Harnessing Systems Biology By Integrating Proteomics And Immunopeptidomics To Understand Prostate Cancer Carcinogenesis, Diagnosis And Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
This ECF proposal aims to systematic profile to proteomic compositions of prostate normal, and cancer cells, and utilise such data to develop innovative systems biology models that will enable accurate prediction of tumour associate antigen (TAA) presentation for both aggressive and nonaggressive prostate cancer. The outcomes of this project will generate urgently needed knowledge for understanding TAA presentation and contribute to identification of tractable targets for vaccine development.
Investigation Of Small Molecule Interactions With The Human Leukocyte Antigen And Their Role In Non-infectious Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
The Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) play a key role in the immune system helping the body differentiate healthy from diseased cells. Numerous autoimmune diseases and adverse drug reactions are associated with specific HLA variants. This study seeks to unlock the mechanisms behind these diseases, investigating how small molecules including drugs interact with the HLA to make healthy body cells seem foreign. This research has the potential to inform strategies for disease avoidance and management.
The behaviour of prostate cancer cells is regulated by their surrounding environment known as the stroma. The stroma has been proposed as a therapeutic target, but it is a diverse mix of cells that needs to be specifically targeted. Not all stromal cells are equal; cells surrounding tumours have different features from cells in normal tissue. Therefore, the goal of this project is to directly isolate cancer-associated stromal cells from patient tissue and study their role in cancer progression.
Dendritic Cells In Graft-versus-Host Disease Following Bone Marrow Transplantation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,859.00
Summary
Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is the only available curative therapy for many blood cancers such as leukaemia. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurs after BMT and is a major cause of transplant-related death. GVHD occurs when transplanted donor cells “attack” recipient tissues causing widespread damage. Gaining a more comprehensive understanding of this disease process is critically important for the design of new therapies and improvement of outcomes for transplant recipients.
Targeting Prostate Cancer And Metastases With Novel Anti-tumour Drugs.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,639.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is highly aggressive, causing one death every 4 minutes. It is the most common tumour and is the second highest cause of cancer death in men in Western society. Once it escapes the prostate and spreads to other parts of the body it cannot be cured. Current treatment options are limited and cause debilitating side effects. In this study I will investigate a new class of anticancer drugs developed in my host laboratory for prostate cancer treatment.