Deciphering IFN Type III, TGF?, IL-10 And Adenosine Pathways In Natural Killer Cells: Enhancing The Innate Anti-metastatic Response Against Breast Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
This project will determine whether one or more factors produced in tumours (eg. cell hormones and metabolites) inhibits NK cells from controlling breast cancer spread using the best available mouse tumour models. We will use genetics to specifically delete response to these factors by NK cells. It is a completely novel approach and this information will allow for the more rational design of cancer treatments following surgery and local radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
Professor Godfrey is an immunologist with a long standing history as a pioneer in the study of a specialised type of white blood cell, known as NKT cells. NKT cells are activated in response to lipid-based molecules that are thought to alert the immune system, via NKT cell activation, to the presence of infectious agents or other abnormalities. A better understanding of how NKT cells function will provide new approaches to battling a broad range of diseases where these cells are implicated, incl ....Professor Godfrey is an immunologist with a long standing history as a pioneer in the study of a specialised type of white blood cell, known as NKT cells. NKT cells are activated in response to lipid-based molecules that are thought to alert the immune system, via NKT cell activation, to the presence of infectious agents or other abnormalities. A better understanding of how NKT cells function will provide new approaches to battling a broad range of diseases where these cells are implicated, including cancer, autoimmunity, allergy and infection.Read moreRead less
Understanding Immunosuppressive Pathways In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,178.00
Summary
Cancer-induced immune suppression is a major obstacle to the effective treatment of many cancers. Suppression can be mediated by cells of the immune system, or cancers themselves. My project aims to investigate 3 suppressive pathways and determine their hierarchy in different mouse models of cancer using mouse genetics and antibody-based treatment approaches. Understanding these processes ongoing in the cancer environment will allow the design of more effective cancer therapies.
The Role Of Cytokines In Tumor-induced Immunosuppression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$754,473.00
Summary
Cancer-induced immune suppression is a major obstacle to the effective treatment of many cancers. We have shown that the cytokine IL-23, plays an important role in cancer initiation, growth and development. My project aims to characterize the cells that produce IL-23 in the cancer microenvironment and define how it suppresses cells of the immune system. A greater understanding of this cytokine’s mechanism of action will enable the rational improvement of treatments for patients with cancer
Understanding Immune Regulation During Parasitic Diseases.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,010.00
Summary
Chronic infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and leishmaniasis are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. They are all characterised by severe immune dysfunction. We will study a parasitic infection to identify important immune cell populations and molecules that promote chronic infectious disease. This knowledge will enable the development of better treatments and vaccines for range of infectious diseases that affect people in many parts of the world.
The Differential Contribution Of Programmed Death-1 Ligands To Malarial Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$327,784.00
Summary
This research aims to understand how the Malaria parasite, which causes one of the world’s deadliest diseases, evades immunity. It will provide a significant advance in our knowledge of immunity against malaria and impact on current strategies to develop an efficacious vaccine or treatment for malaria.
Investigation Of Molecular And Cellular Determinants Of Immune Related Adverse Events Following Treatment With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Novel immune-based treatments for advanced, incurable, cancer have significantly improved patient survival. Although these treatments have proven highly effective, they are associated with the unpredictable development of severe and sometimes life-threatening autoimmune disease. We aim to discover ways to predict and potentially prevent these complications by identifying genetic risk factors and markers in blood samples. If successful, this will be a ground breaking advance in cancer care.
Understanding And Modulating The Human Immune System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
T cells are the sentinels of our immune system continually scanning our tissue for abnormalities and eliminating threats in many forms. They are our second and last line of defence against microorganisms and cancer. Unfortunately, T cells can also cause harm through accidental crossreactvity or overzealous function. My work is directed at understanding how T cells work and how they can be controlled using drugs and gene therapy. If we can ‘tune’ the power of this master immune lineage we can unl
Cancer Immunotherapy Utilizing A Novel Receptor For Programmed Cell Death-1 Ligand 2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$577,857.00
Summary
Immuno-modulators utilize the patient’s own immune system to eliminate or slow the growth of cancerous cells. We have identified a novel immuno-modulator which could be a significant player in immune-modulation therapy for the treatment of cancer. We will use the development grant to develop a product which has significant potential to be the next generation treatment for cancer.
Exploiting And Defining The Immune Regulatory Activities Of BET Bromodomain Inhibitors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Immune-based agents such as “checkpoint inhibitors” have the ability to re-awaken our own immune systems and activate previously dormant anti-tumour responses. We have discovered that small molecule inhibitors of gene regulatory proteins called bromodomain proteins act synergistically with checkpoint inhibitors in mouse cancer models. I will define the molecular and biological events underpinning this novel combination approach and assess the effects of the combination across different tumours.