Aberrant Transcriptional Signalling In The Progression And Metastasis Of Melanoma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$353,033.00
Summary
There are currently no treatments that have any impact on decreasing mortality from metastatic melanoma. We have found 2 new variants in melanoma that may control the tumour growing and invading around the body. This study will examine the protein containing these changes with the aims of finding how they function differently, to identify their roles in the formation of melanoma, as well as to identify new targets for prevention and treatment of metastatic disease.
The Oncogenic Function Of A Histone H3K9 Demethylase And Its Contribution To The Aggressive Malignant Phenotype Of Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$762,501.00
Summary
In contrast to the significant improvements in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukaemia, advances in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) therapy have been limited. The difficulty in treating AML is thought to arise from a drug-resistant subpopulation of leukaemic stem cells (LSC) that are capable of reinitiating disease after chemotherapy. This project will characterise a key regulator of LSC and provide insights into an important oncogenic process that gives rise to the aggressive and often fatal ....In contrast to the significant improvements in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukaemia, advances in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) therapy have been limited. The difficulty in treating AML is thought to arise from a drug-resistant subpopulation of leukaemic stem cells (LSC) that are capable of reinitiating disease after chemotherapy. This project will characterise a key regulator of LSC and provide insights into an important oncogenic process that gives rise to the aggressive and often fatal AML.Read moreRead less
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.
The Western Australia Malignant Pleural Effusions Management Study- What Factors Can Guide Management And Do Indwelling Pleural Catheters Represent The Best Treatment Option?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$74,395.00
Summary
This randomised clinical trial will determine whether indwelling tunnelled pleural catheters are the best treatment strategy for patients with malignant pleural effusions. It will also look for ways in which the speed of fluid recurrence can be predicted. It will save public money by finding the most cost effective treatment strategies.
Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy among women, with an estimated 1 million new cases per year worldwide. A family of enzymes known as protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) are fundamental in the initiation and progression of tumour growth and they are frequently hyperactivated in breast cancer. This proposal will examine whether inactivation of the enzyme known as TCPTP contributes to PTK hyperactivation and tumorigenicity in breast cancer.
Identifying And Characterizing Genes That Regulate Breast Tumorigenesis And Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
I am a breast cancer biologist. My research focuses on identifying the changes in normal cells that allow cancer to form, and identifying the changes in cancer cells that allows them to spread. To accomplish this, I have developed new methods using mouse models of breast cancer. My goal is to use these methods to further our understanding of the causes of breast cancer development and progression.
Early Detection Of Melanoma Metastases Using MicroRNA As Novel Biomarkers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$109,363.00
Summary
The use of a minimally invasive blood test to measure the circulating levels of melanoma-specific miRNAs may provide a rapid assessment for clinical management of the disease during dissemination of the tumour. This work has the potential to provide new prognostic markers for melanoma as well as to identify new gene targets for the design of rational therapies to treat this disease.
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.
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.