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.
Squamous Cell Carcinomas Of The Head And Neck: Exploring The Role Of Human Papillomavirus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$217,213.00
Summary
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the major cause of cervical cancer and the cause of 5% of all human cancers. HPV has recently also been associated with oral cancer, especially in patients younger than 50 years of age. In this project we will investigate how common HPV infection is in oral cancers in Australia. In these patients we will also investigate mutations in genes that have been found to play a critical role to clear persistent HPV infections and how cells respond to HPV infection.
Roles Of Cascades Of Transforming Growth Factor-beta And Matrix Metalloproteinases In The Impact Of Cancer Stem Cells On The Neoplasm Formation Of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$81,793.00
Summary
Failure of treatment of oral cancer patients is because the specific cancer cells escape from chemo-radiotherapy. These cells feature self-renew and fast growth, which are called cancer stem cells (CSC). We will test our hypothesis “the genes of TGF-?1 and MMP initiate CSCs” using our cell-mouse models to arrest cancer progression, and verify the impact of CSC on cancer formation. This study is critical to know how to arrest CSC and offer an opportunity to develop a targeted anti-cancer therapy.
Chronic Oral Graft-versus-host Disease: Clinical Risk Factors, Biochemical Markers Of Disease Activity And Novel Therapeutics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$134,184.00
Summary
Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a serious complication of bone marrow transplantation. The oral cavity is often affected. Aims: 1.Identify and validate risk factors for oral GVHD 2.Assess if specific salivary components reflect disease activity 3.Trial novel therapeutic for GVHD-associated dry mouth Saliva testing may offer a non-invasive method to monitor oral GVHD. Also, new and effective topical agents are greatly needed and will improve therapeutic options in oral GVHD
Is Bisphosphonate Use For The Treatment Of Benign Bone Disease Associated With Impaired Dental Healing?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$238,160.00
Summary
Osteoporosis (OSP) is a common condition where bones are thin and may break (fracture). Currently, approximately 2 million Australians suffer from OSP. This figure will rise over the next 20 years as people age. Recommended drug treatment of OSP involves medication called bisphosphonates. Recent research, including a warning from the National Adverse Drug Reaction Committee, has suggested a possible association between bisphosphonates and bone breakdown in the jaw (osteonecrosis) - a devastating ....Osteoporosis (OSP) is a common condition where bones are thin and may break (fracture). Currently, approximately 2 million Australians suffer from OSP. This figure will rise over the next 20 years as people age. Recommended drug treatment of OSP involves medication called bisphosphonates. Recent research, including a warning from the National Adverse Drug Reaction Committee, has suggested a possible association between bisphosphonates and bone breakdown in the jaw (osteonecrosis) - a devastating condition for which no effective treatment exists. This study seeks to determine if bisphosphonate use for the treatment of OSP or other non-cancerous (benign) bone disease (eg Paget's disease) slows dental healing and increases the risk of jaw osteonecrosis. This has major implications and significant potential benefits for the large numbers of people with OSP taking bisphosphonates. Currently, the chance of dental complications during bisphosphonate therapy and what factors predispose to such complications remains unclear. Given the large numbers of people at risk, these are important issues that require urgent careful investigation. We want to determine if long-term (more than 2 years' duration) bisphosphonate treatment of OSP or other benign bone disease slows dental healing and leads to jaw osteonecrosis. We will use a case-control study design given the expected low likelihood of slowed dental healing. This design involves identifying patients with slowed dental healing (cases), and patients with normal dental healing (controls). Cases and controls will then be compared for bisphosphonate use to see if it is more likely that cases have been taking bisphosphonates. Our results will help guide treatment recommendations for these drugs both nationally and internationally.Read moreRead less
Investigation Into Oral Cancer In Non-drinking And Non-smoking Females
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$109,358.00
Summary
There has been an increase incidence of oral cancer in female non-drinkers, non-smokers. The five year survival following diagnosis can be as low as 15-50% as most cancers are advanced at the time of discovery.Precancerous and cancerous oral lesions may mimic any number of benign oral lesions, and as such may be left without investigation and treatment until well advanced. Further investigations into the cause of oral cancer other than smoking and alcohol will aid in management.
The Assessment Of Clinical And Molecular Adjunctive Tools For The Early Detection Of Oral Mucosal Neoplasia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$454,383.00
Summary
It is anticipated that this research will make a significant contribution to our understanding of the natural development of oral cancer and will thus have a direct benefit to patients. The proposed research will enable high quality genetic analysis of individual mutations of relevance to oral cancer via a rapid, reliable, economic, and sensitive screening assay for the assessment of a large number of suspicious oral mucosal lesions.
Host Resistance And Protection Against Oral Candidasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,527.00
Summary
Candida albicans is an important opportunistic pathogen, that is widely represented in general medical and dental practice, as well as in the hospital environment. Clinical observations indicate that defects in innate immunity predispose patients to disseminated infection, whereas a weakened cell-mediated immune response is commonly associated with chronic oral infections. Animal models of both chronic and acute oral candidiasis have been developed and characterised by the applicants, and these ....Candida albicans is an important opportunistic pathogen, that is widely represented in general medical and dental practice, as well as in the hospital environment. Clinical observations indicate that defects in innate immunity predispose patients to disseminated infection, whereas a weakened cell-mediated immune response is commonly associated with chronic oral infections. Animal models of both chronic and acute oral candidiasis have been developed and characterised by the applicants, and these have clearly implicated T cells in the process of recovery from primary infection. The models will now be used to analyse the effector mechanisms that lead to clearance of the yeast from the oral cavity, with a particular focus on the role of phagocytic cells, and their interaction with T cells. The acute model will be used to identify immunological variables that can act as markers of protection, and the effectiveness of therapeutic manipulations will be evaluated in the chronic model, with the ultimate aim of developing a protective vaccine for human infections.Read moreRead less
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.