A Multi-national Trial To Predict Treatment Response In Subtypes Of Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
Treatment of MDD using trial and error can have serious consequences. It can prolong the patient’s suffering (depression is associated with substantial morbidity, and mortality), prolong their absence from work and other productive activity and increase the burden on their family-carers. This multi-national study will collect genetics, brain function and behavioural data from a large number of participants, allowing for sensitive predictors of response to be determined.
Investigating The Impact Of Ethnicity On Asthma: Determining Risk Factors, Modifiers, Clinical Phenotypes, And Differential Response To Treatment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$125,396.00
Summary
Asthma is a common disease in Australia with significant burden on both patients and the public healthcare system. Patients from ethnic minorities have disproportionately worse outcomes and current treatment guidelines are based on research among Caucasian-based populations. My PhD will describe differences in clinical characteristics, outcomes and response to treatment between ethnic groups. The overall aim of my PhD is to develop highly effective asthma treatment for ethnic minorities.
Individualizing Cytomegalovirus Preventative Strategies Following Solid Organ Transplantation: A Precision Medicine Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a significant contributor to poor outcomes following solid organ transplantation. Current preventative strategies are somewhat effective but treat groups of patients similarly rather than targeting the individual, so many patients are treated unnecessarily & breakthrough disease still occurs. We propose a program of research directed towards individualizing CMV prevention strategies in solid organ transplant recipients, incorporating new diagnostic tests.
Helping Stroke Physicians Choose Who To Thrombolyse - The Targeting Optimal Thrombolysis Outcomes (TOTO) Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,073,140.00
Summary
Thrombolysis using alteplase is one of the most effective treatments for stroke but is currently used in only 5% of stroke cases. A major barrier is a lack of tools to identify who will benefit from treatment, or who might have a major adverse event. In this study we will develop a clinical decision rule based on clinical data, advanced CT imaging, and blood biomarkers to help identify those who will benefit and those likely to bleed, to encourage wider use of this treatment in acute stroke.
Management And Risk Prediction Of Paracetamol Overdose
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$98,950.00
Summary
Paracetamol overdose is the most common pharmaceutical poisoning in developed countries and incidence is increasing in the developing world. Overdose can lead to liver failure and death. Our research will evaluate a novel antidote regimen and whether early cessation of antidote for paracetamol toxicity in a specific cohort is safe, with implications of decreasing time in hospital. We will also identify risk prediction tools to help early identification of patients needing intensive treatment
Role Of FLT PET In Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma - Prediction Of Response To Chemotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$93,639.00
Summary
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung. Chemotherapy is often used to treat patients in order to reduce their symptoms and to improve quality and length of life. Not all patients however benefit from chemotherapy, and most patients will experience some side-effects. Currently CT scans are used to assess response to chemotherapy, however the way that mesothelioma grows makes measuring response difficult. CT scans also are not very sensitive in detecting response early - often 3 or 4 c ....Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung. Chemotherapy is often used to treat patients in order to reduce their symptoms and to improve quality and length of life. Not all patients however benefit from chemotherapy, and most patients will experience some side-effects. Currently CT scans are used to assess response to chemotherapy, however the way that mesothelioma grows makes measuring response difficult. CT scans also are not very sensitive in detecting response early - often 3 or 4 cycles of treatment (3-4 months) are required before benefit is seen. A test that could predict which patients were benefiting after only 1 cycle (3-4 weeks) of chemotherapy would be a great advantage, and may spare some patients unnecessary and potentially toxic treatment. Fluorothymidine (FLT) is a radioactive tracer that, after injection into a vein, is taken up by dividing cells. Tumour cells usually divide more actively than surrounding normal cells, and therefore when a positron emission tomography (PET) scan is performed it will demonstrate the tumour as a 'hot spot'. The amount of FLT uptake into the tumour depends on how much DNA synthesis (active cell division) is occurring. After chemotherapy, if the tumour responds it would be expected that the amount of FLT in the tumour will reduce. This can be assessed by repeating the FLT PET scan after the first cycle of chemotherapy. This study aims to assess the ability of the change in FLT uptake in mesothelioma after 1 cycle of chemotherapy to predict response, as measured on CT scans, and patient outcomes such as quality of life and survival. It is hoped that if successful this type of scan may improve patient care by selecting those who are likely to benefit from chemotherapy early and avoid unnecessary toxicity to patients who will not benefit from the treatment.Read moreRead less
Risk Factors For Diabetic Retinopathy And Its Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$75,006.00
Summary
My research focuses on optimizing treatment for diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macula oedema; which contribute significantly to rates of vision loss worldwide. I am investigating whether genetics play a role in the development of this disease so we can develop a personalized approach to treatment. I am exploring whether there are risk factors for poorer response to current treatment. I am also investigating whether a new drug (Ozurdex) is a better alternative in remote communities.
Using Pharmacogenetics To Personalize Treatment Outcome To Ranibizumab (Lucentis) For The Eye Disease Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,891.00
Summary
The drug Lucentis has revolutionized the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, one of the commonest causes of severe vision loss in Australia. Unfortunately, up to 25% of patients continue to lose vision despite this treatment. We will use the latest gene chip technology to identify the genetic variant responsible for this poor response. Having this information will allow us to personalise treatment for the patient leading to improvement in their vision.