The Bioactivity And Binding Partners Of Irukandji And Box Jellyfish Venom
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$596,950.00
Summary
Venom from the Box Jellyfish and Irukandji jellyfish are considered the most leathal known to science yet precious little is known on the nature of these secretions or how they harm humans. This study aims to fully characterise bioactive proteins in jellyfish venom and attempt to block their activity using regulatory-approved and experimental drugs.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-associated death in the world. We aim to understand why some CRC patients stop responding to EGFR therapy. In particular, we will study small molecules called cytokines that are produced by the tumour microenvironment and determine if the inhibition of these cytokines can over-come the acquired resistance to therapy. Our goal is to identify new ways to improve the current treatment options for CRC patients.
Validating The NLRP3 Inflammasome As A Therapeutic Target In Motor Neuron Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$780,249.00
Summary
There is no effective treatment for Motor Neuron Disease (MND). Two Australian’s die each day from MND, and 2 more are diagnosed. Modification of the immune system is one potential means of slowing MND. Our research team has identified a component of the immune system, which may be an ideal therapeutic target to treat this disease. Our project will test this therapeutic target in animal models of MND, and in human MND blood samples.
Immuno-polymeric Drugs For Prostate Cancer Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,995.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men over 50 and the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths in Western society. Docetaxel is the first line of chemotherapy when other intervention strategies are unsuccessful, but 30% of patients suffer from severe side-effects. To address this problem, we will utilise carriers for docetaxel that directly target prostate tumours using a novel antibody approach. This increases accumulation at the tumour site while decreasing off-target toxicity.
Targeting The Complement Cascade: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy For Metastatic Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$546,496.00
Summary
The incidence of melanoma is increasing world-wide, and Queensland has the highest rate of melanoma in the world. Despite advances in treatment, the 3-year survival rate for metastatic melanoma remains extremely low. This project builds on our recent research demonstrating a role for a key component of the innate immune system (complement C3a) in melanoma growth. Specifically we seek to investigate the potential of C3a as a therapeutic target for metastatic melanoma.
Immunotherapy has recently shown promise in bone cancer. We have found that while immune modulators Il-6 and Ifn?? contribute to tumour suppression Il-23 promotes the growth of radiation-induced bone cancer. We have generated mouse models of bone cancer to investigate tumour growth and immune surveillance in immune competent mice with an overall aim of identifying therapeutic targets in this disease.
Combining PI3K, CDK4/6 Pathway Inhibitors And Immunotherapies In Triple-negative Breast Cancer (TNBC): A Novel Therapy Combination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,345.00
Summary
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the worst prognosis of all breast cancer subtypes, classically affecting young women and characterized by a lack of effective therapies. We show that blocking both PI3K and CDK4/6 pathways together effectively reduces TNBC growth in mice and can enhance anti-tumour immune responses. We aim to understand how these drugs work together and if adding immunotherapy can improve responses. Our project could provide a new treatment approach for TNBC patients.
INFLAMMASOMES AND INTERLEUKIN-18 SIGNALLING: NOVEL BIOMARKERS AND THERAPEUTIC TARGETS FOR KIDNEY DISEASE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,003,340.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health problem. There is no cure for CKD and current therapies merely slow its progression. Thus for many patients, dialysis or kidney transplant is an inevitable outcome. We have evidence that a protein called interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a key mediator of kidney damage in CKD. Here we will explore how IL-18 causes kidney damage and whether IL-18 may be used as a diagnostic for early detection of CKD, and a target for more effective therapies to treat CKD.
Therapeutic Targeting Of Complement C5a Receptors In HuntingtonÍs Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,312.00
Summary
HuntingtonÍs disease is a genetic neurodegenerative condition leading to progressive cognitive and motor deficits and eventual death. This research aims to explore the role of immune and inflammatory pathways in the progression of disease in patients suffering HuntingtonÍs disease, as well as in an animal model of this condition. By exploring these immune and inflammatory pathways, we aim to identify novel therapeutic targets to treat HuntingtonÍs disease.
Characterisation Of Two Novel Markers Of Osteosarcoma Metastasis As Potential Therapeutic Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,500.00
Summary
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common bone tumour in children and adolescents. In spite of aggressive chemotherapy, OS tumours that metastasise to the lungs result in dismal long-term survivals of only 10-20%. For these patients, new treatment options are desperately needed. In this proposal we show compelling data identifying two new markers of OS metastasis. This research aims to validate the suitability of these novel markers as therapeutic targets to prevent OS metastasis.