Towards Precision Medicine For Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,652.00
Summary
Better outcomes are needed for lung cancer, a disease that accounts for more cancer-related deaths than any other cancer in Australia or worldwide. My goals are to 1) develop and evaluate in clinical trials targeted therapies and immunotherapies and 2) identify clinically relevant blood and tissue based biomarkers for lung cancer patients. This combination of clinical and translational research will change practice and improve outcomes by delivering precision medicine for lung cancer patients.
Cyclin E1 As A Therapeutic Target In Women With High-grade Serous Cancer And Primary Treatment Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$644,170.00
Summary
Ovarian cancer is the 5th most common cancer in women and the most lethal gynaecologic malignancy. We found tumours with extra copies of the CyclinE1 gene (CCNE1) are less likely to respond to standard treatment, and show reliance on its activity. Therefore, targeting CCNE1 may be a novel treatment strategy for these cancers. We will perform preclinical studies with therapeutic inhibitors towards the CCNE1 pathway and further explore the underlying biology of tumours with CCNE1 amplification.
The Transcription Factor ZNF652: Deciphering Its Role In Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$342,996.00
Summary
From our continuing research we have shown a protein called ZNF652 is involved in cancer. This proposal focuses on the role of this gene in the spread of cancer within the breast and to other organs. We will determine its role in a process where a cancer cell changes its characteristics to make it more likely to spread to other tissues. Our preliminary results suggest ZNF652 could be a marker that will predict poor prognosis. This proposal will further investigate this finding.
The Importance Of RUNX3 In Preventing Gastrointestinal Diseases And Tumour Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,322.00
Summary
Stomach cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. It is estimated that in 2010, more than 1 million people will die of stomach cancer with an increase of 19%. Studies have revealed that RUNX3 has the ability to suppress the growth of stomach cancer. However the role of RUNX3 in preventing metastasis is yet unknown. Therefore, an understanding of the factors that govern metastasis will inform the design of effective therapies to prevent mortality which is high for this disease.
A Novel Approach To Restoration Of Tumour Suppression In Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,604.00
Summary
Loss of a tumour suppressor is a key event in every cancer, including lung cancer. Therefore restoration of the expression and/or activity of the tumour suppressor is an attractive approach to anti-cancer treatment. In order to restore tumour suppression, a detailed understanding of the mechanism by which a given tumour suppressor is regulated is required. This application focuses on our discovery of a novel mechanism by which a key tumour suppressor of lung cancer is regulated.
Towards Better Treatments For Acral Melanoma Through Functional Genomics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,456,823.00
Summary
Acral melanoma is an uncommon melanoma subtype with bad prognosis that has been poorly characterised at the molecular level. The project will conduct comprehensive analysis of acral melanoma at the DNA, RNA and protein levels. Through subsequent functional follow-up studies of key drivers of this cancer type we will identify novel drug targets to treat this disease.
Therapeutics Discovery Program To Uncover Novel Strategies For Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,252.00
Summary
Liver cancer (HCC) incidence is rapidly rising. It is the fastest increasing cause of cancer death in Australia. There are no therapies that prevent HCC or stop liver disease progression. Liver gene profiles have been shown to be associated with HCC development, poor outcome, recurrence, future risk of progressive liver damage and future HCC. Targeting these gene profiles may yield targets for HCC prevention and halt liver disease progression that may revolutionalise liver disease management.
Dissecting The Roles Of Steroid Hormone Receptors In The Mammary Gland
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,314.00
Summary
Breast cancer remains a major cause of death in women, requiring the development of highly efficient therapeutics. Research into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the normal mammary gland is crucial. This project will increase our understanding of the normal roles of the estrogen and progesterone receptors. This research may have significant implications for clinical studies that use more targeted therapies.
FOXP3 Regulated MicroRNAs: A Novel Component Of FOXP3 Tumour Suppressor Function In Breast Epithelial Cells.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$554,716.00
Summary
Until there is a cure, breast cancer research must continue to discover new targets for therapy. We have novel insight into a new tumour supressor; FOXP3, and have identified the genes it regulates in T cells. We can now apply this information to normal breast tissues to reveal the mechanism and targets that FOXP3 controls to prevent cancer
This Fellowship will focus on the development of novel therapeutics for cancer, and identify mechanisms for selection of treatments best suited to individual patients. It will also develop innovative strategies to identify cancer through molecular imaging techniques.