Deciphering Tumour Heterogeneity Of Breast Cancer Metastases Using Barcoded Patient Derived Xenografts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,161.00
Summary
Breast cancer mortality is largely due to metastases that seed from the primary tumour. Breast tumours are known to contain a heterogeneous mix of cells, but the precise way that cells are selected for tumour growth and metastasis (as well as their response to systemic therapy) is not well understood. In this study we will use patient samples and cellular ‘barcoding’ to track the destiny of every single clone throughout disease progression and study the effect of various therapies on metastasis.
Identifying Castrate-resistant Tumour Cells In Localised Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$573,047.00
Summary
This proposal addresses one of the most important challenges in cancer: what cell population ‘drives’ tumour progression, and how can it be effectively targeted? We will define the prostate cancer cells that survive androgen withdrawal therapy and investigate new ways to target them. Eliminating these important cells earlier in disease progression will lead to increased survival for men with prostate cancer.
Epigenetic Changes In The Prostate Cancer Microenvironment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$848,954.00
Summary
Many men with prostate cancer have slow-growing tumours that are unlikely to spread outside the prostate. These men with low-risk cancer are often monitored to prevent unnecessary aggressive treatments. However, the current methods used to distinguish between slow-growing and aggressive tumours are imprecise and there is a risk of missing aggressive tumours. We aim to identify new biomarkers of prostate cancer by measuring modifications to the DNA in the tumour and surrounding cells
Genetic And Genomic Dissection Of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,598.00
Summary
The evolution of normal cells to cancer involves mutations that activate cancer-causing genes and/or prevent the actions of anti-cancer genes. It has become increasingly evident that cancer development also involves changes to epigenetic regulation, or control of gene activity by chemical modification of the gene or its environment rather that changes in DNA sequence. This project aims to explore the tumour suppressor activity of an important epigenetic regulatory complex in lymphoma.
Targeting A Master Regulator Of Tumour Cell Plasticity As A New Adjuvant Therapy For Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$780,338.00
Summary
Prostate cancer (PCa) claims the lives of over 3,000 Australian men each year. This highlights the urgent need to identify new molecular targets that can be developed as additional therapies for men with PCa. Our team has identified the protein, Zeb1, to be highly expressed in aggressive and treatment resistant forms of PCa. This study aims to characterise the role of Zeb1 in the lethal progression of PCa and to develop a new therapeutic agent to inhibit the production of ZEB1 by cancer cells.
Can Exercise Delay Transition To Active Therapy In Men With Low Grade Prostate Cancer? A Multi-Centre Randomized Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,429.00
Summary
Prostate cancer overdiagnosis is associated with increased rates of overtreatment and associated morbidity. Although nearly half of Australian men diagnosed with low risk prostate cancer are managed with active surveillance there are no established recommendations for slowing disease progression and delaying transition to active treatment. The proposed study would be the first to determine the efficacy of a comprehensive exercise program during active surveillance for prostate cancer.
Elucidating The Function Of Rho-ROCK Signalling In The Regulation Of Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,568.00
Summary
As cancers progress from benign to more malignant forms, the way in which cancer cells respond to external influences changes dramatically. These cells subvert the normal interactions between proteins which pass signals from outside the cell to the inside, to control cell behaviour and assume a survival advantage. We plan to study a form of cell signalling that is often abnormal in cancer in order to identify technologies for limiting cancer growth and spread by interfering with these signals.
HPV And Oropharyngeal Cancer In Indigenous Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,547,109.00
Summary
Oropharyngeal cancers are frequently excluded cancers affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. HPV is a significant risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer. HPV vaccination is effective against HPV, with some promise that current vaccines may prevent oral infections; potentially reducing the risk of oropharyngeal cancer. The project will have important outcomes to improve risk of HPV infection and oropharyngeal cancers among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Deciphering Mechanisms Of Disease Evolution In Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$845,093.00
Summary
In many patients, cancers are ever-changing, even after they have formed. This explains why many cancers can spread beyond the point of cure by surgery and why they can become resistant to treatments. This project will use patient melanomas and laboratory modelling to understand how melanomas change as they grow and spread. The results will be used to identify the nature of evolutionary changes in cancer in order to predict and even exploit them in treatment.
Linking Breast Development To Bone Metastasis: Role For The Osteogenic Transcription Factor Runx2 During Breast Carcinogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$565,145.00
Summary
Bone is the principle metastasis site of breast cancer and represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Runx2 is one potential candidate gene mediating breast cancer metastasis. Using mice with altered Runx2 levels and breast cancer models, this study will examine the role of Runx2 in breast cancer bone metastasis. Identification of a single gene that controls both breast and bone would open a new area of breast cancer research and a new gene against which therapies could be developed.