Pharmacological Inhibitors Of Mnk For The Treatment Of Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$505,894.00
Summary
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. In 2010 an estimated 43,000 Australians died from cancer and 114,000 new cases were diagnosed. New treatments are urgently needed. Protein kinases Mnks promote human tumourogenesis, but they are dispensable for normal tissue development. Inhibition of Mnks’ activity therefore presents an excellent strategy for effective and nontoxic cancer therapy. This project aims to develop Mnk inhibitor drug candidates for potential clinic application.
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.
Identification Of Germline Variation That Predicts Progression Free Survival Following Chemotherapy For Advanced Ovarian Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$633,156.00
Summary
Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer typically undergo surgery, followed by chemotherapy. However, the efficacy of chemotherapy varies widely, with some women responding well, whilst others are exposed to the toxic effects of a treatment that does them little good. We aim to identify the genes which explain why there are differences in response. This will lead to more individualised chemotherapy and improved outcomes for women with ovarian cancer.
An International Clinical Trial To Evaluate New Therapies To Improve Survival Of Children With Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,567,500.00
Summary
Children who relapse with childhood leukaemia have only a 50% chance of being alive after 5 years. We will participate in a new international trial involving most European and all Australian and New Zealand childhood oncology centres, to test the effectiveness of promising new treatments and to perform biological studies which should enable doctors in future to pick the best treatment for each of these patients.