Funded projects

Cell line models for aggressive breast cancer growth.

Breast cancer growth is driven by steroid hormone oestrogen and one of the main methods of treating breast cancer, apart from surgery, is to block the action of this hormone, either by blocking its action or by blocking its synthesis. In each case, treated patients often develop tumours that are more aggressive than the original cancer. We have grown breast cancer cells in culture either with tamoxifen to block oestrogen action, or in the absence of oestrogen. Unexpectedly, these treatments both led to more rapidly growing cancers, mimicking the aggressive behaviour in the clinic. We propose to investigate the reasons for this behaviour.

Development of a New Zealand-specific risk assessment tool for melanoma.

This project will develop a risk assessment tool to predict an individual's probability of developing melanoma. It will be specific to New Zealand conditions, and will be simple, non-invasive and cheap enough to be used quickly in primary care. This tool will allow the identification of people at increased risk of developing melanoma so they can be offered an individual programme of melanoma surveillance, tailored to their level of risk, in order to aid prevention, and improve early detection and thus timely treatment of melanoma.

Plasma and serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor levels in women with gynaecological cancers and the effect of food compounds.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a factor that stimulates the growth of blood vessels in malignant tumours. High blood levels have been reported in patients with cancer and therefore proposed as a marker of tumour activity. However, results are varied and complicated by the fact that factors not related to tumours may influence blood VEGF measurement. We wish to investigate the relationship of blood VEGF measurement and tumour behaviour in patients with endometrial and ovarian cancers, by comparing women with and without active cancer. In addition, the effect of food compounds on VEGF levels will be investigated.

Purchase of specialist palliative care books, journals and manuals.

Hospice Wanganui continues to receive a Certificate of Accreditation from Quality Health New Zealand; (which is the NZ Council on Healthcare Standards). To continue to achieve these standards of excellence, Hospice Wanganui has reveived a Genesis Oncology grant of $2,693 to cover the cost of the books and manuals that will upgrade and upskill our medical and nursing staff to be able to maintain current and future standards of excellence in palliative / oncology care; education / professional development / cancer research / cancer treatment and relevant new information about palliative/oncology care for our medical doctors and nursing staff.

At Home: A New Zealand documentary exploring the experience of relatives caring for someone dying at home.

The documentary describes the experience of caring for people from a variety of social backgrounds who are dying at home, eg parents caring for an 18 month old child, nurses providing care for a young adult with severe disability, a sister describes the care given to her adult brother at home in the Wairarapa, two daughters describe their mother, an internationally known Maori artist and her death at home in Lower Hutt. Doctors (General practice, Palliative Medicine) and nurses (Palliative Care and District) describe the uniqueness and privilege of supporting patients and families at home. A 50 year old musician and landscape gardener courageously and poignantly describes his hopes as he faces his imminent death. The participation of Keith Quinn (Broadcaster), Jenny Bornholdt (Poet) as well as vox pop with people on the streets of Wellington and some rugby will lighten the reality of these touching stories for a lay audience.

The documentary sensitively explores the courage and love demonstrated by the carers and the support provided by nurses and doctors to facilitate that care at home.The challenging demographics of society with smaller families and increasing life span may put pressure on the ability of the health care system and community to respond to people's wish to die at home. So it is timely that this documentary describes the reality of death at home; a reality full of courage, intimacy and uncertainty. Most people wish to die at home. Yet in the busy pressurized world of today how many of us would have the courage and dedication to care for a relative who wishes to die at home?

Improving a patient's journey through the Radiation Oncology Department

A diagnosis of cancer is distressing for patients. Providing information about procedures and treatment is an effective way to reduce a patient's distress and improve their ability to cope. We seek funding to produce an educational DVD for cancer patients who are to be treated with radiation therapy. Patients will be able to watch this DVD with their friends, family and whanau. The DVD will describe the patient's journey through the radiation therapy department including procedural information on radiation therapy planning and treatment. The DVD will also cover common misconceptions about radiation therapy and provide information on support services available.

Enhancing the training of New Zealand's future Cancer Specialists

A highly successful national NZ Part II teaching program has been in operation since 2005 for trainees in radiation oncology (approximately 8-10 at any time). Funding to date has been tenuous and unpredictable on an annual basis from commercial sponsors. In 2009 the commercial sponsor required increased input into the teaching program, with formal presentation of promotional material. This was considered unacceptable by the organisers (applicants) due to the potential for bias and unethical behaviour. Thus, the national program is at risk of collapse.

Genesis Oncology Trust palliative care breakfast lecture series

For the seventh year the Genesis Oncology Trust with fund the Hospice NZ Breakfast Lecture Series. The aim of this project is to provide a low cost and easily accessible education opportunity for a range of healthcare professionals who have an interest in palliative care. The eleven lecture monthly series is presented via teleconference, making it easily accessible throughout the country. In 2009, 200 people on average listen to the teleconference lecture every month. Thanks to the ongoing support of the Genesis Oncology Trust the lectures are available without charge to registered participants. The primary goal of the 2010 series is to involve more generalists working in the area of palliative care, particularly in rural areas.

Nurse Maude End of Life Online Nursing Education

This project will develop online education for registered nurses on assessment and symptom management in end of life care using an online learning management system. The introduction of the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) into aged care facilities has stimulated the need for more palliative care education for nurses. Most nurses receive limited palliative education in their training, so additional education will be vital to the success of the LCP and for improving patient's quality of care. However, there are recognised barriers to accessing face-to-face education (e.g. time, cost, staff shortages) which can be addressed by more flexible, accessible online education.

Cellular targets and pharmacology of peloruside A

Peloruside A, a marine sponge compound, is being developed by Victoria University as an anti-cancer drug. Peloruside has a similar but distinct action to Taxol, a chemotherapeutic drug used to treat breast, ovarian and lung cancer. Peloruside works by binding to a cell's cytoskeleton and inhibiting cell division. Other targets of peloruside could play important roles in any side effects of treatment, and these secondary targets are being characterised. The metabolism and elimination of peloruside by mice and isolated cancer cells will also be examined. These findings will contribute to the development of peloruside as a future drug for cancer chemotherapy.

The role of cytoskeletal proteins in modulating TGF-beta tumour suppression in the prostate

Worldwide, prostate cancer accounts for one death every 4 minutes. In many patients resistance to treatment will develop. New treatments are therefore needed. The study will determine how proteins of the cell's "skeleton" help enforce the actions of a tumour suppressing agent that is secreted in the prostate. It will provide knowledge fundamental to the development of novel drugs to treat prostate cancer.

Gynaecological Oncology Clinical and Research Fellowships at Charing Cross Hospital, London and The Royal Marsden, London UK

Gestational trophoblastic tumours and ovarian germ cell tumours are uncommon gynaecological cancers that are potentially curable. Charing Cross hospital in London has the world's foremost expertise in this area drawing on the largest caseload of these tumours. The aim of this fellowship is to develop subspecialty skills and gain research experience which will contribute to care and improved outcomes for patients with these cancers in our community.

Discovery and improvement of anti-cancer enzymes from bacteria

This project aims to develop enzymes from bacteria that are able to activate non-toxic "prodrugs" into highly toxic anti-cancer drugs. These enzymes will be delivered to cancer cells by tumour-specific viruses, making them sensitive to the prodrugs. Because normal human cells lack these enzymes, there will be minimal side-effects in healthy tissue. As well as having the potential to target both dormant and rapidly dividing tumour cells, these particular enzymes will allow us to follow the progression and distribution of virus in the body - a vital safety control which has been lacking in previous cancer gene therapy work.

To attend and present at the 100th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Denver, Colorado, April 2009

To fund dissertation that will complete a Masters in Health Sciences at the University of Auckland