Improving Cancer Therapy: Nanoparticle Delivery Of SiRNA To Cancer Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$610,499.00
Summary
Lung cancer accounts for 8000 diagnosis and 1000 deaths in Australia each year. We are using cutting edge nanotechnology and coupling this with potent gene silencing to target solid tumours of the lung. If successful, this approach could increase survival of patients with this difficult to treat malignancy and may prove valuable in the treatment of other lung tumours.
Molecular Targeted Therapy In Childhood Neuroblastoma Based On Inhibition Of The N-myc Oncogene
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,250.00
Summary
Neuroblastoma is a common cancer of young children which, despite the use of powerful anticancer drugs that cure other childhood cancers, has only a 40% survival rate. Many laboratories have shown that the most aggressive neuroblastoma tumours, which are most resistant to the action of anticancer drugs, have an abnormal number of copies of a cancer-associated gene, called N-myc. Patients whose tumours have multiple N-myc copies have dismal survival prospects, and new treatments for such patients ....Neuroblastoma is a common cancer of young children which, despite the use of powerful anticancer drugs that cure other childhood cancers, has only a 40% survival rate. Many laboratories have shown that the most aggressive neuroblastoma tumours, which are most resistant to the action of anticancer drugs, have an abnormal number of copies of a cancer-associated gene, called N-myc. Patients whose tumours have multiple N-myc copies have dismal survival prospects, and new treatments for such patients are urgently needed. Several studies, using models of neuroblastoma cells growing in the laboratory, have shown that it is possible to create small fragments of genetic material which can specifically switch off the N-myc gene. When this happens, the neuroblastoma cells behave in a less aggressive and malignant way. We have recently shown that these genetic fragments are capable of reducing the growth of tumours in mice which have been genetically manipulated to develop neuroblastoma. We now want to develop new and improved ways of switching off N-myc and inhibiting neuroblastoma development because these approaches may be extremely valuable for treating neuroblastoma in patients. These approaches include the use of new types of genetic fragments (siRNA) as well as small chemical molecules capable of specific N-myc inhibition.Read moreRead less
SiRNA Induced Transcriptional Silencing Of HIV-1: Elucidating The Mechanisms And Exploring Options For Delivery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,631.00
Summary
Current drug therapy for HIV is for life We have discovered a set of molecules that will turn off the ability of HIV to reproduce itself. These molecules are from a new family of RNA molecules . A single dose of these molecules suppress the ability of the virus to reproduce itself for more than a month. Further we have found ways of extending this supressive ability to greater than one year. These studies will tell us how these molecules work and how they might be effectively administered.
SiRNA Induced TGS Of Retroviruses: Elucidation Of Underlying Mechanisms And Their Application In Animal Models
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,502.00
Summary
AIMS To elucidate changes in DNA that accompany suppression of HIV growth caused by certain unusual RNA molecules that turn off the ability of HIV to reproduce and make the virus dormant within the infected cell. While we have discovered RNA molecules that can do this to HIV in the test tube, we wish to develop similar molecules that can be used in animal models, so that we can decide whether this technology can be developed for use in humans. We also wish to understand more clearlky the mechani ....AIMS To elucidate changes in DNA that accompany suppression of HIV growth caused by certain unusual RNA molecules that turn off the ability of HIV to reproduce and make the virus dormant within the infected cell. While we have discovered RNA molecules that can do this to HIV in the test tube, we wish to develop similar molecules that can be used in animal models, so that we can decide whether this technology can be developed for use in humans. We also wish to understand more clearlky the mechanisms underlying this effect. BACKGROUND These RNA molecules can suppress a range of pathogenic human viruses including HIV-1 in the test tube. Our novel approach appears to induce changes that are long lasting and are less susceptible to mutations by the virus that allow it to become resistant to other therapeutic strategies. RESEARCH PLAN Initially more work will be done in tissue culture to determine the optimal design of these molecules and the best way to administer them. The most promising of these designs will be tested in small groups of infected animals as a preliminary demonstration of efficacy. In parallel experiments will be performed to elucidate the mechanisms undelying the suppressive effects of these molecules. OUTCOMES AND SIGNIFICANCE This work will lead to a significant increase in our understanding of the way replication of HIV is regulated and will develop a promising new therapeutic strategy for this virus that may be applicable to other conditions.Read moreRead less
Nanopatch Immunisation Against Pandemic Influenza: Improved Immune Responses At A Reduced Dose.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,294.00
Summary
Development of a new way to vaccinate against influenza that will make standard vaccines 100 times more potent than conventional syringe injection. The Nanopatch is made from a silicon wafer, bristling with micro-nanoscale spikes. It painlessly deposits vaccine under the skin surface. Experiments in mice show that even a small vaccine payload delivered to the skin generates good immune responses. The Nanopatch vaccination system is expected to be ready for clinical trials within a few years.
Identifying The Relationships Between Pathophysiology, Heterogeneity And Clinical Wellbeing In Parkinson’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,051.00
Summary
This research will investigate the key predictors of dementia, poor quality of life, falls, carer burden, need for institutionalisation and health care utilisation in PD. The research will incorporate sophisticated brain scanning techniques as well as diverse and novel technologies that measure brain functioning. The outcomes of this research will inform clinical practice, health care reform and the development of targeted therapies.
Prostate Cancer Survivorship Essentials For Men With Prostate Cancer On Androgen Deprivation Therapy: Transforming Care To Improve Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,133,942.00
Summary
Up to half of all men diagnosed with prostate cancer will undergo androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) as part of their treatment at some point. Although ADT is effective in treating prostate cancer, many men will experience considerable side effects that negatively impact their quality of life. This research study will identify if a nurse-led survivorship care intervention, delivered by phone or video-call, improves the quality of life for men with prostate cancer who are receiving ADT.
Non-invasive Therapy For Keratoconus – Ultrasound Enhanced Delivery Of Riboflavin To Cornea For Transepithelial Corneal Collagen Crosslinking
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,658.00
Summary
Keratoconus is a degenerative eye disease which causes corneal thinning. The disease causes visual distortions & loss of vision, and is commonly treated with Corneal Cross-Linking. This involves scraping off the outer protective layer of the cornea so that treatment can be applied. This is painful for patients and carries many risks. This grant assists in the development of a device that is able to deliver the reagent in a painless, non-invasive, effective and safe way.
Phosphonated Calixarenes For The Targeted Intracellular Delivery Of Anticancer Agents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$322,267.00
Summary
Many anticancer drugs have severe side effects due to their potency and non-specificity of action. To improve the treatment outcome for thousands of cancer patients, we aim to engineer calixarene-based nanocarriers that bypass normal tissues to selectively deposit drugs and imaging agents into tumour cells. Such delivery systems will optimize the performance of a host of anticancer agents that act within cells, and enable drug treatment and monitoring to be simultaneously realised.