The proposed project is part of a research programme aimed at developing a new drug to reduce the side effects of cancer radiotherapy. These side effects result from the radiation damage to normal tissues close to the tumour. Since in many instances the normal tissues at risk are accessible to topical application (eg. skin in breast cancer patients, rectal mucosa in prostate cancer patients, oral mucosa in all patients being treated for tumours in the head and neck region) the concept is very si ....The proposed project is part of a research programme aimed at developing a new drug to reduce the side effects of cancer radiotherapy. These side effects result from the radiation damage to normal tissues close to the tumour. Since in many instances the normal tissues at risk are accessible to topical application (eg. skin in breast cancer patients, rectal mucosa in prostate cancer patients, oral mucosa in all patients being treated for tumours in the head and neck region) the concept is very simple. A drug which makes cells less sensitive to X-rays (these drugs are called radioprotectors) is simply applied topically to the normal tissues at risk. For this purpose, we have developed a new radioprotecting drug called methylproamine which is 100-fold more potent than previously-developed radioprotectors. Unfortunately, methylproamine is not suitable for our purpose because at higher concentrations it is toxic to some cells. This hurdle must be overcome in order to make the project attractive to potential commercial sponsors. Our aim is to modify methylproamine by removing the molecular features that cause the cytotoxicity. We have established that this is feasible, by synthesising and evaluating a small family of methylproamine analogues. Some less toxic family members have already been identified. With this knowledge, we now propose to use special computer programmes to design a much larger family of methylproamine analogues, and to synthesise and test each one in order to identify the most promising candidate for our purpose. Once the efficacy window hurdle is passed, the subsequent milestones to commercialisation and clinical implementation can be addressed, with appropriate sponsorship. An Australian company has already expressed strong interest and is evaluating the opportunity.Read moreRead less
Acoustic Blood Pressure Measurement On Implanted Biomedical Surfaces
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$184,687.00
Summary
Measurement of local blood pressure in is of great clinical importance. An application of particular interest is the pressure measurement in and around endoluminal stents grafts, which are used for the treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAAs). These grafts are implanted by keyhole surgery and are used to reduce the pressure on the aneurysm walls so that the artery can revert to its more anatomically correct shape on a timescale of one to two years. If the seal between the graft and the art ....Measurement of local blood pressure in is of great clinical importance. An application of particular interest is the pressure measurement in and around endoluminal stents grafts, which are used for the treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAAs). These grafts are implanted by keyhole surgery and are used to reduce the pressure on the aneurysm walls so that the artery can revert to its more anatomically correct shape on a timescale of one to two years. If the seal between the graft and the artery wall is not blood tight, then the aneurysm can become repressurised and may keep on expanding. Over time, an untreated, expanding AAA is likely to rupture with severe consequences for the patient. Thus a convenient, non-invasive means of measuring the pressure within the aneurysm and within the graft is highly desirable. In this proposal, we seek to produce a device that can be incorporated into the walls of the endoluminal graft, which can measure absolute pressure inside and outside the graft and where the pressure measurements can be obtained via standard acoustic or medical ultrasound equipment. To do this, we would use specially designed 'bubbles' which can be incorporated onto either side of the graft walls, where the resonant frequency of the bubbles provides a direct measurement of the pressure around the bubbles. Trials at the CSIRO have found that pressures can be measured to a resolution of better than 10 mmHg by using this technique on air bubbles in water. In this proposal, we wish to develop flexible, but semi-permanent bubbles that can be incorporated onto a biomedical implant surface. If such bubbles can be made, the researchers will use CSIRO-developed software and acoustic equipment such that local blood pressure can be measured in real time.Read moreRead less
Development Of A PET Detection System Prototype With Depth Of Interaction Capability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,906.00
Summary
This development project invovles the development of a slim-line Positron Emission Tomogrphy (PET) detection sub-module, the crucial component of PET scanners, that is small and extremely flexible. It is planned to utilize this module in the design of customized new commercial PET scanners ideal for diagnosing human brain and breast disorders. The development will proceed in collaboration with Insight Oceania-ADAC, Sydney. Insight Oceania-ADAC are very excited by the potential applications and f ....This development project invovles the development of a slim-line Positron Emission Tomogrphy (PET) detection sub-module, the crucial component of PET scanners, that is small and extremely flexible. It is planned to utilize this module in the design of customized new commercial PET scanners ideal for diagnosing human brain and breast disorders. The development will proceed in collaboration with Insight Oceania-ADAC, Sydney. Insight Oceania-ADAC are very excited by the potential applications and future markets (Australia and overseas) of the newly developing PET detection sub-modules for dedicated PET scanners. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a functional imaging tool, which is able to quantify physiological and biochemical processes in vivo, using short-lived cyclotron-produced radiotracers. PET is emerging as an extremely important diagnostic procedure used in the early detection of cancers, neurological diseases and as an aid in treatment monitoring and drug development. The unique advantage of PET over anatomical imaging techniques, such as X-ray CT and MRI, arises from its ability to measure changes in tumour biology, at the molecular level, prior to anatomical changes in involved tissues, using trace amounts of a radiolabelled compound (radiotracer). The full potential of PET however, is not being completely utilized due to constraints within the current designs of PET scanners. When used to its full potential PET, in principle, would be an excellent diagnostic and treatment monitoring tool for breast cancer, brain tumours and other neurological conditions such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, post stress disorder, dementia, and depression. Lack of flexibility in current PET scanner designs to date has meant that no commercial human brain or breast imaging scanners exist. Pilot project data proved the feasibility of our new flexible PET detection module design.Read moreRead less