This project will improve our understanding of how painkiller medicines work in very old and frail people which will improve the use of these medicines in pain management. This study will carefully examine pain control with two of the most commonly used pain killer medicines - paracetamol and oxycodone. By understanding all the factors that influence an older persons pain control we will be able to improve the safe and effective use of painkiller medicines in this special group of people.
Applying Pharmacometrics To Develop Novel Treatment Strategies For Staphylococcus Aureus Infections In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$368,562.00
Summary
My research will determine the best way to give antibiotics to treat Staphylococcus aureus, one of the most common causes of infection in children. This includes finding out if we can provide highly effective treatment with antibiotics given by mouth instead of through a drip, and with fewer doses each day, so we can treat kids at home instead of in hospital. I will also explore new ways to use common antibiotics to treat antibiotic-resistant infections.
The Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacodynamic And Pharmacogenomic Outcomes Of Reduced Dosage Of Efavirenz: The Encore1 Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,234,943.00
Summary
Our primary aim is to assess blood concentrations of a drug called efavirenz, an important drug used in the treatment of HIV infection and associate these with variability of genes that control metabolism of the drug. A better understanding of gene variability and how it relates to safety and efficacy outcomes at a reduced, compared to a standard dose of efavirenz could support improved treatment of HIV disease.
Effects Of Ageing On Hepatic Drug Clearance And Mechanisms Of Drug Induced Liver Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,892.00
Summary
With increasing age, there is increase in disease, for which medications may provide benefit, and an increase in the risk of adverse drug reactions, even after considering the increase in medication use by older people. We will investigate how the liver clears drugs from the blood in old age. This will guide dosing of medications for older people. We will also study how drugs injure the liver in old age and test interventions to prevent this toxicity.
A Multicentre Feasibility Study Of Partial Breast Irradiation Using 3D Conformal Radiotherapy For Early Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$154,910.00
Summary
Breast conserving therapy (BCT) is an accepted treatment option for most women with early breast cancer. Whole breast irradiation (WBI) after breast conserving surgery substantially reduces the risk of breast recurrence. However, the prolonged 5-7 week course of WBI substantially decreases the quality of life (QoL) experienced by women and is a logistical problem particularly for the elderly and women who reside far from a radiotherapy (RT) facility. In order to improve the access and convenienc ....Breast conserving therapy (BCT) is an accepted treatment option for most women with early breast cancer. Whole breast irradiation (WBI) after breast conserving surgery substantially reduces the risk of breast recurrence. However, the prolonged 5-7 week course of WBI substantially decreases the quality of life (QoL) experienced by women and is a logistical problem particularly for the elderly and women who reside far from a radiotherapy (RT) facility. In order to improve the access and convenience of BCT, accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is being investigated. Research shows that 75% of the breast recurrences occur at the tumour bed after BCT implying that in selected women, RT may be limited to the tumour bed only. By limiting the breast volume irradiated, it is feasible to accelerate radiation dose delivery and reduce overall treatment time. In addition, a shorter schedule permits more efficient use of RT resources. To determine if APBI could replace WBI as standard of care for selected women with early breast cancer treated with BCT, it is necessary to demonstrate its technical feasibility and equivalence of outcomes compared to WBI. This study investigates the feasibility, toxicity, cosmetic outcome, local control and QoL of women with early breast cancer treated with APBI using a novel technique. It uses advanced 3-dimensional RT planning and multiple fields shaped to conform to the target volume (tumour bed) and spare the normal organs. It is more likely than the other modalities to be adopted as the preferred APBI technique in Australia because it uses equipments readily available in most RT centres and being non-invasive, is likely to be preferred by patients. However, its feasibility in multiple Australian centres with varying RT equipments is unclear. Given the current high level of international interest, it is timely to conduct this feasibility study in preparation for large scale research to determine if APBI may replace WBI in BCT.Read moreRead less