The Impact Of Therapy On T-cell Recognition Of Mutated Tumour Neo-antigens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,126,685.00
Summary
Cancer is caused by mutations which should be 'seen' and destroyed by the patients immune cells, similar to how immune cells protect us against viruses. But they don't. This grant will study how current cancer treatments help the immune cells 'see' these mutations. We will undertake these studies in the important cancers lung cancer and mesothelioma.
A Phase III Trial Comparing Adjuvant Versus Salvage Radiotherapy For High Risk Patients Post Radical Prostatectomy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$819,138.00
Summary
About half of all patients Treated with an operation to remove their prostate cancer have a high chance of the cancer coming back. Giving immediate radiotherapy to all patients will improve cure rates but does not benefit all men and can cause significant side effects. This study explores whether it is safe to wait and only give radiotherapy when there is a rising PSA after surgery indicating active cancer. A total of 470 men from Australasia will enter this study comparing the two approaches.
Can Exercise Delay Transition To Active Therapy In Men With Low Grade Prostate Cancer? A Multi-Centre Randomized Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,429.00
Summary
Prostate cancer overdiagnosis is associated with increased rates of overtreatment and associated morbidity. Although nearly half of Australian men diagnosed with low risk prostate cancer are managed with active surveillance there are no established recommendations for slowing disease progression and delaying transition to active treatment. The proposed study would be the first to determine the efficacy of a comprehensive exercise program during active surveillance for prostate cancer.
Developing Novel Molecules To Down-Regulate Src Family Tyrosine Kinases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$201,261.00
Summary
Leukaemia and cancer cells have altered biochemical properties resulting in their high rate of growth compared to normal cells. One of the common biochemical characteristics of cancer-leukaemia cells is augmented activity levels of enzymes called tyrosine kinases. A major group of tyrosine kinase involved in several cancer-leukaemia types is called the Src family of tyrosine kinases. One member of this family called Lyn has been our focus of study for several years, investigating the signalling ....Leukaemia and cancer cells have altered biochemical properties resulting in their high rate of growth compared to normal cells. One of the common biochemical characteristics of cancer-leukaemia cells is augmented activity levels of enzymes called tyrosine kinases. A major group of tyrosine kinase involved in several cancer-leukaemia types is called the Src family of tyrosine kinases. One member of this family called Lyn has been our focus of study for several years, investigating the signalling pathways that it is involved in. This molecule has also been implicated in several specific leukaemia (Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia) as well as cancer (Prostate, Colon, Breast) in recent years. We have identified a novel mechanism of down-regulation of this enzyme mediated by an adapter molecule called Cbp, which recruits the Lyn inactivating molecules Csk-Ctk as well as SOCS-1; together they inhibit the activity of Lyn and degrade the enzyme. Using our knowledge of the essential interaction elements of Cbp we will design and test various mini-Cbp molecules for their ability to inactivate and degrade Lyn in leukemic and cancer cells. These molecules may allow us to develop novel therapeutics capable of inactivating-degrading specific tyrosine kinases in cancer and leukaemia.Read moreRead less