International study improves test for people at risk of bowel or endometrial cancers. Posted on February 19, 2015February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit A more accurate way to identify those at a high risk of bowel or endometrial cancer has been discovered by cancer scientists in Queensland. Researchers at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute led a global effort to refine genetic information in an international database, meaning GPs will have the ability to access the publicly-available data and give patients a truer picture of their familial risk. This global project arose from the issues many GPs and patients seemed to be having from inconclusive results when tested for Lynch Syndrome – an inherited condition that increases the risk of bowel and endometrial cancer. Associate Professor Amanda Spurdle, who led the project, said, “The model – using the expertise of researchers and clinicians across the world with a particular knowledge of a rare disease – essentially turns indecipherable sequencing data into real knowledge that can have a clinical benefit.” “As a result of this work, doctors can more conclusively say whether those patients have Lynch Syndrome, and therefore whether they are at a higher risk of getting another cancer. “The reverse of that is that we may also ease the worry of some people who’ve had inconclusive results.” The research team involved Professor Maurizio Genuardi from the University of Florence and Professor Finlay Macrae from the Royal Melbourne Hospital. The International Society for Gastrointestinal Tumours (InSiGHT) committee pooled data from across the world on thousands of different gene changes. “Through this collaborative effort, we can be confident of our counselling advice to families, offer them testing for the gene fault, and, if they carry it, help them closely monitor their health and take preventative measures,” Associate Professor Spurdle said. The findings of this project can be found in esteemed research journal Nature Genetics. The ACRF is proud to have supported QIMR Berghofer Medial Research Institute, having provided more than $6 Million in research grant funding since 2002.
VCFG publishes first genome-wide screen Posted on July 21, 2014February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The ACRF-funded Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics (VCFG) at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre has published its first genome-wide screen, in an open-access journal ‘Scientific Data’, allowing researchers around the world to benefit from the findings. As the lead article in ‘Scientific Data’, which is produced by the prestigious Nature publishing group, the paper details how the VCFG performs genome screens, which help researchers understand the functional role of every gene in the genome in cancer cell growth and cancer cell death. Continue reading “VCFG publishes first genome-wide screen”
Cancer patients could benefit from blood disorder treatment Posted on April 12, 2014February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Cancer scientists at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) have recently discovered an existing treatment for a blood disorder could potentially also treat stomach and bowel cancer – two of the most common cancers worldwide. Pre-clinical trials have found an existing class of medicines called ‘JAK inhibitors’ reduce the growth of inflammation often associated with stomach and bowel cancer. JAK inhibitors are currently being used to treat myelofibrosis and are currently in clinical trials for the treatment of other conditions such as leukaemia, lymphoma, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. By understanding the way molecules are involved in promoting the survival and growth of cancer cells, researchers have been able to identify which of these molecules can be targeted with potential anti-cancer treatments. The research team at WEHI discovered that certain types of bowel and stomach cancer were influenced by proteins, called JAKs, which helped with the cancer growth and formation. Dr Emma Stuart, Dr Tracy Putoczki and Associate Professor Matthias Ernst from the WEHI made this discovery. “It was exciting to discover that when JAKs were blocked with existing medications (JAK inhibitors), bowel and stomach cancer growth in experimental models was slowed, and many of the cancer cells were killed,” Dr Stuart said. The discovery of JAK inhibitors has stemmed from research into the links between inflammation and cancers of the digestive tract. “Recently we have begun to unravel the complex signalling that occurs in inflamed tissues, such as when a person has a stomach ulcer or suffers from inflammatory bowel disease, and how this drives cancer development,” said Dr Stuart. This discovery of a treatment that already exists which can be safely and successfully inhibited in patients is very promising. The Australian Cancer Research Foundation is dedicated to funding research which leads to better treatment outcomes for all types of cancer, and we are proud to have provided millions of dollars in funding to the team of researchers working at Melbourne’s WEHI. These findings have been published in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.
Existing blood disorder medicine shows promise in treating certain stomach and bowel cancers Posted on February 18, 2014February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Cancer scientists at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) have recently discovered an existing treatment for a blood disorder could potentially also treat stomach and bowel cancer – two of the most common cancers worldwide. Pre-clinical trials have found an existing class of medicines called ‘JAK inhibitors’ reduce the growth of inflammation often associated with stomach and bowel cancer. JAK inhibitors are currently being used to treat myelofibrosis and are currently in clinical trials for the treatment of other conditions such as leukaemia, lymphoma, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Continue reading “Existing blood disorder medicine shows promise in treating certain stomach and bowel cancers”
October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: How ACRF Is Outsmarting Women’s Cancers this October Posted on October 8, 2013October 18, 2021 by Carly du Toit October is known around the world as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The aim of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is to increase awareness of breast cancer and the impact it has as well as to raise much needed funds. To celebrate breast cancer awareness month, people engage in fundraising activities and purchase pink merchandise to raise money for this fantastic cause. At ACRF however, we refer to October as our “Women’s Cancer Month” – a time where we raise awareness and much needed funds for all types of cancer that affect Australian women, as cancer statistics show 1 in 4 Australian women will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 75. Why we are determined to find better prevention, detection and treatment methods for women’s cancers At ACRF, we are committed to improving prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer. That is why, this October we are focusing on all cancers that affect women, not just breast cancer. Every day up to 50 women in Australia are diagnosed with breast or gynaecological cancer. These cancer types include uterine, cervical, vulva and ovarian – cancers which are sometimes forgotten and unfortunately under-funded. Then there are other common women’s cancers which we need to remember this October: these include; bowel, lung and skin cancers. We are committed to funding research through our grants and research projects into these cancer types, bringing new hope to our mothers, daughters, sisters, cousins and friends around the world. Continue reading “October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: How ACRF Is Outsmarting Women’s Cancers this October”
WEHI researchers identify an exciting new approach to the treatment of stomach and bowel cancers Posted on August 16, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Melbourne researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) have identified a potential new drug target (a molecule called interleukin-11) for the treatment of bowel and stomach cancer, which are two of the most common cancers worldwide. When a tumour develops in the stomach or bowel region, the normal (non-cancerous) tissues around it often becomes inflamed producing many different molecules, including two particular (related) cytokine molecules: interleukin-11 and interleukin-6. Interleukin-6 has long been in the spotlight in terms of cancer research, as it is known to promote the spread of cancer cells. In fact, anti-cancer agents that block interleukin-6 are already in clinical trials for ovarian, kidney, prostate and breast cancers. However, interleukin-11 has only been thought to have a minor role in the growth and spread of cancers. Continue reading “WEHI researchers identify an exciting new approach to the treatment of stomach and bowel cancers”
Vale Adam "Bear" Nicholson Posted on March 9, 2012February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit This month the ACRF was saddened to hear of the passing of one of our loyal supporters Adam Nicholson. Last year Adam competed in Run Melbourne, whilst undergoing chemotherapy for bowel cancer. With only 2 weeks to prepare, Adam not only finished the race but was the ACRF’s top fundraiser and in the top 10 overall fundraisers in Run Melbourne. Adam’s courage was truly inspirational and we would like to take this opportunity to thank Adam for his passionate support for cancer research. The ACRF is truly grateful for his commitment and passion in supporting cancer research over the past year. We would like to extend our sympathies to the Nicholson family and all those who knew Adam and thank his friends, family and colleagues at I-Med who have generously donated to cancer research in his memory.
Fighting for world-class cancer research Posted on November 17, 2011February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit
