National Health and Medical Research Council

Lung cancer is a group of cancers which arise in lung tissue, caused in general by exposure to tobacco smoke, radon gas, asbestos, or due to genetic factors. It is a relatively aggressive type of cancer, with a five-year survival rate of only 12%.[1] Lung cancer was the second leading cause of death in Australia in 2005, accounting for 7% of all male and 4.3% of all female deaths. It also causes a significant burden of disease to the community through ill health, hospitalisation and disability.[2]

NHMRC funding for lung cancer research

In the period 2004-09, NHMRC contributed over $21.1 million to Australian research into lung cancer.

Some NHMRC-funded research projects into lung cancer

The role of Src family tyrosine kinases in inflammatory lung disease and cancer

Chief Investigator Associate Professor Margaret L Hibbs, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

We aim to learn why some people develop Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a serious lung disease, and adenocarcinoma, a common fatal lung cancer. COPD is mostly caused by cigarette smoke which induces lung inflammation. Lung inflammation, which involves macrophage activation, is a major cancer risk. Macrophages can destroy lung tissue, and they may promote cancer development. We will study the role of Src kinases, which can regulate macrophage activation, which may lead to new treatments for these diseases.

NHMRC Project Grant

Defining steps in the molecular pathogenesis of lung cancer using immortalised human bronchial epithelial cells

Chief Investigator Ms Jill E Larsen, Prince Charles Hospital

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide and is caused by abnormalities in DNA. This project aims to further our understanding of this disease by altering known cancer-related genes and studying their effect on lung cancer development. This project also aims to identify novel genes in lung cancer as well as tumour expression profiles which can predict response to chemotherapy agents. In summary, this research will identify new gene targets for therapeutic agents.

CJ Martin Fellowship

Diagnostic markers for malignant mesothelioma and other respiratory diseases

Chief Investigator Professor Bruce WS Robinson, University of Western Australia

The deadly asbestos-induced cancer mesothelioma is continuing to kill tens of thousands of individuals per year [world-wide]. We have been working on improving the tests available to detect this cancer and to follow the course of the disease with the aim of reducing patients' anxiety and health-care costs.

NHMRC Project Grant

The role of the Hedgehog signalling pathway in asbestos associated malignant mesothelioma

Chief Investigator Associate Professor Steven E Mutsaers, University of Western Australia

Mesothelioma is an aggressive asbestos related cancer mainly of the lung with no effective treatment. Evidence is pointing to the reactivation and aberrant expression of developmental signalling pathways such as the hedgehog signalling pathway as critical to the pathogenesis of certain types of cancer. This study will determine if mesothelioma is regulated by signalling through the hedgehog pathway and by blocking this pathway we will attempt to inhibit tumour growth.

NHMRC Project Grant

The scientific basis for the integration of surgery and immunotherapy for lung malignancies

Chief Investigator Professor Bruce WS Robinson, University of Western Australia

The work in this grant focuses on the effects of cancer surgery (tumor resection and removal of lymph nodes) on the anti-cancer immune response. It also examines whether delivery of agents into the residual tumour bed following surgery can effectively boost the effects of surgery on the immune system. The results obtained will help guide the rational design of future combination surgery/immunotherapy treatment regimens.

NHMRC Project Grant

An in-vivo model of acquired chemoresistance in small cell lung cancer

Chief Investigator Professor Neil Watkins, Monash University

Lung cancer is a common and lethal disease in our community. In this project, we explore how a very aggressive form of lung cancer becomes resistant to chemotherapy. To do this, we use a new mouse model of lung cancer in which we can study how human lung cancer cells develop resistance to chemotherapy in vivo.  Understanding these pathways will help us to better treat lung cancer with chemotherapy.

NHMRC Project Grant

Improving cancer therapy: nanoparticle delivery of siRNA to cancer cells

Chief Investigator Associate Professor Maria Kavallaris, University of New South Wales

Lung cancer accounts for 8000 diagnosis and 1000 deaths in Australia each year. We are using cutting edge nanotechnology and coupling this with potent gene silencing to target solid tumours of the lung. If successful, this approach could increase survival of patients with this difficult to treat malignancy and may prove valuable in the treatment of other lung tumours.

NHMRC Project Grant

Optimising regulatory T cell depletion in combination with chemotherapy for enhanced anti-tumour immunity

Chief Investigator Dr Anna K Nowak, University of Western Australia

The drug cyclophosphamide helps the immune system attack cancer by decreasing the number of immune cells that suppress an immune response to cancer ('Regulatory T cells'). This project combines standard chemotherapy with the drug cyclophosphamide in people with mesothelioma and lung cancer. The aim of the project is to find the dose of cyclophosphamide that maximally decreases Regulatory T cells in each patient, and determine the effect of this on anti-tumour immunity and response to treatment.

NHMRC Project Grant

Sources

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Cancer Australia & Australasian Association of Cancer Registries 2008. Cancer survival and prevalence in Australia: cancers diagnosed from 1982 to 2004. Cancer Series no. 42. Cat. no. CAN 38. Canberra: AIHW
2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2008. Australia’s health 2008. Cat. no. AUS 99. Canberra: AIHW.