How Do Bone-active Drugs Increase Patient Survival?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,952.00
Summary
Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs used to prevent bone destruction in diseases such as osteoporosis. Evidence is emerging that these drugs also act on cells outside the skeleton to have additional beneficial effects, for example prolonging patient survival. This project will identify the cells affected and the mechanisms involved. With this knowledge, these drugs could be used more effectively and in different ways for the prevention or treatment of cancer and chronic human illnesses.
Real-time Optical Window Imaging Of AKT-FRET Biosensor Mice To Maximise PI3K/AKT Drug Targeting Within The Hypoxic Microenvironment Of Pancreatic Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$683,447.00
Summary
Inefficient drug response in solid tumour tissue is often a limiting factor in the clinical effectiveness of cancer therapies. Using cutting-edge imaging technology and 3D models that mimic the disease, we have mapped areas of poor drug response within distinct regions of tumours with low oxygen levels known as hypoxia. Here, we will specifically target factors limiting efficient drug targeting in these areas to improve the encouraging anti-cancer profile of AKT inhibitors in pancreatic cancer.
PARP And PI3K Inhibition In Pancreatic Cancer: Intravital Insights And ‘fine-tune’ Priming Using AKT And Single/double-strand DNA Break Biosensor Mice.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$760,505.00
Summary
Inefficient drug response in solid tumour tissue is often a limiting factor in the clinical effectiveness of cancer therapies. Using cutting-edge imaging technology and 3D models that mimic the disease, we can map areas of poor drug response within distinct regions of tumours with chemotherapy. Here, we will shift factors limiting efficient drug targeting in these areas to improve the encouraging anti-cancer profile of PI3K and DNA repair inhibitors in pancreatic cancer.
The Use Of Gene-Silencing Nanodrugs To Inhibit Lung Cancer Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,950.00
Summary
Lung cancer accounts for the most cancer deaths worldwide. This research proposal will use state-of-the-art nanomedicines designed to penetrate lung tumours and suppress a gene which drives cancer growth and resistance to chemotherapy drugs. Our results could underpin new approaches that revolutionise more effective and less toxic treatments for a highly lethal malignancy.
Targeting Microtubules To Overcome Chemoresistance In Pancreatic Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,336.00
Summary
Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with a dismal prognosis because it is extremely resistant to chemotherapy agents. We plan to examine the expression of proteins called microtubules in pancreatic cancer and assess their role in drug resistance. It is anticipated that the findings of these studies will lead to the development of effective approaches to sensitise the cancer cells to chemotherapy agents.
Redirecting T-cells For Immunotherapy Of Leukaemia And Lymphoma By The Expression Of A CD19-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor Using The PiggyBac Transposon Gene Modification System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,876.00
Summary
Most lymphomas respond to therapy but then relapse. Immune cells can attack and kill virus related lymphomas. However, most lymphomas are NOT virus related. We will create immune cells targeting these virus negative lymphomas by inserting artificial receptors into the immune cells. These receptors attach to the lymphoma and activate the immune cells. The immune cells will home to the lymphoma, kill lymphoma cells and persist in the body for many years, preventing lymphoma relapse.