Pharmacokinetics And Pharmacodynamics Of High Dose Melphalan In Myeloma Patients Undergoing An Autograft
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,761.00
Summary
Myeloma is a cancer of the bone marrow that affacts over 1000 people every year in Australia. The treatment is difficult and toxic, particularly as patients who develop the disease are often older (typically 50-70 years) and have kidney problems as part of the disease. Most patients will have better control of their disease if they receive a high dose of a potent drug called melphalan. Melphalan is toxic to the bone marrow, so melphalan is followed by an infusion of the patients' bone marrow or ....Myeloma is a cancer of the bone marrow that affacts over 1000 people every year in Australia. The treatment is difficult and toxic, particularly as patients who develop the disease are often older (typically 50-70 years) and have kidney problems as part of the disease. Most patients will have better control of their disease if they receive a high dose of a potent drug called melphalan. Melphalan is toxic to the bone marrow, so melphalan is followed by an infusion of the patients' bone marrow or blood stem cells (a bone marrow transplant). Dosing of melphalan is according to a standard schedule that does not account for individual factors. We know that the drug disappears from the blood quite quickly, and how quickly it disappears probably affects its toxicity and effectiveness. Higher doses are more toxic and patients can die as a result of their transplant, lower doses do not control the disease as well. Not many places in the world measure the levels of melphalan in the blood. At The Childrens Hospital we have already performed the largest study of melphalan bloods in children. With the formation of the NSW Bone Marrow Transplant Network, we have joined with doctors who treat adults with myeloma and realised that we were in a position to answer some major questions about the effectiveness of melphalan in myeloma and how important it was to get lower or higher levels of the drug in the patient's blood. We are planning what will be the largest study of melphalan blood levels in the world (more than 100 myeloma patients). By measuring the melphalan in their blood and then following what happens to the patients, we will be able to work out whether the dose of melphalan we are using is ideal; if there are things about the patient that tell us we should give a bigger or smaller dose and if the blood levels are related to how much toxicity the patient has after transplant and how well the myeloma is controlled. This should improve the outcome of myeloma patients.Read moreRead less
Bisphosphonate Use, Oral Flora, Saliva, Gingival Crevicular Fluid And Bone Markers In Patients With Jaw Osteonecrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$121,751.00
Summary
Bisphosphonates are used in patients with bones that break easily due to conditions such as osteoporosis. Recent research suggests a possible association between these drugs and jaw bone breakdown called jaw osteonecrosis - a devastating condition with no current effective treatment. It is unclear why this condition affects only jaw bones. This study seeks to investigate if bacteria in the mouth, gum disease and saliva are involved in jaw osteonecrosis, which can then help to improve management.
The CCRE for Oral Health will focus on the prevention and treatment of oral diseases and disorders and their clinical consequences. Research will emphasise three areas of clinical care that are critical to the management of oral health, systemic health and general well-being: 1.Primary prevention to prevent disease onset 2. Diagnosis and risk prediction for oral conditions 3. Clinical intervention
Caries Initiation Across Childhood To Adulthood By Exposure To Water Fluoridation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$198,297.00
Summary
This research program is expected to contribute to filling significant gaps in the understanding of factors determining the oral health of Australian children and young adults. The purpose of the project is to develop a better understanding of the outcome of long-term exposure to fluoridated water among young adults.
The South Australian Dental Longitudinal Study has been the first comprehensive dental longitudinal study of older adults to be conducted in Australia. Participants were aged 60+ years at the 1991 baseline data collection, and were a random sample of community-dwelling older adults in urban Adelaide and rural Mount Gambier. The 11-year follow-up data collection will build upon the previous study findings to provide important and new information about the onset and progression of oral diseases in ....The South Australian Dental Longitudinal Study has been the first comprehensive dental longitudinal study of older adults to be conducted in Australia. Participants were aged 60+ years at the 1991 baseline data collection, and were a random sample of community-dwelling older adults in urban Adelaide and rural Mount Gambier. The 11-year follow-up data collection will build upon the previous study findings to provide important and new information about the onset and progression of oral diseases in older Australians. It will also assist with the identification of general health and other characteristics (socio-demographic, medical, functional, cognitive, nutritional, swallowing, dental history, oral hygiene care, financial, social support and oral disorder social impact characteristics) that are associated with oral diseases in various groups of older adults. Groups of older adults within the study include those who are healthy and living in the community, those who are frail and use support services, and those who have moved into residential care. This information will assist both private and public health sectors, dental professionals and other health professionals with the identification of those older adults who are at high risk for developing oral diseases, such as those with dementia, those with physical disabilities, and those living in residential care. This 11-year data collection will be one of only 4 similar international studies currently being conducted, and will provide important comparison data for future studies of older Australians.Read moreRead less