Characterising The Tumour Suppressive Function Of Myoepithelial Cell Stefin A In Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,840.00
Summary
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a pre-invasive stage of breast cancer, whereby the tumour cells remain restrained by myoepithelial cells that surround breast ducts. Predicting which cases of DCIS will later develop invasive cancer is difficult, meaning that the majority of patients have treatment. Stefin A is a protease inhibitor in myoepithelial cells shown to block cancer invasion and we aim to test the function of this protein in DCIS and its potential as a prognostic marker.
The Role Of Clathrin In The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint And As An Anti-cancer Target
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$651,768.00
Summary
Cell division produces two daughter cells. Incorrect localisation and modification of proteins that regulate mitosis cause errors that can lead to cancer. As well as using a unique machinery mitosis uses proteins involved in non-cell cycle pathways. This project investigates the role during mitosis of one such protein: clathrin. We will identify lead clathrin inhibitory compounds, pitstops, that have potential anti-cancer properties, ultimately to be used as a chemotherapy agent.
A Randomised Phase III Study Of The Duration Of The Anti-PD1 - Therapy In Metastatic Melanoma (STOP-GAP)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,308,600.00
Summary
PD-1 inhibitors turn on the immune system,so that it can fight the cancer cells in the body and are effective in Melanoma. This study investigates whether interrupted PD-1 inhibitor dosing has no worse Melanoma outcome than continuous treatment for 24 months, which may lead to a reduction in treatment-related toxicities, improvements in patients' quality of life and decrease the cost of treatment to the health system as well as individual. Results may inform treatments for other common cancers.
The Role Of Natural Protein Inhibitors In Blocking Breast Cancer Invasion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,139.00
Summary
The mechanisms required for breast cancer cells to spread outside of the ducts and into the surrounding breast tissue are largely unknown. There is increasing evidence that the cell layer surrounding the ducts (myoepithelium) functions to suppress invasion. We aim to test if a protein inhibitor that is expressed in these cells can preventing breast cancer invasion in models of early breast cancer and if its expression can predict those patients that are unlikely to develop invasive cancers.
Dual Inhibition Of Independent Cell Survival Pathways As A New Approach For Targeting Leukemic Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$562,742.00
Summary
While most leukemia patients initially respond well to chemotherapy, >60% die because the disease returns as a result of the survival of leukaemia cells following treatment. We have shown that targetting two enzymes, PI3K and Cdk9, with a drug called PIK75 potently and specifically kills leukemia cells by blocking their survival. We now seek to examine the therapeutic potential of our discovery with a view toward developing new targetted therapies in the future.
Cells have the ability to commit suicide in a process called apoptosis. Developing new treatments and drugs that harness the ability of cancer cells to commit suicide (undergo apoptosis) would represent a new and potentially valuable therapeutic approach. We have identified a number of previously unrecognized ways of triggering apoptosis in cancer cells of the blood (leukemias). We propose to use our approaches to find more effective ways of treating cancers in the future.
While most leukemia patients initially respond well to chemotherapy, >70% die because the disease returns as a result of the survival of leukaemia cells following treatment. We seek to block the switch mechanisms within leukemic cells that allow them to survive current drug therapies. We now seek to examine the therapeutic potential of our discovery with a view toward developing new targetted therapies in the future.
Molecular Mechanisms Of Mitotic Progression And The Anti-cancer Properties Of Anti-mitotic Agents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,492.00
Summary
Mitosis is the final stage of the cell division cycle that produces two daughter cells. Incorrect localisation and modification of proteins that regulate this process cause cell division errors potentially leading to cancer. This project will characterise how key mitotic proteins co-operatively function to complete this process. This research will increase our understanding of the cell division errors that contribute to cancer development, ultimately identifying new targets for cancer therapy.
The Role Of Redox Regulation In Controlling The Oncogenic Function Of Eph Receptors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$71,766.00
Summary
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in cancers activate cell surface receptor signalling pathways that drive cancer progression. I will study links between ROS and receptor signalling in cancer cells, and inhibit signalling with ROS scavengers delivered in nanoparticles, targeted to receptor complexes with specific antibodies. These will include antibodies we raised against ADAM10, a protease associated with multiple receptor signalling pathways, to simultaneously inhibit these pathways.