Until recently, cancer of the oesophagus was a very uncommon tumour in Australia and other western populations. However during the past three decades, there have been very large increases in the incidence of this disease. Indeed, rates of oesophageal cancer have risen faster than any other cancer in the United Statesand similar dramatic increases in incidence have been observed in Europe and Australia. With increasing population prevalence of the causes of cancer of the oesophagus in western soc ....Until recently, cancer of the oesophagus was a very uncommon tumour in Australia and other western populations. However during the past three decades, there have been very large increases in the incidence of this disease. Indeed, rates of oesophageal cancer have risen faster than any other cancer in the United Statesand similar dramatic increases in incidence have been observed in Europe and Australia. With increasing population prevalence of the causes of cancer of the oesophagus in western societies (namely acid reflux, obesity and poor diet), there are strong grounds for predicting that incidence will continue to rise, and that oesophageal cancer will constitute an increasingly large burden on society. Unfortunately, treatment options are limited, survival is often short, and there is no way of identifying which tumours will respond to therapy. This proposal will collect treatment and health outcomes data for a population-based cohort of patients with oesophageal cancer. The goal is to identify prognostic and predictive markers to aid patients and clinicians when making treatment decisions, as now exist for breast cancer. Such markers may also serve as novel targets for therapy. The proposed study builds upon the platform of the Australian Cancer Study [ACS], one of the world's largest studies of oesophageal cancer. This represents a unique opportunity to investigate a pressing clinical problem by building upon a study of acknowledged international importance.Read moreRead less
A Trial Of Position Control Therapy For Treatment Of Infantile Gastro-oesophageal Reflux
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$533,290.00
Summary
Reflux of stomach contents into the gullet and mouth is a very common condition which interrupts feeding and sleep routine in infants. If reflux is not treated, more severe problems may manifest and patients may require anti-reflux surgery. Left-side positioning after feeding is the only non-drug approach proven to reduce the frequency of reflux in infants. This project will determine, by clinical trial, the role for left side positioning for reducing reflux related symptoms in infants.
Barrett's Oesophagus And Reflux Oesophagitis : Efficacy Of Medical Vs Surgical Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,750.00
Summary
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is very common. In some people it leads to oesophageal cancer, which is increasing in incidence more rapidly than any other cancer in the developed world. Significant resources are required for its diagnosis, surveillance and treatment. There are two main forms of treatment, acid suppressing drugs which may be required for the rest of the person's life, or surgery. The goal of treatment is the control of the symptoms such as heartburn, and the prevention of canc ....Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is very common. In some people it leads to oesophageal cancer, which is increasing in incidence more rapidly than any other cancer in the developed world. Significant resources are required for its diagnosis, surveillance and treatment. There are two main forms of treatment, acid suppressing drugs which may be required for the rest of the person's life, or surgery. The goal of treatment is the control of the symptoms such as heartburn, and the prevention of cancer. It is relatively easy to determine if the symptoms are controlled, and both medical and surgical treatments do this. It is not as easy to measure if a treatment will reduce the risk of cancer, because it takes so long to develop. We will compare a group of patients with reflux disease treated with drugs with a group treated by surgery. In each group we will take oesophageal tissue before treatment and compare it with similar tissue taken after treatment. We will look for reductions in abnormal cells and genes that are in diseased tissue and are important in the development of cancer. This study will help us understand the mechanisms by which reflux causes damage to the oesophagus and how it ultimately leads to cancer. We will learn if medical or surgical treatment is better in healing the underlying damage in the oesophagus, and which treatment is more likely to prevent cancer developing. It may result in more effective management of reflux in our community and help reduce the number of cases of oesophageal cancer.Read moreRead less
Risk Factors For Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease And Barretts Oesophagus In A Prospective Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$960,867.00
Summary
Heartburn caused by acid reflux is a common problem in Australia. In 2003, drugs used to treat disorders caused by acid problems, such as heartburn, cost the PBS more than $500 million. Heartburn probably causes a disease of the oesophagus called Barrett's oesophagus, which in turn is a cause of cancer of the oesophagus. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors for heartburn and Barrett's oesophagus, so that we can find ways to prevent them occurring.
Neuromodulation Of Triggering Of Transient Lower Oesophageal Sphincter Relaxation And Gastro-oesophageal Reflux
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$369,779.00
Summary
Reflux of stomach contents into the gullet is a very common condition. If reflux is not treated, more severe problems may manifest. In patients with reflux disease the anatomy of the junction between the gullet and the stomach is altered. This research program will undertake novel studies to explore how this alteration exacerbates the triggering reflux after a meal and potentially identify new targets for pharmacological therapy for this common problem.
Barrett's oesophagus (BO) is a condition that arises in some patients with chronic reflux (heartburn) and increases the risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus. However, the exact mechanisms involved in its development are unknown. This project aims to investigate how a protein called sonic hedgehog might be involved using novel cell culturing techniques that allow us to model the growth of oesophageal tissue in the laboratory. This could lead to development of new therapies for treating BO.