A number of previous studies have shown high levels of two proteins, STC1 and STC2, in a substantial subset of breast cancers. We are proposing to do the first definitive analyses of whether these hormone-like proteins contribute to breast cancer growth. If yes, they are suitable targets for development of new treatments.
The Transcriptional Profile Of A Metastatic Circulating Melanoma Cell
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$273,630.00
Summary
Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer, and the leading cause of skin cancer related deaths. Disease spread is difficult to detect and difficult to cure. We previously identified circulating melanoma cells in patient peripheral blood and showed that their presence is associated with disease stage and recurrence. We will now fully characterise the phenotype of actively metastatic circulating melanoma cells for better patient prognosis and routine monitoring.
Until recently, cancer of the oesophagus was a very uncommon tumour in Australia and other western populations. However during the past three decades, there have been very large increases in the incidence of this disease. Indeed, rates of oesophageal cancer have risen faster than any other cancer in the United Statesand similar dramatic increases in incidence have been observed in Europe and Australia. With increasing population prevalence of the causes of cancer of the oesophagus in western soc ....Until recently, cancer of the oesophagus was a very uncommon tumour in Australia and other western populations. However during the past three decades, there have been very large increases in the incidence of this disease. Indeed, rates of oesophageal cancer have risen faster than any other cancer in the United Statesand similar dramatic increases in incidence have been observed in Europe and Australia. With increasing population prevalence of the causes of cancer of the oesophagus in western societies (namely acid reflux, obesity and poor diet), there are strong grounds for predicting that incidence will continue to rise, and that oesophageal cancer will constitute an increasingly large burden on society. Unfortunately, treatment options are limited, survival is often short, and there is no way of identifying which tumours will respond to therapy. This proposal will collect treatment and health outcomes data for a population-based cohort of patients with oesophageal cancer. The goal is to identify prognostic and predictive markers to aid patients and clinicians when making treatment decisions, as now exist for breast cancer. Such markers may also serve as novel targets for therapy. The proposed study builds upon the platform of the Australian Cancer Study [ACS], one of the world's largest studies of oesophageal cancer. This represents a unique opportunity to investigate a pressing clinical problem by building upon a study of acknowledged international importance.Read moreRead less
Tubulovillous Adenomas In Colorectal Tumorigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$295,983.00
Summary
Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer affecting Australians today, and half of all patients will not survive their disease. Bowel cancer grows from small growths called polyps. In this project, we aim to investigate changes in genes found in a particularly aggressive type of bowel polyp called a tubulovillous adenoma. A better understanding of these gene changes will aid the future development of molecular tests for early detection and therapeutic options for the treatment of cancer.
The CpG Island Methylator Phenotype In Colorectal Cancer - Pathways And Precursors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$517,272.00
Summary
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting Australians. It will affect 1-23 Australians and is a leading cause of cancer-related death. If diagnosed early, bowel cancer is curable with surgery. Unfortunately, symptoms are often not present until the cancer is advanced, when the cure rate is only 55%. It has been recognised that there are different types of bowel cancer depending on different genes which can be inactivated abnormally. We propose that there are at least four differen ....Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting Australians. It will affect 1-23 Australians and is a leading cause of cancer-related death. If diagnosed early, bowel cancer is curable with surgery. Unfortunately, symptoms are often not present until the cancer is advanced, when the cure rate is only 55%. It has been recognised that there are different types of bowel cancer depending on different genes which can be inactivated abnormally. We propose that there are at least four different subgroups of bowel tumours, and that each of these may have different physical properties and responses to therapy. We aim to better characterise these subgroups to increase our understanding of how normal bowel can change into a small polyp, that may grow into a cancer. Understanding the gene changes leading to each subtype of bowel cancer will in the future allow the development gene markers for early detection as well as the possibility of individualised patient therapy. We are also studying tiny biopsies of normal bowel tissue from patients either with or without polyps, to try to understand the very earliest changes which may underly the development of a bowel polyp.Read moreRead less
Improving The Surgical Outcomes For Barretts-derived Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma Through Early Detection.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$796,144.00
Summary
Some people with severe reflux develop Barrett's oesophagus, which puts them at high risk of developing cancer. Patients with Barrett's can be monitored by regular endoscopy to detect cancer early enough so that they can be treated successfully with surgery. The aim of this work is to identify patients who are at highest risk of cancer using molecular biomarkers. We will then determine the cost effectiveness of using biomarkers for surveillance of patients with Barrett's oesophagus.
It has been proposed that inflammation plays a major role in prostate cancer risk. We are well placed to test this hypothesis following up evidence from our MCCS and RFPCS studies of associations between inflammatory markers and prostate cancer risk. This proposed project may open for the first time opportunities for the prevention of prostate cancer.