DNA methylation is a process that plays a critical role throughout life by altering the expression of genes. We aim to investigate the potential use of methylation as a target for prevention strategies and for men with no clinical evidence of disease, as a marker of their risk for prostate cancer, particularly its aggressive form.
Testing And Treatment For Prostate Cancer In Australia: Epidemiology And Modelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$267,886.00
Summary
We aim to use observational data and mathematical modelling to investigate testing and treatment for prostate cancer in Australia. We will incorporate changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and in clinical practice to investigate: a) over-diagnosis, being cancer cases diagnosed through PSA testing that would not have been otherwise diagnosed; b) the effect of PSA testing on prostate cancer mortality; and c) mortality and health care use under different PSA test scenarios.
Predicting The Individual Risk Of Prostate Cancer In Australian Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,656.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is a major cause of disability and death in Australian men. A number of factors, particularly age and family history, influence the risk of prostate cancer but, in contrast to breast cancer, we don't know what is the risk of developing prostate cancer over a period of time for a man with a specific set of risk factors. In fact, while a number of statistical models have been developed that use a woman's risk factor profile to estimate her risk of breast cancer, none is currently a ....Prostate cancer is a major cause of disability and death in Australian men. A number of factors, particularly age and family history, influence the risk of prostate cancer but, in contrast to breast cancer, we don't know what is the risk of developing prostate cancer over a period of time for a man with a specific set of risk factors. In fact, while a number of statistical models have been developed that use a woman's risk factor profile to estimate her risk of breast cancer, none is currently available for prostate cancer. We will apply standard statistical methods to existing data from the Australian Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer study and from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare to develop a prostate cancer risk prediction model. We will test how factor like age, detailed family history, diet, baldness status and possibly previous PSA tests and prostate biopsies predict the risk. After developing the model, we will test the accuracy of the predictions in three ways. First, using existing data from the Australian Prostate Cancer Family Study, we will see whether the number of cases in a group of men is close to the number predicted by the model (calibration). Second, to test whether the model discriminate well men who develop prostate cancer from those who do not, we will collect family trees in a sample from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. We will use these data also to estimate the optimal cut point: men above this level of risk will be considered at high risk. Third, we will apply the model to existing data from the Dutch Prostate Cancer Family Study (DPCFS) to test whether the optimal cut point identify high-risk men and to validate the model in a non-Australian population. Finally, we will prepare a computer package that health professionals will use as decision-making tool in different scenarios including individual cancer risk assessment, design of prevention trials and targeting prevention programs to high-risk men.Read moreRead less
Who To Treat, When To Treat And How To Treat Prostate Cancer: Generating Evidence To Guide Prostate Cancer Treatment Decisions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
There is considerable uncertainty about which treatments lead to better outcomes for men with prostate cancer and whether treatment is always necessary. This project will compare different treatment options for prostate cancer, including active surveillance, to determine which offers the best chance of survival and least harm to men’s physical and mental wellbeing. It will also explore whether some men who do not receive active treatment (healthy older men) would benefit if they did.
A National Case-Control Study Of The Causes Of Childhood Brain Tumours
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,159,259.00
Summary
Childhood brain tumours are the second most common childhood cancer (~20%) after leukaemia (~35%) and are the leading cause of cancer death among children. Children who survive a brain tumour are often left with physical and mental problems as a result of treatment. This can have a significant impact on the child, family and community. Greater understanding of the causes of childhood brain tumours may lead to preventative measures. Most children with brain tumours are very young, suggesting that ....Childhood brain tumours are the second most common childhood cancer (~20%) after leukaemia (~35%) and are the leading cause of cancer death among children. Children who survive a brain tumour are often left with physical and mental problems as a result of treatment. This can have a significant impact on the child, family and community. Greater understanding of the causes of childhood brain tumours may lead to preventative measures. Most children with brain tumours are very young, suggesting that factors to which parents are exposed may affect future children. For this reason, it is important to study the parents as well as the child. This study will investigate environmental exposures known to be harmful, such as parental cigarette smoking and exposure to pesticides and other chemicals. Such exposures are also thought to increase the risk of other childhood cancers like Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. We will also investigate whether dietary factors - including vitamin supplements - in the parents or the child can reduce the risk of a child developing a brain tumour. This study also examines genetic factors which can influence the body's ability to deal with toxins. Some genetic variations, combined with diet and lifestyle factors, may alter the risk of developing some cancers. These interactions need to be examined in greater detail for childhood brain tumours. This national study will examine specific genes and analyse them in conjunction with rigorous assessment of exposures throught to be related to the development of childhood brain tumours. Results obtained from children with brain tumours and their parents will be compared with those from healthy 'control' children and their parents. This is the first study to assess gene-environment interactions in relation to the risk of childhood brain tumours.Read moreRead less
Cause Of Death In Men With Prostate Cancer: A Population-wide Data Linkage Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$305,255.00
Summary
3,000 Australians die of prostate cancer annually yet 100,000 are living with the disease. This project will identify the causes of death in men with prostate cancer. It will examine whether testing for the disease lowers the risk of death, whether patients are at higher risk of suicide or heart disease and if type of treatment is related to long term risk of heart disease. The results will help men and their doctors make informed decisions about testing and treatment for prostate cancer.
A Case Control Study Of Risk Factors For Aggressive Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,592,353.00
Summary
Although most prostate cancers are not fatal, some develop into an aggressive form that is likely to progress and kill. How this happens and how to prevent these cancers, is not well understood. The study will examine the lives of men with aggressive prostate cancer, from the time of conception to adulthood, their family history and genetic characteristics to identify the role of life patterns and genes in the development of these cancers, seeking a basis for their prevention .
Markers Of Androgen Action, Genetic Variation And Prostate Cancer Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$798,907.00
Summary
This proposal aim to follow up evidence from a number of studies that genetic and non-genetic markers of hormonal action in different periods of a man's life are associated with prostate cancer risk using a collection of three large, independent epidemiologic studies on prostate cancer named the Prostate Cancer Program. A principal objective is to collect exposure data on acne and digit ratio, and genotype cases and controls across the studies of the Prostate Cancer Program for common genetic va ....This proposal aim to follow up evidence from a number of studies that genetic and non-genetic markers of hormonal action in different periods of a man's life are associated with prostate cancer risk using a collection of three large, independent epidemiologic studies on prostate cancer named the Prostate Cancer Program. A principal objective is to collect exposure data on acne and digit ratio, and genotype cases and controls across the studies of the Prostate Cancer Program for common genetic variants in 4 candidate genes in the hormonal pathway. The established risk factors for prostate cancer are only age, race and family history. We anticipate that this project will cast light on the role of hormones in prostate cancer and that we will identify new markers of risk of prostate cancer and markers of disease aggressiveness. These outcomes will help us identifying men who are at risk for prostate cancer to target screening and surveillance, and plan prevention strategies. Furthermore, they will also form the basis for research on treatment targets.Read moreRead less