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Randomised Phase II Trial Of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy +/- Concurrent Aromatase Inhibitor Endocrine Therapy To Down-stage Large Oestrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,302,496.00
Summary
Women diagnosed with large oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer are often treated with chemotherapy before surgery to reduce the size of the cancer, while treatment to lower oestrogen levels is given after surgery. This trial is studying if combining chemotherapy with oestrogen lowering treatment before surgery will better shrink the cancer which can improve the surgery options.
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.
Pushing AR Toward Better Outcomes In Breast And Prostate Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$998,754.00
Summary
Breast and prostate cancers kill >6000 Australians each year. These cancers are strikingly similar, both driven by hormone receptors that have ‘gone bad’. Current therapies aim to eradicate the receptors. While often effective, therapeutic resistance is common and results in fatal disease. We aim to develop new, less toxic treatments that switch receptor behaviour from good to bad, without destroying them. This should improve quality of life, while preventing drug resistance and loss of lives ....Breast and prostate cancers kill >6000 Australians each year. These cancers are strikingly similar, both driven by hormone receptors that have ‘gone bad’. Current therapies aim to eradicate the receptors. While often effective, therapeutic resistance is common and results in fatal disease. We aim to develop new, less toxic treatments that switch receptor behaviour from good to bad, without destroying them. This should improve quality of life, while preventing drug resistance and loss of lives.Read moreRead less
A Novel Role For CBF? As A Regulator Of Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,415.00
Summary
Whole genome sequencing studies of human breast tumours identified a handful of common significantly mutated genes, all previously linked to breast cancer, except one, CBF?. Preliminary data from our lab now show that CBF? may be a new regulator of human breast cancer and metastasis. Using mice with altered CBF? levels, breast cancer models and human patient cohorts, this study aims to identify a novel role for CBF? as a new regulator of human breast cancer and potential therapeutic target.
Intraductal Carcinoma Of The Prostate: Indicator Of Aggressive Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$884,377.00
Summary
This proposal addresses the need to improve personalised treatment decisions for men with high risk familial prostate cancer as they have a very aggressive disease progression with a very poor clinical outcome. We will perform biological and pre-clinical studies to improve the clinical diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options for men with germline mutations in BRCA2 or BRCA1 genes who develop prostate cancer.
Centre Of Research Excellence In Melanoma: Person, Tumour And System-focussed Knowledge To Drive Better Outcomes In Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,486,945.00
Summary
This Centre for Research Excellence in Melanoma will address three pivotal questions: how best to identify and conduct surveillance of the person with a high risk of melanoma, how best to manage the person who has developed a melanoma with high potential for relapse, and how best to improve support, survivorship and the patient experience. Economic evaluation, policy and implementation research are integral to the research plan.
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.
Squamous Cell Carcinomas Of The Head And Neck: Exploring The Role Of Human Papillomavirus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$217,213.00
Summary
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the major cause of cervical cancer and the cause of 5% of all human cancers. HPV has recently also been associated with oral cancer, especially in patients younger than 50 years of age. In this project we will investigate how common HPV infection is in oral cancers in Australia. In these patients we will also investigate mutations in genes that have been found to play a critical role to clear persistent HPV infections and how cells respond to HPV infection.
Randomised Phase III Trial Of Adjuvant Radiotherapy Versus Observation Following Breast Conserving Surgery And Endocrine Therapy In Patients With Molecularly Characterised Low-risk Luminal A Early Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,087,188.00
Summary
Radiotherapy after surgery for early breast cancer decreases recurrence but its benefit varies. Thus, it is important to identify low-risk patients who are unlikely to benefit from radiotherapy, sparing them its toxicity and costs. We propose a randomised study to investigate if patients whose breast cancer is postulated to be low-risk based on PAM50 (a 50-gene test) may safely omit radiotherapy after surgery. If successful, these patients will be able to avoid the risks of over-treatment.
CHARACTERIZATION OF A NEW SUBTYPE OF AGGRESSIVE BREAST CANCER
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,152.00
Summary
Much effort has been invested in the sequencing of cancer genomes, leading to the identification of genes linked to aggressive subtypes. There is now a need to confirm the importance of these genes and to exploit these findings for patient therapies. We have identified a new cancer driver controlling an aggressive type of breast tumour which may act through one carbon/folate metabolism. We aim to map the inner workings of these cancers to devise effective targeted drugs for these patients.