Centre Of Research Excellence In Pulmonary And Environmental Medicine.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,007,200.00
Summary
This Centre will study inhalational lung diseases, ie diseases caused by substances such as asbestos, cigarette smoke, air pollutants and allergens. Australia has of the highest incidences in the world of at least 2 of the diseases to be studied, asbestos- and allergen-induced lung diseases. These two alone are estimated to cost the Australian economy over $100 million -yr and $1 billion respectively in direct health costs plus loss of productivity and compensation. Furthermore COPD on of our ot ....This Centre will study inhalational lung diseases, ie diseases caused by substances such as asbestos, cigarette smoke, air pollutants and allergens. Australia has of the highest incidences in the world of at least 2 of the diseases to be studied, asbestos- and allergen-induced lung diseases. These two alone are estimated to cost the Australian economy over $100 million -yr and $1 billion respectively in direct health costs plus loss of productivity and compensation. Furthermore COPD on of our other major areas of interest is the 4th leading cause of death in males and conservatively costs the economy over one billion dollars per year as well as being the leading cause of disability in the elderly. It is predicted that COPD will be the 4th most common disease worldwide by 2020. As such this area of study is important for Australia and internationally and any advances will deliver major economic and health benefits. We will study the role of blood and sputum tests in the diagnosis, monitoring, screening and management of lung diseases caused by asbestos, cigarette smoke, air pollutants and allergens ie. mesothelioma, asthma, COPD and lung cancer. We will apply modern DNA 'gene chip' methods to study the pathogenesis of these diseases and help us to identify new treatment targets. This will also be used to guide genetic searches for polymorphism's, spliced variants and DNA modification(epigentics) in COPD and lung cancer. Genetic studies of sensitivity to air pollution will be used to define at risk patients We will also evaluate how the method of cell death that occurs during some therapies eg. in cancer and allergy-asthma, might alter how the body responds and thus help us develop novel therapeutic strategies for these diseases. This research program should lead to new tests and treatments and at the same time promote the training of a new generation of young researchers in this field and so ensure that the work continues long termRead moreRead less
Serum Mesothelin-related Protein As An Early Marker Of Mesothelioma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,750.00
Summary
The deadly asbestos-induced cancer mesothelioma is continuing to kill tens of thousands of individuals per year and its incidence is increasing. It is expected to cost communities hundreds of billions of dollars in compensation. This disease is usually already quite advanced by the time a patients presents to a doctor with symptoms so we have been working on methods of early detection. This project studies a new, exciting method of diagnosis using blood levels of a molecule called 'SMRP'. Late l ....The deadly asbestos-induced cancer mesothelioma is continuing to kill tens of thousands of individuals per year and its incidence is increasing. It is expected to cost communities hundreds of billions of dollars in compensation. This disease is usually already quite advanced by the time a patients presents to a doctor with symptoms so we have been working on methods of early detection. This project studies a new, exciting method of diagnosis using blood levels of a molecule called 'SMRP'. Late last year we published a paper in the prestigious journal Lancet showing that SMRP was a good test to help diagnose mesothelioma and this became a lead news item around the world because of widespread concern about this disease. In those studies we found strong clues that this test was very sensitive and could detect mesothelioma a year or so before a patient develops symptoms. In this grant we will evaluate whether this test could be useful for screening asbestos-exposed individuals for early detection of this cancer. We will also study ways of improving the test using laboratory methods. This would provide a foundation for studies aimed at determining if early treatment could improve patient survival.Read moreRead less
Integrating Conventional Mesothelioma Therapies With Immuno- And Gene-therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$804,916.00
Summary
Asbestos-induces cancers are some of the most aggressive cancers know to medicine. Unfortunately, treatments are not very effective and it is unusual for these cancers to be cured, particularly mesothelioma. Because recent scientific studies have suggested that combinations of therapy which include immunotherapy, ie treatments aimed at stimulating the bodies anti-cancer immune responses to attack the cancer, can be effective, we plan to develop this work in order to determine exactly which combi ....Asbestos-induces cancers are some of the most aggressive cancers know to medicine. Unfortunately, treatments are not very effective and it is unusual for these cancers to be cured, particularly mesothelioma. Because recent scientific studies have suggested that combinations of therapy which include immunotherapy, ie treatments aimed at stimulating the bodies anti-cancer immune responses to attack the cancer, can be effective, we plan to develop this work in order to determine exactly which combinations are likely to be the most effective and therefore the most suitable for clinical trial in patients.Read moreRead less
Diagnostic Markers For Malignant Mesothelioma And Other Respiratory Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,315.00
Summary
The deadly asbestos-induced cancer mesothelioma is continuing to kill tens of thousands of individuals per year. We have been working on improving the tests available to detect this cancer and to follow the course of the disease with the aim of reducing patients' anxiety and health-care costs.
The Scientific Basis For The Integration Of Surgery And Immunotherapy For Lung Malignancies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$516,394.00
Summary
The work in this grant focuses on the effects of cancer surgery (tumor resection and removal of lymph nodes) on the anti-cancer immune response. It also examines whether delivery of agents into the residual tumour bed following surgery can effectively boost the effects of surgery on the immune system. The results obtained will help guide the rational design of future combination surgery-immunotherapy treatment regimens.
Clinical Utility Of A Novel Serum Marker, Serum Mesothelin Family Protein (SMF) In Mesothelioma Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$323,250.00
Summary
Asbestos fibres can cause a number of cancers, one of the most aggressive and untreatable being mesothelioma. Unfortunately mesothelioma is largely resistant to the main forms of therapy: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. The average survival from diagnosis is only 8.5 months. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose mesothelioma and additional tests would be useful. Also, a simple screening test may be able to detect the earlier stages of this disease, and allow for early treatment, w ....Asbestos fibres can cause a number of cancers, one of the most aggressive and untreatable being mesothelioma. Unfortunately mesothelioma is largely resistant to the main forms of therapy: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. The average survival from diagnosis is only 8.5 months. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose mesothelioma and additional tests would be useful. Also, a simple screening test may be able to detect the earlier stages of this disease, and allow for early treatment, would be of widespread value to the community. Markers of cancer can be detected in the blood for a number of cancers e.g. prostate, colon, liver and ovary. No reliable serum marker for the presence of mesothelioma has been described and this study describes work aimed at further evaluating a novel marker that we have been researching in collaboration with a group from Seattle, USA. Mesothelin is a protein made in mesothelial tissue such as mesothelioma. When an individual develops mesothelioma the levels increase in the blood. Also, a proportion of individuals increased levels of this molecule can be detected prior to presentation. This means that it may become a useful screening tool in asbestos-exposed individuals and might be a clinical indicator of the need for further testing and, if early disease is found, early treatments. Given that early treatment of cancer is more effective than late treatment in most clinical situations, this is likely to improve the prognosis for this disease. For this marker to be clinically useful, a careful correlation between its level in the blood and the exact amount of tumour that is present (based on precised computerised tomography x-ray measurements of the tumour) are important. The findings of this study may have widespread implications for patients with mesothelioma and individuals at risk of developing mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos.Read moreRead less
Is MUC1 A Viable Therapeutic Target For Patients With The Asbestos-induced Tumour Malignant Mesothelioma?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,068.00
Summary
The deadly asbestos-induced cancer mesothelioma is continuing to kill tens of thousands of people each year. Most patients are diagnosed with advanced disease. We are investigating the use of a specific marker, called MUC1, to improve mesothelioma diagnosis. Improved diagnosis will reduce the time taken to commence treatment. It will also reduce hospital costs and the number of surgical procedures a patients must undergo.
The Role Of The Hedgehog Signaling Pathway In Asbestos Associated Malignant Mesothelioma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$563,554.00
Summary
Mesothelioma is a aggressive asbestos related cancer mainly of the lung with no effective treatment. Evidence is pointing to the reactivation and aberrant expression of developmental signalling pathways such as the hedgehog signalling pathway as critical to the pathogenesis of certain types of cancer. This study will determine if mesothelioma is regulated by signalling through the hedgehog pathway and by blocking this pathway we will attempt to inhibit tumour growth.