Targeting Ribosomal RNA Transcription With CX-5461 As A New Approach For Treating Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$864,067.00
Summary
We have made the fundamental discovery that ribosomal gene transcription is not simply a 'house keeping' process in cancer cells but is required to maintain malignant cell viability. Strikingly inhibition of ribosomal gene transcription using a novel small molecule inhibitor, CX-5461, shows profound selectivity for malignant cells over normal cells. This proposal will translate these observations into 'first in man' phase 1 clinical trials of CX-5461 for the treatment of blood cancers.
Better Outcomes Through Innovations In Clinical Trials: From Personalised Medicine To Population Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$12,215,475.00
Summary
This program aims to develop better health care though advances in clinical trials research and better methods for integrating trial evidence. The team comprises clinician researchers and trialists, biostatisticians, health economists and collaborative networks of clinical investigators. It aims to tackle major health care questions in priority health areas, in cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, where advances will have substantial impact on reducing death and serious disability.
Prof. Simes will lead and develop research at the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre in collaboration with major national and international cooperative groups. Research themes include integrating molecular science with trial design and embedding research routinely in health care. Projects include surgery for rectal cancer; novel targeted therapy in gastric cancer; aspirin to prevent colon cancer; placental transfusion for preterm babies; risk in heart disease; economic assessment of clinical trials.
Major progress has been made in the treatment of cancer by the development of inhibitors of oncogenes that drive cancer growth. This application will test whether this approach can be used for melanomas with activation of the CDK4 oncogene that becomes activated in over 50% of melanomas. We will indentify which patients melanomas respond best to this approach and understand why some melanomas but not other responds providing the scientific framework for clinical trials of CDK4 inhibitors.
Central to improving the management of patients with cancer is an understanding of the molecular drivers of cancer. Based on our fundamental discoveries about the role of cell growth and perturbed cell signalling as drivers of cancer we will use the integration of molecular and imaging biomarkers with targeted therapies to translate this knowledge into better outcomes for cancer patients with defined molecular drivers of their cancer.
ADVANCING THE EVIDENCE BASE FOR CARE AND POLICY IN PRIORITY HEALTH AREAS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$11,195,727.00
Summary
This program will improve health care and policy through clinical trials research and better methods for combining trial evidence. The team will tackle priority health areas to reduce death and serious disability: in particular in cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and neonatal diseases. The program team includes clinicians, epidemiologists, trialists, biostatisticians, and health economists and collaborative networks of clinical investigators in each disease area.