Role Of SOCS3 In Mammary Gland Development And Tumorigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$224,278.00
Summary
We are studying the role of a family of inhibitory molecules (SOCS) in breast tissue; these proteins have been established to have critical roles in the immune system and in regulating growth of the entire animal. We have demonstrated that one member of this family can block the action of the prolactin hormone and have recently obtained evidence that another member of this family, SOCS3, affects survival of breast cells. Furthermore, this protein leads to increased growth when overexpressed in b ....We are studying the role of a family of inhibitory molecules (SOCS) in breast tissue; these proteins have been established to have critical roles in the immune system and in regulating growth of the entire animal. We have demonstrated that one member of this family can block the action of the prolactin hormone and have recently obtained evidence that another member of this family, SOCS3, affects survival of breast cells. Furthermore, this protein leads to increased growth when overexpressed in breast cells. We propose to define the normal role of this gene in mouse mammary tissue and to examine the consequences of expressing the gene at high levels in the mammary glands of mice. Inappropriate expression of this gene may predispose humans to breast cancer. SOCS3 expression will be directly studied in a cohort of primary invasive breast cancers with associated clinical outcome data, to determine whether it has a role as a potential prognostic marker.Read moreRead less
Tailored Treatments For Premenopausal Patients With Endocrine Responsive Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$257,250.00
Summary
For women under 50 years with hormone receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer, adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy, tamoxifen and ovarian ablation are each effective and reduce recurrence. Combining two treatments is more effective than one, although it is uncertain if combining three provides extra benefit. Ovarian ablation by surgery or radiation is permanent, but reversible ovarian suppression by injections is now available. Three international trials called SOFT, TEXT and PERCHE have been des ....For women under 50 years with hormone receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer, adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy, tamoxifen and ovarian ablation are each effective and reduce recurrence. Combining two treatments is more effective than one, although it is uncertain if combining three provides extra benefit. Ovarian ablation by surgery or radiation is permanent, but reversible ovarian suppression by injections is now available. Three international trials called SOFT, TEXT and PERCHE have been designed for adjuvant therapy of premenopausal women with ER+ breast cancer. These trials take into account regional-country variations in medical practice and different patient choices in this setting. SOFT is for very young women and tests the benefit of adding ovarian suppression in a woman who has received chemotherapy, with tamoxifen planned, but who has not gone into menopause after chemotherapy. The trial also tests if substituting a newer drug called exemestane for tamoxifen, combined with ovarian function suppression is more effective. TEXT is for women who would ordinarily be treated with ovarian suppression plus tamoxifen. The TEXT trial also tests substitution of exemestane for tamoxifen. Exemestane is an aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase inhibitors lower oestrogen levels, but only work if the ovaries are inactive. Recent trials in post menopausal women show aromatase inhibitors are more effective than tamoxifen, and we aim to replicate that improvement in younger women by combining exemestane with ovarian suppression. PERCHE is for women in whom the benefit of chemotherapy is uncertain, for example those with limited or no spread to lymph nodes. All women receive combined endocrine treatment with ovarian suppression plus tamoxifen, and are randomised to receive in addition, either chemotherapy or no chemotherapy, to see if results differ.Read moreRead less
Cognitive Effects Of Adding Ovarian Function Suppression To Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy In Premenopausal Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$301,431.00
Summary
There is mounting evidence that potentially curative treatment for breast cancer might, in some women, have an adverse effect on their subsequent cognitive function i.e. their memory and ability to think clearly. Thus it is important that when new treatments are being tested, the testing includes collecting information on the effect of the new treatment on a woman's cognitive function. There is currently an ongoing large international study examining whether suppressing ovarian function (and thu ....There is mounting evidence that potentially curative treatment for breast cancer might, in some women, have an adverse effect on their subsequent cognitive function i.e. their memory and ability to think clearly. Thus it is important that when new treatments are being tested, the testing includes collecting information on the effect of the new treatment on a woman's cognitive function. There is currently an ongoing large international study examining whether suppressing ovarian function (and thus decreasing oestrogen levels) in women having treatment for breast cancer will improve their outcomes. However,it is known that oestrogen is important for normal cognitive functioning in premenopausal women so there is some concern that dropping the oestrogen levels in this way might cause impairment in cognitive function. In this sub-study we will compare the cognitive function of women having ovarian function suppression with those who do not, to determine if there are any differences. We will also examine how this might affect quality of life.Read moreRead less
A Clinical Trial Evaluating Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy For Women With Large Operable Or Locally Advanced Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$269,805.00
Summary
Larger operable and locally advanced breast cancers (BC) which can involve the skin of the breast and lymph nodes under the arm are associated with poorer survival. Standard treatment usually includes neoadjuvant (or preoperative) chemotherapy to try to reduce the size of the cancer, followed by surgery and radiation therapy to treat any remaining cancer in the breast. Many women, despite maximum treatment, will still die from their disease, hence the need to develop more effective drug therapie ....Larger operable and locally advanced breast cancers (BC) which can involve the skin of the breast and lymph nodes under the arm are associated with poorer survival. Standard treatment usually includes neoadjuvant (or preoperative) chemotherapy to try to reduce the size of the cancer, followed by surgery and radiation therapy to treat any remaining cancer in the breast. Many women, despite maximum treatment, will still die from their disease, hence the need to develop more effective drug therapies. The advantages of neoadjuvant chemotherapy include: the potential to reduce the size of the breast cancer which may allow breast conserving surgery rather than mastectomy; and, the ability to directly assess the response of breast cancers to new drug treatments. This new research project aims to evaluate standard chemotherapy (epirubicin and cyclophosphamide) followed by a course of two newer, possibly more beneficial, chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer (docetaxel and gemcitabine (DG)) followed by surgery, in women with large operable-locally advanced breast cancer. The trial will allow patients with HER2 positive breast cancer to receive trastuzumab (Herceptin ) in addition to the DG chemotherapy treatment cycles. The study will measure the tumour response rates, efficacy and safety of the proposed treatments. Patients will be asked to consent to an extra core biopsy and a small sample of their breast tissue collected at the time of their breast surgery to be used for research to help better understand the biology of the disease and responses to treatment. The study could plausibly offer a better treatment for patients, resulting in a better prognosis for women who present with large operable or locally advanced breast cancer. The trial will be conducted, in Australia and New Zealand, by the Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group (ANZ BCTG) and will involve approximately twenty Australian hospitals.Read moreRead less
Determination Of Diagnostic Molecular Profiles For Intraduct Lesions Of The Breast.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$308,400.00
Summary
Breast cancer originates in cells within breast ducts. The introduction of Breast Screening for breast cancer has led to a dramatic increase in the diagnosis of breast cancer which is confined to these ducts and has not spread to surrounding tissue. This is known as 'ductal carcinoma in situ' or DCIS. It is evident that DCIS is variable in its tendency to give rise to more advanced breast cancer. However, currently our ability to predict the potential agressiveness of a particular DCIS is limite ....Breast cancer originates in cells within breast ducts. The introduction of Breast Screening for breast cancer has led to a dramatic increase in the diagnosis of breast cancer which is confined to these ducts and has not spread to surrounding tissue. This is known as 'ductal carcinoma in situ' or DCIS. It is evident that DCIS is variable in its tendency to give rise to more advanced breast cancer. However, currently our ability to predict the potential agressiveness of a particular DCIS is limited. In this research we are proposing to develop new methods for evaluation of DCIS that will more accurately predict clinical behaviour. An important adjunct is to ensure that these methods can be practically applied in a routine diagnostic setting. Achievement of the aims of this project will assist treatment planning for patients diagnosed with DCIS. It will also provide important information about breast cancers diagnosed as a consequence of breast screening.Read moreRead less