Engineering MYCN Models Of High-grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (HGSC)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$797,478.00
Summary
The most lethal type of ovarian cancer, high-grade serous cancer (HGSC), can be divided into four subtypes based on gene patterns. One subtype involves a set of genes/proteins that, in their specific combination, result in activation of a pathway known as MYCN. As most HGSC start in the fallopian tube, we are using fallopian tube material to make new MYCN HGSC models to observe development in the earliest stages. We hope to generate new tests and treatments for this subtype of ovarian cancer.
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.
Role Of MACROD2 Loss In DNA Repair, Chromosomal Instability And Development Of Colorectal Cancer: Clinical And Therapeutic Implications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,871.00
Summary
The MACROD2 gene is deleted in one-third of human bowel cancers. We have discovered that MACROD2 deletion causes defective DNA repair and tumour chromosomal instability. Here, we will use novel laboratory models to show that MACROD2 loss actively promotes bowel cancer development. We will test the clinical implication of MACROD2 loss for predicting tumour therapy response and will investigate the potential of exploiting this deficiency for drug targeting.
Fighting Epidermal Skin Cancers By Targeting Epidermal Clones That Accumulate Mutations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,149,373.00
Summary
Common skin cancers such as basal and squamous cell carcinomas (BCC and SCC) are by far the most frequent cancer worldwide and require over a million interventions per year in Australia. This project will identify the skin cells that are most susceptible to give rise to cancer if excessively exposed to the sun and explores ways to prevent cancer formation. This will inform on new strategies to prevent new skin cancer development.
Mechanistic Basis Of AP-1-regulated Gene Expression During Colorectal Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,802.00
Summary
The spread of colorectal cancers in the body poses a major clinical problem for which current treatment options are inadequate. This project aims to unravel how a specific DNA-binding protein regulates the expression of genes involved in the spread of these cancers. The research is expected to provide a better mechanistic understanding of how disease progression occurs and to identify novel strategies to treat aggressive tumours.
Defining The Role Of Reserve Stem Cells In Gastric Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$563,739.00
Summary
Over 800,000 deaths from stomach cancer occur annually. This often fatal disease is caused by chronic inflammation of the stomach lining. This proposal will investigate how stomach inflammation ‘reprograms’ a new type of 'cancer stem cell' to form tumours and evaluate ways to therapeutically target these cells to prevent disease. Collectively, these studies will inform new approaches for stomach cancer prevention and treatment.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100092
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Fluorescence microscopy with optical tweezers: imaging cellular responses. Life relies on the ability of our cells to receive and respond to signals with pinpoint accuracy, involving both chemical and mechanical signals. This equipment will allow scientists to expose cells to both types of signals and measure the response at an unprecedented level of accuracy for the first time.
Crosstalk between breast cancer cells and the microenvironment to promote metastasis. Breast cancer spread (metastasis) to distant tissues is usually fatal. It is now clear that cross-talk between cancer cells and other normal cells is essential for metastasis and previous studies have discovered two key mechanisms: tumour cell suppression of immune defence pathways to escape immune recognition, and activation of proteases to promote invasion and blood vessel growth. Using unique models and cell ....Crosstalk between breast cancer cells and the microenvironment to promote metastasis. Breast cancer spread (metastasis) to distant tissues is usually fatal. It is now clear that cross-talk between cancer cells and other normal cells is essential for metastasis and previous studies have discovered two key mechanisms: tumour cell suppression of immune defence pathways to escape immune recognition, and activation of proteases to promote invasion and blood vessel growth. Using unique models and cellular imaging, this project aims to investigate the cell specific functions of these pathways and the therapeutic potential of altering their expression and function. This project may lead to the development of novel predictors of metastasis in patients and new targeted therapeutics to prevent breast cancer spread.Read moreRead less
For 60 years, we have had only 3 effective cancer treatments: surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, often used in combination.The last 5 years have produced a powerful fourth treatment: the patient's own immune system.The long standing collaborations and synergies of our multi-disciplinary teams have already underpinned many recent advances in immune-based therapies: we are now poised to develop several further immunotherapies and on track to test them in patients during the term of this grant.
Genetic Programs Orchestrated By AP-1 Transcription Factors In Colorectal Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$599,941.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. About half of all patients diagnosed with the disease die as a result of its spread in the body. This project will investigate the role that a specific DNA-binding protein plays in orchestrating gene expression programs required for CRCs to spread. The research will provide new insights into underlying mechanisms of CRC progression as well as identify new therapeutic targets for aggressive forms of the disease.