Telomere Length As A Biomarker In Paediatric Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$121,025.00
Summary
Telomeres are the ends of chromosomes, and their length is important to maintain cell viability. We intend to set up a reliable test to measure telomere length and also use this measurement in childhood cancer patients to assess whether patients with shorter telomeres are more susceptible to the adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
NY-ESO-1 Expression As An Inducible Chemosensitivity Marker
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,237.00
Summary
Immunotherapy is a new concept treatment for lung cancer. Cancer testis antigen (CTA, eg NY-ESO-1) is an immunogenic molecule that was related with poor outcomes, but our recent studies have found that tumours that express NY-ESO-1 are more responsive to chemotherapy. We are also able to induce expression of NY-ESO-1 in cells that do not normally express it using demethylating agents. We aim to determine if we can increase the response to chemotherapy by using these drugs in combination.
Cardio-oncology is dedicated to preventing and treating cardiovascular issues in cancer patients. We aim to establish the first Australian perspective on this emerging field. We will assess the role of biomarkers in detecting cardiotoxicity from cancer therapy so patients can be safely guided through their cancer treatment. Finally, we will investigate if advanced cardiac imaging can detect cardiotoxicity earlier so patients can have optimal cancer therapy whilst preserving cardiac function.
Despite the clear epidemiological evidence that physical activity can reduce breast cancer recurrence and risk, little is know about the mechanisms. The aim of this project is determine the metabolic pathways and immunological effects of exercise in preclinical breast cancer models and in breast cancer patients, and to determine if there are synergistic effects with current systemic therapies.
Exploiting Genetic Analysis To Predict Response And To Discover Novel Molecular Targeted Therapies For Rectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$83,871.00
Summary
Bowel cancer is a significant health burden in Australia. Currently it is difficult to predict which bowel cancer will shrink with standard therapy (chemoradiotherapy). Similarly, patients whose cancer remain the same or increase in size during treatment, there are no other new options available to them. In this research, I intend to find a model that could predict patient’s treatment pathway and identify alternative therapy for patients who did not respond to standard therapy.
Investigation Into The Roles Of Ena/VASP-Like And Protein Phosphatase 4C In DNA Damage Repair Via Homologous Recombination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$57,139.00
Summary
The repair of DNA damage is a critical cellular mechanism that exists to ensure genomic stability. This project aims to investigate the role of the proteins Ena/VASP-Like and Protein Phosphatase 4C in DNA damage repair via homologous recombination. The DNA damage response pathway is an important area in the study of cancer and ageing, and the potential role of PP4C and EVL in homologous recombination needs to be investigated further.
Understanding the mechanisms in the development of mutations in cancers will assist in development of targeted therapies to overcome chemotherapy resistance. The recently discovered TMPRSS2:ERG fusion in prostate cancer is unique as dominant fusion translocations are uncommon in solid organ malignancy. Activation induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is thought to play a role. Understanding the role of AID and downstream DNA repair pathways may be a target for future therapies in cancer.
Assessing And Optimising Anti-Cancer Drug Utilisation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Cancer is increasingly common in Australia and often treated with expensive drugs tested in idealised settings within clinical trials. It is vital to collect real world data about how cancer treatments are used in Australia. This research will use routinely collected health care data to determine how anti-cancer drugs are used in the real world, how effective they are in treating cancer, and identify areas for improvement to promote effe ctive, appropriate and equitable use of anti-cancer drugs.
Prediction Of Response To Neoadjuvant Breast Cancer Therapy By Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$67,321.00
Summary
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has a well-established role in the management of breast cancer. Various roles have been proposed for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the NAC setting, including its application in prediction of final pathologic response when undertaken early during a planned NAC course; the detection of residual disease after completion of NAC; and the measurement of residual tumour extent. The present study aims to determine the accuracy of MRI (relative to other imaging and cl ....Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has a well-established role in the management of breast cancer. Various roles have been proposed for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the NAC setting, including its application in prediction of final pathologic response when undertaken early during a planned NAC course; the detection of residual disease after completion of NAC; and the measurement of residual tumour extent. The present study aims to determine the accuracy of MRI (relative to other imaging and clinical tests) in these clinical scenarios.Read moreRead less