Molecular Profiling Of Sarcomas To Enable Clinical Prediction And Elucidate Molecular Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$441,000.00
Summary
Sarcomas are uncommon cancers which affect the young, with a 50% mortality. Treatment involves an expert multidisciplinary approach, and even when effective often entails long-term loss of quality of life. Most sarcomas are treated with a combination of radiotherapy and surgery, which improves survival significantly compared to surgery alone. Radiotherapy does not help all patients, has side-effects and is expensive and time consuming. It would be useful to be able to identify patients who will ....Sarcomas are uncommon cancers which affect the young, with a 50% mortality. Treatment involves an expert multidisciplinary approach, and even when effective often entails long-term loss of quality of life. Most sarcomas are treated with a combination of radiotherapy and surgery, which improves survival significantly compared to surgery alone. Radiotherapy does not help all patients, has side-effects and is expensive and time consuming. It would be useful to be able to identify patients who will not benefit from radiotherapy, to minimise unnecessary harm from treatment and offer alternate more effective therapies. Unfortunately, we cannot yet distinguish which tumours will respond and which will not. Moreover, the uderlying causes of sarcoma are poorly understood. This project has two aims: first to make our current therapies more effective by targeting those who will not benefit from standard treatment; and second to better understand the causes of sarcoma, in order to develop better treatment. Microarrays enable the simultaneous study of thousands of genes, which when combined form a unique portrait of each tumour. Our unit, one of the largest sarcoma sevices in Australia, has access to large numbers of tumour samples, with excellent basic science support. It is now possible to ask what the molecular 'portrait' is of sarcomas which are responsive to radiotherapy, using tiny amounts of tumour material which can be obtained before treatment starts. We also hope to identify the molecular basis of sarcomas by finding the key genes whose inactivation is central to the development of this form of cancer. Such genes can then form the basis of targeted therapy. This approach will lay a solid foundation for future research into sarcomas, and has the potential to reduce unnecessary cost and suffering patients experience from treatments which are unlikely to be effective.Read moreRead less
Patterns Of Care And Experience Of Care For Adolescents And Young Adults With Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$669,096.00
Summary
There is increasing concern, across several countries, that outcomes of care for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer are not optimal. This project aims to improve outcomes of care for AYAs with cancer by providing information about the best way to organise health services. It will do this by describing patterns of care for 700 AYA patients with cancer; providing detailed data on experiences with care for 300 patients; and conducting in-depth qualitative interviews.
The Mutational Landscape Of Melanoma In Adolescents And Young Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Melanoma is the most common cause of cancer mortality in 20-34 year olds and many traditional treatments, chemotherapy and radiotherapy cause tremendous long-term damage to growing bodies. Fortunately new drugs that target the genetic mutations are proving effective. Unfortunately, the genomic mutation specific to young melanoma patients are unknown. This study aims to characterising the genomic mutations of young melanoma patients, leading to the discovery of innovative treatment options.
Novel Approaches To Address Barriers To Care For Adolescents And Young Adults With Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$188,786.00
Summary
In Australia, one young person aged 15-29 is diagnosed with cancer every six hours. Psychological disorders are also most likely to be first experienced in this life stage. This research addresses three understudied issues for this vulnerable group: health literacy (how well they understand and manage health information) at diagnosis, psychological adjustment after cancer treatment completion, and distress, communication and decision making when a young person’s cancer cannot be cured.
Improving The Treatment Of Infections In Children And Young Adults With Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,237.00
Summary
Children and young adults undergoing cancer treatment are at an increased risk of infection. This is managed by admission to hospital for antibiotics which can be a frightening experience for the child and expensive for the healthcare system. While many need admission, a proportion of patients can be safely managed at home with oral or intravenous antibiotics. This project aims to identify these children and young adults, so as to improve their quality of life, and decrease cost of treatment.
A Cluster Randomised Trial Of Electronic Feedback, Online And Telephone Support On Multiple Health Risk Behaviours Among Technical And Further Education (TAFE) Students
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$634,076.00
Summary
This trial will examine whether electronic feedback and enrolment of TAFE students into online and telephone services reduces smoking rates and risky alcohol consumption and increases fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity levels in the long-term. Thirty-two TAFE campuses will participate. At intervention campuses, electronic feedback and online and telephone services will be offered to students for health behaviours which they do not meet Australian health guidelines.
Emotions, Situation Awareness And The Risky Driving Behaviour Of Young Novice Drivers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Young novice drivers have been overrepresented in the road crash fatality and injury statistics in motorised countries around the world for decades. A critical knowledge gap underpinning this is a failure to consider the role that emotion plays in young driver behaviour. The aim of this innovative research is to radically improve young driver road safety by clarifying and optimally managing the impact of young drivers' emotions upon their situation awareness.
Adolescent investments can create a triple dividend for health: across adolescence; through late life; and into the next generation. Yet adolescence remains neglected and health trends over time have been unfavourable. This application focuses on the most neglected aspects of adolescent health. It builds on earlier work with the Lancet, longstanding Australian cohorts and a recently awarded NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence to answer the most pressing questions of policy makers.