Developing a new treatment for advanced bowel cancer
Developing a new treatment for advanced bowel cancer
Prof Xu Dong Zhang The University of Newcastle$446,7062021-2023
Background
Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world with over 16,000 people expected to be diagnosed this year. Almost 90% of cases can be treated successfully if detected early – however, fewer than 40% of cases are detected at an early stage. Patients with late-stage bowel cancer are treated with anti-cancer drugs but most develop resistance to treatment. Resistance can occur when certain molecules are switched on or become more active in bowel cancer cells.
The research
In his laboratory, Professor Zhang has identified a molecule called ‘ERAG’, which is often present in high levels in bowel cancer cells. Removing ERAG from bowel cancer cells makes the cells more sensitive to treatment and stops the cancer cells from growing, offering a potential new way to treat bowel cancer. In this project, using tumour samples from patients, Professor Zhang and his team will validate their previous findings in pre-clinical tests. They will also measure the levels of ERAG in patients as a way of predicting how well a patient will respond to current treatment. The team will then develop and test new drugs known as ‘IoEs’ to target and prevent the activation of ERAG.
The impact
Prof Zhang and his team hope their research will lead to much-needed new treatment options for patients with advanced bowel cancer.