Targeting FLT3 Kinase Activity To Treat Haematopoietic Neoplasms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$673,045.00
Summary
Most leukaemias are incurable so it is important to find new treatments. For this to occur it is essential that the mutated genes that cause leukaemia are identified. We have generated a mouse with a mutation in a gene called c-Cbl that promotes the activation a protein called FLT3 that is involved in the development of many types of leukaemias. By treating mutant mice a drug that specifically suppresses the function of FLT3 we intend to identify the most effective treatments for human leukaemia ....Most leukaemias are incurable so it is important to find new treatments. For this to occur it is essential that the mutated genes that cause leukaemia are identified. We have generated a mouse with a mutation in a gene called c-Cbl that promotes the activation a protein called FLT3 that is involved in the development of many types of leukaemias. By treating mutant mice a drug that specifically suppresses the function of FLT3 we intend to identify the most effective treatments for human leukaemias associated with activated forms of FLT3.Read moreRead less
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.
There are ~1.6 billion overweight adults worldwide & this is predicted to rise to 2.3 billion by 2015. In Australia > 2/3 of adults are overweight or obese. Obesity is a key factor in the progression of many human malignancies. Obesity poses the greatest risk for the development hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a deadly cancer refractory to nearly all available anti-cancer therapies. This application will delineate the molecular mechanisms by which obesity promotes HCC development.
The Role Of Redox Regulation In Controlling The Oncogenic Function Of Eph Receptors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$71,766.00
Summary
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in cancers activate cell surface receptor signalling pathways that drive cancer progression. I will study links between ROS and receptor signalling in cancer cells, and inhibit signalling with ROS scavengers delivered in nanoparticles, targeted to receptor complexes with specific antibodies. These will include antibodies we raised against ADAM10, a protease associated with multiple receptor signalling pathways, to simultaneously inhibit these pathways.
The Pez-TGFbeta-miR200-ZEB1-2 Axis In Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$533,541.00
Summary
A feature of late-stage cancer is metastasis - the dissemination of cancer cells to other tissues. Despite advances in treatment of primary cancers, metastatic disease remains the major cause of death in cancer patients. In metastatic cancers, the cells undergo a change that enables them to initially invade the surrounding tissues. We have discovered a novel regulator of the invasive process in tissue culture and this study aims to substantiate its role in breast cancer.