Wnt-5a Signalling - A Novel Therapy For Triple Negative And Tamoxifen Resistant Breast Cancer Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,534.00
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Commonly used drugs target the estrogen receptor (ER). However, one third of breast cancer patients lack ER, and do not respond to treatment. Cancers that lack ER also lack a gene called Wnt5a, which is linked to better prognosis. We have shown that fixing Wnt5a can restore ER allowing cells to respond to Tamoxifen. We would now test this in animals, in the hope of developing a new drug for breast cancer patients currently with limited options.
Cognitive Enhancement In Schizophrenia Via Selective Oestrogen Receptor Modulator.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,380.00
Summary
Cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia is resistant to treatment and related to poor community functioning and quality of life. In spite of the widely appreciated magnitude of the problem, there is still a critical gap in our knowledge concerning treatments to reverse these cognitive deficits. The proposed research is significant because it will clarify the role of hormones and genes in relation to cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and it may help patients improve their level of functioning.
Inhibition Of Estrogen Signalling By Androgen Receptors: A Potential Mechanism For Suppression Of Breast Cancer Growth.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$525,000.00
Summary
Breast cancer is a major health problem in Western countries including Australia, where it is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Breast cells require female sex hormones, called estrogens, for their growth and survival and consequently most current treatments for breast cancer aim to block the actions of these hormones in breast cancer cells. However there is still a large proportion of women who do not respond to these therapies or have an initial response but subsequently deve ....Breast cancer is a major health problem in Western countries including Australia, where it is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Breast cells require female sex hormones, called estrogens, for their growth and survival and consequently most current treatments for breast cancer aim to block the actions of these hormones in breast cancer cells. However there is still a large proportion of women who do not respond to these therapies or have an initial response but subsequently develop resistance. Evidence from our laboratory and others indicates that the male sex hormones, androgens, also play an important role in breast cancer. Androgens oppose the effects of estrogens in breast cancer cells, and inhibit their growth. Historically androgens were used to treat patients with advanced breast cancer, with good results, but the masculinising side effects (eg excess hair growth and acne) of these hormones led to a discontinuation of their use since the 1960s. The major objective of our current studies is to determine how androgens can stop breast cancer cells from growing by investigating the effects of the androgen receptor, which mediates the growth regulatory effects of androgens, in breast cancer cells. We believe that a better understanding of this signalling pathway could potentially lead to new treatments for breast cancer that act more specifically to inhibit cancer growth without the unpleasant side effects of androgenic drugs.Read moreRead less
Molecular Mechanisms Leading To Schizophrenia- The Role Of Estrogen And Estrogen Receptor Alpha
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,639.00
Summary
Schizophrenia (SZ) is a devastating mental illness of unknown cause thought to arise from a derailment of normal brain development where the brain fails to respond to the pubertal surge in sex steroids. This proposal aims to determine the molecular pathogenesis of SZ. The SZ susceptibility gene estrogen receptor alpha and the SZ susceptibility pathway neuregulin-ErbB4 are interrogated. This will lead to the development of novel therapeutics and preventative agents that will halt disease onset.
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) A Potential Treatment For Psychotic Symptoms Of Schizophrenia?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$701,276.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is a serious disease with increasing social and economic costs. We need new treatments to improve the life and functioning of people with schizophrenia. We have published studies showing that estrogen is potentially a new treatment for schizophrenia. New brain estrogens called Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators have fewer side-effects than standard estrogen. We will conduct a controlled clinical trial of a SERM in 180 postmenopausal women with schizophrenia.