Novel Therapeutic Strategies Targeting Aberrant Cell Cycle Regulation In Pancreatic Cancer And Development Of Robust Tissue-based Assay For Biomarkers Of Therapeutic Responsiveness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$139,177.00
Summary
The overall aim of my research to assess noel therapeutic strategies in pancreatic cancer. Using new technology, more in depth understanding of pancreatic cancers (PC) is allowing better characterisation of these tumour into distinct molecular phenotypes. Some of these phenotypes are showing response to specific therapies in experimental models. Hence, there is an urgent need to to define these responsive phenotypes to stratify patients to appropriate therapeutic regimens.
CAPTURE: Circulating Tumour DNA Assessment Of PIK3CA To Guide Treatment Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,299,064.00
Summary
Many breast cancers shed small amounts of DNA (called circulating tumor DNA or ctDNA) into the patient’s bloodstream. This proposal is for a clinical trial which will examine the use of ctDNA to follow levels of a specific therapeutic target (a mutation in a gene called PIK3CA) in blood, to allow the timely introduction of a targeted therapy (PI3K inhibitor). The trial aims to lead to improved outcomes for women with estrogen receptor positive metastatic breast cancer.
Novel Therapeutic Strategies For Pancreatic Cancer Using Next Generation Sequencing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,892.00
Summary
Dr David Chang is a surgeon scientist who specialises in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. His research focus is on the development and implementation of novel therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer. He aims to achieve this by utilising novel biomarkers that have the ability to forecast prognosis and response to treatments. Ultimately, this will lead to the “individualised” treatment for each patient.
Profiling Circulating DNA And RNA To Identify Mechanisms Of Therapeutic Resistance And Response In Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$482,590.00
Summary
Enzalutamide is a powerful hormone treatment that improves survival for men with advanced prostate cancer. Unfortunately, all prostate cancers eventually become resistant to enzalutamide and not all men initially respond to treatment. I will look for blood markers that predict which men benefit from enzalutamide treatment and try to understand how resistance to enzalutamide occurs. This may lead to more effective use of enzalutamide resulting in better outcomes in advanced prostate cancer.
The Australian Centre For Translational Breast Cancer Research: From Discovery To Better Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,619,075.00
Summary
TransBCR will implement a collaborative multidisciplinary research program to help fast track the clinical translation of promising laboratory discoveries in breast cancer. To overcome existing roadblocks, we will carry out early phase clinical trials of novel anti-breast cancer drugs linked to suitable diagnostic tests that help select the right therapy for individual cancer patients. Our goal is to help inform the swift delivery of cost-effective personalised medicine in breast cancer.
Sympathetic Nervous System Regulation Of The Tumour Microenvironment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,212.00
Summary
Metastasis is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in breast cancer. These studies will evaluate the translational opportunity of targeting the sympathetic nervous system as a common regulator of cancer progression pathways. By exploiting sensitive imaging technology for non-invasive, real-time assessment of stress biology, these studies will define the neuroendocrine mechanisms that operate in the tumour microenvironment to support dissemination and arrest of cancer cells in target organs ....Metastasis is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in breast cancer. These studies will evaluate the translational opportunity of targeting the sympathetic nervous system as a common regulator of cancer progression pathways. By exploiting sensitive imaging technology for non-invasive, real-time assessment of stress biology, these studies will define the neuroendocrine mechanisms that operate in the tumour microenvironment to support dissemination and arrest of cancer cells in target organs.Read moreRead less