Chemoradiation And Adjuvant Chemotherapy Versus Radiation Alone In High Risk And Advanced Endometrial Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$460,832.00
Summary
This trial is evaluating whether adding chemotherapy during and after radiotherapy is better than giving radiotherapy alone in patients who have advanced or high risk endometrial cancer. One group of patients will be treated after surgery with both radiotherapy and chemotherapy, followed by additional cycles of chemotherapy and the other group will receive the standard treatment which is pelvic radiation alone. This study may result in a change in the management of these patients.
Relaxin Signalling In The Endometrium And The Regulation Of Early Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,125.00
Summary
Relaxin is a hormone, that is made in the ovary and the uterus, and plays a very important role in supporting the growth and development of the uterus so that the young embryo can implant properly. In fact, early pregnancy loss is associated with altered levels of relaxin in the blood. Very little is known about how relaxin works in the uterus. This project aims to address this important function, and makes use of cultured uterine cells prepared from tissues taken from women undergoing hysterect ....Relaxin is a hormone, that is made in the ovary and the uterus, and plays a very important role in supporting the growth and development of the uterus so that the young embryo can implant properly. In fact, early pregnancy loss is associated with altered levels of relaxin in the blood. Very little is known about how relaxin works in the uterus. This project aims to address this important function, and makes use of cultured uterine cells prepared from tissues taken from women undergoing hysterectomy for fibroids or similar illnesses. When these cells are grown in culture, we can mimic in vitro many of the events that occur in early pregnancy, causing the cells to differentiate and grow just as they would in vivo. Relaxin appears to exert its important effects on these cells by causing the concentration of the second messenger cAMP in the so-called stromal cells to increase greatly and in a sustained manner. It is this cAMP which is then responsible for many of the changes which are essential for healthy pregnancy. A knowledge of the molecular mechanisms behind these effects would help us firstly to understand how the uterus becomes receptive to an implanting embryo, and may explain why some women lose their babies in early pregnancy, or develop some of the negative symptoms associated with placental development such as growth restriction and preeclampsia. Relaxin appears to stimulate cells through the mediation of a new type of cell surface receptor, called LGR7. Whilst structurally this receptor looks like those for many other hormones, belonging to the group of so-called G-protein coupled receptors, it does not behave like these in natural uterine cells. Instead it appears to make use of completely new signaling pathways inside the cells. This project aims to unravel and understand these new pathways, thus providing information not only of importance for diagnosis and treatment of early pregnancy problems, but also of relevance for all other similar receptors.Read moreRead less
Progenitor Origin And Regulation In Endometrial Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$847,583.00
Summary
The endometrium is the lining of the uterus and regenerates each month during a woman's reproductive years. Stem and progenitor cells in the endometrium are thought to be responsible for this regeneration. We have identified a genetic marker for stem and progenitor cells in the endometrium of mice and will use this to understand endometrial regeneration. This work will address infertility as well as overactive endometrial growth in diseases such as endometriosis and endometrial cancer.
Endometrial cancer (uterine or womb cancer) is the most common invasive gynaecological cancer in Australia. Each year more than 1400 women are affected by the condition, and death is common amongst a subset with more aggressive disease. We plan to conduct a national study of endometrial cancer to identify options for prevention of the disease. No previous studies have looked at risk factors for endometrial cancer in Australian women. In particular, we hope to identify modifiable risk factors for ....Endometrial cancer (uterine or womb cancer) is the most common invasive gynaecological cancer in Australia. Each year more than 1400 women are affected by the condition, and death is common amongst a subset with more aggressive disease. We plan to conduct a national study of endometrial cancer to identify options for prevention of the disease. No previous studies have looked at risk factors for endometrial cancer in Australian women. In particular, we hope to identify modifiable risk factors for endometrial cancer, and identify genes that make some women particularly susceptible to the disease. There are at least two main types of endometrial cancer and limited evidence suggests that they may have different causes. Few studies have examined the two different types separately, and there is virtually no information regarding risk factors for the more aggressive forms. In addition, little is known about genetic factors that predispose women to endometrial cancer. In the present study, we will investigate which genes cause endometrial cancer in women who have a strong family history of the disease. We will also identify genes that are related to endometrial cancer in women with no obvious family history of cancer, and investigate how these genes interact with environmental factors (such as hormone replacement therapy and obesity) to cause disease. National epidemiological studies of other cancers are currently being conducted by our research groups within QIMR. In the present proposal, we will use our experience to build on the infrastructure and procedures already in place to conduct a new study on endometrial cancer. As one of the largest population-based studies of endometrial cancer ever conducted, it will be able to answer many of the questions that are currently unresolved. Moreover, answers will be relevant to Australian women and clinicians as well as to inform prevention strategies.Read moreRead less
Mechanistic And Translational Studies In Female Reproductive Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,370.00
Summary
The womb is essential for a health pregnancy. This research aims to determine how the womb interacts with embryos to ensure a healthy pregnancy forms. Cells in the womb can also grow abnormally and result in endometrial cancer. New treatments for endometrial cancer will also be tested in this research.
I am a cancer epidemiologist, specialising in molecular epidemiology. I investigate the genetic and environmental causes of gynaecological cancers, and their consequences (prognosis, survival, quality of life, economic).
Selective Targeting Of Adjuvant Therapy For Endometrial Cancer: The STATEC Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,239,309.00
Summary
This international collaborative trial for women with aggressive endometrial cancer will investigate whether lymph node removal (lymphadenectomy) at time of hysterectomy is needed to predict whether patients need additional treatment, compared to not removing the lymph nodes and giving additional treatment to all such patients. If we can select patients who need further treatment more accurately, we will avoid giving patients unnecessary toxic treatment which impacts on their quality of life.