Characterisation Of Anti-HBs Responses In Patients Undergoing Functional Hepatitis B Cure: Implication For Future Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$723,649.00
Summary
The hepatitis B virus causes liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. There is no cure for hepatitis B. However, a small number of patients can naturally rid themselves of the virus. We have identified 14 of these individuals and discovered that they have a unique immune response that is responsible for these “natural” cures. We plan to characterise this immune response and turn it into a therapeutic vaccine which can be used to cure patients who are still chronically infected.
Investigating The Host Determinants Of Viral Clearance Versus Collateral Pathology In Chronic Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,250,756.00
Summary
Hepatitis B virus has infected over 2 billion people. Some people control the virus but it remains incurable and there is a lifelong risk of liver cancer. Understanding how host cells interact with the virus, the mechanisms the cells use in an attempt to eliminate the virus and the mechanisms the virus uses to sabotage these responses, will provide insights that could lead to therapies. Potential therapies could be applicable to other infections like HIV-1 and tuberculosis.
Determinants Of Sustained Virological Response After Discontinuation Of Long-term Nucleoside Analogue Therapy In Chronic Hepatitis B Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$976,778.00
Summary
Guidelines currently recommend lifelong treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B, with associated cost and risks of drug resistance and side effects. It has recently been suggested that up to 50% of patients may safely and successfully stop drug after long-term treatment. Our project will identify which patients can safely stop treatment, by performing detailed studies of the human immune system and the hepatitis B virus. This will be an important advance for patient care.
Eliminating Hepatitis C Transmission By Enhancing Hepatitis C Care And Treatment In Primary Health Care Settings.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,221,831.00
Summary
In developed countries, people who inject drugs (PWID) are the group at greatest risk of hepatitis C (HCV) infection but few PWID receive HCV treatment. With the advent of highly effective non-interferon based treatments HCV elimination, although ambitious, is now being seriously considered globally. This partnership grant will explore the feasibility of eliminating HCV transmission by enhancing HCV care and treatment for PWID in primary health care settings.
Innovation In The Synthesis And Translation Of Research Evidence To Inform The Prevention, Management And Treatment Of Chronic Disease In Indigenous Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,642,121.00
Summary
Chronic disease remains the principal cause of health inequality for Indigenous Australians. Primary care is critical to mounting a health system response. The Aboriginal community controlled sector is at the coal face of chronic disease management, yet requires the synthesis, utilisation, development, evaluation and translation of evidence to practice. CREATE was established for this purpose
New Drug Combinations To Enhance Elimination Of Hepatitis B Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$888,304.00
Summary
We have developed a therapy that kills hepatitis B virus infected cells and promotes elimination of infection. We are now testing novel drugs that can be used to maximise the efficacy of our new treatment to promote better outcomes that may be translated to other infections.
Long Term Persistence Of HIV In The Liver And The Clinical Impact On HIV-HBV Co-infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,393,245.00
Summary
This grant will address a major question in HIV cure research - the role of the liver as an HIV reservoir and the impact of HIV persistence in HIV-infected patients on suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) on liver disease, in the setting of HIV-HBV co-infection. We will trial a novel intervention to reduce HIV infection of the liver that could potentially reduce chronic liver disease in this setting.
Reduction Of Chronic Post-surgical Pain With Ketamine - ROCKet Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,823,395.00
Summary
Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) is a common complication of major surgery, and a significant burden on quality of life and ongoing health costs. Ketamine is a drug used by anaesthetists to treat severe acute surgical pain. Various small studies suggest that it may be unique in its ability to reduce the risk of CPSP. We propose a large trial of ketamine during & after anaesthesia for major surgery to test this. Demonstration of effectiveness would promote widespread change in clinical practice.
Attenuating Severe Infections In Chronic Inflammatory Diseases Through Modulation Of Transforming Growth Factor-β Activity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,793.00
Summary
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are characterised by enhanced TGF? expression, which is accompanied by susceptibility to recurrent viral and bacterial infections. Such infections exacerbate lung inflammation in these patients, generally requiring emergency department treatment. This project proposes to clarify the therapeutic potential of TGF? inhibitors to reduce the impact of viral infections in patients with COPD and asthma.