Individualizing Cytomegalovirus Preventative Strategies Following Solid Organ Transplantation: A Precision Medicine Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a significant contributor to poor outcomes following solid organ transplantation. Current preventative strategies are somewhat effective but treat groups of patients similarly rather than targeting the individual, so many patients are treated unnecessarily & breakthrough disease still occurs. We propose a program of research directed towards individualizing CMV prevention strategies in solid organ transplant recipients, incorporating new diagnostic tests.
Patient Tailored Immunity Transplant For The Prevention Of Viral Infections Post Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,967.00
Summary
Blood or bone marrow transplantation can cure leukaemia and related blood disorders, but patients are susceptible to infections in the period early after transplant. Infectious complications remain a leading cause of death among allogeneic transplant recipients. Our research aims to prevent the onset of infection using novel cell therapies to rapidly restore the immune system thus preventing the problems associated with the transplant process.
Establishment Of A Bank Of Third Party T Cells To Treat Virus Infections (that Are Resistant Or Unsuitable For Other Forms Of Antibiotic Therapy) In Immunocompromised And Transplant Patients Across Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$811,530.00
Summary
Bone marrow transplantation can cure cancers of the blood but patients are susceptible to viral infections due to ongoing immune deficiency. We have shown you can grow immune cells in the laboratory and transfer this immunity to transplant recipients. While effective, this has not been widely adopted due to the time, complexity and costs of the process. We aim to address these issues by providing a treatment option for patients with life threatening infections using immediately available “off th ....Bone marrow transplantation can cure cancers of the blood but patients are susceptible to viral infections due to ongoing immune deficiency. We have shown you can grow immune cells in the laboratory and transfer this immunity to transplant recipients. While effective, this has not been widely adopted due to the time, complexity and costs of the process. We aim to address these issues by providing a treatment option for patients with life threatening infections using immediately available “off the shelf” immune cells.Read moreRead less
The Clinical Value Of Serology And Molecular Tests For Diagnosing Invasive Aspergillosis In At-risk Hematology Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,095,500.00
Summary
Aspergillus is a fungus found in soil, on farms and on construction sites. In those whose immune system is impaired it causes severe infection. The people who are particularly at high-risk of Aspergillus infection (called Invasive Aspergillosis) are those with acute leukaemia on chemotherapy or post bone marrow transplantation. Currently 15% of those at high-risk get Invasive Aspergillosis and 58-93% of those infected die. The main reason for this high death rate is that our current diagnostic t ....Aspergillus is a fungus found in soil, on farms and on construction sites. In those whose immune system is impaired it causes severe infection. The people who are particularly at high-risk of Aspergillus infection (called Invasive Aspergillosis) are those with acute leukaemia on chemotherapy or post bone marrow transplantation. Currently 15% of those at high-risk get Invasive Aspergillosis and 58-93% of those infected die. The main reason for this high death rate is that our current diagnostic tests are not good at detecting infection or often only detect the infection at advanced stages when treatment is ineffective. Because of the limitations of current diagnostic tests the current practice is to give empiric antifungal therapy (EAFT) early to treat Invasive Aspergillosis. However studies have demonstrated that this therapy has only resulted in a minor reduction in the mortality rates and it causes significant drug toxicity. It is a suboptimal treatment modality. New tests have been developed to diagnose Invasive Aspergillosis. These tests are for the detection of an Aspergillus protein in blood and for the detection of Aspergillus DNA in the blood. Available data suggests that these new tests are sensitive in the detection of Invasive Aspergillosis. Also other studies suggest that these new tests make an early diagnosis and seem to be able to monitor responses to treatment. However no study has been performed to date which demonstrates that the use of these tests can impact on important patient outcomes. This trial is designed to determine whether the use of the new tests to guide therapy will help improve treatment of Invasive Aspergillosis, reduce drug toxicity and reduce the death rate in the high-risk patients as compared with the current standard method of diagnosis and treatment with EAFT. If the trial is successful then this represents a significant advancement in the treatment and survival of leukaemic and bone marrow transplantation patients.Read moreRead less