Novel Molecular Markers Of Lung Cancer Risk And Survival
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$824,765.00
Summary
Lung cancer remains the most lethal cancer worldwide, yet little is known of the risk factors beyond that of tobacco smoking and certain occupational exposures. We have assembled a large international consortium comprising 24 cohort studies and over 10,000 to validate associations between B-vitamins and lung cancer risk particularly in never and former smokers. We propose to expand this study and use the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study and the rest of the consortium to identify novel biomar ....Lung cancer remains the most lethal cancer worldwide, yet little is known of the risk factors beyond that of tobacco smoking and certain occupational exposures. We have assembled a large international consortium comprising 24 cohort studies and over 10,000 to validate associations between B-vitamins and lung cancer risk particularly in never and former smokers. We propose to expand this study and use the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study and the rest of the consortium to identify novel biomarkers of risk and survival.Read moreRead less
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.
While most leukemia patients initially respond well to chemotherapy, >60% die because the disease returns as a result of the survival of leukaemia cells following treatment. We have identified a new protein, osteopontin (OPN), that may allow the survival of leukaemia cells and therefore reduce the ability of chemotherapy to erradicate disease. We seek to examine the role of OPN in leukemia with a view toward developing targetted therapies in the future.
I am a molecular epidemiologist, studying the environmental and genetic causes of cancer, particularly endometrial and breast cancer. I am studying the molecular markers that act as signatures for the environmental and-or genetic aetiology of a given canc
Lewy body dementia is a common yet under-recognised form of dementia in older people. There is a great need for biomarkers to reduce misdiagnosis and improve outcomes for patients and families. Recently there have been exciting advances in research regarding blood tests that might improve diagnosis and understanding of dementia. We will study these blood markers of neurodegeneration and inflammation in people with Lewy body dementia, which may improve diagnosis and help discover new treatments.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome Related Thrombosis: Understanding The Disease Pathogenic Mechanisms Is The Key To Better Diagnosis And Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,497.00
Summary
Patients with the Antiphospholipid Syndrome develop thrombosis at a young age. It requires long-term treatment with blood thinning medications, which have risks of severe bleeding. Methods are needed to decide which patients require long term treatment, avoiding unnecessary treatment in low risk patients. Such methods do not currently exist. In this study we explore how useful two novel assays developed by us are in identifying which of these patients are at high risk of thrombosis.
Waxing And Waning Of Asthma During Transition From The Teens To Adulthood: Identification Of Immunophenotypic Markers To Predict Disease Trajectory And Guide Development Of Treatment Strategies To Prevent Progression To Chronicity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$736,166.00
Summary
The project will seek to identify biomarkers in teenage/young adult asthmatics that can distinguish between those who are "growing out" of the disease, versus those who are progressing towards chronic severe asthma. This knowledge will inform the development of more effective treatment programs for this age group.