Molecular Pathways Mediating The Anti-tumour Activity Of WIF1
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,342.00
Summary
Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer. Treatment often entails aggressive surgery with intensive chemotherapy, although one third of those diagnosed will still die from this disease. We have found that the molecule WIF1 can suppress osteosarcoma growth. In this project we aim to identify genetic modifiers of WIF1, potential WIF1 interactors and define active domains of WIF1 for the development of more effective targeted therapeutics for osteosarcoma.
Defining The Role Of Reserve Stem Cells In Gastric Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$563,739.00
Summary
Over 800,000 deaths from stomach cancer occur annually. This often fatal disease is caused by chronic inflammation of the stomach lining. This proposal will investigate how stomach inflammation ‘reprograms’ a new type of 'cancer stem cell' to form tumours and evaluate ways to therapeutically target these cells to prevent disease. Collectively, these studies will inform new approaches for stomach cancer prevention and treatment.
Molecular Subtype Specific Therapy In High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$832,254.00
Summary
High grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) is the most common type of ovarian cancer, accounting for about two thirds of all deaths from the disease.Several years ago we identified distinct subtypes of HGSC (C1, C2, C4, C5) based on patterns of gene activity. We found that women with the C5 subtype generally had poor survival, and we mapped genes that were specifically active in C5 tumours. In this application we aim to develop therapies that are specifically targeted to the C5 HGSC.
The Fellowship would support Professor Bowtell, one of the world’s leading ovarian cancer researchers. His work focuses on clinical problems of chemotherapy resistance and the development of new therapeutic approaches. His studies are underpinned by the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study (AOCS), one of the world’s most sophisticated clinical cohort studies of ovarian cancer, with over 3000 Australian women enrolled.
A Novel Protease And Growth Factor Regulated Signalling System In Ovarian Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$856,743.00
Summary
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynaecologic cancer death. Our project focuses on the role in ovarian cancer of a cellular receptor called CDCP1. We have previously shown that CDCP1 promotes growth and spread of ovarian tumours. Recently we have generated new data indicating that CDCP1’s activity is markedly increased by other proteins called proteases and growth factors. In this project we will define how these new pathways function, and if their blockade impedes ovarian cancer.
Tumour Induced Innate Immune Responses That Control Breast Cancer Metastases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$596,164.00
Summary
The mechanisms of breast cancer spread to bone are largely unknown. We have found that cross-talk between tumour cells and the immune system exists to induce anti-tumour immune responses. By decreasing the release of proteins known to activate immune responses (type I interferons), tumour cells can hide from such responses and spread to tissues such as bone. We aim to identify the immune responses activated by type I IFN and if restoration of these pathways can block breast cancer spread to bone ....The mechanisms of breast cancer spread to bone are largely unknown. We have found that cross-talk between tumour cells and the immune system exists to induce anti-tumour immune responses. By decreasing the release of proteins known to activate immune responses (type I interferons), tumour cells can hide from such responses and spread to tissues such as bone. We aim to identify the immune responses activated by type I IFN and if restoration of these pathways can block breast cancer spread to bone.Read moreRead less
Engineering MYCN Models Of High-grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (HGSC)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$797,478.00
Summary
The most lethal type of ovarian cancer, high-grade serous cancer (HGSC), can be divided into four subtypes based on gene patterns. One subtype involves a set of genes/proteins that, in their specific combination, result in activation of a pathway known as MYCN. As most HGSC start in the fallopian tube, we are using fallopian tube material to make new MYCN HGSC models to observe development in the earliest stages. We hope to generate new tests and treatments for this subtype of ovarian cancer.
Role Of Proline-rich Tyrosine Kinase 2 (Pyk2) In Ovarian Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$85,254.00
Summary
Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal gynaecological cancers in the developed world. Elevated levels of gonadotropin hormones and cell protein Pyk2 have been implicated in ovarian cancer. Our aim is to determine the role of Pyk2 in growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer when stimulated with gonadotropins. In addition, we aim to identify protein changes which occur in ovarian cancer when stimulated by gonadotropins in order to identify new biomarkers for the disease.
Molecular Mechanisms And Functional Consequences - Understanding Endocrine Tumorigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,530.00
Summary
A/Prof Marsh is focused on discovering the causes of both inherited and non-inherited endocrine tumours, translating this knowledge into medical practice for the improved diagnosis of cancer and using this knowledge to highlight new therapeutic options for people who have cancer. She is internationally recognised for her work on a protein linked to the development of parathyroid cancer and is working towards improving our understanding of women’s cancers.
Targetting Deregulated Signalling Pathways In High-grade Serous Ovarian Cancer: Defining Therapeutic Response And Mechanisms Of Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$641,263.00
Summary
Ovarian cancer is the major cause of death from gynaecological cancer. Most patients present with advanced disease and die of their cancer. This proposal aims to use new research detailing the common genetic changes in tumour samples and our extensive panel of ovarian cancer cell lines to identify new treatment options for specific types of ovarian cancer. We expect this will result in clinical trials of therapies selected based on the characteristics of an individual patient’s disease.