There is increased recognition that sleep health problems are a major cause of illness in the community. These include disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome and health problems related to shift work. It is proposed to form a consolidated network of sleep investigation groups to undertake larger scale clinical trials aimed at deciding what are the best treatments for different sleep disorders. The enabling grant will provide resources that will make Australi ....There is increased recognition that sleep health problems are a major cause of illness in the community. These include disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome and health problems related to shift work. It is proposed to form a consolidated network of sleep investigation groups to undertake larger scale clinical trials aimed at deciding what are the best treatments for different sleep disorders. The enabling grant will provide resources that will make Australian involvement in international studies more competitive and achieve higher publication quality for the research work.Read moreRead less
National Resource For Public Good, Web-based Investigator-initiated Trials
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,290,000.00
Summary
The facility will provide resources in clinical trials expertise and web-based trials systems to enable investigator-initiated clinical trials of public good. This should ensure that the highest quality of clinical trials research can be undertaken by clinical trials researchers in new and priority health research areas, at any institution throughout Australia. Areas supported through this national resource will include controlled trials of current clinical practice, surgery, new health technolo ....The facility will provide resources in clinical trials expertise and web-based trials systems to enable investigator-initiated clinical trials of public good. This should ensure that the highest quality of clinical trials research can be undertaken by clinical trials researchers in new and priority health research areas, at any institution throughout Australia. Areas supported through this national resource will include controlled trials of current clinical practice, surgery, new health technologies, palliative and supportive care and complementary medicine.Read moreRead less
Targeting Ribosomal RNA Transcription With CX-5461 As A New Approach For Treating Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$864,067.00
Summary
We have made the fundamental discovery that ribosomal gene transcription is not simply a 'house keeping' process in cancer cells but is required to maintain malignant cell viability. Strikingly inhibition of ribosomal gene transcription using a novel small molecule inhibitor, CX-5461, shows profound selectivity for malignant cells over normal cells. This proposal will translate these observations into 'first in man' phase 1 clinical trials of CX-5461 for the treatment of blood cancers.
A Randomised Study To Optimise Clinical Outcomes In Patients With FLT3 Mutant AML
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,169,549.00
Summary
Acute myeloid leukaemia is a devastating blood cancer which affects almost 1000 Australians annually. One quarter have a mutation affecting a gene called FLT3, which results in aggressive leukaemia rarely cured by chemotherapy alone. Dr Andrew Wei from the Alfred Hospital will lead a nationwide randomised clinical trial through the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group network to investigate whether a targeted FLT3 inhibitor small molecule called Sorafenib will improve outcomes for patients ....Acute myeloid leukaemia is a devastating blood cancer which affects almost 1000 Australians annually. One quarter have a mutation affecting a gene called FLT3, which results in aggressive leukaemia rarely cured by chemotherapy alone. Dr Andrew Wei from the Alfred Hospital will lead a nationwide randomised clinical trial through the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group network to investigate whether a targeted FLT3 inhibitor small molecule called Sorafenib will improve outcomes for patients with this poor risk blood cancer.Read moreRead less
A Multi-centre Randomised Controlled Trial To Compare Nasal Balloon Autoinflation Versus No Nasal Balloon Autoinflation For Otitis Media With Effusion In Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Children (the INFLATE Trial)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,534,580.00
Summary
Otitis media with effusion (OME) or ’glue ear’ is a common ear problem in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. In OME, fluid accumulates in the middle ear. This can cause hearing loss and learning difficulties and lead to surgery. We will see if the use of a simple device in which a child blows up a balloon with their nostrils (nasal balloon autoinflation) helps resolve glue ear, improves hearing and is acceptable for the management of this important ear health problem.
ADVANCING THE EVIDENCE BASE FOR CARE AND POLICY IN PRIORITY HEALTH AREAS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$11,195,727.00
Summary
This program will improve health care and policy through clinical trials research and better methods for combining trial evidence. The team will tackle priority health areas to reduce death and serious disability: in particular in cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and neonatal diseases. The program team includes clinicians, epidemiologists, trialists, biostatisticians, and health economists and collaborative networks of clinical investigators in each disease area.
A Study Of Statins For Reducing Events In The Elderly
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,372,965.00
Summary
Statins prevent heart attacks and strokes in people who have already experienced one or are at high risk. Statins are thought to do this by lowering cholesterol levels and improving the function of blood vessels. It is not known whether people 75 years or over should receive this therapy, as past studies have not included older people because they are more likely to suffer from drug side effects. This study will investigate the benefits versus risks of statins in healthy elderly people.
Prof. Simes will lead and develop research at the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre in collaboration with major national and international cooperative groups. Research themes include integrating molecular science with trial design and embedding research routinely in health care. Projects include surgery for rectal cancer; novel targeted therapy in gastric cancer; aspirin to prevent colon cancer; placental transfusion for preterm babies; risk in heart disease; economic assessment of clinical trials.
Is Antibiotic Treatment Effective In The Management Of Chronic Low Back Pain In Those With Disc Herniation? A Double-blind, Randomised, Placebo-controlled Trial With An Economic Evaluation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$549,124.00
Summary
Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, however treatments are limited. It has been hypothesised that following an acute disc injury a secondary infection may develop in the disc which leads to chronic back pain. This clinical trial will examine the effectiveness of antibiotics for the treatment of chronic low back pain (with disc herniation). If effective, this may provide a novel approach for the prevention of long term low back pain and disability.
CARPETS: A Phase I Open Label Study Of The Safety And Immune Effects Of An Escalating Dose Of Autologous GD2 Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Expressing Peripheral Blood T Cells In Patients With Metastatic BRAF-Mutant And GD2-Positive Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$351,583.00
Summary
Malignant melanoma is increasing in incidence in Australia. Current drugs for advanced melanoma are only sometimes effective. BRAF blocking drugs with promising anti-melanoma activity are being tested in Australia but drug resistance is developing. We will genetically engineer the patient’s own T cells to redirect them against the melanoma. The feasibility, safety, and immune effects of this approach will be tested in patients whose advanced melanoma is no longer responding to BRAF blockers.