The Importance Of RUNX3 In Preventing Gastrointestinal Diseases And Tumour Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,322.00
Summary
Stomach cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. It is estimated that in 2010, more than 1 million people will die of stomach cancer with an increase of 19%. Studies have revealed that RUNX3 has the ability to suppress the growth of stomach cancer. However the role of RUNX3 in preventing metastasis is yet unknown. Therefore, an understanding of the factors that govern metastasis will inform the design of effective therapies to prevent mortality which is high for this disease.
FOXP3 Regulated MicroRNAs: A Novel Component Of FOXP3 Tumour Suppressor Function In Breast Epithelial Cells.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$554,716.00
Summary
Until there is a cure, breast cancer research must continue to discover new targets for therapy. We have novel insight into a new tumour supressor; FOXP3, and have identified the genes it regulates in T cells. We can now apply this information to normal breast tissues to reveal the mechanism and targets that FOXP3 controls to prevent cancer
ADAM Metalloprotease Inhibition For Treatment Of Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$770,925.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) causes over 4000 deaths/year, typically from developing drug resistance and spreading to other organs (metastasis). These processes involve tumour cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs), which rely on specific cell surface proteins for survival and function. We are developing antibodies against one of these type of proteins, to test in mouse models of CRC. These already show promise in targeting CSCs and inhibiting drug-resistance and metastasis in mice.
Nuclear Receptors And Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$681,979.00
Summary
This project will explore the potential for a nuclear receptor known as the thyroid receptor to suppress growth of breast cancer using cell culture models and mouse models. We hope to show that activating the thyroid receptors leads to a reduction in breast cancer growth providing evidence that the thyroid receptor pathway could be targeted for therapy.
Determining The Tumour Suppressor Function Of The MCC Gene And Its Significance To Treatment Outcomes In Colorectal Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,716.00
Summary
This project analyses the early stages of bowel cancer, where we have discovered a new gene defect. We want to determine how the MCC gene defect promotes tumorigenesis and how it affects treatment outcomes, by studying a novel mouse model of bowel cancer. This will determine which cellular functions are altered following loss of MCC in bowel tumours and if the MCC defect can be exploited to identify patients who would benefit from radiotherapy or specific chemotherapies.
A Novel Approach For Treating B-cell Lymphoma By Inhibition Of The E3 Ligase E6AP
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,846.00
Summary
B-cell lymphoma is the most common type blood cancer diagnosed in Australia, and Australia's fifth most common cancer. Despite remarkable advances in diagnosis and treatment, lymphoma continues to rank as a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Our pilot studies reveal a novel approach to treatment of B-cell lymphoma by inhibiting an enzyme that destroys our natural mechanism of defense against cancer. In this study we will test the efficacy of this novel treatment.