Use Of Molecular Tumour Markers To Improve Diagnostic Performance Of Bronchoscopy In Assessment Of Pulmonary Nodules And Early Diagnosis Of Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$303,014.00
Summary
Pulmonary nodules may represent early lung cancer though difficulty in accurate diagnosis means many patients experience delayed diagnosis, or unnecessary surgical biopsy or repeat CT imaging (& consequent radiation exposure). I will identify molecular (DNA, protein) markers in bronchoscopic & blood specimens to accurately characterize malignant & benign nodules. These biomarkers will also be investigated for their value as a non-invasive screening test for lung cancer
Prevention Of Asthma In Young Children Via Immunostimulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$679,683.00
Summary
Persistent asthma is a major problem for Australia yet none of the current therapies do more that control the condition. The long-term solution is to prevent asthma from progressing to the persistent form. The major risk factors are: family history, early allergy and recurrent severe lower respiratory infections (sLRI) in the early life. We will conduct a randomized clinical trial to prevent sLRI using a novel bacterial-derived immunostimulant in infants at high risk of developing asthma.
Functional Characterisation Of Novel Metabolites In Asthma And Identification Of New Biomarkers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$829,922.00
Summary
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that represents a major health burden. Severe asthma represents 10% of those suffering the disease and poses an urgent problem due to exacerbations and resistance to current therapies. We have conducted the first study of the metabolites that are altered in the airways of patients with severe asthma and identified functional metabolites and disease biomarkers. We now aim to assess the function of these molecules in asthma disease models.
Use Of Advanced Bronchoscopic Techniques In The Diagnosis And Staging Of Suspected Primary Lung Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$118,796.00
Summary
Lung cancer is common in Australia. Multiple diagnostic procedures may be used, thought they have never been directly compared. Our study will determine the optimal path of investigation of patients with suspected lung cancer, examining safety, diagnostic accuracy, cost, and the ability to provide essential information required in lung cancer care. Work will focus on use of CT-guided tests, or bronchoscopy (examination of the inside of the airways), the two most commonly used diagnostic methods.
We will conduct a survey of respiratory symptoms, lung function, smoking status, occupational exposures, and other risk factors among 3200 people aged 40 years and over living in five Australian communities: Melbourne, Sydney, Tasmania, Busselton (WA), and the Kimberley region (WA). In the Kimberley we will survey 400 Aboriginal people and 400 non-Aboriginal people. We will use a survey methodology that has been developed by an international expert panel and has been implemented in many other co ....We will conduct a survey of respiratory symptoms, lung function, smoking status, occupational exposures, and other risk factors among 3200 people aged 40 years and over living in five Australian communities: Melbourne, Sydney, Tasmania, Busselton (WA), and the Kimberley region (WA). In the Kimberley we will survey 400 Aboriginal people and 400 non-Aboriginal people. We will use a survey methodology that has been developed by an international expert panel and has been implemented in many other countries (in North and South America, Asia, and Europe). This study will provide the first nationally-representative information on the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the opportunities for health gain by improving the management of this illness. In Australia, COPD is a relatively silent and under-recognised disease but nevertheless is the third most important contributor to the burden of disease and the third leading cause of hospital admission as well as being the underlying cause of 4.2% of all deaths. The information we will collect is needed to form a basis for prevention and disease management interventions to reduce the burden of COPD, particularly among population sub-groups who are disproportionately affected, either due to greater exposure to risk factors (mainly tobacco smoking and occupation), greater susceptibility, under-recognition and under-diagnosis, or inadequate disease management. Importantly, the study will serve to raise awareness about the hazards of smoking for all Australians. By identifying target groups, prevalent exposures and management deficiencies, it will lead the way towards policy-relevant randomised controlled trials testing community-based interventions to prevent COPD and-or manage it more effectively. The information collected will help advance knowledge of the prevalence, burden and treatment of COPD that will be relevant to communities throughout the world.Read moreRead less
The Effect Of Heterogeneity And Airway Closure On Distensibility Measurements In Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$35,085.00
Summary
Long term asthma can result in stiffening of the airways, which cannot currently be measured with standard lung function tests. A new non-invasive technique, using sound, has been shown to measure airway stiffness, but this may be adversely influenced by other respiratory changes that occur with asthma (airway closure, heterogeneity). We are investigating the effects of these confounding factors to fully characterise this novel technique, so that it can be used in the clinical environment.
The Effect Of Asthma Control During Pregnancy On Markers Of Airways Inflammation And Lung Function In The Offspring
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,131,043.00
Summary
Asthma is the most common chronic disease complication during pregnancy. By improving asthma management we have reduced asthma exacerbations by 50% during pregnancy and their babies suffered less often from bronchiolitis in the first year of life, which can be a life threatening infection. As bronchiolitis also promotes the development of asthma we want to investigate whether better asthma management in pregnancy leads to less lung inflammation and better lung function in the children.