Tracking ovarian cancers’ evolution to change approaches to treatment Posted on June 3, 2015March 14, 2018 by Carly du Toit We often think of evolution as a positive thing, associating it with progress, growth and development. But because evolution exists in all living things, including cancer cells, it also presents one of the greatest challenges for researchers as they seek out new ways to outsmart an ever moving target. But thanks to the team of world-leading researchers at the ACRF funded Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre at least four evolutionary processes have now been identified that enable ovarian cancer cells to resist chemotherapy treatments. In collaboration with two other key ACRF-funded research institutes, University of Queensland’s Institute of Molecular Biosciences and Westmead’s Millennium Institute, the research team used whole genome sequencing to analyse tumour DNA samples from 91 patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Their new insights into how these cells genetically change to become resilient will allow researchers to investigate more effective treatments – treatments that are tailored to break through each defensive barrier. The defence mechanisms identified in these cancer cells included everything from “hijacking” genetic switches that enable them to pump chemotherapy drugs out of their way to reshaping and accumulating “scar tissue” which appears to block the chemotherapy drugs. ‘In this research we saw stark reminders of how evolution presents us with incredible challenges – to fight an insidious enemy, you need to understand them, and we’ve made a great leap forward thanks to a truly international collaborative effort ,’ says Peter Mac researcher Professor David Bowtell. Before this clinicians would watch as initially effective treatment became ineffective and cancer cells made an aggressive comeback in their patients. For decades they had little information to guide them when selecting treatment for women whose cancer has returned. ‘The research is a turning-point in the global fight against ovarian cancer it offers great hope to patients world-wide,’ says Professor Bowtell. To date this has been the largest complete DNA analysis of ovarian cancer in the world and it would not have been possible without the outstanding support of ACRF donors. This information was originally published by the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation.
World-first research centre signifies a new era for cancer research Posted on May 22, 2015March 14, 2018 by Carly du Toit The Australian Cancer Research Foundation Telomere Analysis Centre officially opened its doors this week to become the world’s first facility to specialise in Telomere research. Recent findings argued a strong case for the development of this cutting-edge facility, indicating Telomeres could hold the answers to significant advancements in the treatment of some of the most aggressive types of cancer. Telomeres are structures that cap the ends of our chromosomes. They serve a critical role in the cell renewal process and under normal conditions, gradually shorten as we age. But studies at the Children’s Medical Research Institute have shown that cancer cells develop ways to disrupt this natural process. They re-program cells to prevent their telomeres from shortening, causing the DNA to “short-circuit” and cells to multiply out of control. Furthermore, researchers have found ‘lock’ mechanisms on normal cancer cells which prevent this process. The ‘lock’ on cancer cells, however, is damaged, providing researchers with a new target for treatment. CMRI Director, Professor Roger Reddel, who was involved in the research, said “We think that losing this lock makes cancer cells vulnerable to treatments that normal cells are protected against. So we may have found an Achilles heel for certain types of aggressive cancer.” “The ACRF’s Medical Research Advisory Committee assessed this research initiative as both nationally ground-breaking and internationally competitive. The ACRF and our supporters are very proud to fund this life-saving work at CMRI,” said ACRF Chief Executive, Professor Ian Brown. The new ATAC facility was funded with a $2 million ACRF grant and is outfitted with some of the most advanced technology and cutting-edge equipment that exist in this field. These microscopes and computer analysis stations provide speed and accuracy on unparalleled levels, helping to propel telomere-related cancer research to new heights and accelerate the race toward new treatments, and ultimately, cures for cancer.
