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Research

A New Model to Investigate the Action of Radiation and Cigarette Smoke on Head and Neck Cancer Cells

Smokers are at an increased risk of developing mucosal head and neck squamous cell cancers (HNSCCs) and have a worse prognosis when treated. The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the latter has not been established. We therefore developed an in vitro model to investigate the effects of radiation and smoking on mucosal HNSCCs. 

Research

Cancer Cell Biology Research in an Indigenous Childhood Cancer Context

In Australia, cancer medicine is increasingly guided by our expanding knowledge of cancer genomics (the study of genetic information) and biology. Personalized treatments and targets are often defined by an individual’s genetic profile—known as precision cancer medicine. The translation of genomics-guided precision therapeutics from bench to bedside is beginning to produce real clinical benefits for Australians living with cancer. 

News & Events

Prestigious national award for researcher seeking to improve Indigenous cancer outcomes

Congratulations to Indigenous genomics researcher Dr Justine Clark, who is one of two scientists nationally to receive the Australian Academy of Science’s 2024 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Science Award.

News & Events

Multi-million-dollar investment in child health to support vital research

Four The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers have received prestigious fellowships and four significant cohort studies led or co-led by The Kids have received key grants under two new funding programs supported by the State Government’s Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund.

Research

Disruption of ovarian function and induction of apoptosis in female mice by Brefeldin A: Mechanistic insights into reproductive toxicity

The investigation of ovarian development, dysfunction, and aging is essential for female reproductive health. Despite extensive research on the cellular functions of Brefeldin A (BFA) as an intracellular transport inhibitor, its specific effects and mechanisms on ovarian development/aging remain inadequately understood.

Research

The global, regional, and national burden of cancer, 1990–2023, with forecasts to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023

Cancer is a leading cause of death globally. Accurate cancer burden information is crucial for policy planning, but many countries do not have up-to-date cancer surveillance data. To inform global cancer-control efforts, we used the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023 framework to generate and analyse estimates of cancer burden for 47 cancer types or groupings by age, sex, and 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023, cancer burden attributable to selected risk factors from 1990 to 2023, and forecasted cancer burden up to 2050.

Research

Pharmacogenomics in pediatric oncology: Australian adolescent or young adult and caregiver perspectives

Preemptive pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing in pediatric oncology patients could reduce toxicity and improve efficacy of medications yet remains underutilized. Consumer identified implementation barriers have not been extensively explored nor included adolescent or young adult (AYA) patient perspectives. This study describes Australian pediatric oncology consumer perspectives on PGx testing, elucidating barriers to implementation.

Research

Rewiring endogenous genes in CAR T cells for tumour-restricted payload delivery

The efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy in solid tumours is limited by immunosuppression and antigen heterogeneity. To overcome these barriers, 'armoured' CAR T cells, which secrete proinflammatory cytokines, have been developed. However, their clinical application has been limited because of toxicity related to peripheral expression of the armouring transgene. 

Research

Tumor site-directed A1R expression enhances CAR T cell function and improves efficacy against solid tumors

Citation: Sek K, Chen AXY, Cole T, Armitage JD, Tong J, ……… Waithman J, Parish IA, et al. Tumor site-directed A1R expression enhances CAR T cell

Research

The impact of genetics and the environment on cancer risk in Indigenous Australians: a narrative review

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter respectfully named Indigenous) Australians are diagnosed with some cancers substantially more frequently than non-Indigenous Australians implying a different risk factor landscape. Additionally, poorer outcomes for certain cancers are exacerbated by lower cancer screening rates and later diagnoses compared to non-Indigenous Australians.