The transplantation of healthy stem cells from a donor into a recipient with blood cancer (stem cell transplantation) is the most effective curative therapy for the majority of patients. Unfortunately this process results in unwanted, often fatal, side effects including infection, a rejection process known as graft-versus-host disease and in some patients, the leukaemia still recurs. This research will refine new treatments focused on overcoming these limitations and improving transplant outcome
Antibiotic Loading Of Bone Allografts For The Prevention Of Peri-operative Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,847.00
Summary
Bone is the second most often transplanted tissue after blood, with thousands of grafts done every year in Australia. Allograft bone (taken from another person) is used to replace bone removed due to cancer, but is prone to infection. Infected grafts must be removed, and can lead to amputation. We are developing a process to put antibiotics into allograft bone, to prevent infections from taking hold. Reducing infections can increase the success of limb salvage surgery for cancer patients.
A Study Of Various Bone Scaffolds In A Maxillary Sinus Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$61,711.00
Summary
This project investigates using animal derived and artificial bone in regions of the mouth that are deficient and not suitable for replacing missing teeth using dental implants. Traditional techniques of bone replacement require the use of a patient's own bone. These procedures are associated with post-operative morbidity and this bone is present in limited quantity. The use of these bone replacements may overcome these challenges and eliminate the need for using patient's bone.
Antibody-mediated Dendritic Cell Depletion To Attenuate GVHD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,510.00
Summary
Not all patients with leukemia will be cured by chemotherapy. Stem cell transplantation improves their chances of survival. Stem cell transplantation requires intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy to eradicate the underlying disease and infusion of healthy stem cells to provide an anti-leukemic effect and normal blood cells. Recovery from transplantation is not straightforward. Recovery can be hampered by the immunological reaction of the donor cells against the patient (Graft versus Host Dise ....Not all patients with leukemia will be cured by chemotherapy. Stem cell transplantation improves their chances of survival. Stem cell transplantation requires intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy to eradicate the underlying disease and infusion of healthy stem cells to provide an anti-leukemic effect and normal blood cells. Recovery from transplantation is not straightforward. Recovery can be hampered by the immunological reaction of the donor cells against the patient (Graft versus Host Disease [GVHD]), despite immunosuppression. GVHD produces serious damage to the internal organs and lining of the mouth and gut. Recovery can also be circumvented by leukemic relapse. GVHD is associated with an increased risk of death and dying after transplantation. To date therapy for GVHD has relied on eliminating the T cells that cause the disease. However for T cells to cause damage they must first be primed with antigen presented on activated dendritic cells. The intensive conditioning therapy required to eradicate the underlying disease before transplantation also activates dendritic cells. Our project seeks to investigate the effects of lethal and non-lethal conditioning on dendritic cells with the aim of validating the use of antibodies designed to deplete activated dendritic cells as therapy for graft versus host disease.Read moreRead less
The goal of our work is to improve outcomes for patients who are blind or seriously visually impaired as a result of corneal disease. Such patients can regain vision through a corneal transplant, but many such transplants fail. A corneal graft may fail because of an unwanted immune response, because blood vessels grow into the graft, or because some corneal cells die. We plan to transfer genes to the donor cornea in the laboratory, prior to corneal transplantation, to avoid such failure.
Modulation Of Cytokine Responses To Improve Transplant Outcome.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$26,186.00
Summary
Bone marrow transplantation remains a mainstay of curative therapy for haematological malignancies. This curative effect is mediated by the transplanted donor immune system which rejects the recipient malignancy. However, the procedure is limited by its serious side effect, known as graft-versus-host disease. This application seeks to better understand these two processes at both an immunological and clinical level with the aim of separating the two so that more patients may be cured of leukaemi ....Bone marrow transplantation remains a mainstay of curative therapy for haematological malignancies. This curative effect is mediated by the transplanted donor immune system which rejects the recipient malignancy. However, the procedure is limited by its serious side effect, known as graft-versus-host disease. This application seeks to better understand these two processes at both an immunological and clinical level with the aim of separating the two so that more patients may be cured of leukaemia.Read moreRead less