Elucidating The Function Of Rho-ROCK Signalling In The Regulation Of Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,568.00
Summary
As cancers progress from benign to more malignant forms, the way in which cancer cells respond to external influences changes dramatically. These cells subvert the normal interactions between proteins which pass signals from outside the cell to the inside, to control cell behaviour and assume a survival advantage. We plan to study a form of cell signalling that is often abnormal in cancer in order to identify technologies for limiting cancer growth and spread by interfering with these signals.
Tumours secrete factors which are contained in specific structures called exosomes, and are used to prepare other organs of the body for subsequently incoming tumour cells, thereby facilitating the often mortal spread of the cancer. This project will investigate the way exosomes alter organs before tumour cells arrive, the composition of these exosomes in lung cancer patients and if they are novel markers for diseases progression as well as therapeutic intervention.
New Treatments For Epitheliod Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Sarcoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$647,267.00
Summary
Epithelioid Inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma (eIMS) is a rare aggressive cancer, most common in of childhood and young adults. This cancer has been scarcely studied due to its rarity and is not cured by standard chemotherapeutic regimes. Our investigations will extensively characterise eIMS samples from recently diagnosed patients, and apply a new laboratory model to discover more effective drugs and improve treatment outcomes.
Regulation Of Breast Cancer Metastasis By MiR-193b And MiR-342-3p
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,537.00
Summary
When breast cancer spreads to other organs, it results in high morbidity and mortality. MicroRNAs are a class of genes that control the expression of other genes, some of which are involved in the spread of cancer. In this project we will examine the function of two microRNA species that we have found to be associated with breast cancer spread. The anticipated outcome is a better knowledge of the genes that control cancer spread and the identification of new molecular targets for therapy.
The Ludwig Institute is adopting a two prong approach in the fight against cancer. Ludwig scientists are developing improved and sensitive scanning methods to aid in the conduct of field trials of new anti-cancer antibodies. In addition, they are also developing new targeted anti-cancer antibodies with improved properties that have the ability to bind to tumours while sparing normal tissues. These drugs can either attack the cancer directly or be used to carry drugs to the target thereby shrinki ....The Ludwig Institute is adopting a two prong approach in the fight against cancer. Ludwig scientists are developing improved and sensitive scanning methods to aid in the conduct of field trials of new anti-cancer antibodies. In addition, they are also developing new targeted anti-cancer antibodies with improved properties that have the ability to bind to tumours while sparing normal tissues. These drugs can either attack the cancer directly or be used to carry drugs to the target thereby shrinking the tumour.Read moreRead less
A Novel Strategy For Targeting Castrate-resistant Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$799,440.00
Summary
Modern drugs for advanced prostate cancer are based on starving the tumour of hormones. However, tumours either escape this treatment or are inherently resistant to it. We have developed a new approach with drugs that block protein synthesis. This deprives tumours of the building blocks to make new cancer cells. In this project, we will determine the effectiveness of this new treatment on samples of patient prostate cancer tissue that have failed currently available drugs.
Pushing AR Toward Better Outcomes In Breast And Prostate Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$998,754.00
Summary
Breast and prostate cancers kill >6000 Australians each year. These cancers are strikingly similar, both driven by hormone receptors that have ‘gone bad’. Current therapies aim to eradicate the receptors. While often effective, therapeutic resistance is common and results in fatal disease. We aim to develop new, less toxic treatments that switch receptor behaviour from good to bad, without destroying them. This should improve quality of life, while preventing drug resistance and loss of lives ....Breast and prostate cancers kill >6000 Australians each year. These cancers are strikingly similar, both driven by hormone receptors that have ‘gone bad’. Current therapies aim to eradicate the receptors. While often effective, therapeutic resistance is common and results in fatal disease. We aim to develop new, less toxic treatments that switch receptor behaviour from good to bad, without destroying them. This should improve quality of life, while preventing drug resistance and loss of lives.Read moreRead less
Profiling Circulating DNA And RNA To Identify Mechanisms Of Therapeutic Resistance And Response In Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$482,590.00
Summary
Enzalutamide is a powerful hormone treatment that improves survival for men with advanced prostate cancer. Unfortunately, all prostate cancers eventually become resistant to enzalutamide and not all men initially respond to treatment. I will look for blood markers that predict which men benefit from enzalutamide treatment and try to understand how resistance to enzalutamide occurs. This may lead to more effective use of enzalutamide resulting in better outcomes in advanced prostate cancer.
A Novel Role For CBF? As A Regulator Of Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,415.00
Summary
Whole genome sequencing studies of human breast tumours identified a handful of common significantly mutated genes, all previously linked to breast cancer, except one, CBF?. Preliminary data from our lab now show that CBF? may be a new regulator of human breast cancer and metastasis. Using mice with altered CBF? levels, breast cancer models and human patient cohorts, this study aims to identify a novel role for CBF? as a new regulator of human breast cancer and potential therapeutic target.
Estrogen Therapy For Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,690.00
Summary
Withdrawal of male hormones in men with prostate cancer is effective therapeutically because it causes cell death in most of the tumour. However the remaining cells (called castrate resistant cells), give rise to recurrent disease that inevitably kills the patient. This project aims to test if our compound will kill these cells and prevent recurrence or if it has any benefit for the patients who have incurable disease.