NT-3 As An Upstream And Potentially Master Regulator Promoting Bone Fracture Healing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$712,857.00
Summary
There is a strong clinical need for cost-effective treatments for delayed healing or non-union bone fractures. Our recent data suggest injury site-derived neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) may be an important overall regulator of bone repair by inducing key factors involved in fracture callus formation and remodelling. This project will address roles and mechanisms of endogenous NT-3 in bone repair and the likelihood of exogenous NT-3 protein in promoting bone healing in clinically relevant fracture models.
Antitumour Efficacy Of TRAIL: An Immunotherapeutic Approach For The Treatment Of Skeletal Malignancies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,034.00
Summary
The most serious clinical problem with patients with solid tumours is metastasis to bone, which leads to complications that can cause erosion of the patient's quality of life, and eventually death. TRAIL is a new cancer therapeutic that selectively kills cancer cells while sparing normal cells. The use of TRAIL agonistic antibodies that do not bind OPG and have increased serum half life offers an exciting approach for the treatment of skeletal malignancies that is non toxic and safe.
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors (HDIs) With Antineoplastic And Antiosteolytic Properties
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$535,333.00
Summary
Metastatic bone disease is very common in patients with many forms of solid tumours. Our approach to use Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors (HDIs), to target bone metastases offers an exciting therapeutic potential. Treatment with HDIs will have the potential to suppress cancer-induced bone destruction by integrating the cytotoxic and osteotropic properties that reside within the same compound. Our preclinical data will facilitate the translation of HDIs to clinical trials for bone cancer.