Research discovery paves the way to prevention of a common childhood cancer Posted on November 5, 2015March 13, 2018 by Carly du Toit Researchers at Children’s Cancer Institute have identified a molecular ‘feedback loop’ that accelerates the development of neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nervous system in children. Fortunately, the research team has also identified an experimental drug, currently in clinical trials for adult cancer, with the potential to interrupt the loop and halt tumour progression. Researchers showed in laboratory models of neuroblastoma that the drug could block the very start of this embryonal cancer, paving the way to possible prevention strategies in the future. They found that a combination of the drug – known as CBL01371 – used in combination with traditional DNA damaging chemotherapy agents was much more effective than either drug alone. Professor Michelle Haber AM, leader of the Experimental Therapeutics laboratory and Professor Glenn Marshall AM, leader of the Molecular Carcinogenesis laboratory at Children’s Cancer Institute, worked on two very different aspects of the study. Professor Marshall’s team focused on the genetic and molecular mechanisms behind the feedback loop, and its interruption by CBL0137. Professor Haber’s team focused on the therapeutic potential of CBL0137, both as a single agent and in combination with other drugs. “Our laboratory tests tell us that CBL0137 is likely to be very effective against the most aggressive neuroblastomas, and indeed the most aggressive forms of other childhood cancers, and that is very exciting,” said Professor Haber. “But what is particularly exciting is that, in contrast to many other chemotherapeutic agents, CBL0137 does not damage DNA, and it is DNA damage that is responsible for the many unpleasant and serious side-effects that frequently affect children after they are cured of their cancer.” “The drug is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials for adults, which means that safe dosage levels are being tested. Once the adult trials are completed, a Phase 1 trial for children with refractory – or relapsed – neuroblastoma, and also other aggressive childhood cancers, will open in the United States and Australia,” Professor Haber said. Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumour cancer of early childhood, and is generally diagnosed when the disease is advanced. Around half of all children with neuroblastoma have aggressive tumours, and fewer than half of these patients survive, even after intensive treatment. These findings are published today in the journal Science Translational Medicine. This news item was originally published on the Children’s Cancer Institute’s website. The original version provides more detailed scientific information on the study. ACRF has supported cancer research at the Children’s Cancer Institute by providing three major grants, totalling AUD $5.1m. Image courtesy of Children’s Cancer Institute. Clockwise from left to right: Professor Glenn Marshall, Dr Dan Carter, Professor Murray Norris, Professor Michelle Haber, Jayne Murray
Top Australian researchers bid for ACRF grants Posted on October 15, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Millions of dollars in ACRF funding will soon be awarded to Australia’s top cancer research teams, with this week heralding our final stage of assessments. Today and tomorrow, lead researchers from five shortlisted institutes will meet with the ACRF’s esteemed Advisory Committee (which is chaired by Professor Ian Frazer AC) for the final interviews which will ultimately determine the successful research teams. Shortlisted applicants include two institutes from Sydney: the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, and the Children’s Medical Research Institute, as well as the QIMR Berghofer Cancer Research Institute in Brisbane, the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute in Adelaide, and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Melbourne. Continue reading “Top Australian researchers bid for ACRF grants”
Aussie researchers find genetic cause to the most common form of childhood cancer Posted on September 23, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Australian researchers have uncovered the first ever genetic marker specific to acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), the most common childhood cancer. Cancer scientists at the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA) and Sydney Children’s Hospital, along with a worldwide team of researchers, discovered the genetic link by studying families in which multiple cases of ALL have been diagnosed. Dr David Ziegler, Clinical Research Fellow at CCIA, paediatric oncologist at Sydney Children’s Hospital and lead Australian author of the research paper said, “Leukaemia cells often contain many different genetic mutations, making it difficult to detect which ones actually cause the leukaemia.” Continue reading “Aussie researchers find genetic cause to the most common form of childhood cancer”
Rosebank College visits CCIA to learn how we are helping to fight cancer Posted on September 11, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit In celebration of National Science Week, we recently welcomed the year 11 Rosebank Biology class to the ACRF Drug Discovery Lab at the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA). This educational tour allowed the students to get up-close with the cutting-edge technologies used inside a real laboratory, while meeting some of Australia’s best cancer scientists who are making amazing progress in the fight against children’s cancers. The day started off with a very insightful presentation by Dr Eddy Pasquier who discussed his expertise and passion for cancer research, especially in the field of Neuroblastoma. Continue reading “Rosebank College visits CCIA to learn how we are helping to fight cancer”
Millions in private funding for top cancer research projects in Australia Posted on June 21, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Five of the best cancer research projects in the world stand to receive millions of dollars in funding, following the Australian Cancer Research Foundation’s announcement today of its shortlist for 2013 research grants. From twelve research proposals, the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) has shortlisted five for further assessment as a result of the world-class standard of proposed works, and the significant potential for this research to achieve major breakthroughs in cancer diagnosis, treatment and cure. Continue reading “Millions in private funding for top cancer research projects in Australia”
Our shortlist of the most innovative cancer research projects in Australia Posted on June 20, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The ACRF is very excited with the quality of the five shortlisted applications for our grants in 2013. Some of the very best researchers in the world feature in these applications. These final five applications represent a need for more than $20 million in advanced technologies and facilities. They cover many types of cancer, not just one or two. Our highly esteemed Medical Research Advisory Committee selected these particular projects for further review on two grounds – the world-class standard of the proposed research, and the potential to achieve major breakthroughs in cancer diagnosis, treatment and cure. That committee, led by Professor Ian Frazer, will now, through a detailed interview process, recommend to our Board the best of the best for ACRF funding. The final awardees will be publicly announced on 13 November this year. Every dollar we receive in donations this year will go to research that has the power to beat cancer. Please peruse the below, to find out where ACRF donations could be making a difference very soon. Continue reading “Our shortlist of the most innovative cancer research projects in Australia”
Childhood neuroblastoma treatment enhanced with high blood pressure ‘beta-blockers’ Posted on May 29, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit An ‘old’ drug which is normally used to treat high blood pressure in adults could bring new hope to children with Neuroblastoma, researchers from the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia have discovered. Neuroblastoma is a cancer that develops from nerve cells left over from a baby’s development in the womb, predominantly affecting very young children – between 0 and 5 years old. But researchers conducting pre-clinical trials at CCIA (a world-class facility that the ACRF is proud to have funded via a $3.1m grant) have combined standard chemotherapy with beta-blockers to successfully enhance the effectiveness of the chemotherapy – paving the way towards better treatment outcomes, and decreased treatment doses for these young children. Their study has been published in the prestigious British Journal of Cancer. Continue reading “Childhood neuroblastoma treatment enhanced with high blood pressure ‘beta-blockers’”
Aussie researchers' ‘magic bullet’ gives new hope to children who relapse from blood cancer Posted on May 3, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Cancer scientists at the prestigious Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA) have discovered that an existing drug being trialled for adult cancer treatment also has the potential to treat children who relapse from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), one of the most common types of paediatric blood cancers. The current survival rate for children diagnosed with the ALL is 80 per cent, however if a child relapses this survival rate decreases to just 20 per cent. “What is so exciting about this drug is it has the potential to not only improve the survival rate of children who have relapsed but, since it acts as a ‘magic bullet’, it only targets the cancer cells, leaving the healthy cells untouched!” explains Professor Lock, Head of the Leukaemia Biology Program at CCIA. Dr David Ziegler, paediatric oncologist with the Sydney Children’s Hospital, said “Our patients and their parents can’t afford to wait years to have new treatments developed. We plan to start a clinical trial of this new therapy for children with leukaemia by the end of this year.” Continue reading “Aussie researchers' ‘magic bullet’ gives new hope to children who relapse from blood cancer”
Aussie scientists lead the way in improving Leukaemia survival rates Posted on March 27, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit A ten-year clinical trial has seen survival rates in children with the most common form of childhood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), double to 70%. The study gives new hope to children with a high-risk of relapse, based on the results of a novel test developed by scientists at the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA) – a recipient of over $3.2 million in ACRF funding. The test works by detecting Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in the bone marrow of children with ALL. It identifies patients who (despite appearances) are not responding to treatment as well as others, allowing clinicians to reassess their treatment options and maximise the patient’s chance of a full recovery. “The MRD test can detect one leukaemia cell among 100,000 healthy cells in the bone marrow, and this allows clinicians to tailor a child’s treatment,” said Professor Glenn Marshall, Head of Translational Research at CCIA (and Director of the Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick). Continue reading “Aussie scientists lead the way in improving Leukaemia survival rates”
Research news: spring 2012 edition Posted on September 14, 2012February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit In the Spring edition of the Research Review: Researchers have found a target for treating up to 50% of childhood cancer cases. An ambitious Melanoma Genome Project has launched, with the aim of identifying all common mutations within melanoma cancers. The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard has officially opened the world-class Kinghorn Cancer Centre in Sydney.
New childhood cancer research could help prevent 50% of cases Posted on August 22, 2012February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit A new discovery could lead to preventative treatments for embryonal cancer cells which are responsible for more than half of all childhood cancers. Typically, only 20% of the embryonal cells created in the womb survive after birth to form nerve tissue in a baby’s body. The rest die off before the child is born. However, sometimes excess cells survive and develop into cancers. Under the leadership of Professor Glenn Marshall, Head of Translational Research and Molecular Carcinogenesis at the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA), researchers have investigated this occurrence, focusing on the most common solid tumour cancer in early childhood – neuroblastoma. Continue reading “New childhood cancer research could help prevent 50% of cases”
CCIA Director and cancer scientist recognised for excellence in biomedical science Posted on November 29, 2011February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The Australian Cancer Research Foundation would like to congratulate Professor Michelle Haber AM, Director of the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, on her recent award at the NSW Science and Engineering Awards. Professor Haber was recognised for excellence in biomedical science, having dedicated her career to drug discovery and biomedical therapeutics for children with cancer. That same night, at a separate ceremony at Taronga Zoo, Professor Haber was also acknowledged as one of four NSW finalists for the 2012 Australian of the Year Award, lending further weight to her incredible commitment to ground-breaking cancer research in Australia. Continue reading “CCIA Director and cancer scientist recognised for excellence in biomedical science”
Fighting for world-class cancer research Posted on November 17, 2011February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit
ACRF Cancer Discovery Centre at CCIA opens for National Science Week Posted on August 11, 2011February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The Lowy Cancer Research Centre at the University of New South Wales, will kick off National Science Week with an exclusive tour of their ACRF Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer on Friday August 12, 2011. The centre, which is part of the Children’s Cancer Research Institute Australia, was developed through a $3.1 million in ACRF funding. It features Ham and Milton, two robots which work to dramatically accelerate the search for a cure for childhood cancer. These robots are the only two of their kind in Australia dedicated to childhood cancer research, and tomorrow high school students from Sydney will witness the wonders of this technology at a tour led by CCIA’s world-class researchers. Continue reading “ACRF Cancer Discovery Centre at CCIA opens for National Science Week”
Childhood cancer on notice Posted on August 20, 2010February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Official opening of the new ACRF Drug Discovery Centre “Tonight, together, we have put childhood cancer on notice. “Tonight, we have glimpsed a not to distant future where no child who has cancer need suffer,” declared Bob Muscat, chairman of the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia at the August 19 launch of the $3.1m ACRF Drug Discovery Centre. Mr Muscat joined University of New South Wales chancellor David Gonski, Children’s Cancer Institute Australia executive director Michelle Haber, CCIA founder Jack Kassas, and Australian Cancer Research Foundation chairman Tom Dery to officially open the new ACRF-funded facilities at the CCIA, part of the Lowy Cancer Research Centre at UNSW. The ACRF Drug Discovery Centre will develop new and improved treatments for childhood cancers. It houses customised technology that enables one year’s medical research to be done in just a few days. Continue reading “Childhood cancer on notice”
ACRF's $3.1 million launch Posted on August 6, 2010February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit A $3.1 million ACRF Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer opens on Thursday August 19. The new facility at the Children’s Cancer Research Institute Australia – part of the recently opened Lowy Cancer Research Centre at University of New South Wales – houses the only drug screening robot in Australia. It’s innovative technology can do a year’s research in just one day and the Centre marks a new era in the development of personalised medicine. On average three children in Australia die every week from cancer. The ACRF Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer aims to change this. UNSW Chancellor, David Gonski, ACRF Chairman, Tom Dery, Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia Executive Director, Professor Michelle Haber and CCIA Chairman, Bob Muscat will speak at the launch. Click Here for ACRF Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer Media Release.
Lowy Symposium Posted on May 16, 2010February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit World Leaders in Cancer Research Gather for Lowy Symposium Sydney, Australia: Leading international and Australian cancer researchers met in Sydney to explore new frontiers for cancer drug development in drug discovery, pre-clinical testing and the translation of these discoveries into the clinic. The Lowy Symposium with the theme of “Discovering Cancer Therapeutics” was held at the John Niland Scientia Building at the University of New South Wales from May 16 to 18. The meeting program included 9 invited international speakers and 10 national experts in cancer therapeutics research. Full Media Release here. The 2010 Symposium was the first of what is planned to be a biennial cancer symposium series that will celebrate the establishment of the Lowy Cancer Research Centre in Sydney. The Lowy Cancer Research Centre, to be officially launched on 28 May, will be one of the leading cancer research centres in the world integrating childhood and adult cancer research and taking a holistic approach to cancer across the life spectrum. Announced at the Lowy Symposium to the world’s leading cancer researchers, the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer was recognised as key to sharpening the blunt instruments currently being used to treat cancer and achieving better health outcomes for patients. Full Media Release here. The Lowy Symposium will gather international speakers and specialists at the forefront of world-class cancer research, promoting the link between research and achieving better health outcomes for people with cancer. When: 16 – 18 May 2010 Where: The University of New South Wales, Kensington Campus Read more about ACRF’s recent grant to CCIA Read about a previous ACRF grant to CCIA (2002) The Australian Cancer Research Foundation is now in its 25th year of operation. Individual ACRF grants exceed $1.5 million with no upper limit. This is unique funding for infrastructure, not available from any other private source in Australia. A grant from ACRF in 1999 kick-started 2006 Australian of the Year Professor Ian Frazer’s quest to develop a vaccine to prevent and treat cervical cancer. In the last five years alone, the foundation has awarded grants worth $46 million, with recipients including St Vincent’s Institute, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Walter & Eliza Hall, and Ludwig Cancer Institute. This figure includes a major $5 million grant for the ACRF Centre for Therapeutic Target Discovery at the Parkville Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Read more about our cancer research grants. ACRF staff were lucky enough to have a Sneak Preview of the amazing new Lowy Cancer Research Centre recently. Read all about the visit at Sneak Preview of New Research Centre.
Sneak preview of new research centre Posted on May 12, 2010February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit ACRF staff visit amazing new Lowy Cancer Research Centre Excited ACRF staff, accompanied by CEO David Brettell, were given a sneak preview of the new state-of-the-art children’s cancer research facility set to open soon at the Lowy Cancer Research Centre at the UNSW. The new facility, opening on the 19th August 2010, is the first centre in Australia to bring together childhood and adult cancer research at the one site and was built with the help of a $3.1 million grant from the ACRF. Shown the new complex by Dr Moira Clay, from Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, ACRF staff toured three floors of the $100 million-plus facility which will house up to 400 researchers from UNSW and which is set to be one of the largest dedicated cancer research centres in the Southern Hemisphere. The first impression was that the innovative designers of the building had been more successful in creating “a very green building”. Designed by Lahz Nimmo Architects in association with Wilson Architects, the building boasts lime green-cladding, precast concrete panels and a five-star environmental rating in accordance with the new Green Building Council of Australia method of evaluation. Dr Clay was most welcoming of ACRF staff and full of praise for the Foundation. “The ACRF does very important work and we are pleased to sing your praises and promote the work that you do,” she said. Continue reading “Sneak preview of new research centre”
Breakthrough invention will reduce chemo hit-and-miss Posted on May 19, 2008February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Four years ago ACRF awarded $500,000 to a University of NSW research team led by Professor Philip Hogg at Children’s Cancer Institute Australia. The funding established the CCIA Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Drug Discovery Program. In 2007, Professor Hogg, a member of ACRF’s Medical Research Advisory Committee, developed technology that can indicate whether chemotherapy treatment is working in solid tumour cancers such as colon, bowel, breast, prostate and lung cancer. “The ACRF state-of-the-art laboratory played a critical role in the development of an imaging agent which will show whether chemotherapy treatment is effective,” Prof. Hogg explained. In explaining the potential impact of this major breakthrough, Prof. Hogg noted that 11 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed globally each year, with standard treatments being chemotherapy and radiotherapy and, if discovered early enough, surgery. There is currently no non-invasive way to measure death of cancer cells, he said. “A major challenge facing doctors is being able to assess – in real time and after one or two treatments – whether a course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy is working or not,” Prof. Hogg said. “With this new agent cancer patients will not have to waste time and edure the side-effects of an ineffective treatment.”
