Diagnostic Markers For Malignant Mesothelioma And Other Respiratory Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,315.00
Summary
The deadly asbestos-induced cancer mesothelioma is continuing to kill tens of thousands of individuals per year. We have been working on improving the tests available to detect this cancer and to follow the course of the disease with the aim of reducing patients' anxiety and health-care costs.
Prevention Of Pleural Adhesion Formation By Treatment With Growth Factors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$268,000.00
Summary
Damage to the lining of the chest and abdominal cavities and to cells covering the lungs and other internal organs by infection or surgery almost always results in the formation of adhesions. Adhesions are bridges of fibrous material between organs and the body wall. In the chest cavity they can prevent the effective drainage of fluids that build up during infection or after injury leading to deterioration of health and even death. In the abdominal cavity they are a major cause of intestinal obs ....Damage to the lining of the chest and abdominal cavities and to cells covering the lungs and other internal organs by infection or surgery almost always results in the formation of adhesions. Adhesions are bridges of fibrous material between organs and the body wall. In the chest cavity they can prevent the effective drainage of fluids that build up during infection or after injury leading to deterioration of health and even death. In the abdominal cavity they are a major cause of intestinal obstruction and female infertility. In Australia, adhesions affect 9,500 patients annually, accounting for 6% of all hospital readmissions at a cost of over $100 million. This project will use animal models to investigate the specific role of a growth factor called hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the healing of the cells lining the internal body cavity and its effect on inhibiting adhesion formation. Using genetically manipulated mice, drug delivery and gene therapy approaches, the effect of changing the levels of HGF in tissues lining the internal body cavities on repair and adhesion formation will be assessed and mechanisms of action elucidated . A better understanding of the way cells lining these cavities heal and the factors that can improve the healing process, may lead to the development of novel therapies to prevent adhesion formation, which will benefit all future patients with chest cavity infections and those who undergo thoracic and abdominal surgery.Read moreRead less
Serum Mesothelin-related Protein As An Early Marker Of Mesothelioma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,750.00
Summary
The deadly asbestos-induced cancer mesothelioma is continuing to kill tens of thousands of individuals per year and its incidence is increasing. It is expected to cost communities hundreds of billions of dollars in compensation. This disease is usually already quite advanced by the time a patients presents to a doctor with symptoms so we have been working on methods of early detection. This project studies a new, exciting method of diagnosis using blood levels of a molecule called 'SMRP'. Late l ....The deadly asbestos-induced cancer mesothelioma is continuing to kill tens of thousands of individuals per year and its incidence is increasing. It is expected to cost communities hundreds of billions of dollars in compensation. This disease is usually already quite advanced by the time a patients presents to a doctor with symptoms so we have been working on methods of early detection. This project studies a new, exciting method of diagnosis using blood levels of a molecule called 'SMRP'. Late last year we published a paper in the prestigious journal Lancet showing that SMRP was a good test to help diagnose mesothelioma and this became a lead news item around the world because of widespread concern about this disease. In those studies we found strong clues that this test was very sensitive and could detect mesothelioma a year or so before a patient develops symptoms. In this grant we will evaluate whether this test could be useful for screening asbestos-exposed individuals for early detection of this cancer. We will also study ways of improving the test using laboratory methods. This would provide a foundation for studies aimed at determining if early treatment could improve patient survival.Read moreRead less