| Research project |
Institution on whose behalf the
research is being undertaken |
Researcher |
Description |
Respiratory Medicine
|
| Psychological
and physiological correlates of panic disorder in patients with
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), using cognitive behaviour
therapy. |
Respiratory
Medicine &
Liaison Psychiatry, POWH; Prince of Wales Medical Research
Institute.
|
Livermore N,
McKenzie D,
Sharpe L,
Butler J,
Gandevia S.
|
The project
aims to identify which factors confer vulnerability for the
development of panic disorders in patients with COPD, to
investigate the effectiveness of a brief treatment and to reduce
the unnecessary personal and economic burden associated with the
development of panic disorder in these patients, by improving quality of life and
coping skills and decreasing unplanned hospital admissions. |
| Inhibitory
electromyographic (EMG)
responses to loading of ventilatory pump muscles: basic
mechanisms and clinical application. |
Respiratory
Medicine, POWH; Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute.
|
Murray N,
McKenzie D,
Butler J,
Gandevia S.
|
The potent
inhibitory response to loading of ventilatory muscles has been
shown to be abnormal in asthma and obstructive sleep apnea, but both the basic
mechanisms of the reflex, and the potential clinical usefulness
of its measurement, remain unknown. This study will investigate
the reflex as part of a PhD thesis project. |
| Behaviour of
single motor units in genioglossus in patients with obstructive
sleep apnoea (OSA). |
Respiratory
Medicine, POWH; Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute.
|
Saboisky J,
Butler E,
Gorman B,
McKenzie D,
Gandevia S.
|
Genioglossus is
a major upper airway dilator muscle and is believed to be
important in OSA patients. Pharyngeal collapse in OSA is partly
due to a sleep- related decrement of genioglossus activity. We
are examining motor unit discharge properties of the
genioglossus to assess neural output during quiet breathing. |
| Safety and
tolerability of the use of continuous positive airway pressure in high-level cervical spinal
injury patients |
Respiratory
Medicine &
Spinal Unit, POWH.
|
Murray N,
Lee B,
McKenzie D.
|
Continuous
positive airway pressure (CPAP) usage in
cervical spinal injured patients raises hypothetical concerns
related to hyperinflation of the chest in the context of mixed
inspiratory and expiratory weakness. This study will describe
the safety, in pathophysiological rather than outcome-based
terms, and the subjective tolerability of CPAP usage in this
group. |
| Efficacy of the
routine usage of bilevel non invasive ventilation and continuous
positive airway pressure in acute high-level
cervical spinal injury patients. |
Respiratory
Medicine &
Spinal Unit, POWH.
|
Murray N,
Lee B.
|
Considerable
unit-based variability of practice may occur in the
respiratory management of acute high-level cervical spinal
injury patients, a group that experiences a high rate of
respiratory morbidity. Anecdotal evidence supports the routine
usage of non invasive ventilation in this group, but the topic has never been studied
adequately. This study aims to redress this deficit. |
| Effect of a
fine nasal catheter on nasal resistance. |
Respiratory
Medicine, POWH; Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute.
|
Mudholkar P,
Murray N,
Abrahams N,
McKenzie D.
|
The results of
this study will help in
the correlation of decrease in nasal resistance with nasal
decongestants and continuous positive airway pressure. |
| Orthognathic
surgery as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). |
Respiratory
Medicine,
Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental, POWH.
|
Brown E,
McKenzie D,
Balong-e E,
Tier G.
|
This project
aims to review the results of pre and post surgery
polysomnograms in patients with OSA and investigate whether
there is a significant difference in key markers of sleep
disordered breathing. |
| Efficacy of
mandibular advancement splinting (MAS) in the treatment of obstructive
sleep apnoea (OSA) – an audit. |
Respiratory
Medicine & Orthodontics, POWH.
|
Brown E,
McKenzie D,
Balong-e E,
Bomba I.
|
An audit of the
results of pre and post mandibular advancement splinting polysomnograms in
patients with OSA will be undertaken to determine whether mandibular angle or
primary referral for MAS, rather than following a failure of a
continuous positive airway pressure trial, would predict a
significant benefit from the splinting. |
| Regulation and
control of airway nitric oxide. |
Respiratory
Medicine, POWH. |
Thomas P. |
Nitric oxide is
a naturally occurring gas which is both a mediator and marker of
inflammation in the airway. This research comprises a group of
ongoing studies which are investigating the way in which airway
nitric oxide is regulated, both at the level of the gene and in
clinically relevant situations such as asthma and
smoking-related lung diseases such as chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease. |
| Exhaled nitric
oxide as a marker of asthma control in the paediatric population. |
Departments of Respiratory
Medicine, POWH & Sydney Children's Hospital. |
Thomas P,
Morton J,
Henry R,
Ratnawati R.
|
This
collaborative study provided the basis of a PhD to test the
hypothesis that exhaled nitric oxide can be used to determine
the dose of anti-inflammatory drugs which should be given to
children with asthma. |
| The role of
S100 proteins in allergy and asthma. |
Respiratory
Medicine, POWH;
Medical Sciences, UNSW.
|
Thomas P,
Geczy C.
|
These proteins
are establishing themselves as key regulators of inflammation in
a variety of diseases. S100A8 has been shown to be a marker
related to airway inflammation, and interestingly may act as a
oxidative sink to counter-balance the reactive oxidative species
which are associated with severe airway inflammation. |
| Non-invasive
markers of lung cancer. |
Respiratory
Medicine &
Institute of Oncology, POWH;
Oncolcgy Research Centre,
St Vincents Hospital;
eNose Pty Ltd. |
Thomas P,
Jackson P,
Lewis C,
Bell G,
Yates D.
|
This study is
analysing novel proteins and biomarkers which can be detected in
the breath of subjects, and is looking for differences between
smoking controls and those with lung cancer. |
| Non-invasive
markers of occupational lung disease. |
Respiratory
Medicine, POWH;
St Vincents Hospital
Dust Diseases Board.
|
Thomas P,
Yates D,
Johnson A.
|
Exhaled breath
contains both volatile and non-volatile micro and
macromolecules. These have been identified as providing a useful
marker of early lung disease. |
Oncology
|
| A treatment
protocol for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumour who
are ineligible for participation in other SU011248 protocols and
are refractory to or intolerant of imatinib mesylate. |
Pfizer
Corporation. |
Goldstein D |
A clinical
trial of a drug for the second line treatment of
gastrointestinal stromal tumour in Glivec
progressors. |
| Randomised
phase III of De Gramont schedule 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin
plus irinotecan versus single agent irinotecan for people with
previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer. |
Australasian
Gastrointestinal Trials Group - co-operative non for profit
trials group. |
Goldstein D. |
A clinical
trial comparing a standard treatment for metastatic colon cancer
after progression on first line therapy with or without a second
complementary drug. |
| A phase II
trial of gemcitabine in fixed dose rate infusion combined with
cisplatin in patients with inoperable biliary tract carcinomas. |
Australasian
Gastrointestinal Trials Group. |
Goldstein D. |
This national
study is trialing
chemotherapy in a rarely treated cancer. |
| Plasma and
intracellular pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine and correlation
with polymorphisms in cytidine deaminase: 100 mins versus 30
mins infusion. |
Cancer Centre,
St George Hospital. |
Goldstein D. |
Comparison of
two schedules of administration of a known cytotoxic drug, to
identify which is optimal. |
| A treatment
protocol for patients continuing from a prior SU11248. |
Pfizer
Corporation. |
Goldstein D. |
Access trial
for patients responding to their gastrointestinal stromal tumour trial of this promising
second line therapy, but who have completed the allocated time. |
| A randomised,
double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre, phase lll trial to
evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding bevacizumab to
gemcitabine and erlotinib in patients with metastatic pancreatic
cancer. |
Roche
Pharmaceuticals. |
Goldstein D. |
Pivotal phase
III international novel study adding promising angiogenesis
inhibitor to standard treatment. |
| First line bevacizumab and chemotherapy in metastatic cancer of the colon
or rectum. First BEAT (Bevacizumab Expanded Access Trial). |
Roche
Pharmaceuticals. |
Goldstein D. |
Late phase
study for access to combination therapy with a promising antiangiogenesis drug and standard therapy for metastatic colon
cancer, following proven benefit in the phase III trial. |
| A randomised
phase II study evaluating a weekly schedule of docetaxel with
cisplatin and 5-FU (wTCF) or with capecitabine (wTX) in advanced
oesophago-gastric cancer. |
Australasian
Gastrointestinal Trials Group. |
Goldstein D |
International randomised
phase II trial to identify the best schedule of a very promising new
combination in gastric cancer. This will then be tested against best
current therapy in a phase III trial. |
| Phase II study
of fixed dose rate gemcitabine - oxaliplatin Integrated with
concomitant 5FU and 3 - D conformal radiotherapy for the
treatment of localised pancreatic cancer (GOFURTGO). |
Australasian
Gastrointestinal Trials Group. |
Goldstein D. |
A national study to build
upon previous promising information about chemoradiation by
adding more novel systemic therapy. |
| A phase II
multi-centre randomised, parallel-group, double-blind,
placebo-controlled study of ZD1839 (Iressa) (250MG tablet) plus
best supportive care versus placebo plus best supportive care in
chemotherapy-naïve patients. |
Astra-Zeneca
Pharmaceuticals. |
Lewis C . |
Placebo-controlled trial assessing the activity of Iressa, a
tyrosine-kinase EGFR inhibitor, in patients with metastatic
non-small cell lung cancer where chemotherapy is not appropriate. |
|
Placebo-controlled trial assessing the activity of Iressa, a
tyrosine-kinase EGFR inhibitor, in patients with metastatic
non-small cell lung cancer where chemotherapy is not appropriate. |
Astra-Zeneca
Pharmaceuticals. |
Lewis C. |
Placebo-controlled trial assessing the activity of Iressa, a
tyrosine-kinase EGFR inhibitor, in patients with metastatic
non-small cell lung cancer where chemotherapy is not appropriate. |
| Open,
randomised, controlled, multi-centre, phase III study comparing
cisplatin/vinorelbine plus cetuximab versus cisplatin/vinorelbine as
first-line treatment for patients with EGFR-expressing advanced
non-small cell lung cancer. |
Merck
Pharmaceuticals. |
Lewis C. |
Randomised
study examining the potential additional benefit of cetuximab,
an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, when given in combination with
standard chemotherapy in patients with metastatic non-small cell
lung cancer. |
| An expanded
access program of Tarceva (Erlotinib) in patients with advanced
stage IIIB/IV non small cell lung cancer. |
Roche
Pharmaceuticals. |
Lewis C . |
Tarceva is a
tyrosine-kinase EGFR inhibitor with activity in non-small cell
lung cancer, currently
not registered in Australia. This study allowed patients with
advanced non small cell lung cancer to access this drug after prior chemotherapy. |
| A phase III
trial evaluating the role of ovarian function suppression and
the role of Exemestane as adjuvant therapies for premenopausal
women with endocrine responsive breast cancer. |
International
Breast Cancer Study Group and Aust/NZ Breast Cancer Trials Group. |
Lewis C. |
International,
multi-centre trial under the auspices of IBCSG, addressing
adjuvant endocrine treatments in premenopausal women with early
breast cancer. |
| A randomised,
phase ll/lll study to evaluate the role of Mitomycin C, Avastin
and Xeloda in patients with untreated metastatic colorectal
cancer (MAX). |
Australasian
Gastrointestinal Trials Group. |
Goldstein D. |
A novel phase
III study to test a less aggressive chemotherapy regimen with
good activity, with and without adding a promising
anti-angiogenesis agent. |
| Intermediate
and high risk, localised, completely resected, gastrointestinal
stromal tumors (GIST) expressing KIT receptor: a controlled
randomised trial of adjuvant Imatinib mesylate (Glivec) versus
no further therapy after complete surgery. |
Australasian
Gastrointestinal Trials Group in collaboration with European
trials group. |
Goldstein D. |
A randomised
study to test the potential benefit of the active drug in the
post operative setting before metastatic spread. |
| A paired,
double-blind, randomised comparison of Cavilon double barrier
cream (CDBC) to 10% glycerine (Sorbolene) cream in the
prophylactic management of post-mastectomy irradiation skin
care. |
Department of
Radiation Oncology, St George Hospital. |
Lonergan D. |
This is a
clinical research study comparing two skin care creams to
determine if one of them is better at minimising the skin
reaction to radiotherapy. |
| Magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) for breast screening of high risk women. |
Hereditary
Cancer Clinic, POWH. |
Andrews L. |
A three year
prospective study of the acceptance, feasibility and clinical
outcomes of incorporating breast MRI into standard screening
protocols for women at high risk of breast cancer. |
| Small cell
carcinoma of the ovary-Hypercalcemic type. A case series. |
Department of
Medical Oncology, POWH. |
Harrison M. |
Retrospective
review of in-house cases of an unusual form of ovarian cancer. |
| The
gastrointestinal stromal tumours: a practical approach to
management of toxicity. |
Oncology, POWH. |
Harrison M. |
A retrospective
review of management of this rare sarcoma with which we have had
considerable experience because of clinical trials activity. |
| Oncology Day
Centre's patient satisfaction survey. |
Oncology, POWH. |
Eaton K. |
To review
service delivery and the education of cancer patients receiving
chemotherapy in the Oncology Day Centre. |
| Randomised
trial of aqueous solution (sorbolene) versus aloe vera gel
versus aloe vera plus essential oil (lavender) gel in the
management of skin reactions among breast cancer patients
undergoing radiotherapy. |
Springfields
Health Care Group. |
White L. |
A three armed
experimental trial of cream-based treatment options in the
management of breast skin damage associated with radiotherapy in
breast cancer. Wound healing and patient comfort rates will be
tracked. |
| Psychosocial
aspects of genetic testing for familial melanoma predisposition. |
Cancer
Institute of New South Wales. |
Kasparian N. |
This
prospective study will assess psychological and social issues
relating to genetic testing for melanoma predisposition in
families at high-risk of developing this disease. We hope to
learn more about the factors influencing genetic test uptake,
the impact of genetic testing for melanoma risk on participants
and their families, and beliefs about the efficacy of preventive
measures. |
| Prospective
study of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy and longitudinal
CA-125 screening among women at increased genetic risk of
ovarian cancer. |
Aust/NZ
Gynaecological Oncology Group (as part of the US Gynaecological
Oncology Group) |
Friedlander M. |
Study
addressing the role of prophylactic surgery
(salpingo-oophorectomy) in women at high risk of epithelial
ovarian cancer based on genetic phenotype. |
| A
multi-national, randomised, phase III GCIG intergroup study
comparing Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin (CAELYX and
Carboplatin versus Paclitaxel and Carbolplatin in patients with
epithelial ovarian cancer in late relapse (>6 months) (CALYPSO). |
ANZ
Gynaecological Oncology Group. |
Friedlander M. |
Multi-centre
international study comparing two different chemotherapy
schedules in women with relapsed ovarian cancer. |
| Retrospective
study of the outcome of patients with ductal carcinoma in situ
treated at the Department of Radiation Oncology from 1/1/1985
through 31/12/1999. |
Oncology
Departments, POWH & Royal Hospital for Women. |
Stuart K. |
Retrospective
review and audit of management and outcomes of patients with
pure DCIS of the breast treated at Prince of Wales Hospital. |
Ageing Research Centre
|
| Age related
motor slowing and pre supplementary motor area motor function –
an MRI, fMRI and TCS study. |
Ageing Research
Centre, POWH; rince of Wales Medical Research Institute. |
Duma S,
Broe GA, Piguet O. |
A functional
magnetic resonance imaging and transcranial sonography study of
the relationship between motor slowing in older people and
changes in the pre supplementary motor area of the brain. |
| Social support
and social networks as longitudinal determinants of formal and
informal care needs of older people. |
Ageing Research
Centre; Department of Ageing Disability & Homecare. |
Broe GA,
Robertson H, Nicholas N. |
A review of the
National Health and Medical Research Council Sydney Older
Persons Study data combined with Australian Bureau of
Statistics' population projections and geographic information
systems software to model future needs and disability status of
people 75+ by local government areas of NSW. |
| Determinants of
neurodegenerative frailty and mortality with genetic correlates. |
Ageing Research
Centre, POWH. |
Loy C,
Broe GA, Grayson D. |
Wave 1
determinants of neurodegenerative frailty and death from the
NHMRC Sydney Older Persons Study, measured at waves 4 and 5 of
the study. |
| A review of the
combined longitudinal databases of the Canadian Study on Health
and Ageing, Sydney Older Persons Study and Gothenberg
Longitudinal Ageing Studies. |
University of
Dalhousie, Canada; Ageing Research Centre, POWH; University of
Gothenberg, Sweden. |
Rockwood K,
Mitnitski A, Broe GA, Grayson D, Skoog I. |
Defining the
markers of frailty in older people from the use of combined data
of four longitudinal studies of ageing involving 40,000
participants from Canada, Sweden and Australia. |
| NHMRC modelling
the acute aged care interfaces. |
Ageing Research
Centre, POWH; Australian Institute for Health & Welfare;
University of Queensland; UNSW |
Broe GA,
Gray L (UQLD), Robertson H, McDonnell G (UNSW), Grayson D,
Gibson D (AIHW). |
Development of
a research project around a number of key programs supporting
aged care including acute hospitals, sub-acute care
(rehabilitation), residential care (high and low), and community
care. This project involves a computer-based dynamic simulation
model to measure the impact of changes in demand and supply
across the aged care sector. |
| Commonwealth
Government Pathways Home: Aged Care Research into Transitional
Care Models. |
DoHA, South
Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health. |
Broe GA,
Grayson D, Robertson H, Nicholas N, Koff E. |
Linking
interfaces between hospital, residential aged care facilities
and the community in the Randwick-Botany sector. |
| ARC/NHMRC
Ageing Well Network. |
Ageing Research
Centre, POWH; UNSW; USYD. |
Broe GA,
Kendig H, Jackson-Pulver L. |
Aim to
establish a longitudinal study of Aboriginal health and ageing
covering urban and regional/rural contexts. Two main aims are to
establish basic care needs and support systems re ageing and
disability and to determine longitudinal factors for successful
and unsuccessful cognitive ageing with an emphasis on
educational and social factors. |
Mental Health
|
| Longitudinal
study of psychopathology in young people with intellectual
disability. |
NHMRC. |
Einfeld S. |
This study
examines risk and resiliency factors for the development of
psychopathology in children and adolescents with intellectual
disabilities. |
| MRI
investigation of the central nervous system effects of laser
acupuncture on acupoints for depression. |
Pfizer. |
Reutens S,
Sachedev P.
|
This study will
examine the brains of individual with late onset depression
using high field MRI using the latest technology to determine
the brain basis and neuroimaging markers of this illness. |
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