Novel Inhibition Of Cancer Cell Growth In Gastrointestinal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$47,474.00
Summary
This research project will focus on new treatment targets for gastrointestinal malignancies, focusing on the mTOR pathway which is important in driving cancer cell growth. The mTOR inhibitor drug Everolimus will be used in colon and biliary tract cancers to look for novel biomarkers of response and resistance to treatment, using cancer cell lines and correlative analysis with data obtained from patients' tumour samples and clinical assessment in current trials.
Identification Of Novel ERBB2 Co-operating Tumor Suppressors Using In Vivo RNAi Screens.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Invasive breast cancer is often lethal, however, noninvasive disease has a >98% survival rate. Thus, understanding how breast cancer develops invasive ability is an important research goal. Using a new method in mice predisposed to breast cancer, we will find genes that prevent tumor invasion and determine if they are important in human cancer. By understanding how these genes restrict tumor invasion, we hope to develop therapies to improve breast cancer treatment.
Functional Studies On The Role Of DNp73 In Stem Cells And Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,838.00
Summary
This project investigates the role of the p73 gene in regulating stem cells and facilitating intestinal cancer formation. We hypothesize that when a particular form of this gene (DNp73) is upregulated it prevents differentiation of stem cells and promotes tumour formation. We combine novel approaches in mice and fruit flies to examine the function of DNp73 in stem cells with analysis of human tumour samples. These studies may identify a new target for tumour therapy.