The blood-brain barrier is a major impediment to the treatment of brain tumours because it prevents most anti-cancer drugs from entering the brain, and brain tumour, from the bloodstream. This proposal examines new approaches to open the blood-brain barrier to allow the use of existing highly potent anti-cancer drugs as brain cancer therapies. Successful outcomes of this work could lead to substantial improvements in the outcomes for brain tumour patients.
Developing Novel Agents To Prevent Tumour Recurrence In Glioblastoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,089,561.00
Summary
Glioblastoma is a form of brain cancer that is currently incurable. We have discovered that switching-off an enzyme called KDM4 (using 'KDM4 inhibitors') improves chemotherapy outcomes with new drugs also discovered in our laboratory. This project will examine a novel drug combination treatment for glioblastoma patients and generate evidence for initiation of clinical trials. This could initiate a novel therapy that could significantly extend patients' lives.
Understanding The Role Of DNMT1 SUMOylation In Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$639,290.00
Summary
Most cancers have abnormally high levels of DNA methylation, which turns off cell death genes, making cancer cells immortal. We have a new drug, called DNMT1i, that targets this feature of cancer cells and we recently found a new drug target that enhances the activity of DNMT1i. Our research will determine how these two drugs synergise to effectively kill cancer cells and will justify their use in clinical trials, which we believe will improve outcomes for patients with cancer.