Translation Of MRS For Determining Human Pathology Into The Clinic: Acceptance Testing For Breast, Prostate And Barrett'
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$160,000.00
Summary
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), for many organs, provides the pathological diagnosis with an accuracy approaching 100%. In the case of breast lesions, it discriminates accurately between benign and malignant and, for overt carcinomas, predicts the status of the regional lymph nodes without the need to biopsy the node. For some lesions, such as Barrett’s oesophagus, distinction between dysplasia’s of no immediate concern to the patient and those apparently committed to early progression to ....Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), for many organs, provides the pathological diagnosis with an accuracy approaching 100%. In the case of breast lesions, it discriminates accurately between benign and malignant and, for overt carcinomas, predicts the status of the regional lymph nodes without the need to biopsy the node. For some lesions, such as Barrett’s oesophagus, distinction between dysplasia’s of no immediate concern to the patient and those apparently committed to early progression to clinical cancer, can be made by the MRS method. A statistical classification method, (SCS) has been developed whereby there are now mathematical classifiers available for the testing acceptance of the method in the clinical setting. Acceptance testing of MRS technology, with the mathematical classifiers integrated in the automated software, for the pathology and prognosis from a biopsy specimen in: · Breast clinic (Dr Malycha, Royal Adelaide) for both pathology and nodal involvement from fine needle aspiration biopsy · Gastrointestinal clinic (Dr Falk. Strathfield Private) for Barrett’s oesophagus · Urology clinic (Dr Katelaris, Sydney Adventist Hospital) for prostate.Read moreRead less
The NanoNautilus : A Breakthrough In The Successful Treatment Of Strokes And Other Cerebrovascular Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,212.00
Summary
Strokes are one of the biggest killers of Australians and are becoming increasingly so every year. Bleeding from the brain involves extremely delicate and dangerous medical treatments. The development of NanoNautilus [TM]---a remote-controlled steerable microcatheterusing world-first miniaturization technology---will revolutionise current practises and greatly reduce the current risk with medical intervention.
Development Of A Humanised Antibody For Treatment Of Cancer And Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,142.00
Summary
The protein PDGF-CC has a critical role in blood vessel development, and is implicated in the development of cancer, and the debilitating consequences of acute stroke. Researchers in the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research have developed novel anti-PDGF-CC antibodies. The research program proposed will generate data and clinical reagents that will enable a lead candidate anti-PDGF-CC antibody to be commercialised, and ultimately evaluated clinically in cancer and stroke patients.
Development Of Platelet-Targeted Nanoparticles For Magnetic Resonance Imaging Towards The Detection Of Thrombi/Emboli And Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaques
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$606,524.00
Summary
Heart attack, stroke and pulmonary embolism typically strike without warning and either kill patients or cause devastating disabilities. Currently, we do not have diagnostic methods to identify patients and the blood vessels at risk. We have developed a new innovative MRI nanoparticle directed against activated platelets for the detection of _at risk� blood vessels. The current funding is requested to optimise the manufacture of this targeted MRI nanoparticle and to undertake the animal studies ....Heart attack, stroke and pulmonary embolism typically strike without warning and either kill patients or cause devastating disabilities. Currently, we do not have diagnostic methods to identify patients and the blood vessels at risk. We have developed a new innovative MRI nanoparticle directed against activated platelets for the detection of _at risk� blood vessels. The current funding is requested to optimise the manufacture of this targeted MRI nanoparticle and to undertake the animal studies required to enter early stage clinical trials.Read moreRead less
Assessment Of Bilateral Oedema By Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
Swelling of tissue due to fluid accumulation, known as oedema, is one of the earliest signs of diseases such as kidney failure, burn injury or lymphedema. All of these are not uncommon conditions. Lymphedema, for example, is a common sequela of radiotherapy or surgery in the treatment of malignancies such as breast, uterine, and prostatic carcinoma. It is reported to occur in up to 40% of patients depending on the type of surgery and whether or not the patient received radiotherapy. It is estima ....Swelling of tissue due to fluid accumulation, known as oedema, is one of the earliest signs of diseases such as kidney failure, burn injury or lymphedema. All of these are not uncommon conditions. Lymphedema, for example, is a common sequela of radiotherapy or surgery in the treatment of malignancies such as breast, uterine, and prostatic carcinoma. It is reported to occur in up to 40% of patients depending on the type of surgery and whether or not the patient received radiotherapy. It is estimated that at any time 100000 women are suffering from post- mastectomy lymphedema in Australia alone. Treatment of breast cancer alone therefore, given the incidence of the disease, produces a large at-risk population. Add to this other causes of oedema and the magnitude of the problem becomes clearly apparent. The presence of chronic oedema is often a disfiguring and disabling disorder, usually accompanied by pain, recurrent infection, reduced mobility and impaired function. In acute oedema the problem often resolves with recovery from the underlying pathology. In chronic oedema, progression may be arrested by early intervention including complex physical therapy (exercise regimen, compression bandaging, and massage) which is effective in reducing limb volume, in improving the quality of life, function and body image of patients. Although the assessment of oedema is clearly of clinical importance, relatively few objective and accurate techniques for its measurement exist. Research conducted over the past decade by the applicants has pioneered the Use of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis for the assessment of lymphedema. This study aims to translate this basic research into clinical practice. Sensitivity and specificity studies will establish normative and threshold values for impedance measurements that can be used as presumptive indicators of oedema. User friendly technology and equipment suitable for clinical use will be developed which should improve treatment therapies.Read moreRead less
We will conduct a clinical trial of the effectiveness of a continuous auditory display of an anesthetized patient's respiratory status. Expired carbon dioxide monitoring has helped reduce respiratory incidents since its widespread introduction in the late 1980s, but a continuous auditory display of respiratory status may reduce incidents further. We will conduct a clinical trial with 10 anaesthetists of continuous auditory respiratory monitoring. Successful outcome may lead to commercial uptake.
Development And Clinical Evaluation Of A Depth Of Anaesthesia Monitor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,785.00
Summary
Waking up during surgery (awareness under anaesthesia) is a frightening reality for some patients. Although uncommon (occurring in about 1 in 1000 operations), it remains one of the main concerns of patients before their surgery. Recent studies (including our own) have demonstrated that processed EEG monitoring using bispectral index (BIS) can markedly reduce the risk of awareness. Other EEG monitors are being developed, but each have weaknesses. As approximately two million Australians have a g ....Waking up during surgery (awareness under anaesthesia) is a frightening reality for some patients. Although uncommon (occurring in about 1 in 1000 operations), it remains one of the main concerns of patients before their surgery. Recent studies (including our own) have demonstrated that processed EEG monitoring using bispectral index (BIS) can markedly reduce the risk of awareness. Other EEG monitors are being developed, but each have weaknesses. As approximately two million Australians have a general anaesthetic each year, about 2000 will suffer an episode of awareness. More than 60 million people around the world have an anaesthetic, and so the problem is substantial. This suggests the potential benefits (health outcomes, commercial gains) are very great. In 2000 less than 5% of US hospitals used BIS monitoring; the current figure in the US is about 69% of the best-rated hospitals (US News and World Report) and 78% of teaching hospitals. A similar rapid growth is occurring in Australia and Europe. We are working with a successful Australian Company (Compumedics Ltd) to develop a better awareness monitor. We plan studies in groups of patients have surgery.Read moreRead less
A Novel Treatment For Ameliorating Retinal Vascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$366,685.00
Summary
Retinal vascular disease is a leading cause of blindness and is currently treated by laser photocoagulation surgery. Although successful, this treatment is associated with serious side effects. Recently, Ellex Pty has developed a novel laser called the 2RT laser that is likely to be effective without the accompanying side effects. This study will allow examine the effect of the 2RT laser in animal models of retinal vascular disease so as to complete preclinical development of this laser.
Development Of A Smart Arthroscopy System And Prototype Probe For Joint Tissues
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$230,632.00
Summary
This project relates to the ever growing use of arthroscopy in the management of joint defects. An innovative probe that will combine all the molecular, microstructural and biomechanical characteristics of joint articular cartialge and bone for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, treatment-related decisions, comparison of the effectiveness of treament methods and post treatment evaluation will be developed. This system will produce spin-offs for artrhoscopy of other soft tissues and bodies.