Bone Marrow Macrophages: “Resident Evil” In The Establishment And Progression Of Multiple Myeloma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,585.00
Summary
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer that develops within the bone marrow (BM). To date, which cells of the BM stroma are required for the support of MM growth remains unknown. Our preliminary data suggest BM resident macrophages, expressing CD169 and CX3CR1, are essential for MM growth. Using innovative and elegant animal models of MM, we will define the role of these macrophages in MM growth and determine if macrophage-targeted therapies can delay MM growth in the relapsed disease setting.
Defining The Function Of ROCK In Establishing A Tumour-promoting Microenvironment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,950.00
Summary
Cancer’s spread from its primary to secondary sites causes most cancer-related deaths. As cancers grow and spread, their internal structure is modified. Immune cells within the cancer begin to behave differently to the same types of cells in normal tissues, promoting its spread. We have discovered that many of these changes are regulated by a protein called ROCK. We plan to study how ROCK controls such a wide range of tumour promoting processes.
Using Bioengineered 3D Models To Replicate The Tumour Microenvironment In Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,658.00
Summary
The research will address the poor prognosis of patients with advanced prostate cancer bone metastasis by establishing a novel 3D bioengineered bone model containing high amounts of fat cells, where cancer cells can relocate. This approach will help identifying the impact of fat cells on cancer cell function, and help determine whether fat cells are legitimate therapeutic targets, ultimately assisting clinicians to select better therapies for prostate cancer bone metastasis.
Tumour Associated Macrophages And The IL-6 Family Of Cytokines In The Progression To Gastric Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$522,602.00
Summary
Stomach cancer has a high mortality rate and a poor prognosis. Stomach cancer is one of the few cancers in which the causative pathogen had been demonstrated and eradication of Helicobacter pylori will eliminate the risk of developing cancer but the point at which tumour initiation is irreversible is unknown. Eradication of H. pylori is not always simple or effective. So investigation into initiation events in stomach cancer and development of more sophisticated treatments is warranted.
Metagenomic Analysis To Determine The Prostate Microenvironment And The Aetiology Of Inflammatory Mediated Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,534.00
Summary
Infectious organisms have been implicated in the development of several different malignancies. This project aims to determine if this may also be applicable in prostate cancer and if so, to define which organism/s may be responsible, thus providing targets for improving diagnosis, treatment and prevention strategies. The approach will be to identify DNA in the prostate tumour tissue that is foreign to the �normal� prostate environment and indicative of an invading organism.
Sympathetic Nervous System Regulation Of The Tumour Microenvironment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,212.00
Summary
Metastasis is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in breast cancer. These studies will evaluate the translational opportunity of targeting the sympathetic nervous system as a common regulator of cancer progression pathways. By exploiting sensitive imaging technology for non-invasive, real-time assessment of stress biology, these studies will define the neuroendocrine mechanisms that operate in the tumour microenvironment to support dissemination and arrest of cancer cells in target organs ....Metastasis is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in breast cancer. These studies will evaluate the translational opportunity of targeting the sympathetic nervous system as a common regulator of cancer progression pathways. By exploiting sensitive imaging technology for non-invasive, real-time assessment of stress biology, these studies will define the neuroendocrine mechanisms that operate in the tumour microenvironment to support dissemination and arrest of cancer cells in target organs.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Of T Cell Migration And Interactions In Tumours
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$609,385.00
Summary
Cancer is still a leading cause of death. Thus, there is great need to develop improved anti-cancer therapies, which could be achieved by boosting the body's own resources, i.e. the immune system. Using a functional imaging approach, i.e. two-photon microscopy, we will directly visualise how tumour cells are attacked by the immune system. Mechanistic insight into this process will serve as a basis for the development of improved immuno-therapeutic strategies that aim to target cancer cells.
CSF-1 Regulation Of Macrophage Adhesion And Motility And Promotion Of Tumour Invasion And Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$323,453.00
Summary
Macrophages, a type of white blood cell, infiltrate tumours and encourage tumour cells to metastasize. The mechanism involves secretion of a macrophage motility factor, CSF-1, by the tumour cells and secretion of a tumour cell motility factor by the macrophages to stimulate co-migration, invasion and metastasis. CSF-1 controls macrophage motility via the CSF-1 receptor. Dissection of receptor signalling pathways to macrophage motility will identify therapeutic targets to prevent tumour spread.