The National Centre For Asbestos Related Diseases (NCARD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,500,000.00
Summary
The National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases is a world-leading centre studying the deadly cancers mesothelioma and lung cancer. Our ongoing Centre of Research Excellence program includes research from the development and genetics of asbestos-related cancers, through to new treatments, novel ways of imaging cancer, and the supportive care of people with these cancers. This program will improve the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer.
Production Of Chimeric Monoclonal Antibodies To Pim1, A Novel Therapeutic Target For Cancer Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$188,850.00
Summary
Almost one in six men will develop prostate cancer during his lifetime. Every year, around 10,000 Australian men are diagnosed and more than 2,500 die of the disease, making prostate cancer the second largest cause of male cancer deaths after lung cancer. The research progress made on prostate cancer over the past 10 years has been encouraging. However the five-year survival rate remains low. There is a vital need to develop new methods to treat this disease. An exciting principle has emerged re ....Almost one in six men will develop prostate cancer during his lifetime. Every year, around 10,000 Australian men are diagnosed and more than 2,500 die of the disease, making prostate cancer the second largest cause of male cancer deaths after lung cancer. The research progress made on prostate cancer over the past 10 years has been encouraging. However the five-year survival rate remains low. There is a vital need to develop new methods to treat this disease. An exciting principle has emerged recently with the use of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) such as Herceptin (a humanised anti-HER2 Mab), which is now being widely used to treat breast cancer. We produced 2 Mabs to Pim1, which significantly inhibited prostate cancer cell growth in mouse prostate cancer model. Pim1 is a novel oncoprotein, a biomarker for the treatment of prostate cancer as it overexpresses in more than 90% of prostate cancer, but not or less expressed in normal prostate, demonstrated by genearrays and immunohistochemical staining. Pim1 plays an important role in cell survival, proliferation and metastasis. Pim1 is a novel target, and the anti-Pim1 Mabs may be of value for the cancer therapy in humans. However, the murine Mab can not be repeatedly used in human because human would produce anti-mouse antibody response, and the murine Mab would be rapidly removed from circulation, which will greatly limit the therapeutic potential of the Mabs. Fortunately, the problem can be overcome by the use of hybrid chimeric antibodies. In this study, we are going to use chimeric technology to humanise the anti-Pim1 Mab and test them in vitro and in mouse model for the preclinical studies. We have had patent to protect our finding, and we are confident to produce mouse-human chimeric Mab for the future clinical trial as we have proper knowledge, techniques. We are also optimic for the future clinical trial as we have the experiences on commercialisation.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Role Of The IL11-Stat3-Th17 Signaling Axis In Gastrointestinal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,743.00
Summary
Gastrointestinal cancers arise when abnormal cells grow out from otherwise normal tissue. The resulting tumours contain a number of different types of cells, some of which help the tumour to grow, and some of which fight the tumour. We are interested in understanding how soluble molecules called cytokines influence the cells that promote tumour growth. In particular, we will explore the role of a cytokine called Interleukin-11 in these processes to identify novel cancer therapies.
Therapeutic Strategies In Epithelial Cancer Through Signalling Inhibition Of The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$136,250.00
Summary
The growth of cancer cells is regulated by many factors, including the presence of growth receptors on the surface of cancer cells. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is present in some normal tissues, but is highly expressed on many common cancers, including brain, breast, lung, head and neck, colon and prostate cancer. We are developing a number of potential therapeutic compounds that act by inhibiting the EGFR in cancer cells. These compounds include a novel monoclonal antibody that ....The growth of cancer cells is regulated by many factors, including the presence of growth receptors on the surface of cancer cells. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is present in some normal tissues, but is highly expressed on many common cancers, including brain, breast, lung, head and neck, colon and prostate cancer. We are developing a number of potential therapeutic compounds that act by inhibiting the EGFR in cancer cells. These compounds include a novel monoclonal antibody that binds to EGFR and inhibits its function, and a small molecule that binds to a portion of the EGFR inside cancer cells and also inhibits function. Both of these compounds prevent tumour growth in laboratory studies. This project will examine the mechanisms of action of these compounds, and explore ways to improve their anti-cancer effect. We have also shown that combining these compounds with other therapeutics eg chemotherapy markedly enhances their anti-cancer effect. We will further examine the mechanisms of these effects, and also determine if radiotherapy has additive anti-cancer effects. These studies will provide a basis for improved therapies for cancers overexpressing the EGFR.Read moreRead less
Functional Characterisation Of A New Surface Adhesion Molecule On Human Vascular Progenitor Cells To Combat Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,794.00
Summary
Collectively, diseases of the blood vascular system contribute immensely to the burden of health care in Australia. Notably, abnormal blood vessel formation is a major cause or contributor to many diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ischemia injury and diabetes. This project aims to understand the underlying mechanisms associated with aberrant angiogenesis such that it may aid in the identification of novel targets for the development of therapeutics.
Activating Transcription Factor 3 And Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$767,794.00
Summary
We have shown that the transcription factor ATF3 suppresses bladder cancer spread. Turning off ATF3 is associated with disease progression in bladder and colorectal cancer. We will test whether levels of ATF3 can be used as a prognostic maker for disease progression, investigate the mechanisms underlying the actions of ATF3 in bladder and colorectal cancer and test whether therapeutically activating ATF3 can inhibit cancer progression.