Anogenital Human Papillomavirus Infection And Its Outcomes In Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$333,433.00
Summary
Anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is common in homosexual men. Low risk types cause anal warts and high risk types of HPV cause anal cancer. This study will determine incidence and risk factors for HPV infection in a cohort of young homosexual men, the association of anal warts treatment with HIV risk, and the specific association of HPV subtypes with anal cancer. The findings of this research will help delineate the potential benefits of HPV vaccination in this population.
A Phase 1b Trial Of Specific Immunotherapy For Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$141,208.00
Summary
This project will determine whether immunisation can be used to effectively treat an existing infection. To date, immunisation has only been used to prevent infection, but there are many chronic infections where intervention might help the body's defences to to a better job and clear the chronic infection. In this study, we will work out whether this approach can be applied to a virus infection ( papillomavirus) which is associated with cancer. We will test immunisation against a chronic and lif ....This project will determine whether immunisation can be used to effectively treat an existing infection. To date, immunisation has only been used to prevent infection, but there are many chronic infections where intervention might help the body's defences to to a better job and clear the chronic infection. In this study, we will work out whether this approach can be applied to a virus infection ( papillomavirus) which is associated with cancer. We will test immunisation against a chronic and lifethreatening disorder in which warts grow in the respirarory tract, as there is currently no satisfactory treatment for this. If the project is successful we may also learn which blood tests are likely to predict the outcome of immunisation to treat infection.Read moreRead less
HPV And Cervical Carcinoma: Signaling And Clinical Responses To Interferons
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$534,480.00
Summary
Cervical carcinoma and its treatment continues to be an important health concern in Australia. The interferons comprise an elaborate system of natural substances produced in the body, one of whose functions is to prevent cancer cells from developing. The interferons have been widely used to treat human diseases including viral infections and cancers caused by the wart virus. However, results of recent work indicates that viruses like the wart virus, HPV, have developed ways of inhibiting its eff ....Cervical carcinoma and its treatment continues to be an important health concern in Australia. The interferons comprise an elaborate system of natural substances produced in the body, one of whose functions is to prevent cancer cells from developing. The interferons have been widely used to treat human diseases including viral infections and cancers caused by the wart virus. However, results of recent work indicates that viruses like the wart virus, HPV, have developed ways of inhibiting its effectiveness. We have found that cervical carcinoma cells and virally infected cells resist the direct anti-cancer and anti-viral effects of interferons because they have abnormalities in their ability to respond to interferon. We have made good progress in understanding why these cells do not respond to the interferons. In particular they show a deficiency in the activity of cell proteins required to transmit the interferon signal inside the cells. The current proposal will allow us to gain a greater understanding of the processes inside cells that are taken over by the wart viral proteins and the reasons for its abnormality in interferon resistant cancer cells. We will determine whether the levels of certain genes in clinical samples from patients relates to their response to interferon treatment. This may allow us to establish a test to predict which patients will respond to interferon therapy, saving patients from ineffective treatment, side effects and cost. This study will have a broad significance to many human diseases where abnormalities in interferon signaling occur and will help to bring about the necessary changes in cell properties to overcome the abnormalities, restore the responses and improve the application of interferons to treat infectious diseases and perhaps other cancers as well.Read moreRead less