Next-generation Glioblastoma Multiforme Therapies Based On Multistage Delivery Nanovectors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Nanomedicine provides novel therapies with enhanced treatment success and reduced side effects, which improve the patient’s quality of life. Drug delivery systems that are able to treat highly drug-resistant tumours such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are a key target for nanomedicine-based therapies. We will investigate a new GBM treatment by developing a multistage delivery nanovector to selectively carry and release a combination of chemical and physical therapeutics.
Targeting Immune Suppressive Neutrophils To Improve Cancer Immunotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Australia. Despite the recent successes of cancer immunotherapies, there is an unmet need to overcome primary unresponsiveness and acquired resistance. Today mounting evidence has accumulated that neutrophils contribute to therapy resistance by fostering tumour blood supply and an immune suppressive microenvironment. The central aim of this project is, to improve cancer immunotherapy by blocking an immune suppressive neutrophil response.
Unravelling How Protein Signalling Networks Integrate To Control T Cell Fate
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Rational design of drug combinations to manipulate the immune response requires an understanding of how different signals work together to control cell behaviour. The PIM kinase proteins are known to regulate important properties of immune cells, including division and death and when dysregulated can lead to cancer. I will perform a comprehensive, unbiased investigation of how the PIM kinases interact with other protein signalling pathways to control the immune response in health and disease.
Identifying The Molecular Mechanisms Of Synergistic And Antagonistic Drug-drug Interactions In Combination Chemotherapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,685.00
Summary
Drug combinations in chemotherapy hold promise for more effective treatments and for overcoming drug resistance, but the search for effective combinations is challenging. The combination therapy R-CHOP is often curative for Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Both cellular drug interactions and evolutionary drug interactions will be quantified in DLBCL cells, to understand the defining features of effective combinations and guide the future rational design of combinations.
Understanding Relapse In Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Investigation Of Return Of Fear.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$255,014.00
Summary
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is common and results in significant impairment. There are effective psychological treatments for PTSD, yet relapse following treatment remains high. The proposed research will involve a series of experiments and observational studies to better understand the process that lead to relapse in patients receiving treatment for PTSD. The findings of these studies will assist in modifying treatment to ensure that symptom gains are maintained following treatment.
Improving The Therapeutic Use Of Anti-infective Agents: Application Of Pharmacometrics For Rational Dosing Regimen Design
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$313,390.00
Summary
There is no field of medicine in which the individualisation of medicines is more important than in infectious diseases – appropriate doses must be administered to maximise efficacy and to minimise side effects and the emergence of drug-resistance. This fellowship will use the emerging science of pharmacometrics to investigate factors contributing to the variability in response to anti-infective medications and to optimise dosing regimens for the best use of these drugs in clinical practice.
Identifying Mechanisms Of Resistance To Novel Hormonal Agents In Patients With Castrate-resistant Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,004.00
Summary
I am a medical oncologist focused on prostate cancer, a disease which kills over 3000 Australian men every year. Recent studies have shown that new hormone treatments help men with advanced prostate cancer live longer. Unfortunately, while these drugs are effective when first started, prostate cancers eventually become resistant to them and start growing again. By looking at why these drugs stop working, I hope to find better treatments for Australian men with advanced prostate cancer.
RNA Interference And Retigabine Therapy Protect Against Hereditary Hearing Loss
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,522.00
Summary
The preservation of hearing function is central to the treatment of individuals who are genetically predisposed to hearing loss. At present only synthetic hearing aids and cochlear implants can provide functional improvement, albeit sub-optimal. The studies described here will seek to prevent hearing loss by reducing the damaging effects of defective genes. Gene therapies that reduce the effect of these defective genes and a drug that enhances the activity of functional genes will be developed.