Control Of Haematological Cancers By Natural Killer Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Haematological cancers affect the blood and lymphoid organs and are generally lethal. Therapies targeting the anti-tumour capacities of the immune system have shown promising results in cancer patients. Natural Killer (NK) cells are key players of anti-tumour immune responses. This project will provide a better understanding of NK cell-mediated control of haematological malignancies that will be directly applied to the design of new curative therapies for blood cancer patients.
The Role Of NK Cell Receptors In Tumor Immunity And Cancer Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$641,264.00
Summary
White blood cells lymphocytes have an important role to play in cancer immunity and the activity of some cancer therapies. Therapeutics that improve lymphocyte function in patient tumors are showing great promise. Yet, virtually nothing is known about one family of lymphocyte receptors that control function in cancer. Using relevant mouse models of cancer and patient tumors we now wish to assess the relative importance of this family of receptors in tumor immunity, therapy, and escape.
Understanding Immunosuppressive Pathways In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,178.00
Summary
Cancer-induced immune suppression is a major obstacle to the effective treatment of many cancers. Suppression can be mediated by cells of the immune system, or cancers themselves. My project aims to investigate 3 suppressive pathways and determine their hierarchy in different mouse models of cancer using mouse genetics and antibody-based treatment approaches. Understanding these processes ongoing in the cancer environment will allow the design of more effective cancer therapies.
This Program team will discover new things about immunity to cancer and virus infection and translate the information into novel therapies in patients with blood or solid cancers. The approaches will include new cellular or antibody therapies, alone or in combination. We will determine new predictive biomarkers to better select patients for therapy. We will overcome treatment resistance, improve the safety of combination therapies, and determine their best scheduling and dosing.
This application will increase the impact of cancer immunotherapy on disease prevention and treatment, by developing new targets and novel combination immunotherapies. Outcomes will include an improved understanding of the immune reaction with cancer and more effective strategies to prevent cancer spread and safely target and eradicate a larger proportion of established and advanced malignant disease.
Deciphering IFN Type III, TGF?, IL-10 And Adenosine Pathways In Natural Killer Cells: Enhancing The Innate Anti-metastatic Response Against Breast Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
This project will determine whether one or more factors produced in tumours (eg. cell hormones and metabolites) inhibits NK cells from controlling breast cancer spread using the best available mouse tumour models. We will use genetics to specifically delete response to these factors by NK cells. It is a completely novel approach and this information will allow for the more rational design of cancer treatments following surgery and local radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
The Role Of Cytokines In Tumor-induced Immunosuppression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$754,473.00
Summary
Cancer-induced immune suppression is a major obstacle to the effective treatment of many cancers. We have shown that the cytokine IL-23, plays an important role in cancer initiation, growth and development. My project aims to characterize the cells that produce IL-23 in the cancer microenvironment and define how it suppresses cells of the immune system. A greater understanding of this cytokine’s mechanism of action will enable the rational improvement of treatments for patients with cancer
Perforinopathy: Immune-disease Due To Defective Perforin Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$671,514.00
Summary
White blood cells called cytotoxic lymphocytes destroy cancerous cells using special toxic molecules. One of them, perforin, eliminates dangerous cells by punching holes in their membrane. Some individuals that lack perforin become seriously ill in their infancy. Others, that retain some perforin in their lymphocytes can live longer and are at higher risk of developing cancer. We will investigate the causes of partial loss of perforin function and explore novel drug therapies, which should addre ....White blood cells called cytotoxic lymphocytes destroy cancerous cells using special toxic molecules. One of them, perforin, eliminates dangerous cells by punching holes in their membrane. Some individuals that lack perforin become seriously ill in their infancy. Others, that retain some perforin in their lymphocytes can live longer and are at higher risk of developing cancer. We will investigate the causes of partial loss of perforin function and explore novel drug therapies, which should address the problem and restore immune function.Read moreRead less