Development Of Small Molecules For The Treament Of Colon Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$684,379.00
Summary
Colon cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths in Australia and in the developed world. Despite improvements in prevention and therapies, there remains a considerable need for efficacious therapeutic options. We have identified a lead compound inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. We will progress this series further toward clinical trials and aim to provide patients with a new orally available molecule with potent activity against colon cancer.
Sortase Peptide Technology: Enzymatic Site-specific Bioconjugation To Improve Antibody Drug Conjugate Production And Performance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$402,046.00
Summary
Cancer is characterised by uncontrolled cell growth, leading to invasion and destruction of adjacent tissues. It is a major cause of death in Australia. Targeted drug delivery is an attractive therapeutic strategy that has the potential to lower systemic drug concentrations and reduce side effects. We are developing more efficient cancer drugs.
Preclinical Development Of Q2361, A Transforming New Drug For Skin Cancer Prevention In Organ Transplant Recipients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$724,957.00
Summary
Patients that receive organ transplants need additional medications in order to prevent organ rejection. Unfortunately, these drugs carry an unwanted side-effect - they permit the development of skin cancer. Currently, other than surgery, little can be done to help these patients. Our preliminary data suggest that a new drug may prevent these skin cancers from forming. This project aims to deliver key insights into the influence of this drug and its role in skin cancer prevention.
Proteasome Inhibitors As Reversers Of Resistance To Artemisinin-based Antimalarials
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,534.00
Summary
Current antimalarial control is highly dependent on Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACTs), which makes recent reports of decreased clinical efficacy of artemisinins extremely concerning. This project will develop proteasome inhibitors to synergise the activity of artemisinins - effectively reversing resistance. We will confirm that the selected compounds have good bioavailability, low cytotoxicity in human cell lines and efficacy in mouse models of malaria.
A New Approach For The Treatment Of COPD And Lung Cancer Using Inhaled Retrometabolic HSP90 Inhibitors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,310.00
Summary
The inflammatory lung disease Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major disease burden in Australia with over 1 million sufferers and being the fourth biggest killer. Lung cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat with 5-year survival rates being below 20%. There is a pressing need for new therapies to treat these diseases and this project will develop new drugs designed to inhibit an underlying mechanism present in both diseases, with minimal side-effects.
Multidrug Resistance Protein 1 Inhibitors To Sensitise Cancers To Chemotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$840,166.00
Summary
Multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) is often present at high levels in cancer cells, where it pumps chemotherapy drugs back out, causing drug resistance. Inhibitors that block MRP1 would increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. We have developed MRP1 inhibitors with promising activity in cancer cells and mouse tumours and will now develop these inhibitors for clinical application and commercialisation.
Development Of Follistatin As Novel Cancer Therapeutic
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$494,324.00
Summary
In this project, we aim to rapidly commercialise our discovery that Follistatin, an endogenous hormone, can dramatically improve the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy in lung cancer.
Development Of A Novel And Highly Selective CDK4/6 Inhibitor For Treating Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,171,199.00
Summary
We have identified and patented novel drug molecules targeting enzymes namely CDKs 4 and 6, that are important for survival of cancer cells. The drugs are highly selective and potent against CDK4/6, well absorbed orally, and have attracted much interest from a pharmaceutical company. Further detailed work is needed to characterize fully their anti-cancer effects and toxicity, thereby securing a major investment from our commercial partner for drug development for treating cancers.
Preclinical Development Of A Therapeutic Anticancer Antibody To C-Met
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,530.00
Summary
Many common cancers cannot be effectively treated. A range of these cancers (e.g. gastric and lung cancer) display the molecule c-Met on their cell surface. c-Met promotes tumour growth; therefore, blocking c-Met is a promising strategy for treating these cancers. However, no antibodies or drugs that target c-Met have been licensed. The therapeutics that are being developed to target c-Met all have considerable limitations. Thus, there is an opportunity to develop a 'best-in-class' therapeutic.
Development Of A Novel MicroRNA Mimic For Cancer Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$534,179.00
Summary
Liver cancer is a major health burden globally, with a very poor prognosis. New treatments are urgently needed. We have developed proof-of-concept data showing that a tiny RNA, called a microRNA, is a powerful inhibitor of liver cancer growth. We will use this grant application to further develop the microRNA with novel chemistry so that it can be readily translated into early phase clinical trials in the near future.