DETECTION OF OCCULT DISSEMINATED TUMOUR CELLS AND TUMOUR DNA IN EARLY STAGE OPERABLE BREAST CANCER PATIENTS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$561,000.00
Summary
Most of the reduction in breast cancer death rate in recent years is due to earlier diagnosis because of mammographic screening. Even among women with very favorable tumours, at least 20% will die of breast cancer. The risk increases to over 50% in less favorable cases of operable early breast cancer. Current practice relies very heavily upon prognostic factors such as lymph node status and tumour size in determining the risk of subsequent failure and the need for therapy. There is a significant ....Most of the reduction in breast cancer death rate in recent years is due to earlier diagnosis because of mammographic screening. Even among women with very favorable tumours, at least 20% will die of breast cancer. The risk increases to over 50% in less favorable cases of operable early breast cancer. Current practice relies very heavily upon prognostic factors such as lymph node status and tumour size in determining the risk of subsequent failure and the need for therapy. There is a significant risk of under treating good prognosis disease patients (20%) and over treating women with intermediate and high risk disease (40%). The first aim of the study is to use novel molecular methodologies to detect breast cancer cells in the blood of patients with early stage breast cancer at diagnosis. The presence of tumour cells will be correlated with the usual prognostic factors used in the management of women with breast cancer. The patients will be followed long-term to clarify the relationship between disseminated tumour cells in the blood and bone marrow and eventual outcome to assess the effectiveness of these new methodologies in patient management. We will also assess new molecular methodologies which will allow us to track very low levels of disease, and thereby monitor the effectiveness of treatment, and allow prediction of impending relapse. Studying the blood of breast cancer patients represents a unique opportunity for determining whether the cancer has spread before surgery and for monitoring of disease after surgical removal of the tumour. This study may prove invaluable in predicting disease free and survival outcomes and provide a more rational approach to the use of chemotherapy in patients with early breast cancer.Read moreRead less
Neural Connectivity In Young People At High Risk Of Developing Psychosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$331,972.00
Summary
This project will investigate whether or not young people at high risk of developing psychosis show irregularities in the connections between different parts of their brain. It will also investigate whether information about a high-risk individual’s brain connectivity can be used to predict a) whether that person will make the transition to psychosis, and b) their clinical prognosis if they do become psychotic.
Erythrocyte Membrane Fatty Acid Concentrations And Myelin Integrity In Young People At Ultra-High Risk Of Psychosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,831.00
Summary
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play an important role in many physiological processes in all organisms. Myelination is the process by which a fatty layer, called myelin, accumulates around nerve cells enabling nerve cells to transmit information faster. PUFAs are essential for myelination, and there is evidence documenting decreased PUFA concentrations and brain white matter (myelin) pathology in people with schizophrenia. The mechanisms underlying these abnormalities are not understood.
Gene Variants Related To Bone Density And Fracture.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,375.00
Summary
Bone density and osteoporosis have a genetic component. Identifying genes that are involved in determining bone density may permit advances in controlling osteoporosis. We have identified a variant that is related to bone density high enough to protect individuals four fold against Colle's fracture, the common wrist fracture seen in women. In addition, some people with bone fracture at the hip, or low bone density, have mutations in this gene. The gene is a master regulator of the cells that mak ....Bone density and osteoporosis have a genetic component. Identifying genes that are involved in determining bone density may permit advances in controlling osteoporosis. We have identified a variant that is related to bone density high enough to protect individuals four fold against Colle's fracture, the common wrist fracture seen in women. In addition, some people with bone fracture at the hip, or low bone density, have mutations in this gene. The gene is a master regulator of the cells that make bone: this gives hope that it may be possible to alter bone formation through this master regulator.Read moreRead less
Phylogeny As A Basis For Molecular Identification Of Pathogenic Fungi
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$440,750.00
Summary
Pathogenic fungi are becoming increasingly important in causing potentially life-threatening diseases in immunocompromised hosts (e.g. AIDS, transplant patients). Many of the emerging fungal pathogens are inherently resistent to triazole antifungal drugs and clinical responses to established drugs remain suboptimal, despite apparent sensitivity in the laboratory. Current techniques of fungal identification are insensitive, unspecific, slow, labour-intensive and require skilled personnel for the ....Pathogenic fungi are becoming increasingly important in causing potentially life-threatening diseases in immunocompromised hosts (e.g. AIDS, transplant patients). Many of the emerging fungal pathogens are inherently resistent to triazole antifungal drugs and clinical responses to established drugs remain suboptimal, despite apparent sensitivity in the laboratory. Current techniques of fungal identification are insensitive, unspecific, slow, labour-intensive and require skilled personnel for the ID of less common fungi. To improve clinical outcomes by prompt selection-initiation of the best antifungal regimes, and to truncate the interval from initiation of therapy to cure, early, accurate identification of the causative agent is crucial, making a fast identification to the species level after culture or direct from clinical specimens a necessity. A correct fungal identification can only be achieved if the phylogenetic relationships between the pathogenic organisms and their taxonomy is resolved. Gene detection is more reproducible than detection of morphological and biochemical differences. The proposal focuses on the establishment of an accurate phylogenetic system of pathogenic fungi, which will form the basis of a universally applicable molecular identification system and to develop a molecular reference database for human pathogenic fungi. This project will contribute sequence data of pathogenic fungi to the Tree of Life project. This project unites expertise in classical mycology, molecular biology, bioinformatics and infectious diseases, to develop an accurate phylogeny of medically important fungi, providing a unique opportunity to establish a quality controlled reference database accessible via the world-wide-web. This will provide a faster and more accurate ID of pathogenic fungi, which will lead to better clinical treatment.Read moreRead less
Age Related Macular Degeneration: Novel Ways To Reduce Vision Loss Through Understanding A High-risk Phenotype And Validating A New Early Intervention.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,156,372.00
Summary
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in older individuals. AMD eyes with reticular pseudo drusen (RPD) are now recognised as at high-risk of faster progression to vision loss. Identifying the underlying mechanisms driving RPD is crucial for to identify specifically targeted therapeutic options. Validating our subthreshold laser trial, and our early endpoint will offer the first proven intervention to slow AMD progression to vision loss.