Use Of Molecular Tumour Markers To Improve Diagnostic Performance Of Bronchoscopy In Assessment Of Pulmonary Nodules And Early Diagnosis Of Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$303,014.00
Summary
Pulmonary nodules may represent early lung cancer though difficulty in accurate diagnosis means many patients experience delayed diagnosis, or unnecessary surgical biopsy or repeat CT imaging (& consequent radiation exposure). I will identify molecular (DNA, protein) markers in bronchoscopic & blood specimens to accurately characterize malignant & benign nodules. These biomarkers will also be investigated for their value as a non-invasive screening test for lung cancer
Lung cancer is the commonest cause of cancer death worldwide. There is growing interest in the genetic causes of lung cancer. The overall aim of this research is to gain a better understanding of the steps in the genetic pathway of lung cancer spread. This knowledge is essential in the development of new targeted therapies and improvement in lung cancer prognosis.
A Multi-centre, Randomised, Controlled Trial Of BAL Directed Therapy In Young Children With Cystic Fibrosis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$571,750.00
Summary
The management of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) aims to delay the inevitable progression of lung disease that results from chronic lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and inflammation. Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are increasingly used as research and clinical tools in the management of LRTI in CF infants and are integral to the monitoring of future drug trials and gene therapy. Early LRTI particularly with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) in CF is associated ....The management of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) aims to delay the inevitable progression of lung disease that results from chronic lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and inflammation. Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are increasingly used as research and clinical tools in the management of LRTI in CF infants and are integral to the monitoring of future drug trials and gene therapy. Early LRTI particularly with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) in CF is associated with a decline in pulmonary function and an increase in morbidity and mortality. Many CF centres internationally now treat young children with CF using aggressive antibiotic protocols in an attempt to eradicate infection. Most centres use oropharyngeal specimens to diagnose LRTI with a sensitivity of around 45% and specificity of around 90%. Thus many children miss out on treatment or are exposed unnecessarily to antibiotics. The use of antibiotics themselves may increase the risk of infection with resistant organisms thus complicating the design of drug trials in young children as monitoring for the emergence of resistant new organisms requires BAL. It is thus of key importance that the safety and value of FB and BAL is examined and long term outcomes are obtained. The financial costs of managing patients with CF in Australia may be estimated at more than $85 million-annum. Early intervention strategies may reduce health costs because of improved morbidity or may increase costs due to the intervention. This will be the first time an economic evaluation of early management and the cost effectiveness of an intervention in children with CF has been undertaken which will enable responsible health care planning for this important group of patients. This trial provides a unique opportunity to study the relationship between LRTI and inflammation and long term outcomes such as lung function and radiological scores and will provide key evidence for designing future trials.Read moreRead less
Bronchoscopic Applications Of Anatomical Optical Coherence Tomography.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,366.00
Summary
This research proposal aims to investigate the potential utility of a novel, Australian designed dianostic laser system. A tube positioned in the lungs takes real-time images of the shape and size inside the airways. This can have both clinical and research benefits. It may help doctors choose the right size hardware when opening up cancerous airways and it will help us understand disease mechanisms of lung diseases by studying parts of the airways not previously able to be measured.