Wnt And MAPK Signalling In The Determination Of Colorectal Neoplasia Pathway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$397,179.00
Summary
Polyps are growths in the bowel that may progress to become a bowel cancer. To prevent the development of cancer, these polyps must be removed by timely colonoscopy. There are many different types of bowel polyps, and these are associated with distinct genetic changes and likelihood of recurrence. This study aims to better understand the DNA changes that occur in bowel polyps and how these impact the clinical features of the polyps. In the future this will aid detection and surveillance strategi ....Polyps are growths in the bowel that may progress to become a bowel cancer. To prevent the development of cancer, these polyps must be removed by timely colonoscopy. There are many different types of bowel polyps, and these are associated with distinct genetic changes and likelihood of recurrence. This study aims to better understand the DNA changes that occur in bowel polyps and how these impact the clinical features of the polyps. In the future this will aid detection and surveillance strategies.Read moreRead less
Identification And Molecular Characterisation Of High-risk Premalignant Breast Lesions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,382.00
Summary
Understanding the full repertoire of genetic events that underlie the development of breast cancer may allow development of prevention strategies. This study will analyse genetic data of benign breast lesions that may be non-obligate precursors of breast cancer. Importantly, clinical management of these lesions is difficult. A reliable method of predicting the risk of progression to cancer would be a significant advance, with benefits to individual patients and also the health system.
Defining Iron And Haem-induced Pro-carcinogenic Pathways Of Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$566,277.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer is very common in Western society. Population studies have reported that high consumption iron-containing foods and red meat, the latter being a source of both haem and iron, are risk factors for colorectal cancer. This study will identify the levels of dietary haem and iron that promote colorectal cancer development. Also, it will determine the mechanisms and relative contribution of iron and haem to pro-carcinogenic pathways that result in colorectal cancer.
Overcoming Resistance To Anti-EGFR Antibody Therapy In Colorectal Cancer Using Novel Targeted PI3K And MEK Inhibitors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,586.00
Summary
Cetuximab treatment is a standard of care for metastatic colorectal cancer, but patients with KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA or PTEN gene mutated tumours show a lack of response. Newly developed targeted inhibitors against PI3K and MEK may overcome cetuximab resistance. We will perform preclinical studies in cell lines representing the range of mutated tumours found in patients to compare the efficacy of these novel treatments with cetuximab and to characterise the mechanisms underlying drug action.
Evaluation Of Blood-based Screening Tests For Colorectal Neoplasia; From Biomarker Candidates To Accurate And Acceptable Tests
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$767,382.00
Summary
Current bowel cancer screening tests require people to collect a stool sample. While able to be done at home, this creates certain inconveniences and has other barriers to its use including being distasteful to some. Also, even though stool tests are useful they are not as accurate as we would like. We have discovered a molecule in the blood of patients with bowel cancer that could, if configured as a screening test, serve to be of even greater accuracy and also be more acceptable to people.
A Randomised Phase III Study Of Radiation Doses And Fractionation Schedules For Non-low Risk Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Of The Breast
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$658,419.00
Summary
After surgery to remove ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a pre-invasive form of breast cancer, radiotherapy to the breast decreases the risk of recurrence. The study investigates if a higher radiation dose to the tumour bed improves tumour control, and if a shorter course of radiotherapy is as effective as the standard longer course. It also assesses quality of life consequences of treatment and tests biomarkers that may predict the risk of recurrence in individual patients.
PRECISION: Personalised Risk Evaluation In DCIS, International
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,392,930.00
Summary
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast is a common diagnosis with problematic clinical management. This study brings together an international consortium to identify and validate clinical biomarkers of recurrence.
Circulating Tumour DNA (ctDNA) As A Diagnostic Tool In Colorectal Cancer: Role In Screening And Early Detection Of Metastatic Or Recurrent Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,478.00
Summary
These studies will be exploring the value of using a blood test to detect cancer DNA as a screening test for colorectal cancer. This test promises to be superior to faecal blood testing, which is currently performed as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. It may also have advantages over colonoscopy as a screening tool. Given the likely acceptability of having a blood based screening test, it is expected that participation rates in bowel cancer screening, which has been shown to ....These studies will be exploring the value of using a blood test to detect cancer DNA as a screening test for colorectal cancer. This test promises to be superior to faecal blood testing, which is currently performed as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. It may also have advantages over colonoscopy as a screening tool. Given the likely acceptability of having a blood based screening test, it is expected that participation rates in bowel cancer screening, which has been shown to save lives, will be greatly increased.Read moreRead less
Utilising Circulating Tumour DNA (ctDNA) To Optimise The Adjuvant Therapy And Follow-up Of Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,316,682.00
Summary
The management of patients after surgery for rectal cancer presents multilpe dilemmas; what treatment should be given and to which patients? Our initial studies in colorectal cancer patients demonstrate that a novel blood biomarker (circulating tumour DNA) can accurately predict patient risk of recurrence and with serial samples, can indicate whether chemotherapy is being effective. During follow-up changes in this biomarker promise to be a specific and very early indicator of cancer recurrence.
KRAS- And BRAF-Mediated Methylation Signatures In Colorectal Cancers And Polyps
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,076.00
Summary
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting Australians. We hypothesise that there are different types of bowel cancer depending on different genes that can be inactivated abnormally, and these subgroups have different clinical features and responses to therapy. We aim to identify the major gene changes that characterise these subgroups, which will in the future allow the development of gene markers for early detection as well as the possibility of individualised patient therapy.