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The WA Kids Cancer Centre has a suite of world-leading research projects to unlock new treatments for childhood cancers.
A first of its kind research program at The Kids Research Institute Australia aims to develop new strategies to better treat Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with cancer.
Research
Antigen reactivity defines tissue-resident memory and exhausted T cells in tumorsCD8+ T cells are an important weapon in the therapeutic armamentarium against cancer. While CD8+CD103+ T cells with a tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cell phenotype are associated with favorable prognoses, the tumor microenvironment also contains dysfunctional exhausted T (TEX) cells that exhibit a variety of TRM-like features.
Research
Abdominal Imaging at Initial Diagnosis and Following Relapse in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic LeukaemiaAcute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common paediatric malignancy and remains one of the most common causes of cancer-related death in children and adolescents. It is characterised by the proliferation of immature lymphoid cells capable of infiltrating bone marrow, blood and extramedullary sites. Five-year overall survival rates exceed 90% with current multidrug chemotherapeutic regimens. This manuscript reviews the abdominal imaging features of leukaemic infiltration in children with ALL at the time of initial diagnosis and following relapse.
Research
Histone methyltransferase PRDM9 promotes survival of drug-tolerant persister cells in glioblastomaChemotherapy often kills a large fraction of cancer cells but leaves behind a small population of drug-tolerant persister cells. These persister cells survive drug treatments through reversible, non-genetic mechanisms and cause tumour recurrence upon cessation of therapy. Here, we report a drug tolerance mechanism regulated by the germ-cell-specific H3K4 methyltransferase PRDM9.
Research
Beyond bone: the emerging role of osteoclasts in immune regulation, leukemia development and following myeloablative therapyOsteoclasts are important regulators of bone remodeling, with an established role in maintaining skeletal homeostasis. The emergence of osteoimmunology has identified osteoclasts as key players in the immune system. In particular, osteoclasts can initiate bi-directional crosstalk mechanisms with hematopoietic stem cells and various immune cells, such as T cells, B cells and NK cells, to influence hematopoiesis and inflammatory response.
Research
Comparative analysis of malignant pleural effusion and peripheral blood reveals unique T cell signatures associated with survival in mesothelioma patientsThe success of cancer immunotherapies has highlighted the importance of monitoring the anti-tumour T cell response. Patients with mesothelioma frequently present with a malignant pleural effusion (MPE) that is commonly drained regularly to alleviate symptoms. As MPE contains tumour cells, T cells and cytokines, it provides a unique opportunity to sample immune events at the tumour site.
Research
A New Era for PPARγ: Covalent Ligands and Therapeutic ApplicationsPeroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a prominent ligand-inducible transcription factor involved in adipocyte differentiation, glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and cell proliferation, making it a therapeutic target for diabetes, metabolic syndrome, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.