Understanding The Molecular Heterogeneity Of Response And Resistance To Anti-HER2-ErbB2 Agents In Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,173.00
Summary
A revolution in cancer care will take place in the next decade as we aim to individualize treatment for each patient. A subtype of breast cancer relies on a growth factor called HER2 for growth. Treatments that block HER2 are highly effective and have less side effects than chemotherapy. My study aims to further understand of the biology of this subtype of breast cancer and action of anti-HER2 agents as this will allow us to treat this aggressive type of breast cancer more effectively.
Defining Steps In The Molecular Pathogenesis Of Lung Cancer Using Immortalized Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,344.00
Summary
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide and is caused by abnormalities in DNA. This project aims to further our understanding of this disease by altering known cancer-related genes and studying their effect on lung cancer development. This project also aims to identify novel genes in lung cancer as well as tumour expression profiles which can predict response to chemotherapy agents. In summary, this research will identify new gene targets for therapeutic agents.
Integrated Analysis And Functional Characterisation Of Gene Amplicons In Ovarian Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,068.00
Summary
In Australia in 2001 there were ~1300 new cases of ovarian cancer. Survival of ovarian cancer is very poor and current treatments inadequate. To develop more effective treatments we need to understand the molecular events that cause ovarian cancer. Some genes have multiple copies in ovarian cancer cells and these may be good targets for therapy. We aim to find these genes and determine which ones have a functional effect in the tumour.
Colorectal Cancer - Molecular Basis To Targeted Therapeutics.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$19,818,386.00
Summary
Cancer of the colon and rectum is the most common form of cancer in Australia. Over 12,000 people are diagnosed each year with colorectal cancer (CRC) and more than one third of people will die of their disease. CRC is caused by mistakes in production of colon cells. Our research aims to discover new ways to detect CRC, develop smart drugs and nanoparticle delivery systems for destroying all types of CRC cells. We will then test our new anti-cancer drugs in clinical trials with CRC patients.
Identifying The Targets Of MiRNA Regulation In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,600.00
Summary
microRNAs are noncoding RNAs with fundamental functions in biology and significant roles disease. microRNAs control gene expression by destroying RNA or controlling its translation into cellular proteins. To determine how certain microRNAs cause human disease it is essential to know their RNA targets. We are developing methods to identify these targets and aim to apply these methods to identify the targets of microRNAs with known roles in cancer.
Novel Strategies In Cancer Cell Invasion In High-density 3D Matrix
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$60,768.00
Summary
The use of high-density (HD) matrix to study cell invasion sets precedence in mimicking the HD breast tissue condition that pose a real cancer risk. Cell invasion promotes the spread of cancer causing organ failures and death. The aims of this project are to determine the molecular mechanisms and to isolate new regulatory markers of cell invasion into HD matrix. Putative markers will be confirmed by investigating their expression levels in tissue arrays of 195 breast cancer samples.
Activated Dendritic Cell Monoclonal Antibodies As Therapeutics To Prevent Graft Versus Host Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,750.00
Summary
A New Therapy to Prevent Graft versus Host Disease in Bone Marrow Transplantation Bone marrow transplants often fail due to the immune reaction of the grafted donor cells against the patient (graft versus host disease). Current treatments to prevent this do not always work and have serious side-effects or other disadvantages.The immune reaction is induced by activated dendritic cells which are the primary stimulators of the body's defences against foreign invaders. We have developed antibodies i ....A New Therapy to Prevent Graft versus Host Disease in Bone Marrow Transplantation Bone marrow transplants often fail due to the immune reaction of the grafted donor cells against the patient (graft versus host disease). Current treatments to prevent this do not always work and have serious side-effects or other disadvantages.The immune reaction is induced by activated dendritic cells which are the primary stimulators of the body's defences against foreign invaders. We have developed antibodies in mice that react with human activated dendritic cells and prevent them from inducing immune responses in the test-tube. These antibodies are also likely to be effective in patients, but cannot be used in their present form because mouse antibodies induce an undesirable immune response in humans. We therefore plan to convert them to resemble human antibodies (antibody engineering). Antibodies that react with other types of cell in the body are already used to treat or prevent a variety of conditions, including graft versus host disease, but no one has developed a therapeutic antibody against activated dendritic cells. We are applying to the NHMRC for funding to engineer our antibodies and to test them in test tube experiments and also in mouse models of graft versus host disease. We also plan to study the changes in blood levels of activated dendritic cells in bone marrow transplnt patients. This will provide information on the best time to use our new therapeutic antibodies to prevent graft versus host disease. The aim of this grant application will have been achieved if, after three years, we have a new antibody ready for testing in bone marrow transplant patients.Read moreRead less