Improving Anti-cancer Therapy By Stromal Targeting And Remodelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$673,742.00
Summary
We have developed a new drug which binds to abnormal cancer blood vessels. Upon binding, shape and tone of cancer vessels are restored and they become tighter. Our research will now test whether combining this new drug with current standard-of-care therapies such as chemo- and immunotherapy, will improve cytotoxic drugs and also make the immune system work better to fight the cancer. We also expect that tightening of blood vessels will stop cancer cells from spreading throughout the body.
Identification Of New Therapeutic Targets In Neuroblastoma Through ABCC Transporter Associated Pathways.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$591,436.00
Summary
Neuroblastoma accounts for 15% of childhood cancer deaths. Children diagnosed over 1 year have survival rates below 40%. New research shows that certain genes previously implicated in drug resistance contribute to neuroblastoma development. We will investigate their role using a new neuroblastoma model and a range of biochemical and cell biology techniques. This research will improve our understanding of neuroblastoma biology and identify new therapeutic targets in this and other cancers.
Overweight individuals have an increased risk for developing liver cancer. This may be due to the reduced production of the fat-derived hormone adiponectin. Reduced levels of adiponectin are associated with increased inflammation and liver disease. Using mice not expressing adiponectin we will test its importance in liver cancer growth. The proposed research will provide a better understanding of the factors that promote liver cancer formation.
Small Molecule Inhibitors To Reprogram The Tumour Environment And Improve Immunotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$784,520.00
Summary
Cancer blood vessels are different to normal blood vessels; they help cancer cells to spread and stop immune cells in their tracks. We have identified drugs which help to make cancer blood vessels more normal and also bring immune cells into the cancer core. We will test these drugs in combination with immunotherapies, a new treatment option which has not reached its full potential in the clinic. Since our drug candidates are already in clinical use, we expect to fast track clinical development.
Deciphering Tumour Heterogeneity Of Breast Cancer Metastases Using Barcoded Patient Derived Xenografts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,161.00
Summary
Breast cancer mortality is largely due to metastases that seed from the primary tumour. Breast tumours are known to contain a heterogeneous mix of cells, but the precise way that cells are selected for tumour growth and metastasis (as well as their response to systemic therapy) is not well understood. In this study we will use patient samples and cellular ‘barcoding’ to track the destiny of every single clone throughout disease progression and study the effect of various therapies on metastasis.
Integrative Bioinformatic And Experimental Approaches To Define Novel Roles For Genes That Typically Regulate Axon Guidance In Pancreatic Cancer Initiation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$587,955.00
Summary
Early detection and intervention would have a dramatic effect on improving the outcomes for pancreatic cancer. This however relies on understanding how the cancer is initiated. New analysis of more than 100 tumours identified aberrations in genes that typically regulate how the nervous system is positioned during development. We want to use novel bioinformatic approaches and a unique experimental method with cells in culture to rapidly and accurately find out which of these genes drives a normal ....Early detection and intervention would have a dramatic effect on improving the outcomes for pancreatic cancer. This however relies on understanding how the cancer is initiated. New analysis of more than 100 tumours identified aberrations in genes that typically regulate how the nervous system is positioned during development. We want to use novel bioinformatic approaches and a unique experimental method with cells in culture to rapidly and accurately find out which of these genes drives a normal pancreatic cell to become a tumour cell.Read moreRead less
Tailoring Treatment Strategies For NRF2-driven Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$923,501.00
Summary
Lung cancer is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the most common cause of cancer-related death in Australia. Mutations in the KEAP1 gene are observed in a high number of lung cancer patients. These abnormalities are associated with poor prognosis, but may also present an opportunity to specifically target these cancer cells. We will utilise preclinical models to identify new personalised treatment strategies for patients that carry KEAP1 mutations.
Circulating Tumour DNA As A Marker Of Complete Pathological Response And Long Term Outcome For Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Treated With Pre-operative Chemoradiotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,183.00
Summary
Rectal cancers are often treated by chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery which may result in long-term stoma. A significant proportion of these patients can achieve complete remission to CRT alone. This project will assess the accuracy of a promising blood marker (circulating tumour DNA) for predicting response to treatment in patients with rectal cancer undergoing CRT. If confirmed to be a reliable marker, this test could be used to select patients who may be able to avoid or delay surge ....Rectal cancers are often treated by chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery which may result in long-term stoma. A significant proportion of these patients can achieve complete remission to CRT alone. This project will assess the accuracy of a promising blood marker (circulating tumour DNA) for predicting response to treatment in patients with rectal cancer undergoing CRT. If confirmed to be a reliable marker, this test could be used to select patients who may be able to avoid or delay surgery.Read moreRead less
Deregulated Cytokine Signalling As A Molecular Bridge Linking The Pathogenesis Of Emphysema To Lung Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$524,820.00
Summary
Lung cancer is the most lethal form of cancer in Australia and worldwide. Although smokers with emphysema are at an increased risk of developing lung cancer, it is becoming apparent that emphysema can predispose to lung cancer independently of cigarette smoking, albeit by unknown mechanisms. Our aim is to combine smoke carcinogen and genetic mouse models of lung cancer with novel mouse strains displaying emphysema to identify the processes which link the pathogenesis of emphysema to lung 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.