Measuring Patient Preferences For Treatment Of Colorectal Cancer Using Discrete Choice Modelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$188,912.00
Summary
Around the world, governments, medical professional bodies, individual clinicians and patients are trying to make decisions in health care more rationally. More of these decisions are 'informed' by evidence-based medicine, which depends on a systematic review of all relevant evidence of acceptable scientific rigour. This kind of systematic review has been conducted for the management of colorectal cancer. Patients making choices about possible treatment for colorectal cancer will then have the b ....Around the world, governments, medical professional bodies, individual clinicians and patients are trying to make decisions in health care more rationally. More of these decisions are 'informed' by evidence-based medicine, which depends on a systematic review of all relevant evidence of acceptable scientific rigour. This kind of systematic review has been conducted for the management of colorectal cancer. Patients making choices about possible treatment for colorectal cancer will then have the best 'evidence-based' information to hand. But not enough is known about what aspects of the treatment options matter most to patients. Choosing between different treatment options involves weighing up or trading-off different factors associated with each therapy. Depending on the clinical stage of their cancer, patients may have to choose between the type and size of surgical operation, whether or not to have chemotherapy and-or radiotherapy, the side effects of treatment, the chance of a recurrence of the disease and an early death as well as their quality of life. This research project will ask patients who have already been treated for their colorectal cancer what kind of tradeoffs they make between factors such as disease-free survival, toxicity of treatment and longer term quality of life. This will be done using hypothetical clinical scenarios comparing one type of treatment to another. In this way, the hypothetical choices will be informed by the patient's experience with treatment without asking them to reflect or dwell directly on their own treatment choices. The answers to the hypothetical choice questions can be used to assess what factors in treatment are most important to patients and by how much. This information can then be used by clinicians when presenting evidence-based information on treatment for patients newly diagnosed colorectal cancer.Read moreRead less
Robert McLachlan is an internationally recognised clinician-scientist in male reproductive health. His basic research examines the genetic & endocrine regulation of sperm production. His clinical studies span male fertility regulation, the use of assisted reproductive treatments, and the evidence-based use of androgen replacement. As Director of Andrology Australia, he has a leading national role in professional and community education, developing research capacity and male health advocacy.
Role Of Stem-progenitor Cells In Endometrial Regeneration And Endometriosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,720.00
Summary
We have discovered 2 types of adult stem cells in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) that are likely responsible for its ability to grow a new lining each month. This project aims to determine if endometrial stem cells are shed into the pelvic cavity during menstruation to cause endometriosis, a common, chronic disorder affecting 6-15% of women during their reproductive years and for which treatments are suboptimal. This knowledge may change how endometriosis will be treated in the future.
Facilitating Endometrial Receptivity To Improve Pregnancy Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$734,252.00
Summary
The womb prepares itself in each menstrual cycle for pregnancy and the implantation of an embryo. In some women, the endometrium may not prepare itself adequately and this can lead to infertility. We have identified small RNA that may be useful in predicting which women are not adequately prepared for implantation and may be used to develop treatments for infertile women, for which there are currently no treatments.
Mechanisms And Utilisation Of IFN-epsilon-mediated Protection Against Chlamydia Reproductive Tract Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$750,486.00
Summary
Chlamydia is a common cause of sexually transmitted diseases resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. There are no vaccines that prevent infection or disease. We have discovered a new factor in the immune system (interferon-epsilon) that only occurs in the reproductive tract. If this factor is absent then Chlamydia infections are more severe. We will investigate how this factor protects against infection and if we can use it as a new agent against Chlamydia ST ....Chlamydia is a common cause of sexually transmitted diseases resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. There are no vaccines that prevent infection or disease. We have discovered a new factor in the immune system (interferon-epsilon) that only occurs in the reproductive tract. If this factor is absent then Chlamydia infections are more severe. We will investigate how this factor protects against infection and if we can use it as a new agent against Chlamydia STDs.Read moreRead less
A Novel Reproductive Tract Factor That Protects Against Chlamydia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$541,133.00
Summary
Chlamydia is a common cause of sexually transmitted diseases resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. There are no vaccines that prevent infection or disease. We have discovered a new factor in the immune system (interferon-epsilon) that only occurs in the reproductive tract. If this factor is absent then Chlamydia infections are more severe. We will investigate how this factor protects against infection and if we can use it as a new agent against Chlamydia ST ....Chlamydia is a common cause of sexually transmitted diseases resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. There are no vaccines that prevent infection or disease. We have discovered a new factor in the immune system (interferon-epsilon) that only occurs in the reproductive tract. If this factor is absent then Chlamydia infections are more severe. We will investigate how this factor protects against infection and if we can use it as a new agent against Chlamydia STDs.Read moreRead less
Endogenous Oestrogen Is A Key Missing Link In Urethral Hypospadias
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$456,467.00
Summary
Defects in penis development are among the most common birth abnormalities, and affect around 1 in every 150 live male births in Australia. Development of the penis is known to be driven by male hormones (androgens), but we have recently shown that oestrogen also plays a role in this process. This project will define the role of estrogen in penis development and how a loss or gain of estrogens can cause developmental defects.
Role Of The Histone Variant H3.3 In Germ Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,223.00
Summary
Over their life cycle, germ cells are unique in undergoing a large scale reformatting of their gene or DNA control systems, required for their own development, and for the development of the fertilized egg. We think that the protein ïhistone H3.3Í is crucial to this reformatting process. We will test this possibility by determining how much H3.3 is present in germ cells. Also, we will make mice which lack this protein in germ cells to see if this affects the reformatting process.
I am a reproductive physiologist who collaborates with a number of leading Hospital, University and Institute Research Groups nationally and internationally examining the potential of genetically modified pigs as organ, tissue and cell donors for humans.