Molecular Imaging As A Critical Tool In Discovery Of The Basis Of Tumour Heterogeneity And Developing Novel Therapies To Overcome Therapeutic Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,961.00
Summary
Determining treatment options for cancer currently relies on the size and extent of tumour deposits on imaging, combined with a biopsy. However, this approach fails to recognise the ability of tumours to evolve components that are, or become, resistant to treatment. My laboratory uses advanced molecular imaging, targeted biopsies, animal models and genetic analysis to detect and understand the basis of such resistance and thereby develop new, targeted treatments to improve patient outcomes.
HEREDITARY ENDOCRINE CANCER: A MODEL BASED ON PHAEOCHROMOCYTOMA- PARAGANGLIOMA SYNDROMES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$875,894.00
Summary
Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas are tumours remarkable for their very high heritability. They have a high burden of disease themselves, and their associated hereditary syndromes include risks for other malignancies. Our study will rationalize the pathological approach to diagnosing these hereditary syndromes, find new therapeutic targets for metastatic disease, and provide a template for other cancers with high heritable component.
The Role Of The Cytokine Receptor Gp130 In Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,545.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in men in the Western world. Neuroendocrine cells may play an important role in the development of these cancers, but their biology is essentially uncharacterized. Activation of the cell-bound protein gp130 results in neuroendocrine differentiation, growth and chemotherapeutic drug resistance of prostate cancer cells. We will use gp130-dependent differentiation to understand how neuroendocrine cells influence normal and cancerous prostate cells ....Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in men in the Western world. Neuroendocrine cells may play an important role in the development of these cancers, but their biology is essentially uncharacterized. Activation of the cell-bound protein gp130 results in neuroendocrine differentiation, growth and chemotherapeutic drug resistance of prostate cancer cells. We will use gp130-dependent differentiation to understand how neuroendocrine cells influence normal and cancerous prostate cells, and to identify neuroendocrine-cell specific genes that may be of diagnostic or therapeutic benefit in prostate cancer. Gp130 can be activated by a group of hormones called the interleukin-6 type cytokines in the presence of certain cell-bound proteins (receptors). If these receptors are inappropriately expressed in the prostate, inappropriate activation of gp130 could occur resulting in prostate cancer cell growth or neuroendocrine differentiation. If we can determine that these receptors are expressed in prostate cancer, but not in non-cancerous prostate, this would have diagnostic or therapeutic benefit.Read moreRead less
NABNEC: A Randomised Phase II Study Of Nab-paclitaxel In Combination With Carboplatin As First Line Treatment Of Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Carcinomas
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,393,083.00
Summary
Patients with advanced neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC) have one of the poorest cancer outcomes. So far, no randomised trials have been done to confirm NEC treatment. Current NEC chemotherapy is etoposide & carboplatin (EC), based on lung cancer trials. The NABNEC study will use a new drug, nab-paclitaxel, with carboplatin or EC, collect PET scan, tumour & blood samples result to help understand how treatment works and to ultimately improve NEC patients’ health and progress future research.
Cis Regulatory And Functional Analysis Of Genomic Loci With Implication In Hypothalamic Obesity Using The Zebrafish As A Model System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,936.00
Summary
Gene regulatory mutations cause changes in gene activity (expression -level, -time, -site) and therefore decide about the availability of proteins. Regulatory mutations in uncharacterized genomic loci that are related to obesity and further their effects shall be identified, with emphasis on those affecting the hypothalamic food intake control circuits. Since the energy metabolism system and the obesity candidate genes are conserved, the model system zebrafish will be used for these analyses.