Unraveling Mechanisms Of Liver Transplant Tolerance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$694,822.00
Summary
Liver transplants are unique amongst solid organs as they are spontaneously accepted across different individuals and induce acceptance of other organs from the same donor co-transplanted at the same time. Using a new mouse liver transplantation model, this proposal will elucidate how the liver tissue performs this function and identify new markers associated with tolerance in the blood of mice. This knowledge will be used to identify liver transplant patients with reduced rejection risk.
Understanding The Role Of B Cells In Gastric Cancer For The Design Of New Therapeutic Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,383.00
Summary
Gastric cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Our laboratory has previously established clinically relevant mouse model of gastric cancers, and our preliminary results indicate a strong link between B cell tumor infiltration and gastric cancer progression. In this project, we aim to elucidate the role of B cells in gastric cancer and determine whether B-cell targeted therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy can be beneficial against this malignancy.
Adenosine Receptor Antagonists As Immunotherapeutic Agents For Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,779.00
Summary
We have shown that drugs that block immunosuppressive adenosine receptors can improve anti-tumour immune responses and consequently enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy. These drugs are already known to be well-tolerated in humans and so have great potential for clinical development. We propose to determine the therapeutic response achieved with these drugs in combination with established cancer treatments involving radiotherapy and immune based therapies.
A New Anti-Diabetes Drug As A Novel Therapy For Ovarian Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$711,966.00
Summary
New treatments are urgently needed to improve the chances of survival for patients diagnosed with high grade epithelial ovarian tumours. This project will investigate the application of a new class of anti-diabetes medications as an adjunct therapy for cancer patients.
Combined T Cell Checkpoint Blockade To Eradicate Established Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$207,588.00
Summary
We will use combinations of antibodies to rescue exhausted immune effector T cells in cancers or deplete those T cells that suppress tumor immunity. These exciting new approaches have potential curative impact for the treatment of many human cancers. The mouse has been a useful predictive model and in mice, we will aim to study the combinatorial efficacy and mechanism of action of the most promising antibodies and design a new and more specific means to deplete intratumor regulatory T cells.
Manipulating The Balance Of Effector And Regulatory T Cells To Promote Islet Xenograft Survival
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,542,601.00
Summary
Type 1 diabetes destroys the body’s insulin-producing cells (islets), resulting in high blood sugar levels and the prospect of devastating complications. Replacement of islets by transplantation is the only way to restore normal blood sugar control, but (i) is limited by the shortage of human donors and (ii) carries risks associated with anti-rejection drugs. This project aims to solve both problems by using humanized pigs as donors combined with a novel approach to inducing tolerance to the tra ....Type 1 diabetes destroys the body’s insulin-producing cells (islets), resulting in high blood sugar levels and the prospect of devastating complications. Replacement of islets by transplantation is the only way to restore normal blood sugar control, but (i) is limited by the shortage of human donors and (ii) carries risks associated with anti-rejection drugs. This project aims to solve both problems by using humanized pigs as donors combined with a novel approach to inducing tolerance to the transplanted islets.Read moreRead less