Tubulovillous Adenomas In Colorectal Tumorigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$295,983.00
Summary
Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer affecting Australians today, and half of all patients will not survive their disease. Bowel cancer grows from small growths called polyps. In this project, we aim to investigate changes in genes found in a particularly aggressive type of bowel polyp called a tubulovillous adenoma. A better understanding of these gene changes will aid the future development of molecular tests for early detection and therapeutic options for the treatment of cancer.
The CpG Island Methylator Phenotype In Colorectal Cancer - Pathways And Precursors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$517,272.00
Summary
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting Australians. It will affect 1-23 Australians and is a leading cause of cancer-related death. If diagnosed early, bowel cancer is curable with surgery. Unfortunately, symptoms are often not present until the cancer is advanced, when the cure rate is only 55%. It has been recognised that there are different types of bowel cancer depending on different genes which can be inactivated abnormally. We propose that there are at least four differen ....Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting Australians. It will affect 1-23 Australians and is a leading cause of cancer-related death. If diagnosed early, bowel cancer is curable with surgery. Unfortunately, symptoms are often not present until the cancer is advanced, when the cure rate is only 55%. It has been recognised that there are different types of bowel cancer depending on different genes which can be inactivated abnormally. We propose that there are at least four different subgroups of bowel tumours, and that each of these may have different physical properties and responses to therapy. We aim to better characterise these subgroups to increase our understanding of how normal bowel can change into a small polyp, that may grow into a cancer. Understanding the gene changes leading to each subtype of bowel cancer will in the future allow the development gene markers for early detection as well as the possibility of individualised patient therapy. We are also studying tiny biopsies of normal bowel tissue from patients either with or without polyps, to try to understand the very earliest changes which may underly the development of a bowel polyp.Read moreRead less
Improving The Surgical Outcomes For Barretts-derived Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma Through Early Detection.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$796,144.00
Summary
Some people with severe reflux develop Barrett's oesophagus, which puts them at high risk of developing cancer. Patients with Barrett's can be monitored by regular endoscopy to detect cancer early enough so that they can be treated successfully with surgery. The aim of this work is to identify patients who are at highest risk of cancer using molecular biomarkers. We will then determine the cost effectiveness of using biomarkers for surveillance of patients with Barrett's oesophagus.
It has been proposed that inflammation plays a major role in prostate cancer risk. We are well placed to test this hypothesis following up evidence from our MCCS and RFPCS studies of associations between inflammatory markers and prostate cancer risk. This proposed project may open for the first time opportunities for the prevention of prostate cancer.
Platelet Receptor Shedding In Stroke And Thrombosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,503.00
Summary
In response to tissue injury and bleeding, blood platelets use receptors to form a thrombus (blood clot) and block further loss of blood and aid tissue repair. In inflammation or disease, abberant platelet activation can form a thrombus within cerebral (stroke) or coronary vessels (heart attack). We examine how a thrombus-limiting step (platelet receptor shedding) is triggered in thrombus-forming platelets, and if shed receptor can be used as a blood marker of abberant platelet activation.
A number of previous studies have shown high levels of two proteins, STC1 and STC2, in a substantial subset of breast cancers. We are proposing to do the first definitive analyses of whether these hormone-like proteins contribute to breast cancer growth. If yes, they are suitable targets for development of new treatments.
Inherited Genetic Variants As Prognostic Markers For Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,972.00
Summary
Bowel cancer is a major health burden. Surgical resection of the primary cancer is often possible at diagnosis, yet in many patients the cancer will recur. Together with mutations, inherited genetic variants influence the rate of bowel cancer growth. This study aims to identify inherited variants predictive of cancer recurrence. Improved prediction of recurrence will permit more targeted use of clinical interventions, tailored to the individual patient, ultimately improving patient survival.