Pathophysiology And Alternative Preventative Strategy For Breast Cancer Chemotherapy-induced Bone Loss
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,356.00
Summary
Combination cytotoxic chemotherapy is the current optimal approach for treating breast cancer in premenopausal women. However, long-term skeletal defects (osteoporosis and fractures) caused by the chemotherapy have become an increasingly serious problem due to its intensified use and improved patient survival rate. This project seeks to elucidate the mechanisms for chemotherapy-induced bone defects and to initiate development of a preventative treatment using natural bioactive micronutrients.
Understanding The Mechanisms Of Functionally Selective Antipsychotic Drugs: Implications For New Generation Antipsychotic Drugs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,745.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is a chronic and devastating disease that ranks among the top 10 disabilities in developed countries. It places a significant burden on the Australian health system, costing about $1.5 billion each year. This project aims to reveal the mechanisms of new functionally selective antipsychotic drugs, which achieve an excellent therapeutic efficacy with low side-effects. Understanding these mechanisms will provide novel directions for the design of new generation antipsychotic drugs.
New Drugs To Counteract The Side Effects And Premature Ageing Caused By Chemotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$577,658.00
Summary
During cancer treatment, commonly used chemotherapy drugs cause profound side effects that include pain, nausea, heart problems, hair loss and can affect almost every system in the body. Even after chemotherapy treatment has stopped, cancer survivors face an increased risk of diseases which resemble the effects of old age. We are testing newly discovered anti-ageing molecules for their ability to reduce these side effects, and drastically improve the quality of life for cancer patients.
TIR Signalling Pathway Pharmacogenomics And Opioid Response: Beyond The Mu Opioid Receptor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$246,396.00
Summary
This project will identify why some people respond poorly and others have toxic side effects to the major group of pain relieving medications, the opioids. The basis will be the genetics of the immune system and both acute postoperative and chronic cancer pain patients will be studied in this international pharmacogenetics project.
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.
Reducing The Burden Of Orthostatic Intolerance - Delineating Mechanisms And Improving Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$411,735.00
Summary
Orthostatic intolerance (OI) represents a heterogenous group of complex disorders which are poorly understood and lack effective treatment. They are frequently disabling and may severely impact on quality of life. In the proposed project, we will undertake a systematic investigation of _sympathetic nervous system� in OI patients and assess the clinical effect of a drug _L-DOPS� in subjects suffering from OI.
A Randomised, Double Blinded Intervention Study To Assess Health Effects Of Drinking Water From Rainwater Tanks
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$860,510.00
Summary
We are planning to perform a study in Adelaide to assess if drinking untreated rainwater causes a health risk. Eight years into a drought Australia's water sources are becoming increasingly depleted, so we need to reduce water consumption and consider using alternative sources of water. Increased use of rainwater is one of a number of solutions available. However, current recommendations state that rainwater can be safely used for purposes other than drinking, but because of potential contaminat ....We are planning to perform a study in Adelaide to assess if drinking untreated rainwater causes a health risk. Eight years into a drought Australia's water sources are becoming increasingly depleted, so we need to reduce water consumption and consider using alternative sources of water. Increased use of rainwater is one of a number of solutions available. However, current recommendations state that rainwater can be safely used for purposes other than drinking, but because of potential contamination and limited evidence regarding safety, drinking untreated rainwater is not approved by state health departments. The main outcome of this study will be to determine whether drinking untreated water from rainwater tanks poses a significant health risk. Additionally, we will determine if specific tank or maintenance characteristics can be identified that increase illness risk. The study design consists of following the health of 300 families who drink unboiled rainwater. Families will have a special tap installed that draws water through a water treatment unit (WTU). Half the families will have a working WTU and half will have a sham unit identical in appearance. The functional units sterilise water to remove any microorganisms present, while the sham filters have no effect. All participating families will keep a health diary for one year to record how often they suffer gastroenteritis. Neither the families nor the research workers will know which type of filter has been fitted. Water samples will be collected from selected households. At the end of a year the number of illnesses in the two groups will be compared. If those drinking rainwater from a sham filter suffer more often, then rainwater would be implicated as a source of gastroenteritis. This study will provide health authorities with a better understanding of the relationship between rainwater consumption and human health, and will provide data regarding safe uses of this alternative water source.Read moreRead less
Molecular Dissection Of The Actin Cytoskeleton In Exocytosis Using Intravital Microscopy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,206,869.00
Summary
The proteins actin and tropomyosin form networks in cells that are involved in all of the key processes that are hijacked when a cell becomes cancerous. We discovered that the tropomyosin is the key to the function of a network and have developed drugs that target the cancer-associated tropomyosin. We will examine how the drugs kill cancer cells using a novel method, developed by us, to visualize drug activity in real time, and validate their impact on the target filaments in living tissue.