A Prospective Single Arm Trial Of Involved-field Radiotherapy For Stage I-II Low Grade Nongastric Marginal Zone Lymphoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$363,869.00
Summary
This is an international, multicentre study that will, for the first time, prospectively measure the curative potential of radiotherapy in localised marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). Most MZL arises in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), either in the stomach or in a range of other organs such as salivary glands, the tissues around the eye or the thyroid. Many stomach MALT lymphomas are caused by infection with Helicobacter Pylori. This infection can also be associated with non-gastric MALT ly ....This is an international, multicentre study that will, for the first time, prospectively measure the curative potential of radiotherapy in localised marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). Most MZL arises in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), either in the stomach or in a range of other organs such as salivary glands, the tissues around the eye or the thyroid. Many stomach MALT lymphomas are caused by infection with Helicobacter Pylori. This infection can also be associated with non-gastric MALT lymphomas, but the association has never been prospectively studied. Chlamydia Psittaci infection can cause MALT lymphoma in the orbit. The management of localised MZL outside the stomach is controversial and there have been no large prospective studies of any of the commonly-used treatments (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery). No prospective studies have looked at the role of infection with Helicobacter pylori or the role of autoantibodies in these diseases. Radiotherapy is the best-characterised therapy in the literature and appears to have a high cure rate with low toxicity. The disease seems exquisitely radiosensitive. Management of localised MZL in Australia can be ad hoc and we have often seen patients who have undergone unnecessary mutilating surgery or ineffective chemotherapy. It has been reported that localised non-gastric MZL (stage I and II) can be cured with radiotherapy in a high percentage of patients (usually >70%) in retrospective studies from large centres such as Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. Workers from that centre will participate in this study. This study will: Prospectively report efficacy and toxicity for radiotherapy in MZL for the first time Definitively document Helicobacter Pylori status in all cases and Chlamydia status in orbital cases Provide a gold standard against which to compare new therapies This study won the award for the most highly supported study in its year at the TROG annual scientific meeting.Read moreRead less
POST-OPERATIVE CROHNS DISEASE RECURRENCE: EVALUATION OF AETIOLOGIC FACTORS And AN ALGORITHM And TRIAL TO MODIFY RECURRENCE.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$123,472.00
Summary
Eighty percent of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) need an operation at some stage. The disease invariably returns, and in 70% of patients further surgery is required. This project aims to determine whether particular bacteria cause the disease to recur and will look at the value of antibiotic treatment to prevent severe disease recurring. It will also assess whether adjusting treatment based on changes seen at the operative site during follow-up influences disease recurrence .
Roles Of Integrin Receptors And The Helicobacter Pylori Protein CagL In Gastritis And Gastric Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,697.00
Summary
How the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (Hp) causes gastritis and gastric cancer in the stomach is not well understood. Here we investigate the molecular languages used by Hp to deregulate the normal functions of the human stomach cells. The research outcomes will on one hand help us to better understand how Hp causes diseases, and on the other hand, facilitate the development of new antibiotics or treatment therapies to combat gastric cancers and gastritis.
Lymphoid Organ Development: Synthetic Organogenesis Of Artificial Spleen And Characterisation Of Tissue-specific Hematopoiesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,232.00
Summary
Spleen is an organ which filters blood circulating around the body and provides immune protection against blood-borne pathogens. Research into spleen development will attempt to synthesise artificial spleen tissue, leading to possible tissue replacement therapies or enhancement of immunity towards infection or cancer. Cellular development in spleen will also be investigated with a view to identifying novel white blood cell subsets that have potential for becoming new targets for immunotherapy.
Building An Intestine: Manipulating Regeneration Of The Epithelium
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$609,424.00
Summary
Diseases, infections and pathologies are common clinical problems of the intestinal lining in both infants and adults. Individuals with these conditions can experience nutritional problems and severe cases result in death. The intestinal lining is generated from a small population of stem cells. In this study we use of a mouse model where the stem cells are marked and will examine what factors regulate stem cells in the intestine with the aim of facilitating intestinal tissue regeneration.