Population Based Genetic Testing For High-risk Breast And Ovarian Cancer Predisposition Genes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,112,985.00
Summary
Inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 confer a very high risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Importantly, once carriers are identified, effective strategies are available that can dramatically reduce the risk of cancer. We will perform genetic testing of a healthy western population to identify breast/ovarian cancer genes before the women develop cancer. Population-based screening could significantly reduce the incidence of these diseases.
Genome Engineered, Preclinical Models Of Serrated Colorectal Cancer To Fast-track A High Sensitivity, Early Detection Test
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,854.00
Summary
1 in 12 Australians will develop colorectal cancer. Here we use information about changes to the genetic (inherited) material of these cancers to develop new, complex models of this disease. This teaches us about what those changes do, and highlights important targets for future drug therapies. We are also developing a better test to detect hidden pre-cancers that are not well detected by our current population screening strategy, to help reduce deaths from this disease.
Genetics And Genomics Of Breast And Ovarian Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$714,745.00
Summary
Our knowledge of the number and nature of the genes involved in breast and ovarian cancer is limited. To rapidly define the critical breast and ovarian cancer-causing genes my laboratory uses an integrative genomics approach whereby information from several genome-wide platforms are combined. A key initiative that will underpin much of our work is Lifepool, which is a unique cohort of 100,000 Victorian women attending BreastScreen that will support a range of research into breast cancer.
Identification And Characterisation Of Novel FLT3-ITD Co-operating Mutations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$659,245.00
Summary
Acute myeloid leukaemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. We have identified new genes that act with the known oncogene FLT3-ITD in myeloid disease. We will examine in detail how these new genes contribute to the development of AML. This will aid in the development of new therapies for groups of AML patients with these mutations.
Identification Of Novel Colorectal Cancer Susceptibility Genes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,093.00
Summary
Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers, with around 1 million cases diagnosed annually. These cancers can be caused by a combination of lifestyle/environmental and genetic factors. Genetics cause ~30% of colon cancers, although the cause is unexplained in ~2/3 of these cases. The aim of this project is to discover new colon cancer genes by extensive gene sequencing of multi-case unexplained colon cancer families, and screening of additional cases and cancer-free individuals.
Metagenomic Analysis To Determine The Prostate Microenvironment And The Aetiology Of Inflammatory Mediated Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,534.00
Summary
Infectious organisms have been implicated in the development of several different malignancies. This project aims to determine if this may also be applicable in prostate cancer and if so, to define which organism/s may be responsible, thus providing targets for improving diagnosis, treatment and prevention strategies. The approach will be to identify DNA in the prostate tumour tissue that is foreign to the �normal� prostate environment and indicative of an invading organism.
Leukaemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, constitutes an important component of Australia's overall cancer burden. We aim to improve our understanding of the genetic and familial contributions to this disease. By establishing the Victorian Paediatric Family Cancer Study, we have evidence of a relationship between maternal age, onset of leukaema and overall risk of cancer in the family. We aim to determine if this finding is genetically based, implying a larger inherited component than ....Leukaemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, constitutes an important component of Australia's overall cancer burden. We aim to improve our understanding of the genetic and familial contributions to this disease. By establishing the Victorian Paediatric Family Cancer Study, we have evidence of a relationship between maternal age, onset of leukaema and overall risk of cancer in the family. We aim to determine if this finding is genetically based, implying a larger inherited component than previously recognized.Read moreRead less
Tracking The Origins And Drivers Of Metastasis In Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,022,600.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer but only 10% of men with it, will die from it. Our current ability to discriminate between cancers with an indolent course and those that are lethal is poor. This project will examine the mixture of tumour clones (subclones) that are present in prostate cancers and define and track those cancer subclones that break away from the prostate and lodge in distant sites, causing death.
CLINICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF GENETICALLY DEFINED GERMLINE SUB-GROUPS OF MELANOMA AND BREAST CANCER PATIENTS.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$140,949.00
Summary
In this project I will assess how cancer patients’ genetic makeup influences the nature and outcome of their cancer, especially in terms of how successful treatment is likely to be. We will show how key genetic variants influence cancer behaviour and by combining these genes we will have a better understanding of how to develop more successful treatments.