Characterisation Of Alterations In The Androgen Signalling Axis That Contribute To Treatment Failure In Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$559,157.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is a major health problem in Western Countries including Australia, where it is the most common newly diagnosed invasive cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Although there have been improvements in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, many men are still diagnosed with disease that already has or will spread to other sites such as bone (ie metastatic disease). For those men with metastatic disease, reduction in testicular androgens by surgical or medical mean ....Prostate cancer is a major health problem in Western Countries including Australia, where it is the most common newly diagnosed invasive cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Although there have been improvements in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, many men are still diagnosed with disease that already has or will spread to other sites such as bone (ie metastatic disease). For those men with metastatic disease, reduction in testicular androgens by surgical or medical means (ie androgen ablation) is the only effective treatment option available. While androgen ablation is initially effective, treatment failure is common, resulting in a very poor overall survival rate. Evidence from our studies and others suggest that, the androgen receptor, which mediates the growth regulatory effects of androgens is often defective in prostate tumour cells. These altered or mutant receptors are activated inappropriately by other sex hormones such as estradiol and even agents used in the treatment of prostate cancer whereas the normal receptor is activated only by testicular androgens. This mechanism may explain why treatment fails in a subset of men with advanced prostate cancer. The major objective of our current studies is to define how these mutant androgen receptors cause treatment failure and facilitate prostate tumour growth. In addition, the current studies will evaluate a novel approach to treatment of prostate cancer which, based upon our preliminary results, has the potential to be effective even if alterations are present in the androgen receptor. The current studies therefore will provide a better understanding of factors controlling the growth of prostate tumours, and develop improved treatment approaches for advanced prostate cancer.Read moreRead less
Structural And Functional Consequences Of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Regression.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$293,036.00
Summary
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a thickening of the heart muscle walls that occurs in a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, cardiac valve disorders and heart dilatation. The presence of LVH increases the risk of developing heart attacks, heart failure and death. Treatment of these disorders is a major component of our escalating health-care costs. Consequently, reversal of LVH may have significant benefits to individual patients and s ....Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a thickening of the heart muscle walls that occurs in a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, cardiac valve disorders and heart dilatation. The presence of LVH increases the risk of developing heart attacks, heart failure and death. Treatment of these disorders is a major component of our escalating health-care costs. Consequently, reversal of LVH may have significant benefits to individual patients and society in general. We propose to develop a mouse model of an inherited form of LVH that is caused by gene mutations in heart muscle proteins. This model will enable us to study in detail the disease processes that cause LVH and the effects of reversing LVH. This information will be invaluable for determining the best ways of treating patients with LVH.Read moreRead less