My work on human pigmentation genetics has provided a framework to understand normal variation in this physical trait and the associated genotypic risk factors for skin cancer development. The genes that determine an individual's skin phototype and the ce
Effects Of Nevogenesis Susceptibility Genes And Phenotypic Correlation With Dermoscopic Characteristics Of Nevi
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$554,099.00
Summary
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that arises from the cells that produce pigment and is a major public health issue in Australia. We will examine the relationship between the form, structure and colour of existing types of moles and their subsequent risk of developing into melanoma. This will be the first study to combine dermoscopy, a non-invasive examination technique, with DNA tests of the genes that determine skin, hair and eye colour, aiding in the early prediction and diagnosis of skin ca ....Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that arises from the cells that produce pigment and is a major public health issue in Australia. We will examine the relationship between the form, structure and colour of existing types of moles and their subsequent risk of developing into melanoma. This will be the first study to combine dermoscopy, a non-invasive examination technique, with DNA tests of the genes that determine skin, hair and eye colour, aiding in the early prediction and diagnosis of skin cancer.Read moreRead less
Determination Of An Action Spectrum For Ultraviolet Radiation-induced Immunosuppression In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$213,500.00
Summary
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes mutations in the skin which can develop into cancers many years later. The skin's immune system is an important defence that prevents most potentially cancerous cells from developing into skin tumours. UV also suppresses skin immunity, allowing cancer cells to proliferate unchecked. There is also evidence that this UV-induced immunosuppression may have important effects on infectious diseases such as herpes virus, leprosy and tropical ulcers. Sunlight contains U ....Ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes mutations in the skin which can develop into cancers many years later. The skin's immune system is an important defence that prevents most potentially cancerous cells from developing into skin tumours. UV also suppresses skin immunity, allowing cancer cells to proliferate unchecked. There is also evidence that this UV-induced immunosuppression may have important effects on infectious diseases such as herpes virus, leprosy and tropical ulcers. Sunlight contains UVB, which causes sunburn, and UVA. Until recently, UVA was thought to have little effect on skin immunity. We have previously shown that both broadband UVB and UVA are immunosuppressive, even after single exposures equivalent to 8 minutes of sunlight. It is not known which UVA wavelengths are most immunosuppressive. These studies will use a xenon arc solar simulator and a series of interference filters to produce narrow UVB and UVA wavebands. The effects of these wavebands on humans can be studied by deliberately eliciting immune responses to substances which volunteers are already sensitive to. One model of skin immunity in these studies is allergy to nickel (in earrings and costume jewellery), which affects 10% of women. The volunteers' backs are exposed to different UV wavelengths, and then nickel patches are taped to both the UV-exposed areas and adjacent, unexposed areas. By comparing the intensity (redness and thickness) of these nickel reactions, immunosuppression caused by each waveband can be measured. Similarly, the Mantoux reaction (in people vaccinated against tuberculosis) provides another, complementary model of skin immunity. Knowledge of the immune effects of different UV wavelengths (an action spectrum for UV immunosuppression) would improve understanding of skin cancer and enable development of better sunscreens, which currently offer only partial immune protection.Read moreRead less
Advances in mobile telephone technology and available dermoscopic attachments (which provide a good light and magnification) for mobile telephones have created a unique opportunity for mobile teledermoscopy. This study will test whether and how it can be integrated into the workflow of dermatologists to improve the early detection of skin lesions suspicious of melanoma.
Influence Of Skin Cancer On Topical Elongate Microparticle Drug Delivery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,589.00
Summary
This project builds on a novel cutaneous delivery method using ‘rod-shaped’ microparticles we developed in the Dermatology Research Centre. Microparticle administration results in multiple punctures of the skin’s tough outer layers, increasing permeability. Furthermore, microparticle administration results in a uniform and continuous drug delivery profile within the treatment area, which is an important attribute for the treatment of skin diseases.
Investigating The Utility Of Primary Care Skin Cancer Clinics In Queensland
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,000.00
Summary
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia, with an estimated 375,000 people being treated for some skin cancer in Australia in 2002, and 1462 dying from the disease (mainly from melanoma) in 2001. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer, both melanoma and non-melanoma is the world. However, if detected early, skin cancer is curable, and the focus of current treatment programs internationally is to detect the disease before it progresses to an advanced stage. A large proportion of ....Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia, with an estimated 375,000 people being treated for some skin cancer in Australia in 2002, and 1462 dying from the disease (mainly from melanoma) in 2001. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer, both melanoma and non-melanoma is the world. However, if detected early, skin cancer is curable, and the focus of current treatment programs internationally is to detect the disease before it progresses to an advanced stage. A large proportion of skin cancers are first detected by the non-medical community. However, due to the two-tiered medical system in Australia, a person first seeks medical opinion from a general practitioner (GP), who acts as a gatekeeper for further treatment from a specialist. Therefore the ability of GPs to be able to discern which lesions require further treatment is crucial, both for the patient, and the financial burden on the health system. A recent development has been the establishment of dedicated primary skin care clinics, which offer open access consultations to the community for the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers and pigmented lesions. The emergence of these clinics has created much debate in the medical media. Concern has been expressed about the skills of practitioners in these clinics, whilst others argue that sub-specialisation in primary care will lead to improvements in the management of patients. As there is currently no data on the volume, casemix and diagnostic accuracy of these clinics it is difficult to assess the diagnostic ability of skin cancer clinics. This will be the first project to quantify the role of skin clinics in the diagnosis of skin cancer in the community, and in particular their case volume, casemix and diagnostic accuracy, and assess these measures in relation to a comparable sample of general practitioners. Queensland is an ideal location for a study of this type due to its high incidence of both types of skin cancer.Read moreRead less
Human Pigmentation Genetics, Melanocyte Biology And Skin Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,656.00
Summary
The fellowship application by A/Prof Sturm is to support his research into the biology of human skin, hair and eye colour, and the process of melanoma formation. His pivotal discoveries into the genetic basis of pigmentation and its regulation has provided an understanding of these physical traits and the associated genotypic risk factors for skin cancer development. The genes that determine an individual's skin phototype and the mechanisms involved in the tanning response after UV-exposure of t ....The fellowship application by A/Prof Sturm is to support his research into the biology of human skin, hair and eye colour, and the process of melanoma formation. His pivotal discoveries into the genetic basis of pigmentation and its regulation has provided an understanding of these physical traits and the associated genotypic risk factors for skin cancer development. The genes that determine an individual's skin phototype and the mechanisms involved in the tanning response after UV-exposure of the skin are actively being investigated.Read moreRead less
The incidence of melanoma in Australia continues to increase, with Queensland having the highest incidence worldwide. This research uses latest advances in genomics, imaging technologies and microbiopsy devices to develop a personalized screening program for high-risk individuals, with the aim of improving early detection, and reducing the burden of melanoma.
Overcoming Resistance Of Human Metastatic Melanoma To Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$727,758.00
Summary
Melanoma is a major Australian health problem, but there is no curative treatment once the disease spreads beyond the skin. I have been working on “overcoming resistance of melanoma to treatment” continuously for 10 years. My past research has provided a number of insights into the resistance of melanoma to treatment. I wish to extend my work to find new treatment approaches against the disease. If successful, this work will greatly benefit melanoma patients and Australian people.
Regulation Of Stat1 Activity Levels: Abnormalities In Human Melanoma Cells Resistant To Interferon.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$227,036.00
Summary
Melanoma and its treatment continues to be an important health concern in Australia. The interferons comprise an elaborate system of natural substances produced in the body, one of whose functions is to prevent cancer cells from developing. The interferons have been widely used to treat human diseases including viral infections and cancers like malignant melanoma. However, results of recent trials have cast doubt on its effectiveness. We have found that advanced stage melanoma cells resist the d ....Melanoma and its treatment continues to be an important health concern in Australia. The interferons comprise an elaborate system of natural substances produced in the body, one of whose functions is to prevent cancer cells from developing. The interferons have been widely used to treat human diseases including viral infections and cancers like malignant melanoma. However, results of recent trials have cast doubt on its effectiveness. We have found that advanced stage melanoma cells resist the direct anti-cancer effects of interferons because they have abnormalities in their ability to respond to interferon. We have made good progress in understanding why the melanoma cells do not respond to the interferons. In particular they show a deficiency in the activity of protein, Stat1, required to send the interferon signal inside the cells. The current proposal will allow us to gain a greater understanding of the processes inside cancer cells regulating Stat1 activity and the reasons for its abnormality in interferon resistant cancer cells. This study will help establish an assay to predict which cancer patients will respond to interferon therapy, saving pateints from unecessary discomfort and costs. It will also have a broad significance to many human diseases where abnormalities in interferon signaling occur and will help to bring about ways to produce the necessary changes in cell properties to overcome the abnormalites, restore the responses and improve the application of interferons to treat melanoma and perhaps other human diseases as well.Read moreRead less