Identification And Molecular Characterisation Of High-risk Premalignant Breast Lesions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,382.00
Summary
Understanding the full repertoire of genetic events that underlie the development of breast cancer may allow development of prevention strategies. This study will analyse genetic data of benign breast lesions that may be non-obligate precursors of breast cancer. Importantly, clinical management of these lesions is difficult. A reliable method of predicting the risk of progression to cancer would be a significant advance, with benefits to individual patients and also the health system.
Personalising Care In Operable Pancreas Cancer. GAP-T: A Study Of Imaging And Molecular Biomarkers To Guide Treatment Of Patients Receiving Preoperative Chemotherapy Followed By Surgery.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,345.00
Summary
We are studying ways to improve how we treat patients with pancreatic cancer. We will use a novel imaging tool, the PET scanner, to show where active cancer is and how quickly and how well a new drug combination (gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel) is affecting the cancer. We will also study if measuring the expression of specific proteins (SPARC and hENT1) in the cancer affects the outcome and will allow us to determine ahead of time which patients will benefit most from the drugs.
Forecasting The Impact Of Climate Change On Dengue Transmission
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$506,432.00
Summary
Dengue fever (DF) is the most important mosquito-transmitted viral disease in the world. The large-scale re-emergence of DF in the Asia-Pacific region during the past few decades has renewed its status as a serious international public health problem. Global climate change is anticipated to impact upon the biology and ecology of vectors and consequently the risk of DF transmission. The principal research aim of this study is to project the impact of future climate change on DF.
Understanding Sensitivity And Resistance To Trastuzumab And Lapatinib In HER2 Overexpressing Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$414,056.00
Summary
Previously, women diagnosed with a breast cancer that overexpressed the HER2 protein had a very high risk of dying. Trastuzumab, a treatment targeted at this protein, has been an extremely effective treatment. Currently there are new anti-HER2 drugs available, which will likely to be used in combination with trastuzumab. We will be investigating biological markers of resistance and sensitivity to these drugs and combinations in order to try and understand who needs which drug and/ or combination ....Previously, women diagnosed with a breast cancer that overexpressed the HER2 protein had a very high risk of dying. Trastuzumab, a treatment targeted at this protein, has been an extremely effective treatment. Currently there are new anti-HER2 drugs available, which will likely to be used in combination with trastuzumab. We will be investigating biological markers of resistance and sensitivity to these drugs and combinations in order to try and understand who needs which drug and/ or combinations.Read moreRead less
Development And Valuation Of Cancer-specific Multi-attribute Health States For Use In Economic Evaluation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,671.00
Summary
Economic evaluation is used by the Australian government in deciding which medical services and pharmaceuticals should be funded. This study will develop quality of life utility measures for use in economic evaluation of cancer interventions in Australia and internationally. This represents a significant methodological contribution to the assessment of quality of life, effectiveness and efficiency in cancer, in one of Australia's national health priority areas.
Defining Epigenetic Predictors Of Long-term Outcomes Of Preterm Birth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,408.00
Summary
On average, those born premature do worse health-wise than those born at term. However, some do worse than others. Our aim is to identify these people at birth to better help doctors and parents to closely monitor their health. For this, we will be “reading the diary of pregnancy” in the molecules added to chromosomes in blood during pregnancy in young adults with will characterised states of health. We will analyse DNA from blood that we will extract from stored heel prick spots.
Investigating Causes Of Stillbirths: A Prospective Cohort Study Examining Use And Effectiveness Of A Comprehensive Investigation Protocol
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,508.00
Summary
The effects of stillbirth on women and their families are often devastating and long term. Many stillbirths are not appropriately investigated, resulting in lack of accurate data on causes with one-third classified as unexplained. A major driver for suboptimal investigation is the lack of research to guide which tests should be done. This study aims to accurately identify causes of death in 984 comprehensively investigated stillbirths and determine which tests are needed, with consideration of c ....The effects of stillbirth on women and their families are often devastating and long term. Many stillbirths are not appropriately investigated, resulting in lack of accurate data on causes with one-third classified as unexplained. A major driver for suboptimal investigation is the lack of research to guide which tests should be done. This study aims to accurately identify causes of death in 984 comprehensively investigated stillbirths and determine which tests are needed, with consideration of costs and value.Read moreRead less
A Phase II Trial Of Follow-up Of Men With Prostate Cancer In Primary Care.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$584,465.00
Summary
This study aims to develop and test a novel model of shared care for the follow-up of men with prostate cancer. Men treated for prostate cancer experience distressing and ongoing side-effects of treatment and significant psychological issues. Current models of care fail to address adequately these issues. The new model is designed to improve the care received and therefore the quality of life of men after treatment for prostate cancer.
Psychosocial Predictors Of Developing Breast Cancer In Women From High Risk Breast Cancer Families
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,109,214.00
Summary
Over the past 20 years, studies have highlighted the possible roles of stressful life events and distress, possibly mediated by social support and personality, in causing or speeding up the development of breast cancer. This possibility is of strong concern to consumers. To date, there have been few well designed, prospective studies of this issue. Furthermore, no previous studies have specifically targeted women at increased risk because of their family history. In recent years, it has become p ....Over the past 20 years, studies have highlighted the possible roles of stressful life events and distress, possibly mediated by social support and personality, in causing or speeding up the development of breast cancer. This possibility is of strong concern to consumers. To date, there have been few well designed, prospective studies of this issue. Furthermore, no previous studies have specifically targeted women at increased risk because of their family history. In recent years, it has become possible to identify 2 breast cancer genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2). Female carriers of mutations in these genes with a strong family history have an estimated lifetime risk of between 35% and 85%. The Kathleen Cuningham Consortium for Research into Familial Breast Cancer (kConFab) was established 11 years ago to coordinate the collection of genetic, epidemiological and clinical data in Australian and New Zealand families with a dominantly inherited predisposition to breast cancer. Due to the high rate of breast cancer diagnoses in this group, and the systematic recruitment of large numbers of high risk women by kConFab, there is a unique and temporary opportunity to conduct a rigorous study to resolve this question, with sufficient numbers involved. The study is a world first, and will provide the best data to date in this area. If the study demonstrates a relationship between psychosocial factors and the development of breast cancer in women from high risk breast cancer families, subsequent identification of vulnerable individuals and the implementation of appropriate interventions may have a real impact on reducing morbidity and mortality in this population. Furthermore, the results may have implications for all women in reducing breast cancer incidence.Read moreRead less
A Phase III Trial Comparing Adjuvant Versus Salvage Radiotherapy For High Risk Patients Post Radical Prostatectomy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$819,138.00
Summary
About half of all patients Treated with an operation to remove their prostate cancer have a high chance of the cancer coming back. Giving immediate radiotherapy to all patients will improve cure rates but does not benefit all men and can cause significant side effects. This study explores whether it is safe to wait and only give radiotherapy when there is a rising PSA after surgery indicating active cancer. A total of 470 men from Australasia will enter this study comparing the two approaches.