New and More Effective Treatment
Disulphide Switching Group, Centre for Vascular Research
Contact: Professor Phil Hogg
Web: http://www.cvr.net.au
Research by the Disulphide Switching Group is focused on the important role proteins play in fundamental mammalian biology or pathobiology, including angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), thrombosis (blood clotting), immunology and fatal neurodegenerative conditions. The Group has developed a novel anti-cancer drug that is currently in formulation testing prior to a Phase I/IIa clinical trial in cancer patients which is scheduled to begin mid-2005. The Group has also developed a novel imaging agent that can non-invasively detect dying and dead tumour cells in rodents. The agent also has the potential to image cell death in infracted heart muscle and brain.
Platelet and Megakaryocyte Group, Centre for Vascular Research
Contact: Professor Beng H Chong
Web: http://www.cvr.net.au
Platelet and Megakaryocyte Group, Centre for Vascular Research, at St George Hospital focuses on (1) the pathogenesis of leukaemia and (2) the development of novel targeted therapies for leukaemia and lymphoma. Leukemia is often caused by acquired gene mutations or chromosomal translocations leading to gene dysregulation, increased cell proliferation and impaired haematopoietic differentiation. We study oncogenes GATA-1, Fog-1, FOG-2, Fli-1 and PU.1, their mutations and regulation/dysregulation in biology and in the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). We also study chromosomal translocations and their associated oncogenic fusion proteins such as AML1-FOG-2 which is involved in MDS and AML. These studies will provide useful insights into the pathogenesis of leukaemia and will assist in the development of targeted leukaemia therapies
Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences
Contact: A/Professor Larry Wakelin
Cancer drug development research in Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences is focused on topoisomerase I and II poisons (acridinecarboxamides), transcription inhibitors (threading agents), alkylating agents (minor groove binding alkylating agents and intercalating alkylators), and synthetic endonucleases based on metal-bearing acridinecarboxamides. Research projects involve ligand design and synthesis, study DNA-ligand complexes by crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, atomic force microscopy, DNA sequencing methods, measure kinetics and interactions with circular DNA. Studies include determinations of cytotoxcity and effects on the cell cycle, investigations of transcription using microarrays, and examination of topoisomerase poisoning using recombinant human and yeast topoisomerase II.
Cancer Pharmacology and Therapeutics Unit, St George Hospital Clinical School
Contact: Dr Matthew Links
The Cancer Pharmacology and Therapeutics Unit, St George Hospital Clinical School is dedicated to the investigation of the pharmacology of anticancer drugs and development of novel therapeutic strategies. This is a form of translational research designed to take new drugs from bench to bedside; and to take existing drugs back to the laboratory to optimise their use. Current staff includes 1 senior scientist , 2 research assistants and one PhD student working in collaboration with the medical oncology department and the clinical trials unit. Particular interests are genotypic and phenotypic approaches to individualised dosing of gemcitabine; Development of novel drug combinations and quality use of oncology medicines.