Inherited determinants of cancer aetiology. Family history of cancer is a strong risk factor for many cancers. This project will aim to identify inherited factors influencing risk of developing cancer and those factors influencing the course of the disease and outcomes.
Detection of infrared-biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of canine neoplasia. This research hopes to discover infrared-biomarkers for canine cancers using synchrotron infrared and laser light. Many dog cancers are similar to human cancers so cancerous tissues and cells from dogs make excellent models for human cancer research. This project will provide new insights and technological approaches to cancer diagnosis and treatment.
How do mechanical cues regulate tissue renewal and tumour progression? Imbalances between cell production and cell death in tissues can be catastrophic, leading to major global health issues such as cancer. This project will use modified mice and protein-protein interaction based techniques to identify how changes in the mechanical properties of tissues regulate the balance between cell production and cell death.
EGFR-directed radioimmunotherapy combined with chemotherapy and DNA repair inhibition: development towards clinical application for aggressive cancers. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) are aggressive diseases which lack effective therapies in clinical use. A novel and curative therapy was developed against PDAC and TNBC which involves targeted radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy and DNA damage response inhibition. This project will develop a “p ....EGFR-directed radioimmunotherapy combined with chemotherapy and DNA repair inhibition: development towards clinical application for aggressive cancers. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) are aggressive diseases which lack effective therapies in clinical use. A novel and curative therapy was developed against PDAC and TNBC which involves targeted radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy and DNA damage response inhibition. This project will develop a “preclinical data package” comprising a biological rationale and preclinical evidence of safety and efficacy that together would justify an early phase clinical trial. This package includes the choice of formulations, mechanism of action and safety studies. This development will have an immediate impact for PDAC and TNBC patients and a future impact on other EGFR-positive cancers.Read moreRead less
Novel Therapeutic Strategies For Pancreatic Cancer Using Next Generation Sequencing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,892.00
Summary
Dr David Chang is a surgeon scientist who specialises in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. His research focus is on the development and implementation of novel therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer. He aims to achieve this by utilising novel biomarkers that have the ability to forecast prognosis and response to treatments. Ultimately, this will lead to the “individualised” treatment for each patient.
Understanding The Clinical Significance Of Tumour Genomic Architecture And Host Immune Response In Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$94,732.00
Summary
This study uses sophisticated DNA sequencing technologies to help patients and their doctors better understand and treat breast cancer. It also tries to understand how the cancer DNA may change over time, and if this is important to how the cancer is treated. In addition, it looks for a link between the DNA changes in a tumour and the anti-tumour immune response, which may help identify patients that could benefit from immunotherapy in the future.
Three dimensional (3D) optical coherence tomography in cancer. This project will establish for the first time how well 3D optical coherence tomography, a form of medical imaging, can image cancer. Based on this, a version built into a needle will be developed which will enable extension much deeper into tissues than previously possible to image cancer and to guide related surgical procedures.
Elucidating The Function Of Rho-ROCK Signalling In The Regulation Of Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,568.00
Summary
As cancers progress from benign to more malignant forms, the way in which cancer cells respond to external influences changes dramatically. These cells subvert the normal interactions between proteins which pass signals from outside the cell to the inside, to control cell behaviour and assume a survival advantage. We plan to study a form of cell signalling that is often abnormal in cancer in order to identify technologies for limiting cancer growth and spread by interfering with these signals.
Tumours secrete factors which are contained in specific structures called exosomes, and are used to prepare other organs of the body for subsequently incoming tumour cells, thereby facilitating the often mortal spread of the cancer. This project will investigate the way exosomes alter organs before tumour cells arrive, the composition of these exosomes in lung cancer patients and if they are novel markers for diseases progression as well as therapeutic intervention.