An Integrated Systems Biology Approach For The Development Of New Therapeutic Strategies For The Treatment Of High Grade Glioma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,404.00
Summary
Glioma, the most common adult brain cancer, is incurable. Recent advances now allow us to grow glioma cells directly from patients in the laboratory in a way that preserves the features of the original tumor. In this proposal we will systematically analyze such cells using state-of-the-art technologies to identify new processes important to glioma, which in turn should facilitate the identification of innovative therapeutic approaches.
Characterisation Of The Role Of Mesenchymal Phenotypes And EGFR In Treatment-resistant Melanoma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,237.00
Summary
Phenotypic change has been identified in multiple settings relating to melanoma progression and metastasis. We have identified a degree of overlap between features of phenotypic plasticity, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and the emergence of treatment resistance. This project will further examine mechanisms underlying these changes, focusing on the role of the epidermal growth factor.
Understanding Intrinsic And Acquired Resistance To Anti-FGFR Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$797,051.00
Summary
In vitro and in vivo preclinical data suggests that inhibition of FGFR in endometrial cancer patients may be a viable therapeutic approach. Data from other cancers suggests that despite remarkable initial responses to kinase inhibitors, cancer cells eventually develop resistance. This project aims to identify and characterize the mechanisms of resistance that emerge following FGFR inhibition in order to design combination therapies that may delay and/or prevent the emergence of resistance.
Chronic myeloid leukaemia was almost always fatal before the development of imatinib a decade ago, the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) developed to treat a human cancer. There are now more potent TKIs that are effective in cases of resistance to imatinib. The challenge now is to optimise the achievement of remissions using these drugs and convert CML into a curable condition. This will be the focus of my NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship over the next 5 years.