Fragility Fractures: The Neglected Role Of Cortical Porosity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$865,474.00
Summary
We just discovered that bone lost with age occurs mostly from pores within the cortex (outer shell) of the bone; These pores become larger (porosity) making bones fragile. This process is poorly detected by bone density (currently used tool) so that most people with weak bones are missed. To address this issue, we have for the first time, develop a technology to accurately quantify porosity in living peoples. With teams around the world, we aim here to fill this gap in the diagnosis.
Interaction Between PTH And Y2 Bone Anabolic Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$731,311.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a costly condition that affects more than 150 million people worldwide and fills more hospital beds than any other disease*. People who have osteoporotic fractures experience a diminished quality of life and a reduced life expectancy. Although there are currently a number of therapies in use to reduce further loss of bone in osteoporotic patients, there is only one to replace lost bone, parathyroid hormone. For clinical and economic reasons, there is a need for additional bone-bu ....Osteoporosis is a costly condition that affects more than 150 million people worldwide and fills more hospital beds than any other disease*. People who have osteoporotic fractures experience a diminished quality of life and a reduced life expectancy. Although there are currently a number of therapies in use to reduce further loss of bone in osteoporotic patients, there is only one to replace lost bone, parathyroid hormone. For clinical and economic reasons, there is a need for additional bone-building therapies. Like all tissues, the nervous system affects skeletal function. We recently discovered a powerful control pathway by which the nervous system regulates bone formation. This project will test whether altering the function of this neural pathway can increase bone formation and whether it can work together with parathyroid hormone therapy to produce an enhanced bone formation response greater than either therapy alone. This research is important because of the need for new osteoporosis therapies to repair weakened bones. The knowledge gained from this study has the potential to provide a very important and useful contribution to skeletal health and thus aged health worldwide. *The Burden of Brittle Bones: Costing Osteoporosis in Australia. A report prepared by Access Economics Pty. Ltd. September 2001Read moreRead less
The Role Of A Protease Activated Receptor System In Prostate Cancer Bone Metastasis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,204.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is one of the most significant health issues for men. This disease occurs because certain proteins start to function abnormally. Our focus is on a protein called PAR2, present on the surface of prostate cancer cells and bone cells, which we propose helps cancer cells to spread to bone. In our project, we aim to understand how this happens so that we can develop ways to block prostate cancer metastasis to bone.
Sex Steroids Modulate The Neuronal Control Of Bone Formation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,647.00
Summary
It is well recognised that changes in sex hormones are pivotal to the development of osteoporosis in both men and women. Our group has been instrumental in identifying a novel and powerful system regualting bone mass and strength by neural activity. Recent findings indicate critical interactions between these two pathways in the control of bone formation. Greater understanding of these interactions could lead to therapies capable of controlling this extremely common disease.
Proteolytic And Non-proteolytic Roles For PSA And Related Kallikrein Serine Proteases In Prostate Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,128.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in men in Western countries. Prostate cancer metastasis to bone and other organs is the painful end stage of this disease. The level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in blood is often used as a marker of prostate cancer. PSA is one of 15 related enzymes in the kallikrein family of enzymes, which may be involved in breakdown of the tissue that surrounds cells in the prostate. As prostate cancer metastasis first requires spread from the pri ....Prostate cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in men in Western countries. Prostate cancer metastasis to bone and other organs is the painful end stage of this disease. The level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in blood is often used as a marker of prostate cancer. PSA is one of 15 related enzymes in the kallikrein family of enzymes, which may be involved in breakdown of the tissue that surrounds cells in the prostate. As prostate cancer metastasis first requires spread from the primary tumour and out of the prostate, it is possible that high production of these kallikrein enzymes by prosttae cancer cells may increase the ability of these cells to metastasise. In previous work, we have studied prostate cancer cells that we have engineered to make the kallikreins, PSA and kallikrein 4. Those cells that make PSA or kallikrein 4 are more elongated in shape and are better able to move across a porous barrier. Another important change is that these cells stop producing a protein that is usually found on the surface of these cells and is important for helping cells to stay attached to each other. When this protein is lost, these tumour cells no longer stay attached to each other and are more likely to move out of the prostate and spread into other parts of the body. The changes we observed in the cells that produce PSA and kallikrein 4 are typical of these more aggressive cancer cells. In this project, we will look at how PSA and kallikrein 4 cause the cells to undergo these changes. The majority of prostate cancer deaths arise from cancer that has spread from the primary tumour and out of the prostate capsule. This project aims to further understand the causes of prostate cancer spread and metastasis. This is a vital research priority if we are to address the mortality associated with prostate cancer metastasis and may lead to new treatment approaches for advanced metastic prostate cancer.Read moreRead less