Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease subtype that lacks targeted therapies. We have identified a protein associated with TNBC termed SgK269 that regulates the transmission of signals instructing the cell to grow and migrate. SgK269 associates with a closely-related protein termed SgK223 to form a signalling complex. The aim of this project is to characterise the role of this signalling complex in TNBC and determine whether it represents a potential therapeutic target.
Colorectal Cancer Membrane Protein Interactomics [A Major Discriminator Of Clinical Outcome]
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,778.00
Summary
This project studies the molecular causes of colorectal cancer (CRC) malignancy because CRC is the 2nd most common malignancy by incidence and cause of death in the Western world. It currently results in 13.1% of Australian cancer deaths. The aim of this NHMRC project is to gain a detailed understanding of how particular cell membrane proteins interact with each to give cancer cells the ability to invade and spread.
Melanoma Resistance To Combination BRAF And MEK Inhibition Is Driven By Reprogramming Of MAPK Signaling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$745,082.00
Summary
Until recently, patients with metastatic melanoma were treated with single agent chemotherapy drugs that produce response rates of less than 10%. New drugs targeting the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway have now shown significant activity, but nearly all patients treated with these new inhibitors eventually develop resistance and progress. This project utilises patient tumour samples to examine the mechanisms of resistance and ways of enhancing the targeted inhibition of the MAPK ....Until recently, patients with metastatic melanoma were treated with single agent chemotherapy drugs that produce response rates of less than 10%. New drugs targeting the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway have now shown significant activity, but nearly all patients treated with these new inhibitors eventually develop resistance and progress. This project utilises patient tumour samples to examine the mechanisms of resistance and ways of enhancing the targeted inhibition of the MAPK signaling cascade.Read moreRead less
New drugs targeting the immune system have dramatically improved the survival of melanoma patients. Nevertheless, 30-40% of patients responding to these new inhibitor will develop drug resistance. This project utilizes patient tumour samples to examine the mechanisms of acquired resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. This information will accelerate the identification of novel combination therapies to improve patient outcomes.
There are ~1.6 billion overweight adults worldwide & this is predicted to rise to 2.3 billion by 2015. In Australia > 2/3 of adults are overweight or obese. Obesity is a key factor in the progression of many human malignancies. Obesity poses the greatest risk for the development hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a deadly cancer refractory to nearly all available anti-cancer therapies. This application will delineate the molecular mechanisms by which obesity promotes HCC development.
Global Characterization Of The Src-regulated Kinome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$591,334.00
Summary
This proposal aims to use new cutting-edge techniques to globally characterize the impact of a particular cancer-causing gene, or oncogene, on the expression and function of an important family of regulatory proteins, termed kinases, in cancer cells. This will identify proteins critical for cancer cell growth and survival that represent potential targets for therapy.