Radiotherapy (RT) is a curative anti-cancer treatment employed in around half of all cancer sufferers. Very occasionally, a cancer patient will manifest an unexpected adverse reaction to RT and there is strong evidence for a genetic basis to such RT sensitivity. Despite two decades of research, such reactions cannot currently be predicted prior to treatment and their occurrence limits the intensity, and hence cure rates, of RT for the majority of patients. This project will employ cutting edge t ....Radiotherapy (RT) is a curative anti-cancer treatment employed in around half of all cancer sufferers. Very occasionally, a cancer patient will manifest an unexpected adverse reaction to RT and there is strong evidence for a genetic basis to such RT sensitivity. Despite two decades of research, such reactions cannot currently be predicted prior to treatment and their occurrence limits the intensity, and hence cure rates, of RT for the majority of patients. This project will employ cutting edge technology (DNA Chips, or microarrays) to attempt to understand why some patients suffer significant RT side-effects, while the vast majority do not. We have developed a tissue bank of samples from cancer patients who have had adverse RT reactions, and these samples (and samples from unaffected cancer patients) will be examined by microarrays: the activity of thousands of genes will be evaluated in each experiment, and we shall search for patterns of gene activity which track with RT sensitivity. Should we determine a pattern, this pattern will be checked against a larger number of cases and if it accurately predicts RT sensitivity, could lead to the routine testing of cancer patients prior to RT and the individualisation of cancer therapy. In parallel, we will evaluate the tissues of sensitive patients with assays capable of detecting abnormalities in the response to radiation, which may give clues as to an underlying gene fault(s) which might predispose to radiosensitivity in that individual.Read moreRead less
Biomarkers For The Diagnosis Of Childhood TB: Validation In A High TB Prevalence Setting
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$948,086.00
Summary
The WHO highlights the urgent need for new diagnostic tests to combat the global TB pandemic. Diagnosis of TB is particularly difficult in children. In our previous NHMRC-funded Melbourne-based study we found promising diagnostic markers in blood which can differentiate patients with and without TB. This project has the potential to revolutionise the diagnosis of TB by providing data that will enable the development of a new generation of diagnostic tests.
‘Chemobrain’: Neuroimmunological Consequences Of Chemotherapy-induced Mucositis And Opioid Palliation In Development Of The Condition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Approximately 46% of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy will experience cognitive impairment. The development of this condition may be linked to another common gut side-effect of chemotherapy- mucositis. The treatment of mucositis pain by potent painkillers called opioids may also increase the risk of cognitive change. This project will determine the nervous system changes occurring in mucositis to identify targets for drug intervention to prevent development of cognitive decline.
Pesonalised Risk Prediction For Severe Treatment-related Gastrointestinal Toxicity In Paediatric Cancer Patients Using Pre-treatment Gut Microbiome Analysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
The gut is home to trillions of good and bad bacteria, critical to human health. Each person has a different balance of bacteria, unique to their gut, which shapes their immune system and susceptibility to disease. I will investigate how the unique gut bacteria, in children with blood cancer, can be used to predict which children will develop severe gut side effects (diarrhoea) from their chemotherapy. This will identify high-risk children, enable personalised treatment and improve survival.
Identification And Molecular Characterisation Of High-risk Premalignant Breast Lesions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,382.00
Summary
Understanding the full repertoire of genetic events that underlie the development of breast cancer may allow development of prevention strategies. This study will analyse genetic data of benign breast lesions that may be non-obligate precursors of breast cancer. Importantly, clinical management of these lesions is difficult. A reliable method of predicting the risk of progression to cancer would be a significant advance, with benefits to individual patients and also the health system.
Personalising Care In Operable Pancreas Cancer. GAP-T: A Study Of Imaging And Molecular Biomarkers To Guide Treatment Of Patients Receiving Preoperative Chemotherapy Followed By Surgery.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,345.00
Summary
We are studying ways to improve how we treat patients with pancreatic cancer. We will use a novel imaging tool, the PET scanner, to show where active cancer is and how quickly and how well a new drug combination (gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel) is affecting the cancer. We will also study if measuring the expression of specific proteins (SPARC and hENT1) in the cancer affects the outcome and will allow us to determine ahead of time which patients will benefit most from the drugs.
Assessment And Prediction Of Blood Flow Dynamics In Congenital Aortic Abnormalities Using Image-based Computer Modelling And Wave Intensity Analysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,925.00
Summary
Severe aortic abnormality is a serious problem in many infants with congenital heart disease, but it is often unclear what type of treatment will optimise blood flow and minimise the risk of later complications. This study aims to harness recent developments in blood flow modelling, magnetic resonance imaging and advanced blood flow analysis techniques to determine the factors that lead to complications in these children, thereby providing crucial information for improving treatment strategies.