Nanomedicines Immunotargeting: Hitting The Target Or Lost In Translation ?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,042.00
Summary
Nanomedicines are some of the most exciting novel approaches to improving the way we detect, manage and treat cancers. This cross-disciplinary project aims to provide a rigorous understanding of how nanomedicines penetrate solid tumour tissues. To validate in vitro tumour model developed in the project, in vivo studies will be carried out in a mice model. The penetration and distribution of nanomedicines inside tumour tissues after intravenous administration will be determined.
Improving Methodolgies For The Early Detection Of Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$317,860.00
Summary
Early detection of tumours and diseases is vital for an effective and successful treatment. Current early detection methods are invasive and use toxic or radioactive chemicals. This project focuses on understanding how non-toxic, non-invasive ‘smart’ polymeric devices would work for early disease detection. It will provide next generation early detection devices which will reduce the cost of treatment, and increase the effectiveness of therapy.
Improving Immunotherapy By Vascular Targeting And Barrier Alteration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$526,878.00
Summary
Tumors grow in part because they escape destruction by the immune system. New blood vessels grow inside tumors by a process called angiogenesis, which then stops cancer-fighting cells in their tracks. We hypothesise that breaking down the blood-tumor barrier will open tumors for attack by the cancer-fighting immune system. This proposal continues our work on reversal of angiogenesis in the context of immunotherapy. We expect these findings to lead to highly effective anti-tumor therapies.
Redirecting T-cells For Immunotherapy Of Leukaemia And Lymphoma By The Expression Of A CD19-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor Using The PiggyBac Transposon Gene Modification System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,876.00
Summary
Most lymphomas respond to therapy but then relapse. Immune cells can attack and kill virus related lymphomas. However, most lymphomas are NOT virus related. We will create immune cells targeting these virus negative lymphomas by inserting artificial receptors into the immune cells. These receptors attach to the lymphoma and activate the immune cells. The immune cells will home to the lymphoma, kill lymphoma cells and persist in the body for many years, preventing lymphoma relapse.
My research projects in the fields of cancer biology, vascular biology and immunology assess molecular mechanisms of vascular remodelling and implications for disease.
Studying The Novel Role For G Protein-coupled Receptor Signalling In Leukaemia Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,144.00
Summary
Recent research has shown the clinical importance of abnormal stem cells (LSC) in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). LSC are resistant to therapeutics suggesting that they could be a cause of relapse. Identifying signalling pathways that drive LSC development is essential to selectively eradicate LSC that could offer substantial therapeutic benefit. This proposal aims to identify and evaluate critical signalling pathways as a potential therapeutic target for developing effective novel LSC-targeted t ....Recent research has shown the clinical importance of abnormal stem cells (LSC) in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). LSC are resistant to therapeutics suggesting that they could be a cause of relapse. Identifying signalling pathways that drive LSC development is essential to selectively eradicate LSC that could offer substantial therapeutic benefit. This proposal aims to identify and evaluate critical signalling pathways as a potential therapeutic target for developing effective novel LSC-targeted therapy in AML.Read moreRead less
IMMUNOTARGETED NANOPARTICLES TO IMPROVE TUMOUR DELIVERY OF CHEMOSENSITISING CYTOTOXIC DRUGS AND B-RADIATION
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$548,985.00
Summary
This project aims to develop nano-bullets for advanced cancer therapy and nano-probes for the early assessment of cancer treatment responses, improved patient outcomes and reducing drug development time. Specially engineered, antibody-coated nanoparticles are targeted to dead cancer cells, present in untreated cancer but increased after therapy, for (1) tumour site specific delivery of increased drug or radiation dose than currently achieved and (2) monitoring the tumour response to therapy.
The Oncogenic Function Of A Histone H3K9 Demethylase And Its Contribution To The Aggressive Malignant Phenotype Of Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$762,501.00
Summary
In contrast to the significant improvements in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukaemia, advances in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) therapy have been limited. The difficulty in treating AML is thought to arise from a drug-resistant subpopulation of leukaemic stem cells (LSC) that are capable of reinitiating disease after chemotherapy. This project will characterise a key regulator of LSC and provide insights into an important oncogenic process that gives rise to the aggressive and often fatal ....In contrast to the significant improvements in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukaemia, advances in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) therapy have been limited. The difficulty in treating AML is thought to arise from a drug-resistant subpopulation of leukaemic stem cells (LSC) that are capable of reinitiating disease after chemotherapy. This project will characterise a key regulator of LSC and provide insights into an important oncogenic process that gives rise to the aggressive and often fatal AML.Read moreRead less
Improving Anti-cancer Therapy By Stromal Targeting And Remodelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$673,742.00
Summary
We have developed a new drug which binds to abnormal cancer blood vessels. Upon binding, shape and tone of cancer vessels are restored and they become tighter. Our research will now test whether combining this new drug with current standard-of-care therapies such as chemo- and immunotherapy, will improve cytotoxic drugs and also make the immune system work better to fight the cancer. We also expect that tightening of blood vessels will stop cancer cells from spreading throughout the body.