technique of removal of polyps.Read moreRead less
Endoscopic Diagnosis And Therapy: The Frontier Of Minimally Invasive Patient Care.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,644.00
Summary
Minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment is a rapidly developing field, and has potential to significantly improve patient management and health care utilization. This research will apply endoscopic innovations to diagnose and treat early oesophageal and pancreatic cancer, with the aim to improve survival and quality of life. The research will also develop capacity to treat oesophageal motility disorders with minimally invasive endoscopic resection techniques.
Improving First Trimester Screening By Combining Rapid MF-PCR Of PAP Smears With Nuchal Ultrasound Scanning
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$206,809.00
Summary
Genetic defects are the major cause of embryonic and foetal death as well as being responsible for a large proportion of childhood disabilities. Although many are detected by the ~50,000 prenatal tests currently performed annually in Australia, these methods are only offered to high risk mothers because they are invasive (~1% risk of miscarriage), and-or expensive. A rapid, low cost, less invasive and safer alternative prenatal diagnostic method such as PAP smears that could be offered to all mo ....Genetic defects are the major cause of embryonic and foetal death as well as being responsible for a large proportion of childhood disabilities. Although many are detected by the ~50,000 prenatal tests currently performed annually in Australia, these methods are only offered to high risk mothers because they are invasive (~1% risk of miscarriage), and-or expensive. A rapid, low cost, less invasive and safer alternative prenatal diagnostic method such as PAP smears that could be offered to all mothers regardless of risk is therefore of immense value both to mothers and to the health care system. This proposal enhances first trimester screening by improving prenatal diagnosis from PAP smears. Although normally taken to detect cancer, these smears contain significant numbers of foetal cells. We will investigate: the best way and time to obtain these cells, the best way to remove the cells from any contamination, improvements in genetic diagnosis of these cells using a technique known as MF-PCR which is rapidly revolutionising conventional prenatal diagnosis. By automating these procedures, they will become less expensive and more accessible to all mothers regardless of risk. We will also compare these procedures with alternative first trimester screening techniques such as nuchal translucency to determine the value of both tests singly and in combination. This research should provide a safe, reliable and accurate method allowing inexpensive prenatal screening to be available for all pregnancies. General screening programmes using this new test, particularly if combined with nuchal translucency programmes, would result in a dramatic reduction in affected babies with major implications to families and the health care system.Read moreRead less
Efficacy Of Ablative Therapies For Barrett's Oesophagus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,148.00
Summary
Some people with severe reflux develop Barrett's oesophagus, which puts them at high risk of developing cancer. Patients with Barrett's can be treated with various endoscopic ablation techniques, but it is not yet know if these treatments prevent the development of cancer. The aims of this work are to use molecular methods to ascertain whether the tissue that regenerates after ablation is normal, and to compare different ablation techniques.
Developing A Scalable, Woman-centred Model For Cervical Cancer Screening In Vulnerable Women In India
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,330,369.00
Summary
Cervical cancer is a devastating but preventable disease and 1 in 5 cases of cervical cancer in the world occur in India. We will work with women, communities, and health services in two States of India (Tamil Nadu and Mizoram) to design a woman friendly approach to prevent cervical cancer. This project brings together international and Indian experts to overcome current barriers to cervical screening by using a newer, more effective way of screening to reach underserved women and save lives.
The Role And Inheritance Of Constitutional Epimutations In Early-onset Colorectal Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$347,551.00
Summary
Traditionally familial cancers are thought to be caused by spelling mistakes within the genetic code of cancer prevention genes. Our group has found that chemical attachments to one gene (MLH1) stops it working, even where there is no spelling mistake, and that those chemical changes can be inherited in families with bowel cancer. We will determine how frequently this type of defect occurs in bowel cancer patients, how and why it arises, and if other cancer genes are similarly affected.
Targeting At Risk Relatives Of Glaucoma Patients For Early Diagnosis And Treatment (TARRGET)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$595,375.00
Summary
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in Australia but early detection and treatment can prevent blindness. We will recruit patients with advanced glaucoma from an Australia wide registry and refer their close relatives to have an eye exam and genetic testing to see if they are at risk of glaucoma. We will evaluate how a coordinator can improve the uptake of this screening program referring people to local eye care providers and in rural WA providing screening in 16 remote locations.