Epimutations As Germ-line Defects In Hereditary Cancer Syndromes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,925.00
Summary
Traditionally familial cancers were thought to be caused and inherited by spelling mistakes within the genetic code of cancer prevention genes. Our group has found that a 'chemical coat' around the MLH1 gene, causing it to be switched off, can also be inherited in some cases of bowel cancer, without any mistakes within the gene's code. We will determine if this 'coat' causes other types of cancer and if this runs in families. We also hope to find out how the coat is formed and may be reversed.
Realising The World Health Organisation Targets For Elimination Of Cervical Cancer As A Public Health Problem: Effective Implementation And Scale-up Of HPV Vaccination And Cervical Screening In Australia, Regionally, And Globally
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,125,000.00
Summary
This fellowship focuses on improving cancer screening, particularly the implementation of HPV vaccination and cervical screening. CI Canfell will pursue an Australian, regional and global health agenda towards the elimination of cervical cancer. Her work is supporting the successful implementation of the new cervical screening program in Australia, provides crucial support to other countries in the region, and is directly informing the WHO global elimination strategy.
3D-BrachyView: A 3D Real-time Virtual Reality Intra-operative Quality Assurance System For Brachytherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,105.00
Summary
3D-Brachyview aims to bring 3D virtual reality into the Quality Assurance and training of physicists in prostate cancer brachytherapy. The 3D simultaneous visualisation of the position of the seeds implanted, the actual shape and position of the prostate, and the expected treatment plan, will help doctors to deliver the best treatment possible.
Contribution Of Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells To Chemoresistance And Recurrent Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$378,940.00
Summary
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer. Previously, we showed that cancer stem cells are the “beating heart” of the ovarian cancer and are responsible for drug resistance and tumour relapse. The ineffective targeting of these cells by chemotherapy is accountable for the poor clinical outcomes in ovarian cancer patients. This project will define the molecular signals involved in maintenance of cancer stem cells and develop targeted therapies against these cells.
E2F Inhibitors As Anticancer Agents For Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$257,036.00
Summary
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is one of the six most frequent causes of cancer death worldwide. these tumours are currently treated with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Although these treatments are associated with a five year survival rate of between 40% and 60% there is a critical need for more effective and less destructive treatments. In this application we will extend on our earlier work in which we identified the protein E2F1 as being a major contributor to tumour de ....Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is one of the six most frequent causes of cancer death worldwide. these tumours are currently treated with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Although these treatments are associated with a five year survival rate of between 40% and 60% there is a critical need for more effective and less destructive treatments. In this application we will extend on our earlier work in which we identified the protein E2F1 as being a major contributor to tumour development. In normal cells, E2F1 is required for the regulated growth of head and neck cells. However, we found that in head and neck tumours, E2F1 is overactive and contributes to the dergulated growth of the tumour. In this project we will test our newly developed inhibitors of E2F1 on various tumour cells derived from head and neck cancers to see how effective they are at stopping tumour cell growth. Furthermore we will test these compounds in animal models of head and neck cancer to determine whether they will be useful therapeutic agents for treatment of human cancer. Early results on tumour cell lines look very promising.Read moreRead less
Ovarian and endometrial cancer affect >3,200 women each year in Australia and 3 or 4 women die from these cancers every day. The overall aim of my program of research is to reduce the burden of these cancers in future generations of Australian women by increasing our understanding of (i) what causes them, (ii) how we can optimise patient management to enhance patient outcomes and (ii) how lifestyle changes might improve quality and life and survival, for women who are diagnosed with them.
A Vulvar Cancer Cluster Caused By Genetic Susceptibility: Investigating The Genetic Mechanism.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,154,342.00
Summary
Cancer of the vulva is 70 times more common in young Aboriginal women in Arnhem Land than in other women. Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which also causes cervical cancer, is the usual cause of this cancer; initial investigations have found that HPV is present in these cancers but is not the reason for the excessive incidence. This study will investigate inherited risk factors contributing to the development of this disease in this population.
Novel Endocrine Approaches To Diagnosis & Treatment Of Men With Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$926,980.00
Summary
Most men are diagnosed with localised prostate cancer, others have advanced disease. Vision: Identify how tumours are insignificant vs aggressive (Aim 1.1 & 1.2). Predict which tumours will progress to incurable disease (Aim 1.3) and how to target them (Aim 1.4). Discover how each patient tumour is different (Aim 2.1) and pre-clinically test new therapies (Aim 2.2). Outcomes: practice changing discoveries that identify novel therapeutic targets & biomarkers improving diagnosis and treatment.