Myeloma Plasma Cell Dormancy - 'Eradicating The Sleeping Giant'
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$834,428.00
Summary
Multiple myeloma is a fatal cancer that develops in the skeleton. Current therapies are initially effective, but patients develop resistance and the disease returns. This makes the search for drugs to overcome resistance a priority. Myeloma cells can hide in bone in a dormant state where they are insensitive to chemotherapy. We have identified new drug targets in dormant cells. We are investigating whether these new targets can be used eradicate myeloma cells and cure the disease.
Long-term In Vivo Imaging Of Bone Marrow Microenvironments In Multiple Myeloma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,371.00
Summary
White blood cells are soldiers of the immune system. When the machinery that controls growth and death of these cells is disrupted, these cells can undergo massive expansion. This leads to the development of blood cancers such as multiple myeloma (MM). In MM, malignant cells infiltrate bones preventing production of blood and damaging the bone structure leading to fractures. Using cutting edge microcopy we will watch how MM cells grow and damage bone tissue to develop new therapeutic approaches.
Bone Marrow Macrophages: “Resident Evil” In The Establishment And Progression Of Multiple Myeloma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,585.00
Summary
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer that develops within the bone marrow (BM). To date, which cells of the BM stroma are required for the support of MM growth remains unknown. Our preliminary data suggest BM resident macrophages, expressing CD169 and CX3CR1, are essential for MM growth. Using innovative and elegant animal models of MM, we will define the role of these macrophages in MM growth and determine if macrophage-targeted therapies can delay MM growth in the relapsed disease setting.
Why Is The Bone Marrow A “hot-spot” For Myeloma Plasma Cell Metastasis: Are There Gremlins In The System?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$651,979.00
Summary
Most cancer patients die because their cancer spreads from a primary site to other tissues in the body. Once escaping the primary site, 70% of all tumours will spread to bone. This raises the question, why is bone a preferred destination for cancer cells? We provide evidence that Gremlin1, made by non-cancer cells within bone, is a key protein that supports cancer growth. This study will examine whether inhibiting Gremlin1 is a potential therapy to inhibit cancer spreading to bone.
Role Of Connective Tissue Growth Factor In The Pathobiology Of Lymphoid Tumours And Response To Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,615.00
Summary
Leukaemia is the most common cancer in children and the improved cure rates are among the major biomedical advances of the past five decades. However, we still do not fully understand why leukaemia cells have a growth advantage. We identified the growth factor CTGF as being massively activated in leukaemia cells. The project aims to study the role of CTGF in bringing about the disease. Insights gained are expected to lead towards novel treatments for patients with leukaemia.