Diseases caused by the pneumococcus represent the largest cause of vaccine preventable death in the world today, mainly pneumonia and meningitis. In 2011, 16 developing countries will introduce pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, none in east Asia. Lack of research has been a major barrier to their use in the region. We have established an international centre of excellence in the field and we seek support to extend the capacity of this group and to transfer the technology to Vietnam.
Impact Of DTP Schedules On The Immunogenicity Of 2 Doses Of 13v-PCV Followed By An Early Booster
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,651,687.00
Summary
This project aims to come up with a vaccination schedule to make pneumococcal vaccines more effective and affordable for Fiji and other developing countries. We will evaluate schedules involving a 2 dose primary series in early infancy with a booster at 9 months of age. We will compare the immune responses to 3 different primary series and 2 booster options. The results of this project will be used to provide advice, at global and country levels, regarding introduction of pneumococcal vaccines.
Understanding The Role Of The Two Major Bacterial Pathogens In The Upper And Lower Airways Of Indigenous Children With Chronic Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$743,282.00
Summary
Lung infections are a major disease burden worldwide. Indigenous Australians are affected more; adults with severe lung disease can die in their 30s and 40s. These diseases start early, yet no in-depth studies of bacteria causing lung infections in children have been done. Our expert team proposes to use existing lung fluids from nearly 500 children with chronic lung disease (58% Indigenous), and state-of-the-art laboratory methods, to inform the design of vaccines to prevent lung disease.
Improving Sexual Health In Men With Prostate Cancer: Randomised Controlled Trial Of Exercise And Psychosexual Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,416.00
Summary
Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common and distressing side effects of prostate cancer. Despite being a critical survivorship care issue, there is a clear gap in knowledge surrounding the optimal treatment of sexual dysfunction in men with prostate cancer. This project examines whether exercise aids in the management of sexual dysfunction and explores if an integrated treatment model incorporating pharmacological, exercise and psychosexual therapies maximises improvement in sexual health.
Microfluidic Strategy For Circulating Tumour Cells Analysis In Cancer Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,180.00
Summary
My approach and ultimate goal over the next 4 years is to demonstrate the use of recently discovered “Nanoshearing” technology as a standard diagnostic tool for cancer patients undergoing systemic therapy and assess the impact of standard protocols in predicting response to therapy and patient outcomes. Data from this study could potentially define new standards of clinical practice, as they relate to follow-up screening for response to therapy and recurrence of disease.
Which Modifiable Risk Factors Actually Cause Cancer?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,076.00
Summary
Observational studies suggest that modifiable risk factors such as low vitamin D levels, coffee consumption, alcohol consumption and obesity may be important in cancer risk. However, observational studies can only demonstrate association between a risk factor and cancer, and association does not equal causation. We present an alternative approach to help determine which risk factors actually cause cancer.
KLK4 Is A Master Regulator Of Tumour Microenvironment Remodelling In Prostate Cancer And Bone Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$596,305.00
Summary
The current biomarker for prostate cancer, PSA, belongs to a large family of related proteins called KLK enzymes. We have evidence that one of these enzymes, KLK4, regulates many different pathways involved in tumour spreading especially to bones. This project will determine the specific components involved with a view to finding better biomarkers of tumour spread and bone metastasis and designing better treatments for these aspects of the disease.
We have identified genetic abnormalities in 5% of breast cancers that fall in a novel DNA element called BIME1. This proposal aims to determine whether these genetic abnormalities contribute to breast tumourigenesis and which genes and pathways are affected by these mutations. The outcomes of this proposal may lead to the development of novel therapies for breast cancer or could influence the choice of existing therapies for patients that harbour these genetic abnormalities.
A Prospective Study Of Language Impairment And Recovery Following Surgery For Brain Tumours
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$861,342.00
Summary
This multi-site project will investigate the incidence and nature of post-operative language difficulties (aphasia) in patients following surgery for left hemisphere primary brain tumours. It will provide comprehensive data concerning risk factors for post-surgical aphasia in Australian patients, in addition to important information about the brain lesions responsible for its various clinical presentations. This information will be used to generate recommendations for clinical practice.
Mitochondrially targeted anti-cancer drugs modulate the mitochondrial genome. Successful cancer management requires novel therapeutical approaches. This project will test the effect of a new class of compounds that target mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cells, where they suppress expression of mitochondrial genes. By this mechanism, cancers that are resistant to apoptosis induction can be inhibited.