Sensitizing Tumours To Immunotherapy: Development Of An RNA-based Therapeutic For Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma That Targets The Immunosuppressive Tumour Microenvironment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$192,347.00
Summary
The blood vessels of tumours are highly abnormal resulting in leakiness and hypoxia within the microenvironment. These abnormalities contribute both to the pathology and also to resistance to treatment. We have developed a new drug that is able to inhibit vascular leak, better the response to therapies and improve disease outcome. This work will generate essential data for the development of this drug towards Clinical Trials through interaction with International Pharma.
Treating Metastatic Melanoma With Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy And IMmune Pathway ACTivation (SABR-IMPACT)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$185,445.00
Summary
Metastatic melanoma has historically had extremely poor survival. Drugs that activate the immune system provide some hope, and in the minority who respond survival beyond 10 years is possible. Radiotherapy causes local tumour death resulting in antigen exposure and systemic effects that may also stimulate the immune system. The combination of radiotherapy and immune activating drugs may be synergistic and result in improved survival for a greater proportion of patients.
Small Molecule Inhibitors To Reprogram The Tumour Environment And Improve Immunotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$784,520.00
Summary
Cancer blood vessels are different to normal blood vessels; they help cancer cells to spread and stop immune cells in their tracks. We have identified drugs which help to make cancer blood vessels more normal and also bring immune cells into the cancer core. We will test these drugs in combination with immunotherapies, a new treatment option which has not reached its full potential in the clinic. Since our drug candidates are already in clinical use, we expect to fast track clinical development.
Improving Anti-cancer Therapy By Stromal Targeting And Remodelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$673,742.00
Summary
We have developed a new drug which binds to abnormal cancer blood vessels. Upon binding, shape and tone of cancer vessels are restored and they become tighter. Our research will now test whether combining this new drug with current standard-of-care therapies such as chemo- and immunotherapy, will improve cytotoxic drugs and also make the immune system work better to fight the cancer. We also expect that tightening of blood vessels will stop cancer cells from spreading throughout the body.
Tailoring Treatment Strategies For NRF2-driven Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$923,501.00
Summary
Lung cancer is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the most common cause of cancer-related death in Australia. Mutations in the KEAP1 gene are observed in a high number of lung cancer patients. These abnormalities are associated with poor prognosis, but may also present an opportunity to specifically target these cancer cells. We will utilise preclinical models to identify new personalised treatment strategies for patients that carry KEAP1 mutations.