Funded projects

Toxin-producing strains of Bacteroides fragilis and colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in New Zealand, and being able to identify those who are at risk of developing CRC could reduce the number of CRC-related deaths. Very recently, a common bug has been linked with colon cancer in mice via production of a specific toxin. We propose that this same bug, enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF), may also have a role in the development of human CRC.

Manipulating the normal gut immune response to cure colorectal cancer

The T cells of the immune response are vital in preventing death due to colorectal cancer. We will create a mouse model of naturally-arising colorectal cancer within the regulated immune environment of the gut, and analyse local T cell responses to the tumour. We have developed a novel vaccine to generate local T cell responses and will test whether these local T cells are more effective than T cells from the rest of the body at fighting colorectal cancer. If so, we will be able to manipulate local immune responses of patients to induce a strong anti-tumour effect.

BCL6 and Chemoresistance: A new target for glioblastoma multiforme therapy?

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common, and most aggressive brain tumour, and it has a very poor prognosis. GBM are highly resistant to radiation and chemotherapy, and turn on multiple survival pathways in response to chemotherapy. We will determine whether BCL6, a protein important for chemoresistance in lymphoma and leukemia, is expressed in the GBM cells that survive chemotherapy.

Targeting childhood leukaemia through the TESTIN pathway

Acute leukaemia affects about 40 New Zealand children per year. Although successful treatments are available, the standard therapy is intensive and side effects are common. We have recently described the commonest molecular change in childhood leukaemia. We have now accumulated a compelling body of evidence that suggests that silencing of a gene called TESTIN contributes to the development of leukaemia, and that reactivation of its pathway might provide a plausible route to cure. In this research project we will determine the mechanisms by which reactivation of TES kills leukaemia cells and then test therapeutic approaches on human leukaemia cells.

RAVES Decision Aid Project

It is particularly challenging for patients to decide whether to join a clinical trial when practice varies among doctors due to lack of evidence. This is the case for the RAVES trial, which is investigating the optimal timing for radiotherapy following prostate cancer surgery. The RAVES Decision Aid Project, a collaboration among psychologists, urologists and radiation oncologists, will investigate the effect of a Decision Aid on patient experience and recruitment to the RAVES trial. It will also look at broader issues of whether this type of resource is helpful to patients and how it impacts patient stress and anxiety.

Inhibiting the human growth hormone receptor (hGHR) to improve radiosensitivity in endometrial cancer

Radiotherapy is used to treat approximately 50% of all cancer patients, with varying success. Tumour cell resistance to treatment with radiation is a major clinical challenge in cancer therapy, and agents which improve the efficacy of radiotherapy have the potential to improve treatment outcome in a proportion of radiation-treated patients. In a recent study we demonstrated that antagonism of the human growth hormone receptor (hGHR) sensitises endometrial cancer cells to radiation-induced cell death in cell culture. In the current study we will investigate whether antagonism of the hGHR sensitises tumour cells to treatment with radiation in vivo. We hope to determine whether antagonism of the hGHR has therapeutic potential as a radiosensitising agent for cancer therapy.

A Proteomic Approach to Understand Perineural Invasion in Rectal Cancer

The major reason for cancer-related death is the ability of cancer to spread to other organs. The presence of cancer cells within nerves (or perineural invasion/PNI) is recognized as a major determinant of spread and poor outcome in rectal cancer, a very common cancer in NZ and the Western World. However, only some rectal cancers show PNI while others do not. This study will identify proteins which may be associated with or be responsible for PNI with the aim of understanding the development of PNI in rectal cancer. Such knowledge may ultimately lead to the development of new drugs for rectal cancer.

There is growing evidence showing the aggressiveness of cancer is dependent on its ability to establish its own blood supply that facilitates cancer spread. Our preliminary work in head and neck cancer, based on our discovery of the presence of primitive cells and the involvement of the renin-angiotensin system in the growth and regression of strawberry birthmark, has led us to hypothesise that primitive cells resident within the cancer tissue are behind the development of the tumour blood supply. This research provides the potential for the development of novel therapeutic strategies in targeting the tumour blood supply for head and neck cancer treatment

COMMEND Study. COMMunication regarding food and fluids towards the END of life. A Qualitative approach.

To continue to achieve these high standards of excellence here at Hospice Wanganui, we are applying to Genesis New Zealand and ‘Notice of Certification' from The Ministry of Health. The District Health Board only provide 60% of operational costs to Hospice Wanganui, and hospice has to find the remaining $1,000,000-00 to keep the hospice up and running at the present standard. To achieve these high standards of palliative health care, Hospice Wanganui needs to continue applying to Genesis Oncology Trust for a grant of $2,958-98 to cover the cost of books and journals and resources from overseas, that will be of tremendous assistance to our medical doctors and nursing staff to be able to maintain and increase the standard of excellence of care required here at our hospice

Purchase of specialist palliative care books, journals and manuals

To continue to achieve these high standards of excellence here at Hospice Wanganui, we are applying to Genesis New Zealand and ‘Notice of Certification' from The Ministry of Health. The District Health Board only provide 60% of operational costs to Hospice Wanganui, and hospice has to find the remaining $1,000,000-00 to keep the hospice up and running at the present standard. To achieve these high standards of palliative health care, Hospice Wanganui needs to continue applying to Genesis Oncology Trust for a grant of $2,958-98 to cover the cost of books and journals and resources from overseas, that will be of tremendous assistance to our medical doctors and nursing staff to be able to maintain and increase the standard of excellence of care required here at our hospice.

Printing of the new 6th Edition 2012 Palliative Care Handbook

The Palliative Care Handbook is a valuable resource for health care professionals involved in the care of people who are dying. Written by a clinical pharmacist and two palliative medicine specialists it contains symptom management guidelines and drug information to aid in the care of patients who are dying. It is also used as a teaching aid for medical and nursing students. By awarding a grant for the printing of the next edition of this resource Genesis Oncology Trust will be making a significant contribution to the quality of palliative care delivered by health care professionals in New Zealand.

Genesis Oncology Trust palliative care breakfast lecture series

In its 9th year, the Genesis Oncology Trust Lecture Series continues to provide an easily accessible palliative care education opportunity. Delivered via teleconference, the eleven lecture series is attended by an average of 346 people each month. Registered sites throughout the country participate in the series. Thanks to the generosity of the Genesis Oncology Trust the lectures continue to be available without charge to registered participants. In 2012 we aim to also provide post lecture access to some materials via our website for those unable to attend live lectures. We also aim to increase awareness and participation in the series especially targeting aged residential care facilities.

Exploiting hypoxia and DNA repair defects for treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.
An aggressive and prevalent form of breast cancer, known as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), is associated with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Two pervasive features of TNBC are hypoxia (low oxygen) within tumour tissue and defects in error-free DNA repair machinery. A panel of hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAP) developed at the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre simultaneously exploit tumour hypoxia and DNA repair deficiency to selectively kill cancer cells. This project will explore the potential use of HAP as a novel treatment for TNBC, with the objective of working toward clinical trials for these agents in human cancer patients.

Advanced clinical training in musculoskeletal oncology

Andrew Graydon, a NZ trained Orthopaedic Surgeon is undertaking subspecialty training and experience in Sarcoma treatment at Vancouver General and BC Children's Hospitals in Vancouver, Canada. Sarcomas are rare but often lethal tumours, that arise in the bones and joints of both adults and children. Treatment of these tumours is highly specialised, with many innovative new techniques improving survival and quality of life following treatment. Following the fellowship Dr Graydon will return to work at Starship Children's Hospital in Auckland, where he will join the Paediatric Oncology team introducing some of these new techniques in treating children from around NZ.

Isoform-specific targets of Akt in breast cancer metastasis

The aggressive behaviour of malignant breast cancers is determined by a complex array of signalling pathways that regulate cell growth, survival and invasive migration. One of the most frequently deregulated pathways in breast cancer involves a protein called Akt. This research aims to explore the mechanisms by which different members of the Akt family can either promote or inhibit the spread of breast cancer cells to distant tissues. This research will permit the identification of critical downstream mediators of the Akt signalling pathway thereby enabling the development of targeted therapies for the treatment of breast cancer.