Personalised Medicine Markers Of Anti-EGFR Antibody Therapy In Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Accelerating Clinical Translation With Collaborative Meta-analyses Based On Individual-participant Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,953.00
Summary
When selecting cancer therapy we take into account ‘biomarkers’, biological cancer characteristics that predict treatment success. We will work with an international group, the Advanced Colorectal Cancer Database, to analyse individual patient clinical trial data. We intend to validate biomarkers used to select treatment with cetuximab or panitumumab. Cancer genes called KRAS, NRAS, PTEN, PIK3CA, EREG and BRAF will be examined. Our study will provide best evidence for personalised treatment.
Pushing AR Toward Better Outcomes In Breast And Prostate Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$998,754.00
Summary
Breast and prostate cancers kill >6000 Australians each year. These cancers are strikingly similar, both driven by hormone receptors that have ‘gone bad’. Current therapies aim to eradicate the receptors. While often effective, therapeutic resistance is common and results in fatal disease. We aim to develop new, less toxic treatments that switch receptor behaviour from good to bad, without destroying them. This should improve quality of life, while preventing drug resistance and loss of lives ....Breast and prostate cancers kill >6000 Australians each year. These cancers are strikingly similar, both driven by hormone receptors that have ‘gone bad’. Current therapies aim to eradicate the receptors. While often effective, therapeutic resistance is common and results in fatal disease. We aim to develop new, less toxic treatments that switch receptor behaviour from good to bad, without destroying them. This should improve quality of life, while preventing drug resistance and loss of lives.Read moreRead less
Mab Immunotherapies For Myeloid Leukemia Patients With Germline Or Somatic RUNX1 Mutations.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$766,995.00
Summary
This proposal presents preliminary evidence and proposes to confirm that 2 cell surface molecules, CD11a (ITGAL) and IL3RA (CD123) are direct (probably repression) targets of RUNX1 in HSCs, and are dysregulated in RUNX1 mutated AML. Monoclonal antibody therapies that target these two surface molecules have already passed different clinical trial phases for different diseases. We plan to show these antibodies are effective in RUNX1 positive AML in preclinical models and then clinical trials.
How The Lateral Habenula Integrates Behavioral And Autonomic Functions: The VTA Dopamine Connection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$819,904.00
Summary
When adverse events occur, the lateral habenula, an old brain nucleus, helps calculate the wisest corrective action by contributing to the “brake” that controls the brain’s dopamine reward system. Our research will show how the lateral habenula links corrective changes in behavior with coordinated changes in temperature. Understanding this link will greatly contribute to understanding the brain mechanisms that regulate our physiology during stressful situations and as part of mental illness.
Determining The Prerequisites For The Achievement Of Treatment-free Remission In Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia To Facilitate The Development Of New Therapeutic Approaches With Curative Intent
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,318,775.00
Summary
Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) can usually be treated effectively with long-term tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Remarkably, rare patients who achieve excellent responses can stop treatment altogether without relapsing. Detailed studies of these patients in terms of their genetic background, the biology of their leukaemia and their immune response may help us understand how this is possible, leading to new therapeutic approaches to make treatment-free remission more widely achievable.
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.
A Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomised Trial (SMART) Of Nursing Interventions To Reduce Pain Associated With Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$713,418.00
Summary
Modern chemotherapy treatments can result in damage to the peripheral nerves, resulting in a condition called peripheral neuropathy. This condition is characterised by a range of sensory and functional changes that can cause pain and reduced ability to perform daily activities. This project will test various non-pharmacological pain management measures to determine if they are effective in improving the quality of life of patients who experience this problem.
How IsomiRs Expand The MicroRNA Functional Repertoire In Affecting Gene Expression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,570.00
Summary
MicroRNAs function as regulators of gene expression. It is becoming appreciated that microRNAs are frequently expressed as variants with subtly different sequences. We find here that variation in one important cancer-associated microRNA, miR-222, promotes differences in the behaviour of cells expressing them. This work seeks to understand how microRNA variation confers such properties to cells, to identify the genes miR-222 variants regulate, and to examine how widespread it is that microRNA var ....MicroRNAs function as regulators of gene expression. It is becoming appreciated that microRNAs are frequently expressed as variants with subtly different sequences. We find here that variation in one important cancer-associated microRNA, miR-222, promotes differences in the behaviour of cells expressing them. This work seeks to understand how microRNA variation confers such properties to cells, to identify the genes miR-222 variants regulate, and to examine how widespread it is that microRNA variation contributes to cancer.Read moreRead less
Targeting MicroRNA-driven Mesenchymal To Epithelial Transition To Suppress Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$741,831.00
Summary
Prostate cancer kills ~3,000 men per year in Australia. The development of metastasis is the major cause of prostate cancer-associated death and has limited treatment options. In this study, we will characterise the role of a group of molecules, termed microRNAs, in prostate cancer metastasis. We will also test whether targeting microRNAs using novel drugs termed antagomiRs is an effective strategy to inhibit metastasis and thereby improve prostate cancer mortality.
Bitter Taste As A Mediator Of Food Intake And Postprandial Glycaemia In Health And Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$735,430.00
Summary
The gut “tastes” contents passing through it in a similar manner to the tongue. Recent evidence suggests that bitter substances in the gut can reduce appetite and slow the emptying of meals from the stomach, by stimulating gastrointestinal hormone release. We propose studies to understand how this system functions in health and type 2 diabetes, and whether it can be targeted to provide new diabetes treatments