Does CD123 Provide A Biological Advantage To Leukaemia Stem Cells?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$647,637.00
Summary
Leukaemia is a devastating form of blood cancer affecting both young and old. We need to understand the diseased stem cell to eradicate this disease. Current therapy is poorly tolerated and the majority of patients ultimately die at relapse. We intend to investigate how we can make the cells more susceptible to therapy by understanding their biology.
Wnt-5a Signalling - A Novel Therapy For Triple Negative And Tamoxifen Resistant Breast Cancer Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,534.00
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Commonly used drugs target the estrogen receptor (ER). However, one third of breast cancer patients lack ER, and do not respond to treatment. Cancers that lack ER also lack a gene called Wnt5a, which is linked to better prognosis. We have shown that fixing Wnt5a can restore ER allowing cells to respond to Tamoxifen. We would now test this in animals, in the hope of developing a new drug for breast cancer patients currently with limited options.
I am a cancer biologist determining the mechanisms controlling growth and proliferation of cancer cells and use transgenic models of malignancy and genetic approaches to identify new therapies for targeting growth control in the treatment of cancer.
Interleukin-3 Receptor Signaling Is A Driver Of Myeloid Leukaemia And A Significant Therapeutic Target
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$601,966.00
Summary
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) is an aggressive blood cancer. There are many types of AML, but overall, less than half of those with AML are cured. This project evaluates how certain molecules on the surfaces of leukaemic cells keep those cells alive and growing. We are also testing new ways to block these molecules and so provide new therapies for this cancer.
This study focuses on key endocrine pathways involved in the remodelling of the breast stromal cells into a reactive stromal environment which is more permissive for tumour growth. We have identified key pathways involved in the regulation of estrogen biosynthesis and fibrosis in tumour associated stroma. These studies will lead to the development of novel breast cancer therapies.
Targeting FLT3 Kinase Activity To Treat Haematopoietic Neoplasms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$673,045.00
Summary
Most leukaemias are incurable so it is important to find new treatments. For this to occur it is essential that the mutated genes that cause leukaemia are identified. We have generated a mouse with a mutation in a gene called c-Cbl that promotes the activation a protein called FLT3 that is involved in the development of many types of leukaemias. By treating mutant mice a drug that specifically suppresses the function of FLT3 we intend to identify the most effective treatments for human leukaemia ....Most leukaemias are incurable so it is important to find new treatments. For this to occur it is essential that the mutated genes that cause leukaemia are identified. We have generated a mouse with a mutation in a gene called c-Cbl that promotes the activation a protein called FLT3 that is involved in the development of many types of leukaemias. By treating mutant mice a drug that specifically suppresses the function of FLT3 we intend to identify the most effective treatments for human leukaemias associated with activated forms of FLT3.Read moreRead less
Novel Targeting Of Therapy-resistant Prostate Cancer Cells.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$596,978.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is treated by removing male hormones (androgens). Although the bulk of the tumour regresses, some cells remain and the cancer often grows back in an aggressive form. We will study new ways to eliminate therapy resistant cancer cells and thereby provide more lasting treatments for prostate cancer. Ultimately, we hope to inform the design of ground-breaking clinical trials that could re-shape the treatment paradigm of advanced prostate cancer.
To Determine Whether Myc-driven Transformation In Haematopoietic Cell Lineages Is Dependent On High-levels Of Myc Protein Expression.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,896.00
Summary
Myc is an essential cellular protein but is also a common drive of cancer in multiple tissues. In blood cancers Myc is frequently overexpressed. In contrast, Myc is rarely overexpressed in early stage solid cancers, although often elevated levels at later stages. We will employ unique models of cancer in which Myc can be activated at different set levels at different times during blood cell development to address what the specific contributions of different levels of Myc are in the evolution of ....Myc is an essential cellular protein but is also a common drive of cancer in multiple tissues. In blood cancers Myc is frequently overexpressed. In contrast, Myc is rarely overexpressed in early stage solid cancers, although often elevated levels at later stages. We will employ unique models of cancer in which Myc can be activated at different set levels at different times during blood cell development to address what the specific contributions of different levels of Myc are in the evolution of blood cancers.Read moreRead less
Therapeutic Targeting Of Ribosome Biogenesis In Cancer And Ribosomopathies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
My fellowship application will build on my international leadership in understanding growth control in human disease. My vision is to uncover the molecular mechanisms governing the loss of normal control of the synthesis of the molecular machines, termed ribosomes, that are responsible for synthesising all cell proteins. I will translate these findings into new paradigms to treat patients suffering from diseases such as cancer and ribosomopathies, that are associated with ribosome dysfunction.