New methods to improve regional isotope therapy of liver tumours in cancer patients. The most common cause of death in cancer patients is secondary tumours in vital organs. Successful treatment of liver tumours with regional isotope therapy now offers improved survival rates. This project will research novel radiolabelled nanoparticles and advanced computer imaging algorithms to improve regional isotope therapy of liver tumours. It will provide better methods of objective assessment and manageme ....New methods to improve regional isotope therapy of liver tumours in cancer patients. The most common cause of death in cancer patients is secondary tumours in vital organs. Successful treatment of liver tumours with regional isotope therapy now offers improved survival rates. This project will research novel radiolabelled nanoparticles and advanced computer imaging algorithms to improve regional isotope therapy of liver tumours. It will provide better methods of objective assessment and management that can reduce risk and improve patient survival.Read moreRead less
Improving Medication Safety In Seniors: A Cross-Jurisdictional Linkage Project
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,717.00
Summary
The project will identify priorities for tackling the current epidemic of hospitalisation of Australians aged 65+ years due to side effects of their medications. Two different groups of medications will be investigated. The first will be the prescribed drugs most often recorded as causes of hospital stay, including those taken to stop blood clotting, for high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems, for rheumatism or strong pain relief, anti-cancer drugs and steroids. The study will exa ....The project will identify priorities for tackling the current epidemic of hospitalisation of Australians aged 65+ years due to side effects of their medications. Two different groups of medications will be investigated. The first will be the prescribed drugs most often recorded as causes of hospital stay, including those taken to stop blood clotting, for high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems, for rheumatism or strong pain relief, anti-cancer drugs and steroids. The study will examine which of these drugs taken under what circumstances has the highest risk, so prevention can be better targeted. The study will investigate if adequate laboratory monitoring of the anti- clotting drugs is taking place and whether the guidelines should be updated. The second group will be 68 medications that should be avoided in seniors according to an international expert panel. The research will see how often these 'inappropriate medications' are still prescribed in the Australian setting, and the size of their contributions to unplanned hospital stays. The researchers suspect that this problem is much larger than immediately apparent from routine statistics, because many of the side effects of inappropriate medications are non-specific, such as confusion, drowsiness or difficulty standing up, thus putting seniors at risk of falls and neglect of other aspects of their health. The study will use a unique and new Australian research facility, which has brought together health data on the entire population of WA from both the State and Commonwealth levels, including information on pharmaceuticals, Medicare use, hospital stays and deaths. The facility works in such a way as to preserve patient and GP privacy. A strong feature of this research will be the degree of involvement of a representative and voluntary group of older Australian patients who attend GP clinics, and the GPs themselves, in advising the researchers on what's important to consumers and GPs.Read moreRead less
The Role And Underlying Mechanisms Of Constitutional Epigenetic Silencing In Cancer Predisposition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$218,617.00
Summary
Familial and young onset bowel and uterine cancer are usually caused by the inheritance of spelling mistakes in the genetic code within a set of cancer-protection genes. Recently, some patients were identified with their gene switched off by paralysing chemicals instead. This study aims to identify additional cancer cases with gene paralysis, determine if this arises in the presence or absence of a genetic change in front of the gene, and how gene paralysis is transmitted to the next generation.
Finding meaning in the experience of dementia: The place of spiritual reminiscence work. This project will use spiritual reminiscence work to study the experience of dementia and the spiritual dimension focussing on how people with dementia find meaning and develop coping strategies. Dementia is a significant issue for an ageing society where estimates of prevalence indicate a rise of 254% from 1995-2041. The greatest challenge to people diagnosed with dementia is their search for meaning lead ....Finding meaning in the experience of dementia: The place of spiritual reminiscence work. This project will use spiritual reminiscence work to study the experience of dementia and the spiritual dimension focussing on how people with dementia find meaning and develop coping strategies. Dementia is a significant issue for an ageing society where estimates of prevalence indicate a rise of 254% from 1995-2041. The greatest challenge to people diagnosed with dementia is their search for meaning leading to the development of effective coping strategies as their memory loss and confusion progresses. Outcomes will impact on persons with dementia, staff and carers, with improved quality of life for allRead moreRead less
Validation Of A Multiplexed Blood Based Screening Assay For The Diagnosis Of Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$556,712.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in Australia with poor patient outcome due to late detection of the disease. We have developed a simple blood based test that can diagnose individuals with CRC at an early stage when the chance of cure is greater than 80%.
Molecular Characterisation Of Early Precursor Lesions Of A Novel Ñserrated Pathwayî Of Colorectal Cancer Using Gene Expression And Proteomics.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,338.00
Summary
In Australia, CRC is the second highest cause of all cancer-related deaths. If detected early, CRC has a high success rate of cure, but a percentage of precursor lesions escape detection and show aggressive clinical behaviour to progress to CRC. These are difficult to diagnosis with existing technologies. We aim to understand the biology behind sessile serrated adenoma pathways and hence enhance early detection, diagnosis and treatments strategies.
ADAM Metalloprotease Inhibition For Treatment Of Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$770,925.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) causes over 4000 deaths/year, typically from developing drug resistance and spreading to other organs (metastasis). These processes involve tumour cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs), which rely on specific cell surface proteins for survival and function. We are developing antibodies against one of these type of proteins, to test in mouse models of CRC. These already show promise in targeting CSCs and inhibiting drug-resistance and metastasis in mice.
The Role And Inheritance Of Constitutional Epimutations In Early-onset Colorectal Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$347,551.00
Summary
Traditionally familial cancers are thought to be caused by spelling mistakes within the genetic code of cancer prevention genes. Our group has found that chemical attachments to one gene (MLH1) stops it working, even where there is no spelling mistake, and that those chemical changes can be inherited in families with bowel cancer. We will determine how frequently this type of defect occurs in bowel cancer patients, how and why it arises, and if other cancer genes are similarly affected.
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354823
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
National network for the study of cognitive processes and treatment across the phases of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is associated with great costs to the community and individual. Controlled studies have demonstrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is efficacious in treating symptoms of schizophrenia. Studies of cognitive processes have also advanced understanding of psychotic phenomena. This initiative affords the opportunity to
1) Improve treatment efficacy by developing, testing and appl ....National network for the study of cognitive processes and treatment across the phases of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is associated with great costs to the community and individual. Controlled studies have demonstrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is efficacious in treating symptoms of schizophrenia. Studies of cognitive processes have also advanced understanding of psychotic phenomena. This initiative affords the opportunity to
1) Improve treatment efficacy by developing, testing and applying theoretically-driven models of psychotic symptoms.
2) Disseminate the findings of research on CBT for psychotic disorders in clinical settings by (a) training the work-force, and (b) facilitating CBT delivery in routine practice.
3) Apply CBT in various settings with a variety of psychotic populations to test its effectiveness in routine clinical settings.
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