Identification Of Interleukin-6 Trans-signalling As A Novel Target For Therapeutic Approaches To Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$627,089.00
Summary
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been implicated as a causative factor in lung cancer, the most lethal cancer worldwide, albeit by unknown mechanisms. Since IL-6 is also important for immune system homeostasis, the development of anti-IL-6 therapies requires an intimate knowledge of pathological versus physiological IL-6 signalling pathways. This project aims for the first time to define an alternative IL-6 signalling pathway, termed “trans signalling”, in the molecular pathogenesis of lung cancer.
Development Of Follistatin As Novel Cancer Therapeutic
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$494,324.00
Summary
In this project, we aim to rapidly commercialise our discovery that Follistatin, an endogenous hormone, can dramatically improve the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy in lung cancer.
Towards Precision Medicine For Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,652.00
Summary
Better outcomes are needed for lung cancer, a disease that accounts for more cancer-related deaths than any other cancer in Australia or worldwide. My goals are to 1) develop and evaluate in clinical trials targeted therapies and immunotherapies and 2) identify clinically relevant blood and tissue based biomarkers for lung cancer patients. This combination of clinical and translational research will change practice and improve outcomes by delivering precision medicine for lung cancer patients.
Improving Treatment Of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Suppressing Cell Division Cycle Associated Protein 3 (CDCA3)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$194,446.00
Summary
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. This project will establish the worth of suppressing the molecule ‘cell division cycle associated protein 3’ (CDCA3) in lung cancer. To do so, we will adjust the levels of CDCA3 in animal lung cancer models and treat the tumours with chemotherapy and the novel drug CX-4945. We expect that reduced levels of CDCA3 combined with CX-4945 and/or chemotherapy in NSCLC patients will benefit patient outcome.
The Molecular Basis By Which IL-6 Family Cytokines And Pathogen Recognition Receptors Promote Inflammation-associated Stomach And Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,010.00
Summary
Lung and stomach cancer are the 2 most lethal cancers world-wide, and represent a growing number of cancers associated with chronic inflammation. However, the genes which trigger inflammation and then promote cancer in certain people remain largely unknown. Using mouse models for these inflammation-associated cancers, together with clinical specimens, our aim is to identify specific genes of the immune system which trigger chronic inflammatory responses that lead to cancer.
A Novel Approach To Restoration Of Tumour Suppression In Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,604.00
Summary
Loss of a tumour suppressor is a key event in every cancer, including lung cancer. Therefore restoration of the expression and/or activity of the tumour suppressor is an attractive approach to anti-cancer treatment. In order to restore tumour suppression, a detailed understanding of the mechanism by which a given tumour suppressor is regulated is required. This application focuses on our discovery of a novel mechanism by which a key tumour suppressor of lung cancer is regulated.