The Role Of Aspirin In The Prevention Of Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,725,799.00
Summary
ASPREE is a large, phase 3 clinical study of health participants over the age of 70 years who have been randomized to either continuous low dose aspirin or placebo for an average of 5 years. This grant is concerned with collecting long-term follow-up for an additional 5 years, especially for evidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) as well as the exploration of potential mechanisms of action by which aspirin may prevent the development of CRC.
Effectiveness And Cost-effectiveness Of Systematic Screening For Lynch Syndrome (LS) In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$485,762.00
Summary
Lynch syndrome (LS) is an inherited condition that puts people at an increased risk of developing a range of cancers. We will use a detailed simulation model to evaluate the potential health benefits of testing new cases of colorectal, endometrial and ovarian cancers for LS, and whether this would be cost-effective. The aim is to identify LS-related cancer cases, so family members can be offered LS testing, and individuals found to have LS can be offered close observation/preventative surgery.
Modelling The Possible Effects Of Low-dose Irradiation In Young Australians Exposed To CT Scans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$130,877.00
Summary
Radiation from CT (computerised tomographic X-ray) scans of children may cause a later increase in cancer risk. However, any risk for an individual will be small, so we are using de-identified records to study the average risk of cancer in 600,000 young Australians exposed to CT scans between 1985-2005. Our project has the capacity to detect an increase of 10% in the risk of exposed compared with non-exposed. Results will be available by Dec 2012.
Investigating The Use Of Metformin For The Prevention Of Endometrial Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$676,755.00
Summary
Endometrial (uterine) cancer affects approximately 3% of women. Obesity and oestrogen exposure are risk factors for this cancer. A novel approach to prevent endometrial cancer would be to oppose the effects of insulin and oestrogen on endometrial cell growth. This study will investigate whether metformin, commonly used to treat diabetes, blocks cellular pathways by which oestrogen and insulin stimulate endometrial cell growth, and thus evaluate the possibility that metformin might be useful in p ....Endometrial (uterine) cancer affects approximately 3% of women. Obesity and oestrogen exposure are risk factors for this cancer. A novel approach to prevent endometrial cancer would be to oppose the effects of insulin and oestrogen on endometrial cell growth. This study will investigate whether metformin, commonly used to treat diabetes, blocks cellular pathways by which oestrogen and insulin stimulate endometrial cell growth, and thus evaluate the possibility that metformin might be useful in preventing endometrial cancer.Read moreRead less
ONTRANS: Oral Nicotinamide For Skin Cancer Chemoprevention After Transplant
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,824.00
Summary
The skin’s immune system is a key defence against skin cancer. Transplant recipients, who are chronically and profoundly immune suppressed to prevent rejection, have a 50-80 fold increase in skin cancer risk. Nicotinamide (vitamin B3) reduced skin cancer in our recent Phase 3 trial in immune competent individuals. A pilot study in renal transplant patients showed similar results. This project will determine at the Phase 3 level whether nicotinamide reduces skin cancers after kidney transplant.
Expanding Diagnostic Approaches For Lynch Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,269,355.00
Summary
Currently, there are ~1,000 families who have attended Family Cancer Clinics across Australia who have the hallmarks of having Lynch syndrome, a hereditary bowel cancer syndrome, but who have no gene defect identified, i.e. their cancer is unexplained. Clinicians are challenged by these “Lynch-like” patients as their family cancer risk is unknown. Our research has identified new gene defects in Lynch-like patients. Our aim is to optimise clinical testing approaches for Lynch-like patients.
Muir Torre Syndrome: The Role Of IHC And Genotyping In Sebaceous Neoplasia To Facilitate Prevention Strategies In Colorectal And Endometrial Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,786.00
Summary
Sebaceous neoplasia (SN), may be an early warning sign for Lynch syndrome (LS), an inherited cancer predisposition caused by mutations in a group of genes. There are high lifetime risks of bowel and uterine cancer, for which there are effective risk management plans if the risk is known. Clinicians are challenged by the role of SN in identifying LS. At present, it is hard to differentiate. We aim to determine features to improve the diagnosis of LS carriers.
Should I Take Low Dose Aspirin? The 'Optimise' Decision Aid Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,337.00
Summary
An aspirin per day reduces cancer risk as well as protecting against heart disease and stroke. It's readily available, affordable and could potentially reduce the two most common causes of death and disease in Australia. However, aspirin also increases the chance of bleeding and that needs to be weighed up against the potential benefits. The challenge for patients and their healthcare providers is personalising this evidence for the individual patient. Our study develops and tests an online tool ....An aspirin per day reduces cancer risk as well as protecting against heart disease and stroke. It's readily available, affordable and could potentially reduce the two most common causes of death and disease in Australia. However, aspirin also increases the chance of bleeding and that needs to be weighed up against the potential benefits. The challenge for patients and their healthcare providers is personalising this evidence for the individual patient. Our study develops and tests an online tool that does just that.Read moreRead less
Identification Of Target Genes At Breast Cancer-risk Loci With Potential For Drug Repositioning
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$757,478.00
Summary
Genome wide association studies have been extremely successful at identifying regions of the genome associated with breast cancer risk. However, to fully translate this information to prevention and treatment of breast cancer, we need to understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for increasing breast cancer susceptibility, and the genes that are involved.
Effectiveness And Cost-Effectiveness Of HPV Vaccination And HPV-Based Cervical Cancer Screening Strategies In China
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,692.00
Summary
In the absence of preventative initiatives, up to 187,000 women will develop cervical cancer in China every year. However, the disease is preventable using human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and primary HPV screening. Building on previous work, we will evaluate the most effective and cost-effective options for cervical cancer prevention, in order to provide an comprehensive evidence base for China’s health decision-makers.