Targeting Mitochondrial Metabolism In Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas As A Novel Therapeutic Strategy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,796.00
Summary
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) represents the most aggressive cancer of childhood, with no effective treatments available, and almost all children dying within one year of diagnosis. We have successfully grown the first DIPG cells in the laboratory and found a new approach to attack them, by specifically targeting the cell's power source - the mitochondria. We will build on these findings and develop this treatment strategy with the aim to make this novel therapy available to children w ....Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) represents the most aggressive cancer of childhood, with no effective treatments available, and almost all children dying within one year of diagnosis. We have successfully grown the first DIPG cells in the laboratory and found a new approach to attack them, by specifically targeting the cell's power source - the mitochondria. We will build on these findings and develop this treatment strategy with the aim to make this novel therapy available to children with this deadly disease.Read moreRead less
Nfib Regulates Glial Differentiation During Development And Disease Via Repression Of The Key Epigenetic Protein, Ezh2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$572,912.00
Summary
Glial development is critical during development, and unrestrained proliferation of glial stem cells in the adult can lead to deadly brain cancers such as glioma. At present there is no cure for glioma and current treatments do not significantly delay tumour progression. Nfib is a transcription factor that may prevent tumour growth through cellular differentiation. We will investigate the role of Nfib during development and in the pathogenesis of glioma and its potential as a therapeutic target.
The Development Of Innovative Multiplexed Molecular Imaging Technology Targeting Improved Diagnostic Imaging Of Glioblastoma Multiforme
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,599.00
Summary
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is extremely invasive and the most lethal of all primary brain tumours. To optimise treatment planning, we propose to develop novel Multiplexed Molecular Imaging (MMI) technology employing the latest PET-MRI hybrid imaging technology. Our strategy targets the development of new F19 MRI MI agents for measuring tumour infiltration that can be multiplexed with F18 PET hypoxia tracers. Our MI agents can also act as conjugative vehicles for drug delivery.
Towards Predicting Brain Deformations For Image-guided Neurosurgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$304,281.00
Summary
We will significantly improve the efficiency of image-guided neurosurgery for brain tumours by creating a novel system to improve intra-operative visualisation and navigation utilising realistic prediction of brain deformations based on a biomechanical model. The system will create an augmented reality visualisation of the intra-operative configuration of the patient's brain merged with high resolution pre-operative imaging data in order to better localise the tumour and critical healthy tissues ....We will significantly improve the efficiency of image-guided neurosurgery for brain tumours by creating a novel system to improve intra-operative visualisation and navigation utilising realistic prediction of brain deformations based on a biomechanical model. The system will create an augmented reality visualisation of the intra-operative configuration of the patient's brain merged with high resolution pre-operative imaging data in order to better localise the tumour and critical healthy tissues.Read moreRead less
The Role Of TAP And MHC Class I Expression In The Response To Melanoma Immunotherapy Using Autolgous Dendritic Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,811.00
Summary
Treatment for patients with malignant melanoma whose disease has spread, or metastasised, to sites distant from the original melanoma is usually unsuccessful. At this stage of the disease there is no known curative treatment with conventional surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Occasionally, however, melanoma in its early stages is successfully dealt with by the natural response of the immune system. In these cases, the immune system generates cancer-controlling killer T lymphocytes that enter t ....Treatment for patients with malignant melanoma whose disease has spread, or metastasised, to sites distant from the original melanoma is usually unsuccessful. At this stage of the disease there is no known curative treatment with conventional surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Occasionally, however, melanoma in its early stages is successfully dealt with by the natural response of the immune system. In these cases, the immune system generates cancer-controlling killer T lymphocytes that enter the melanoma and kill the tumour cells. Killer T lymphocytes are generated by the lymph glands when the immune system is presented with melanoma cell components, or antigens, by specialised cells known as dendritic cells. This project consists of a clinical trial that aims to boost the natural ability of the immune system to generate killer cells by growing dendritic cells from the blood, mixing them with melanoma antigens, and then inject the mixture. When injected into the skin, dendritic cells quickly move to lymph glands to generate killer T lymphocytes. T lymphocytes can find their way to melanoma deposits all over the body. The reasons for response or non-response to the vaccination will particularly be assessed in this project.Read moreRead less
The overall incidence of primary brain tumours in the Western world is 10 per 100,000 people. Unlike many other tumours, these occur in patients of all ages and comprise the second most common tumour type among children and young adults. Most brain tumours remain incurable. We are using our expertise in the field of neural stem cell research to characterise tumour cells responsible for resistance to treatment, with the final goal of identifying new targets for therapeutic intervention.
It is seldom the initial cancer that kills the patient; most deaths are due to its metastatic spread throughout the body. Survival after the onset of a brain metastasis is dismal. Current understanding of cancer spread to the brain is poor and yet an ability to inhibit this process would save thousands of lives each year. Using rare tissue resources and cutting-edge technologies, this project will elucidate molecular features of brain metastases that can be exploited to generate new treatments.