2005 Grant Recipients
$565,957 INVESTED IN CANCER RESEARCH PROJECTS
Dr Dong Fu and Professor Des R. Richardson
Children's Cancer Institute Australia
New drugs for breast cancer
"Iron-Transport molecules and their role in the pathogenesis of human breast cancer and the use of novel iron chelators as therapeutic agents"
This project will investigate the use of a new type of drug based on iron chelators for the treatment of breast cancer.
Dr Marinella Messina
Kolling Institute, Royal North Shore
Hospital
Thyroid cancer
'A targeted gene directed enzyme pro-drug therapy for medullary thyroid carcinoma delivered by ovine atadenovirus vector'
Thyroid cancer is primarily treated by surgery, but is unresponsive to traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy as follow-up methods, particularly if the cancer has spread to other sites. This project aims to test the use of new types of drugs as an alternative treatment.
Dr Catherine Suter
Victor Chang Institute & St Vincent's
Hospital
Bowel Cancer
"Investigation of germ line epimutation as the cause of hyperplastic polyposis"
This project aims to discover the underlying cause of hyperplastic polyposis syndrome, a bowel disorder which sometimes leads to bowel cancer. Dr Suter hopes to identify the key genetic changes which are responsible for the disease.
Dr Michelle Henderson
Garvan Institute
Understanding cancer development from damage to DNA
"A novel mediator of the DNA damage response"
This study will investigate the roles of two proteins in tumour suppression and the repair of damage to DNA in protecting against the development of cancer. It may reveal important new therapeutic avenues or indicators for treatment and prognosis.
Michelle Henderson was the inaugural winner of the Macquarie Bank Fellowship in Cancer Research.
Dr Megan Hitchins
Department of Medical Oncology, St Vincent’s Hospital
Colorectal cancer
"Investigation into the regional epigenetic inactivation around the MLHI1 gene in microsatellite unstable colorectal cancer"
Colon cancer is the leading cause of death in industrialised countries. This study proposes to study cancer samples to identify genes which might be early predictors of cancer. Identification of these genes may enable diagnosis before disease sets in.
Dr Thomas Grewal
Department of Immunology, St Vincent’s Hospital
Breast Cancer
"Role of Annexin 6 in the regulation of Ras signalling"
This project aims to understand the action of particular proteins in the development of breast cancer. Understanding the actions of these proteins could lead to the development of new drugs which would prevent this tumour development.
Dr Jun Yu
Storr Liver Unit, Westmead Millennium Institute
Liver Cancer
"Modulation of liver cancer cell survival and growth by PPARs, NF-kB and COX-2"
Liver cancer is a very common cancer, and prevention among predisposed individuals is important. This study will provide important information on the development of liver cancer, and possibly lead to new drugs for prevention and treatment.
Associate Professor Ross Smith
Department of Surgery, Royal North Shore Hospital
Pancreatic cancer
"The use of proteomic patterns in serum to diagnose pancreatico-biliary cancer"
Pancreatic cancer continues have a very high death rate. We aim to use a new screening technique to detect pancreatic and bile duct cancer much earlier. This earlier detection could allow potentially curative surgery, and the screening would provide valuable insight into the causes of this cancer.
Dr Nicholas Wilcken
Department of Medical Oncology, Westmead Hospital
Breast Cancer
"Systematic review of interventions for the management of locally advanced breast cancer"
This project will lead to development of clinical practice guidelines to assist patients with advanced breast cancer, and their doctors, to make informed decisions about their care.
Dr Michael Hahn
Kolling Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital
Parathyroid cancer
"The identification of novel protein binding partners of the putative tumour supressor HRPT2/parafibromin"
This project will study proteins found in tumours in the parathyroid gland. Results may lead to improved detection and treatment of parathyroid tumours.
