The Role Of The Intrauterine (pro) Renin-(pro)renin Receptor System In Prostaglandin Synthesis In Pregnancy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$488,478.00
Summary
Preterm birth is associated with a very high incidence of infant disability and mortality. This has long term economic and social costs to the Australian people. We will demonstrate that in late gestation, the intrauterine (pro)renin renin receptor system controls prostaglandin synthesis by the fetal membranes and the placenta. Prostaglandins can cause premature labour.
Centre Of Research Excellence In Medicines And Ageing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,601,415.00
Summary
Medicines have an important place in health and are commonly used for long periods, sometimes life-long. Using medicines wisely requires a careful balance between benefits and harmful effects. Currently, there is limited information to guide medicines use over a lifetime. Using large linked datasets, the CRE in Medicines and Ageing will generate much needed evidence about real world medicines use to support clinical and pharmaceutical policy decisions.
Value Of Androgen Deprivation And Bisphosphonate In Patients Treated By Radiotherapy For Localised Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,533,827.00
Summary
Following on from significant findings in the TROG 96.01 trial, the 03.04 trial, known as the RADAR trial was developed. This is a large-scale randomised controlled clinical trial currently conducted at 23 cancer treatment centres throughout Australia and New Zealand. The RADAR trial aims to recruit 1000 men with localised but inoperable prostate cancer. It was anticipated that the length of time required to enrol 1000 participants to the trial would be 5 years. However, because enrolment has ex ....Following on from significant findings in the TROG 96.01 trial, the 03.04 trial, known as the RADAR trial was developed. This is a large-scale randomised controlled clinical trial currently conducted at 23 cancer treatment centres throughout Australia and New Zealand. The RADAR trial aims to recruit 1000 men with localised but inoperable prostate cancer. It was anticipated that the length of time required to enrol 1000 participants to the trial would be 5 years. However, because enrolment has exceeded expectations and 728 patients have already been recruited, it is anticipated that the recruitment target will be reached in mid 2007. Patients are randomly assigned to receive one of four treatment options in the RADAR trial. The first option: Option A: Radiation Therapy and 6 months of Hormone Therapy (Leuprorelin acetate), is currently the standard of care. Option C is a further 12 months of hormone therapy after the current standard of care. Two of the options (B and D) are identical to options A and C except that subjects also receive 18 months of zoledronate (a 'bone' drug) in addition to hormone therapy and radiotherapy. The main goal of the RADAR trial is to determine whether 12 months of hormone therapy using Leuprorelin acetate starting immediately after standard therapy (ie 6 months of Leuprorelin acetate before and during radiotherapy) will reduce risk of return of the cancer, either within the prostate region or at remote sites in the body, and prolong life. An additional goal is to see whether 18 months of bisphosphonate therapy (bone density therapy) using zoledronate will reduce the risk of cancer returning in the bones as well as stopping dangerous bone thinning which can sometimes be caused by hormone therapy. The trial also seeks to determine whether the additional therapy given in this trial alters quality of life.Read moreRead less
Optimal Duration Of Neoadjuvant Androgen Deprivation Therapy In Localised Prostate Cancer Treated By Radiotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$422,335.00
Summary
The 96.01 trial aims to find out whether androgen deprivation (AD) administered prior to and during radiotherapy (i.e., neo-adjuvant AD) will improve outcomes in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer that is considered inoperable and is treated for cure by radiotherapy. The trial also aims to find out whether six months AD produces outcomes superior to those achieved by three months AD. The trial has been running since 1996 and involves 802 men who attend 19 cancer treatment centres acr ....The 96.01 trial aims to find out whether androgen deprivation (AD) administered prior to and during radiotherapy (i.e., neo-adjuvant AD) will improve outcomes in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer that is considered inoperable and is treated for cure by radiotherapy. The trial also aims to find out whether six months AD produces outcomes superior to those achieved by three months AD. The trial has been running since 1996 and involves 802 men who attend 19 cancer treatment centres across Australia and New Zealand. It would not have been possible without the continuous funding support of the NHMRC. So far this trial has shown that AD does prevent prostate cancer from returning after radiotherapy. This is very important because the need for treatment of recurrent cancer (usually AD for the rest of the patient's life) is halved by 6 months AD compared to standard treatment (radiotherapy alone). However, it is now necessary to observe the patients in this trial for another 5 years to find out whether AD also prolongs life, and whether 6 months AD is more effective than 3 months. Further patient follow up is also necessary to identify whether some men respond better to treatment than others. This is very important because it will enable treatment to be tailored to individual patients, in particular those who require more treatment than is given in this trial. This funding application is therefore to enable patient follow up on this large scale trial for another 5 years.Read moreRead less
Tracking The Impact Of Drug Regulatory Actions: Consumer Health Outcomes, Risk-benefit Issues And Policy Framework.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,324.00
Summary
This study will explore what happens in the community when a medicine is withdrawn from the market or discredited due to safety concerns. It will examine the impacts of two recent cases of medicine withdrawal or serious long-term safety concern, on a large cohort of women with high utilisation rates who were monitored during the time the medicines were discredited. The study will be an important guide to future regulatory, media and provider responses when medicines are discredited.
Snake envenoming is a neglected tropical disease and results in numerous deaths, psychological problems and economic burden. Antivenoms aren't readily available in resource poor countries. The CRE will investigate the effects of venom and antivenom to improve understanding of human envenoming. It will also develop tests for early diagnosis of envenoming and undertake clinical trials of antivenom. These studies will be translated back into clinical practice to improve treatment of snake bites.
Fracture Associated Premature Mortality; An International Consortium
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$579,807.00
Summary
Following an osteoporotic fracture there is an increased premature mortality compared with someone who has not fractured. There is also evidence that anti-osteoporosis medication reduces this premature mortality. This study will determine the size of the fracture-mortality relationship and the effect of treatment on this mortality for different fracture types and in different populations by integrating data from multiple international epidemiology studies of osteoporosis.
A Cluster RCT Of A Novel Psychological Intervention To Reduce Depression Among At-risk Older Adults Transitioning To Residential Aged Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$893,152.00
Summary
Depression is common in aged care facilities, with many older adults finding the transition extremely difficult. We have developed a simple intervention to help new residents, including those with dementia, to adjust to life in aged care. This program focuses on key aspects of psychological wellbeing, and is designed for widespread use in aged care. We will evaluate the intervention to determine if it is superior to current care approaches in reducing depression and improving quality of life.
Improving Treatment Strategies For Chronic Alphaviral Arthritic Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,624.00
Summary
Chikungunya virus and Ross River virus cause epidemics of acute and chronic arthritic disease in humans, which is often poorly managed with current treatments. This grant seeks to understand the mechanisms that give rise to disease in order to identify improved treatment strategies. Both the persistence of viral replication in joint tissues and unnecessary inflammatory responses appear to be important factors driving chronic disease.
Probiotic Prawn Oral Immunotherapy (ProPIT) For Treatment Of Prawn Allergy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,865,369.00
Summary
A ‘curative’ food allergy treatment is needed to prevent deaths and improve care. We recently showed that probiotic peanut oral immunotherapy (PPOIT) was highly effective for treating peanut allergy. 82% of PPOIT treated children gained tolerance compared to 4% of the placebo group. We will now test the combined probiotic-food OIT approach for treating prawn allergy. If successful, we will have identified the first treatment for prawn allergy and a platform treatment for other food allergies.