Transcriptional Effectors Of Oncogenic ERK Signaling In Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$820,776.00
Summary
This project aims to unravel how one of the most frequently deregulated molecular pathways in colorectal cancer controls the expression of genes required for these tumours to grow and spread. We expect this work to uncover novel therapeutic targets to effectively inactivate this pathway and biomarkers to select patients most likely to benefit from existing therapies.
Breast cancers have diverse characteristics such as their response to treatment and their propensity to relapse. We know that the individual suit of oncogenic lesions probably influences diversity but the characteristics of the cell type from which the cancer arose probably also plays a part. This Application addresses this question and investigates a major new discovery made by the applicant that the ets transcription factor Elf5 plays a key role in specifying the diversity in breast cancer.
Targeting Homeobox Genes In Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$658,739.00
Summary
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a common blood cancer with dire clinical prognosis due to a lack of targeted molecular therapies. In this proposal we will identify new ways of targeting transcription factor proteins that are overexpressed in AML and promote leukaemia by repressing normal cellular growth controls. This may lead to novel methods to target leukaemic stem cells to specifically eliminate myeloid leukemia
Thyroid cancer is the commonest endocrine malignancy, and typically affects younger adults. Despite low mortality rates, local recurrence is not uncommon and re-operative surgery can cause significant morbidity. We are studying genetic variants in thyroid transcription factors associated with thyroid cancer predisposition. Our work will determine the mechanism of this association, and provide new strategies for early diagnosis and prevention of thyroid cancer.
Dual Targeting Of The Androgen Receptor For Effective And Durable Control Of Lethal Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$946,177.00
Summary
Preventing binding of androgens to the androgen receptor is the mainstay treatment for advanced prostate cancer, but resistance inevitably develops and the disease becomes lethal. We will develop a new drug that targets a part of the androgen receptor unrelated to its androgen binding function to overcome resistance to current therapy. As this drug will be effective in all stages of prostate cancer, it has high potential to improve survival outcomes for men with prostate cancer.
Linking Breast Development To Bone Metastasis: Role For The Osteogenic Transcription Factor Runx2 During Breast Carcinogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$565,145.00
Summary
Bone is the principle metastasis site of breast cancer and represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Runx2 is one potential candidate gene mediating breast cancer metastasis. Using mice with altered Runx2 levels and breast cancer models, this study will examine the role of Runx2 in breast cancer bone metastasis. Identification of a single gene that controls both breast and bone would open a new area of breast cancer research and a new gene against which therapies could be developed.
I am a cancer biologist determining the mechanisms controlling growth and proliferation of cancer cells and use transgenic models of malignancy and genetic approaches to identify new therapies for targeting growth control in the treatment of cancer.
Activating Transcription Factor 3 And Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$767,794.00
Summary
We have shown that the transcription factor ATF3 suppresses bladder cancer spread. Turning off ATF3 is associated with disease progression in bladder and colorectal cancer. We will test whether levels of ATF3 can be used as a prognostic maker for disease progression, investigate the mechanisms underlying the actions of ATF3 in bladder and colorectal cancer and test whether therapeutically activating ATF3 can inhibit cancer progression.
Therapeutic Targeting Of Ribosome Biogenesis In Cancer And Ribosomopathies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
My fellowship application will build on my international leadership in understanding growth control in human disease. My vision is to uncover the molecular mechanisms governing the loss of normal control of the synthesis of the molecular machines, termed ribosomes, that are responsible for synthesising all cell proteins. I will translate these findings into new paradigms to treat patients suffering from diseases such as cancer and ribosomopathies, that are associated with ribosome dysfunction.