Tag: cancer

Ovarian Cancer Research Grant Opportunity (EPCDR Initiative)
The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research (EPCDR) Initiative aims to enable or support:
- High quality biomedical, clinical, health services and/or population health research which improves patient care
- Translation of new discoveries into clinical practice
- New diagnoses, treatments and cures to those suffering from rare and debilitating conditions
- Joint collaboration of consumers and researchers in undertaking research in emerging priority areas, and
- Many Australians with debilitating conditions
The objectives of the 2019 Ovarian Cancer Research grant opportunity aims to:
- Facilitate innovative, high quality research which will lead to:
  - Improved diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer
  - Research which will address the gaps in research, leading to a better understanding of the causes and underlying factors which contribute to the development and progression of ovarian cancer
  - Facilitate consumer involvement in the design and evaluation of the research project (including participation in the conduct of the research)
  - Provide high-quality evidence for the new health treatments and/or drugs (where appropriate)
  - Enable rapid translation of consumer-relevant research into clinical practice, health policy and/or health advice which will lead to positive impacts for consumers
  - Encourage the development of multi-disciplinary research teams which deliver measurable outcomes which are a priority for consumers
  - Encourage collaboration between research teams, policy makers, healthcare funders and the health delivery sector (e.g. education, community, industry and/or healthcare)
The total amount available is $20 million. Applications must be submitted electronically via the Research Grants Management System (RGMS).

Applications close 2pm (AWST), Wednesday 5 February, 2020. More information
December 2, 2019

Researcher in bid to blow rogue cancer’s cover

A Western Australian cancer researcher is on a mission to blow the cover of a highly aggressive and difficult-to-detect form of breast cancer and believes a mysterious protein could hold the key to the breakthrough.

Fiona Stanley Hospital oncologist Dr Indunil Weerasena’s research follows important new findings, made by other local researchers, about the mysterious protein called AAMDC.

Research has shown that AAMDC not only hastened cancer cell proliferation but also made them resistant to the hormone and chemotherapies that were commonly used to fight ER positive breast cancers. High levels of AAMDC happen to be found in a subtype of cancer known as IC2. This subtype is known to have high rates of recurrence as well as resistance to contemporary chemotherapy regimes.

Dr Weerasena’s project, with the aid of a McGowan Government-funded Cancer Research Fellowship, aims to determine whether the rogue ER positive cancer is an IC2 subtype.

His findings could pave the way for the earlier identification of these cancers and more effective treatments, potentially with older chemotherapy regimes. Parallels between breast and ovarian cancer mean Dr Weerasena’s research may also have further benefits for the treatment of some ovarian cancer patients.

Dr Weerasena is one of seven researchers awarded a Cancer Research Fellowship in the WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network program.

More than $1.2 million will be distributed this year in the program that was established in 2014 to enable medical practitioners working in the WA Health system to expand their cancer expertise and research skills.

Read the full media statement

Full list of recipients

Recipient	Project	Hospital
Eliska Furlong	Evaluation of an enhanced influenza vaccination schedule in immunocompromised children undergoing treatment for cancer by assessment of cellular and humoral immune response	Perth Children’s Hospital
Timothy Humphries	Integrating Tumour Mutational Burden testing for appropriate selection of immune-oncology therapy in metastatic melanoma	Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
Andy Hutchison	Implementation of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in Western Australia	Fiona Stanley Hospital
Azim Khan	Defeating Breast Cancer Disadvantage in the Indigenous population	Fiona Stanley Hospital
Annalise Martin	Precision Medicine, identification of novel drug targets for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in Western Australia through analysis	Royal Perth Hospital
Indunil Weerasena	Integrated Cluster 2 Breast Cancers: The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing	Fiona Stanley Hospital
Courtney Wood	Paediatric Palliative Care Fellowship	Perth Children’s Hospital

November 6, 2019

WA Cancer Plan – Research Consultation

The WA Department of Health is now undertaking consultation to inform the research component of the WA Cancer Plan 2020 – 2025. All individuals and organisations are encouraged to provide their input by completing a written submission or online survey.

The closing date for the research consultation is Friday 7 June, 2019.

Your response will help to increase the understanding around the current state of Cancer Research in WA. By gaining an increased understanding of what is currently occurring, we can plan and action appropriate initiatives to improve Cancer Research for the future.

Submissions will be published on the consultation website (external site). If you do not wish to have your written submission published, please send a request directly to the WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network

In addition to the online cancer research survey and written submissions, there will be many upcoming opportunities made available to the public to provide input on the WA Cancer Plan 2020 – 2025.

Check this website for updates regarding development of the WA Cancer Plan 2020-2025 and further opportunities for engagement.

Access the online consultation for the WA Cancer Plan

May 20, 2019

Tag: cancer

Ovarian Cancer Research Grant Opportunity (EPCDR Initiative)

Researcher in bid to blow rogue cancer’s cover

Full list of recipients

WA Cancer Plan – Research Consultation