Novel Targeted PEG Nanoparticles For Cancer Treatment And Monitoring
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$606,979.00
Summary
We will develop novel targeted cancer therapies based on next generation nanoparticles. These particles will deliver highly potent drugs to tumours with less adverse effects to healthy organs. The ability to image the therapeutic can be used to detect diseases at early, potentially curable stages, identify patients likely to respond to certain treatments, and predict response to therapy. Our project has the potential to increase the survival of patients suffering from the most deadly cancer.
Investigating The Utility Of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Of Beta-lactam Antibiotics In Hospitalised Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$215,887.00
Summary
The appropriate dosing of antibiotics for patients admitted to hospital is based on broad guidelines derived from studies in healthy volunteers or in patients that may have different types of infections. Minor changes in the clinical state of the patients can require significant dosing adjustments. The best way to guarantee appropriate antibiotic therapy is to individualize doses based on blood concentration data. We aim to determine the utility of dose adjustment in hospitalized patients.
Optimisation Of The Safety And Efficacy Of Protein Kinase Inhibitors Using Endogenous And Dietary Biomarkers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,360.00
Summary
Many new cancer medicines are part of the 'kinase inhibitor' group of drugs. Although these drugs are effective in treating a range of different cancers, opportunities remain to improve the effectiveness and safety by more intelligently deciding the dose of the drug that a specific individual should receive. The research aims to assess whether the levels of chemicals normally present in the blood of individuals being treated can be used to guide the best dose an individual should receive.
A Multi-site Study Of Tamoxifen Dose Escalation Study In Breast Cancer Patients With CYP2D6 Polymorphisms (TADE Study)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,768.00
Summary
Tamoxifen is a selective anti-oestrogenic medication commonly used to treat breast cancer. Recent evidence suggests that tamoxifen may not be adequately activated in the body of some people because of their genetic make-up, and that this may reduce its effectiveness. In this study of 120 women, we will determine whether increasing tamoxifen dosage is a useful strategy in people with low activation levels. This could provide practical guidance for patients and clinicians managing breast cancer.
A Trial Of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring In Methadone Maintenance Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$542,025.00
Summary
Heroin addiction is an established and increasing problem in developed countries and in many developing nations. Although there have been several new treatments for heroin addiction, methadone maintenance remains the most effective way to minimize the harms associated with heroin addiction. The current research proposal seeks to test a new approach to setting of methadone dose, using monitoring of methadone blood levels, effects and side-effects in determining when to increase doses, and when to ....Heroin addiction is an established and increasing problem in developed countries and in many developing nations. Although there have been several new treatments for heroin addiction, methadone maintenance remains the most effective way to minimize the harms associated with heroin addiction. The current research proposal seeks to test a new approach to setting of methadone dose, using monitoring of methadone blood levels, effects and side-effects in determining when to increase doses, and when to switch to alternative therapies. This provides an objective method of planning treatment that focuses on suppressing heroin use. The potential subjects of the study are the 50% of patients who continue to use heroin regularly during treatment. All will undergo assessment involving measurement of blood levels of methadone, testing of effects and side-effects of methadone, and monitoring of safety. Half will be randomly allocated to usual care, and half to therapeutic drug monitoring, with dose adjustments according to the results of testing. At 3 and 6 months all subjects will undergo repeat test sessions. It is hypothesized that those in the experimental group will be using less heroin (confirmed by hair testing). It is expected that the study will also identify a small group of subjects with genetically different opioid receptors, who will require very high doses of methadone to be stabilized. The study will allow a detailed analysis of how best to monitor dose adequacy; the relationship between withdrawal symptoms, methadone blood levels, and heroin use, and will provide the first clear investigation of the relationship between changes in methadone blood concentration and certain potentially dangerous changes in the electrical activity of the heart. The intended outcome of this research project is a model for a higher standard methadone program that is more effective in reducing the problems of heroin use in our community.Read moreRead less
A Bench To Bedside Approach To Improving Treatment Of Blinding Retinal Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,051.00
Summary
I am a retinal specialist and clinician scientist directing a group dedicated to identifying improved treatments for blinding macular disease. My clinical research unit conducts randomised clinical trials and pioneered the use of intraocular steroid therapy. My Laboratory research group is interested in stem cell therapy, proteomic analysis of macular disease and the role of Muller cell dysfunction in retinal vascular disease.
Non-invasive Near-infrared Optical Imaging Of Neurodegeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$312,033.00
Summary
Dementia currently affects over 240,000 Australians with an increasing health cost. A common cause of dementia occurs when proteins in the brain form deposits and brain cells degenerate and die. This project will develop a novel medical imaging method that will facilitate the detection of dying brain cells. This will enable a better understanding of the causes of cell death and the opportunity to identify the best time for meaningful therapeutic intervention.
Molecular Imaging Of Brain Tumour Therapeutic Efficacy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,200.00
Summary
The prognosis for malignant brain tumour patients that do not respond to intial treatment strategies is very poor. The fact that many of these patients patients will not survive longer than 12 months post diagnosis underscores the need to make treatment management decisions in a timely manner. This project seeks to develop and validate non-invasive early molecular imaging biomarkers that can quantify treatment efficacy months before traditional measures of efficacy are valid.
Pharmacokinetic And Pharmacodynamic Studies Of The Newer Immunosuppressants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,650.00
Summary
After an organ transplant (such as a liver or kidney transplant), people need to take medicines continually to stop their immune systems from rejecting their new organ. This treatment with immunosuppressant drugs is vital for long-term success of the graft. These drugs are designed to prevent rejection in patients who have received organ transplants (e.g. kidney, liver) and are also being used to treat a variety of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. However, too many people are ....After an organ transplant (such as a liver or kidney transplant), people need to take medicines continually to stop their immune systems from rejecting their new organ. This treatment with immunosuppressant drugs is vital for long-term success of the graft. These drugs are designed to prevent rejection in patients who have received organ transplants (e.g. kidney, liver) and are also being used to treat a variety of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. However, too many people are losing transplanted organs, or not achieving remission from their autoimmune diseases, or are experiencing significant illness and sometimes death from over immunosuppression (infection or side effects) because these drugs are not being used in the best way. The quality and duration of life of increasing numbers of Australians is being affected by lack of understanding and application of some basic principles about dosing regimens for these drugs. The aim of this project is to accurately define the best way to dose these newer immunosuppressant drugs in Australian populations, before they become more widely used .Read moreRead less
Randomised Controlled Trial Investigation Of A Non-stimulant In Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$588,960.00
Summary
Atomoxetine (ATMX) is a viable non-stimulant alternative to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), however, clinicians require more objective information on its effectiveness. This is the first study to examine the effectiveness of ATMX using objective cognitive and emotion markers in ADHD. The outcomes from this project will be a significant step towards a 'personalised medicine' approach to ADHD, providing clinicians with increased options in the treatment of ADHD. ADHD is cons ....Atomoxetine (ATMX) is a viable non-stimulant alternative to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), however, clinicians require more objective information on its effectiveness. This is the first study to examine the effectiveness of ATMX using objective cognitive and emotion markers in ADHD. The outcomes from this project will be a significant step towards a 'personalised medicine' approach to ADHD, providing clinicians with increased options in the treatment of ADHD. ADHD is considered the most common neurodevelopmental or child psychiatric disorder. ADHD affects approximately 10% of children and adolescents, in other words, 'at least one in every classroom'. ADHD has a significant burden, including treatment costs, family stress, loss of productivity, increased risk of drug abuse and accidents. It is increasingly clear that new medications need to be evaluated to make ADHD treatment more effective and efficient. The vast majority of medicated ADHD individuals are treated with stimulants, which are controlled substances. A large number do not respond to stimulant treatment, and in others the potential for abuse remains. Some ADHD report negative feelings about taking stimulants and there is growing concern about increasing prescription rates. ATMX is a recently approved non-stimulant (therefore, non-controlled) to treat ADHD, with evidence of clinical effectiveness. Yet, the impact of ATMX on objective measures of a range of cognitive and emotional function has not been studied. Several lines of evidence indicate it is effective for these functions. ATMX has been shown to alleviate inhibitory capacity, while stimulants have not. Of the 30% of ADHD who do not respond to stimulants, the least responsive are those categorized as 'internalizing' types who show allied anxiety. Common disturbances may underlie abnormal inhibitory capacity and impaired emotional recognition in ADHD that is best treated with ATMX rather than stimulants.Read moreRead less