Assessment Of Alpha-galactosylceramide As A Novel Adjuvant For Pandemic Influenza: A Virua Vaccine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$220,042.00
Summary
The occurrence of human infections with pathogenic avian H5N1 Influenza A viruses was the first documentation of these viruses demonstrating an ability to directly transmit from birds to humans. The virulent nature of these infections, and the fact that there is no pre-existing immunity to these viruses in the human population has raised the concern that these viruses may emerge to cause the next influenza pandemic. Vaccination is our most effective way of protecting against influenza infection, ....The occurrence of human infections with pathogenic avian H5N1 Influenza A viruses was the first documentation of these viruses demonstrating an ability to directly transmit from birds to humans. The virulent nature of these infections, and the fact that there is no pre-existing immunity to these viruses in the human population has raised the concern that these viruses may emerge to cause the next influenza pandemic. Vaccination is our most effective way of protecting against influenza infection, however there are no commercially available avian influenza vaccines available. Moreover, recent evidence suggests current vaccines strategies may be less than effective. This proposal aims to evaluate the efficacy of a novel vaccine strategy that promotes immune protection against a potential pandemic influenza strain.Read moreRead less
Role Of FLT PET In Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma - Prediction Of Response To Chemotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$93,639.00
Summary
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung. Chemotherapy is often used to treat patients in order to reduce their symptoms and to improve quality and length of life. Not all patients however benefit from chemotherapy, and most patients will experience some side-effects. Currently CT scans are used to assess response to chemotherapy, however the way that mesothelioma grows makes measuring response difficult. CT scans also are not very sensitive in detecting response early - often 3 or 4 c ....Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung. Chemotherapy is often used to treat patients in order to reduce their symptoms and to improve quality and length of life. Not all patients however benefit from chemotherapy, and most patients will experience some side-effects. Currently CT scans are used to assess response to chemotherapy, however the way that mesothelioma grows makes measuring response difficult. CT scans also are not very sensitive in detecting response early - often 3 or 4 cycles of treatment (3-4 months) are required before benefit is seen. A test that could predict which patients were benefiting after only 1 cycle (3-4 weeks) of chemotherapy would be a great advantage, and may spare some patients unnecessary and potentially toxic treatment. Fluorothymidine (FLT) is a radioactive tracer that, after injection into a vein, is taken up by dividing cells. Tumour cells usually divide more actively than surrounding normal cells, and therefore when a positron emission tomography (PET) scan is performed it will demonstrate the tumour as a 'hot spot'. The amount of FLT uptake into the tumour depends on how much DNA synthesis (active cell division) is occurring. After chemotherapy, if the tumour responds it would be expected that the amount of FLT in the tumour will reduce. This can be assessed by repeating the FLT PET scan after the first cycle of chemotherapy. This study aims to assess the ability of the change in FLT uptake in mesothelioma after 1 cycle of chemotherapy to predict response, as measured on CT scans, and patient outcomes such as quality of life and survival. It is hoped that if successful this type of scan may improve patient care by selecting those who are likely to benefit from chemotherapy early and avoid unnecessary toxicity to patients who will not benefit from the treatment.Read moreRead less
Roles Of Enzymes Of The Dipeptidyl Peptidase Gene Family In Human Liver
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$79,750.00
Summary
Chronic liver diseases, particularly those caused by autoimmune disease, alcohol and Hepatitis B and C virus infection, are major causes of morbidity and mortality in our community. They are characterised by progressive scarring of the liver which finally leads to liver failure and the need in many cases for organ transplantation. Each year 15,000 Australians become infected, probably for life, with hepatitis C virus. Unless more effective treatments are developed approximately 20% of these infe ....Chronic liver diseases, particularly those caused by autoimmune disease, alcohol and Hepatitis B and C virus infection, are major causes of morbidity and mortality in our community. They are characterised by progressive scarring of the liver which finally leads to liver failure and the need in many cases for organ transplantation. Each year 15,000 Australians become infected, probably for life, with hepatitis C virus. Unless more effective treatments are developed approximately 20% of these infections will progress to liver failure or liver cancer within 30 years. Diabetes afflicts 150 million people, and 90% have Type 2 diabetes. We request funding of our research on a family of enzymes highly prospective as targets for novel therapies for these diseases. We are internationally recognised experts on this enzyme family and on liver disease. The prototype member of this enzyme family, dipeptidyl peptidase (DP) IV, is being targeted by novel drugs that are in phase III clinical trials for Type 2 diabetes. Family member fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is targeted by novel anti-cancer drugs We were first to clone and lodge patent applications for two new enzymes of this family, DP8 and DP9. Our research proposal would lead to determination of whether FAP, DP8 and-or DP9 are valuable targets for novel liver disease therapeutics and facilitate generating the development of such therapeutics by a more thorough understanding of the activities and roles of these enzymes Completion of this project will greatly increase our understanding of these enzymes and their roles in chronic liver injury. This work can potentially lead to the development of specific inhibitors of enzyme function designed to relieve liver damage.Read moreRead less