Acceptance And Commitment Therapy For Medication-resistant Psychosis: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$558,200.00
Summary
In spite of advances in medication, approximately one third of people with schizophrenia continue to experience distressing symptoms such as hearing voices and paranoia. Psychological 'talking treatments' are effective in helping people to cope with and be less distressed by these experiences. This study will be the first trial of a new psychological treatment, called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which may be more effective, briefer and more easily provided than existing approaches.
TACI: A Novel Immune Checkpoint In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$874,462.00
Summary
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a very common blood cancer. CLL cells actively shut down immune defenses in patients. Moreover, current as well as emerging more targeted therapies suppress immunity and over a quarter of patients will die from an infection despite a good response to cancer treatments. Our laboratory has gained new understanding in the mechanism of action of a new treatment for CLL called Ibrutinib. This information allows us to design improved treatment options for CLL.
Epigenetic Therapies As Molecular Probes To Investigate The Molecular Pathogenesis Of Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$937,402.00
Summary
A major limitation to the success of targeted therapies in cancer is the fact that we have few if any tools to study in detail their mechanism of action within cancerous and normal cells. If we were able to visualise these drugs within cells and precisely characterise the proteins, DNA and RNA within a cell that interact with these therapies we will be able to identify strategies that can optimise their efficacy and reduce the side-effects of these treatments.
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.
Targeting The Complement Cascade: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy For Metastatic Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$546,496.00
Summary
The incidence of melanoma is increasing world-wide, and Queensland has the highest rate of melanoma in the world. Despite advances in treatment, the 3-year survival rate for metastatic melanoma remains extremely low. This project builds on our recent research demonstrating a role for a key component of the innate immune system (complement C3a) in melanoma growth. Specifically we seek to investigate the potential of C3a as a therapeutic target for metastatic melanoma.
EphA2 And EphA3 Maintain Tumour Initiating Cells And Are Therapeutic Targets In Brain Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,860.00
Summary
High-grade glioma (HGG) is the most common adult brain cancer; current treatments have increased survival times by months only. Our studies have shown brain cancer specific expression of a family of cell surface proteins called Eph receptors. Furthermore we have shown targeting these receptors with Eph antibodies leads to a significant reduction in brain cancer tumour growth. We now propose to test targeting these receptors in combination to achieve greater responses with minimal side effects.
Immunotherapy has recently shown promise in bone cancer. We have found that while immune modulators Il-6 and Ifn?? contribute to tumour suppression Il-23 promotes the growth of radiation-induced bone cancer. We have generated mouse models of bone cancer to investigate tumour growth and immune surveillance in immune competent mice with an overall aim of identifying therapeutic targets in this disease.
Understanding The Role Of B Cells In Gastric Cancer For The Design Of New Therapeutic Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,383.00
Summary
Gastric cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Our laboratory has previously established clinically relevant mouse model of gastric cancers, and our preliminary results indicate a strong link between B cell tumor infiltration and gastric cancer progression. In this project, we aim to elucidate the role of B cells in gastric cancer and determine whether B-cell targeted therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy can be beneficial against this malignancy.
Combining PI3K, CDK4/6 Pathway Inhibitors And Immunotherapies In Triple-negative Breast Cancer (TNBC): A Novel Therapy Combination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,345.00
Summary
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the worst prognosis of all breast cancer subtypes, classically affecting young women and characterized by a lack of effective therapies. We show that blocking both PI3K and CDK4/6 pathways together effectively reduces TNBC growth in mice and can enhance anti-tumour immune responses. We aim to understand how these drugs work together and if adding immunotherapy can improve responses. Our project could provide a new treatment approach for TNBC patients.
VCAM-targeted Delivery Of Recombinant CD39 To The Endothelium Is Antithrombotic, Antiinflammatory And Ameliorates Ischaemia Reperfusion Injury.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,327.00
Summary
Blockage of arteries with clots leads to heart attacks and strokes. Reestablishment of blood supply by clot-busting drugs or mechanical interventions paradoxically causes further organ injury. This is due to toxic chemicals generated by inflammatory processes and free oxygen radicals. We have created an unique drug that selectively targets blood vessels that are injured by process. The drug will deliver blood-thinning activity and reduce inflammatory stress selectively at the site of need.