KConFab - The Kathleen Cuningham Foundation Consortium For Research Into Familial Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,176,975.00
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease of women. In families with an inherited form of breast cancer, nearly half the women in every generation can develop the disease. The aim of this Australasian-wide study is to complete collection of clinical, epidemiological and genetic data on 1,600 of these severely-affected families. The national resource is, and will continue to be, of great value for researchers who want to identify and characterize the genetic and life style factors that a ....Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease of women. In families with an inherited form of breast cancer, nearly half the women in every generation can develop the disease. The aim of this Australasian-wide study is to complete collection of clinical, epidemiological and genetic data on 1,600 of these severely-affected families. The national resource is, and will continue to be, of great value for researchers who want to identify and characterize the genetic and life style factors that affect onset and progression of the disease.Read moreRead less
Combining PI3K, CDK4/6 Pathway Inhibitors And Immunotherapies In Triple-negative Breast Cancer (TNBC): A Novel Therapy Combination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,345.00
Summary
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the worst prognosis of all breast cancer subtypes, classically affecting young women and characterized by a lack of effective therapies. We show that blocking both PI3K and CDK4/6 pathways together effectively reduces TNBC growth in mice and can enhance anti-tumour immune responses. We aim to understand how these drugs work together and if adding immunotherapy can improve responses. Our project could provide a new treatment approach for TNBC patients.
Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of The Australian Mammographic Screening Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$504,096.00
Summary
BreastScreen Australia uses interim measures such as participation, small cancer detection and interval cancer rates to monitor the impact of the program on mortality. Using BreastScreen Victoria as a case study, we will estimate the direct impact of the program on mortality for screened women, addressing Cancer Australia's priority of 'Improving screening program outcomes to ensure that patients can be identified and treated appropriately and ensuring that screening services are effective'.
Interplay Between Metabolic Reprogramming And Oncogenic Signalling In The Cellular Response To Chemotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$654,035.00
Summary
Chemotherapy resistance is a major barrier to the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We seek to uncover an intimate link between cell metabolism and oncogenic signalling pathways in regulating the cellular response to chemotherapy. Our studies will identify a critical mechanism limiting the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy and investigate combination therapy strategies that could improve the treatment of TNBC.
Risks And Benefits Of Breast Cancer Screening: BreastScreen WA Cohort Study Of Overdiagnosis And Breast Cancer Mortality
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$201,524.00
Summary
Overdiagnosis is the major downside of screening for breast cancer. This occurs when screening detects cancers that would not have caused symptoms in the woman's lifetime. This study aims to quantify the amount of overdiagnosis that occurs in the Australian breast cancer screening program (BreastScreen)
Activation Of BMP4 Signalling To Inhibit Breast Cancer Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$748,742.00
Summary
The spread of cancer cells to other organs is a common cause of breast cancer-related death in women. Current therapies for advanced breast cancer are often palliative since the secondary tumours become resistant to the chemotherapy. Here, we are using preclinical models of advanced breast cancer to develop a treatment that should be effective in patients with secondary tumours and should reduce the risk of dying of this disease.
Improved And Automated Measures Of Breast Cancer Risk Based On Digital Mammography And Family History Data Collected By BreastScreen That Will Enable Tailored Screening For Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$741,180.00
Summary
We will use mammograms and family history information collected by BreastScreen to update and improve our automated measures of mammographic density for the new era of digital mammograms. We will then develop a new risk prediction tool by combining the measure of mammographic density for digital mammograms with other risk factors so that information on risk can be given to women at the time of their scans. The results of this project will enable Australian women to receive tailored screening.
The Role Of CD73 In Cancer: Validating A Novel Therapeutic Target
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,356.00
Summary
We here propose to investigate the role of a specific immune-suppressive molecule called CD73 in cancer. We will test the therapeutic activity of blocking CD73 with a monoclonal antibody for cancer treatment, either used alone or in combination with immune-activating agents and chemotherapy.
Targeting Bone Marrow Mediated Angiogenesis And Metastasis In Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,006.00
Summary
Despite advances in treatment and diagnostics breast cancer (BC) remains one of the leading causes of death in women. Metastases and tumour blood vessel recruitment are linked. Work by Dr Mellick and others has shown that host bone marrow contributes endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to tumour vasculature. The chemokines and their receptors, which differentiate EPCs from tumour vessels, will be knocked down in the tumour cells and EPC progenitors with the aim of preventing tumour spread.
Investigating The Anti-tumour Efficacy And On Target Toxicity Of Gene-modified T Cell Therapy In Vivo
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,614.00
Summary
White blood cells from cancer patients can be modified in the laboratory to react against tumours. Although these cells can induce cancer regression when given back to the patient, these cells can often cause associated pathology. In this study we propose to fully investigate the limits of this type of therapy for mediating anti-tumour responses and potential toxicity in mouse models that closely recapitulate the human setting. These studies will lead to a more effective therapy for patients.