HPB Research Group Collaboration
International Collaboration
PROF HIROSHI MAEDA
Kumamoto University Medical School,
Cooperative Research Center Kumamoto Univ,
Director of BioDynamics Research Laboratory,
Kumamoto, Japan
Project: Macromolecular Drug Delivery Systems targeting vasculature of Liver Tumours.
This study aims to evaluate a macromolecular drug delivery system (DDS) which selectively destroys tumours with minimal effect to normal tissues. DDSs selectively target cancers by exploiting the unique properties of tumour blood vessels. SMA-Pirarubicin, a macromolecular DDS agent, will be used in a mouse model of colorectal cancer liver metastases. Macromolecular drugs are successful in destroying the majority of tumour cells. The variation in effect of these agents may be due to variations in tissue hypoxia, tumour vessel structure, or angiogenic and growth factor expression.
NICOLE HURST
Associate Director of Preclinical Development,
OXiGENE, Inc.
230 Third Avenue
Waltham, MA 02451
USA
Project: Macromolecular Drug Delivery Systems targeting vasculature of Liver Tumours.
The development of new blood vessels is critical to the establishment and growth of tumours. Recently a number of new agents which have the capacity to affect existing tumour microvasculature have been developed. This study aims to investigate the effects of such vascular targeting agents (Oxi4503 or CA4P) on the development of liver metastases. Specific emphasis is placed on the effects of the compound on the development of tumour microvasculature and alterations in the tumour microcirculation.
This study will be performed on a CBA mouse model of colorectal liver metastases that is established in the Department of Surgery.
National Collaboration
DR IAN MILLAR
Head, Hyperbaric Unit,
Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road,
Prahran, Victoria, Australia, 3181.
Project: Effect of HBO Therapy in Severe Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is a serious illness that is commonly caused by gallstones or alcohol ingestion. Approximately 15% of patients will develop a life threatening severe form of the disease leading to necrosis of the pancreas. Much of the pathogenesis is thought to relate to tissue hypoxia arising from microcirculatory derangements and subsequent ischaemia reperfusion injury. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown to modulate the severity of ischaemia reperfusion injury in a number of experimental settings. This study investigates its role in severe acute pancreatitis.
Project: Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy on Acute Cellular Rejection after Liver Transplantation
Acute cellular rejection occurs in up to a third of patients undergoing liver transplantation. Hyperbaric oxygen has been shown to have immuno-modulatory effects in certain experimental situations, including pancreatic cell transplantation. This study will investigate the potential effect of HBO therapy at various stages after liver transplantation in a rat model. This will be evaluated in the setting of severe rejection.
Project: Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy on Ischaemia, Preservation and Reperfusion Injury (IPRI) after Liver Transplantation
The process of organ retrieval, preservation and subsequent reperfusion in the recipient induces significant tissue injury to the donor organ. This may adversely impact on subsequent organ function after transplantation. Hyperbaric oxygen has been shown to have beneficial effects in minimizing IPRI. This study will investigate the effect of HBO therapy at various stages after liver transplantation in a rat model. This will be evaluated in the setting of 24 hours of preservation in a non-rejecting model.
PROF PETER W ANGUS
Project: Treatment of Colorectal Liver Metastases by Anti-Angiogenic agents: Effect of ACE Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE)-Inhibitors and Angiotensin receptor blockers are used to treat cardiovascular diseases. Some studies have identified preliminary evidence of an angio-inhibitory effect by ACE inhibitors on tumour blood vessels. Population based studies have noted a lower incidence of malignancies in those treated with these drugs. This study investigates the individual and combined effects of ACE inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers on the development of liver metastases.
DR PETER DELANEY (Director of Technology)
DR WENDY MCLAREN (Clinical Applications Researcher),
Optiscan Pty Ltd.
PO Box 1066, Mount Waverley MDC, Victoria, Australia, 3149
Project: The collaborative work between Optiscan Pty Ltd and our department has transcended a number of research projects. This has led to the development of in vivo laser confocal microscopy as a tool for the assessment of tumour microvasculature and real time determination of the efficacy of therapeutic agents targeting tumour microvasculature. We have also established its efficacy in the assessment of ischameia reperfusion injury in both severe pancreatitis and liver transplantation.