Integrating Conventional Mesothelioma Therapies With Immuno- And Gene-therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$804,916.00
Summary
Asbestos-induces cancers are some of the most aggressive cancers know to medicine. Unfortunately, treatments are not very effective and it is unusual for these cancers to be cured, particularly mesothelioma. Because recent scientific studies have suggested that combinations of therapy which include immunotherapy, ie treatments aimed at stimulating the bodies anti-cancer immune responses to attack the cancer, can be effective, we plan to develop this work in order to determine exactly which combi ....Asbestos-induces cancers are some of the most aggressive cancers know to medicine. Unfortunately, treatments are not very effective and it is unusual for these cancers to be cured, particularly mesothelioma. Because recent scientific studies have suggested that combinations of therapy which include immunotherapy, ie treatments aimed at stimulating the bodies anti-cancer immune responses to attack the cancer, can be effective, we plan to develop this work in order to determine exactly which combinations are likely to be the most effective and therefore the most suitable for clinical trial in patients.Read moreRead less
Treatment for skin cancer costs the Australian healthcare system >$1 billion annually. Early detection and accurate diagnosis of melanoma improves survival, however a standardised approach to diagnosis does not currently exist. This study will prospectively recruit 15,000 patients to develop and validate a risk stratified image-based approach to melanoma prevention, early detection and surveillance which will incorporate cutting edge technologies to standardise diagnosis and optimise care.
Epidemiology And Community Consequences Of Asbestos Exposure In WA
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$879,876.00
Summary
We aim to explore the impact of asbestos exposure on the health of individuals using the Wittenoom workers and residents cohort studies and the Australian community with the formation of a new community based cohort study. Using data from the Wittenoom workers and residents studies, we will examine the impact of asbestos exposure on women�s health which has not been looked at before. We will examine if asbestos exposure affects psychosocial health and determine if long term supplementation with ....We aim to explore the impact of asbestos exposure on the health of individuals using the Wittenoom workers and residents cohort studies and the Australian community with the formation of a new community based cohort study. Using data from the Wittenoom workers and residents studies, we will examine the impact of asbestos exposure on women�s health which has not been looked at before. We will examine if asbestos exposure affects psychosocial health and determine if long term supplementation with Vitamin A for cancer prevention results in an increased risk of bone fractures. We will also examine the genetic susceptibility of asbestos related diseases in these cohorts, and create and validate an algorithm to derive measures of fibre counts from occupational histories. Earlier projections of mesothelioma in the general community have been based on extrapolations from disease incidence in the past. We intend collecting data on a new community based cohort, to examine the distribution of asbestos in the community in order to predict future cases of asbestos related disease and the perception, beliefs and knowledge that exists in the community of its potential health effects. With this new knowledge we will devise an intervention program with the aim of preventing future cases of asbestos related disease. As part of this process we will use a multimedia website as an information hub. This will allow us to experiment with the use of creative media to present personal and community experiences of living with asbestos and present scientific research and public health messages.Read moreRead less
Cancers can spread to the lung causing fluid build-up and requires drainages in hospital that are painful and costly. Surgery is previously seen as the definitive option to stop fluid forming, but is invasive with complications. Indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) is a novel implanted device inside the chest that allows patients to drain fluid at home. AMPLE Trial-3 is the first multicenter randomized clinical trial to compare surgery vs IPC to provide fluid control and improve quality of life.
Personalised Treatment In Melanoma: Matching Optimal Drug Therapies For Individual Patients To Improve Survival.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$132,743.00
Summary
The best treatment for melanoma currently is immunotherapy. However, most patients become resistant to immunotherapy after an initial response. When this occurs, patients are treated with new medications, often in a clinical trial. Unfortunately, doctors cannot predict if a patient is going to respond to a particular new treatment. This project will study the makeup of individual melanomas and use this to recommend which new treatment is most likely to work for the patient.
Aberrant Transcriptional Signalling In The Progression And Metastasis Of Melanoma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$353,033.00
Summary
There are currently no treatments that have any impact on decreasing mortality from metastatic melanoma. We have found 2 new variants in melanoma that may control the tumour growing and invading around the body. This study will examine the protein containing these changes with the aims of finding how they function differently, to identify their roles in the formation of melanoma, as well as to identify new targets for prevention and treatment of metastatic disease.