The Clinical Significance Of Sex Hormone Crosstalk In Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,009,006.00
Summary
Breast cancer is mainly a disease in which the sex hormone estrogen stimulates uncontrolled growth. We have recently discovered that other sex hormones, including progesterone and androgen, can redirect the actions of estrogen in breast cancers to halt growth or make a tumour disappear. This study will examine the complex interaction between all three sex hormones to develop new, more effective strategies for treating breast cancer.
Dual Targeting Of The Androgen Receptor For Effective And Durable Control Of Lethal Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$946,177.00
Summary
Preventing binding of androgens to the androgen receptor is the mainstay treatment for advanced prostate cancer, but resistance inevitably develops and the disease becomes lethal. We will develop a new drug that targets a part of the androgen receptor unrelated to its androgen binding function to overcome resistance to current therapy. As this drug will be effective in all stages of prostate cancer, it has high potential to improve survival outcomes for men with prostate cancer.
Defining Stromal-Cancer Cell Interactions For Xenografting Human Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$559,635.00
Summary
Prostate Cancer research continues to be hindered by a lack of laboratory models to understand disease progression and design new drugs to cure the disease. In this study, we propose to use a new and reliable method of growing human prostate cancer tissue in mice. Using this model, we will investigate the role of hormone signalling and cellular communication in prostate cancer that may lead to new therapies for men diagnosed with organ-confined disease.
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.
Manipulating Oncogene Addiction And Immunity In The Treatment Of Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,975.00
Summary
Melanoma is a major Australian health problem and a common cause of cancer death in young adults. Treatment of melanoma has been revolutionised in the last few years, but many patients fail to respond to new therapies or rapidly progress on treatment. This proposal examines the mechanisms that drive resistance to therapy and identifies markers predictive of clinical response. This approach will accelerate the development of new strategies and improve patient care by personalising treatment.