{"id":1558,"date":"2018-09-18T15:40:30","date_gmt":"2018-09-18T05:40:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/?post_type=researcher&p=1558"},"modified":"2020-10-07T20:29:57","modified_gmt":"2020-10-07T10:29:57","slug":"casey-ah-cann","status":"publish","type":"researcher","link":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/researchers\/casey-ah-cann\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr Casey Ah-Cann"},"content":{"rendered":"

What are some of the key findings, progress and discoveries you have made with your research to date \u2013 and how will this make a difference to patients with this disease?<\/h4>\n

In collaboration with Clare Weeden (also supported by the Lung Cancer Foundation) we found that with a triple combination therapy involving two BH3 mimetics and an FGFR inhibitor, we were able to stop the growth of SCLC in the laboratory. This has huge potential towards creating better targeted treatments for patients.<\/p>\n

In addition, I have found an important gene regulating lung development in utero. This gene has also been identified in lung cancer and is currently being investigated as a potential targeted treatment. I hope by understanding this gene\u2019s role in the development of the lung, I can further understand this gene\u2019s role in lung cancer.<\/p>\n

What do you hope to achieve with this research project?<\/h4>\n

I hope to contribute to the lung biology field, first by understanding the normal processes, and then by understanding how these processes may go wrong and cause diseases. It is important to understand normal biology, particularly development, as many of the same factors that are important during organogenesis will go wrong later in life, and lead to cancer.<\/p>\n

How important was the funding from Lung Foundation Australia to your work?<\/h4>\n

My PhD funding from the Lung Foundation Australia was incredibly important. Not only did it give me the financial support to do my research, but it also gave me a community and contacts within the field. It has been invaluable to have access to advocates and patients and provide me with face to face contact. This has given me a more personal reason for my research.<\/p>\n

Do you have a message for Lung Foundation Australia\u2019s supporters?<\/h4>\n

Thank you. Many of you have been, or still are, affected by lung cancer. It is a terrible disease that not only lacks adequate treatments and sufficient research, but also has a heavy burden of stigma in our society. By supporting me, I hope to support you by contributing to more lung cancer research and improving treatments. I will speak out to raise awareness that anyone can get lung cancer – and everyone deserves the best possible chance to beat it.<\/p>\n

And if I could ask a favour, please support research. Demand it of your government representatives, and of institutions of the general public, for more research into the lung. It is one of the most underfunded cancers despite the fact that it has the highest mortality rate. We cannot improve treatments and outcomes if we cannot continually improve our knowledge, and we can\u2019t improve our knowledge without research and researchers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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Walter and Eliza Hall Institute","award":"Co-funded Lung Cancer Research PhD Scholarship","sponsor":"","project":"Identification of novel epigenetic regulators of lung development and lung cancer","duration":"3 years ","funded":"$90,000","awarded_year":"2016","research_type":"Treatment & models of care","colour":"#f15922","full_width_page_components":[{"acf_fc_layout":"featured_posts_static","heading":"","view_more_link":null,"posts":[{"ID":1559,"post_author":"3","post_date":"2018-09-18 15:43:36","post_date_gmt":"2018-09-18 05:43:36","post_content":"<h4 style=\"text-align: center\">For Dr Clare Weeden, research means everything. It means hope for the next generation of lung cancer patients. <\/h4>\n<p><strong>What are some of the key findings, progress and discoveries you have made with your research to date \u2013 and how will this make a difference to patients with this disease?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Our research has previously focused on lung squamous cell carcinoma \u2013 the second most common subtype of lung cancer. Lung squamous cell carcinoma is often diagnosed too late, when the cancer is inoperable. Therefore, the ability to detect this cancer early would help more patients have life-saving surgery. We identified the cells that are likely to give rise to lung squamous cell carcinoma, known as basal stem cells, that are present in healthy airways. We uncovered evidence that these cells are the \u201cseed\u201d from which lung squamous carcinomas grow. The hope going forward is our discovery will allow for the earlier detection of aberrant basal stem cells and enable more patients to have curative surgery.<\/p>\n<p>We have also investigated how to better treat lung squamous cell carcinomas with \u201ctargeted\u201d, personalised medicine. We identified a \u2018biomarker\u2019 that would better categorise the patients who would respond to promising new anti-cancer drugs called FGFR (Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor) inhibitors. We hope this work will allow for the right participants to be recruited into clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of this new targeted therapy. Our recent work has also found that two BH3-mimetics and one FGFR inhibitor were able to block cancer cell survival so successfully in pre-clinical models that tumours not only stopped growing, they began to shrink away. The next step in our research is working to develop new drugs that can block these molecules safely and effectively in patients.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What do you hope to achieve with this research project?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>My research project investigates lung cancer metastasis. Over 70% of lung cancer patients present with cancers that have spread from the \u2018primary\u2019 lung cancer to other parts of the body and this renders their cancer inoperable. Such patients rely on chemotherapy, radiotherapy and more recently immunotherapy to slow the growth of their tumours, yet this treatment is rarely curative. There is a desperate need to design new treatments that target metastases, which requires an understanding of the unique features of these cancer cells and their microenvironment. I am profiling the cancer cells and immune cells from \u2018primary\u2019 and metastatic sites within lung cancer patients to identify novel targets for treatment. Our work relies on the generosity of lung cancer patients, and collaboration between clinicians and basic scientists. We hope this project will go on to improve treatment options for the majority of lung cancer patients who present with inoperable tumours.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Clare Weeden hopes that in the future, lung cancer will become a manageable disease. <\/p>\n<p><strong>How important was the funding from Lung Foundation Australia to your work?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Deep Manchanda Early Career Fellowship is crucial in supporting me to continue my work in lung cancer and lung diseases. This funding allows me to ask challenging research questions and perform state-of-the-art experiments to answer them. Funding opportunities for young researchers can be scarce. Having dedicated funding support for lung diseases attracts more researchers to tackle these projects, and with more research comes more discoveries that have the potential to improve the health of patients living with lung diseases.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do you have a message for Lung Foundation Australia\u2019s supporters?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Despite being the leading cause of cancer death, lung cancer research currently receives only 5% of cancer research funding in Australia. Your support evens this gap, and funds research that has real-world impact on the lives of patients. Thank you for supporting our research into lung cancer and lung disease, it truly makes our work possible.<\/p>\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"style\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"#4f9837\"}}} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" id=\"block-5abf52d1-6a14-4e0e-a4f0-3e5577014a33\" style=\"color:#4f9837\">Research saves lives and gives hope for a cure.<br><strong>Give hope. Give to research today<\/strong>.<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:buttons {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons aligncenter\"><!-- wp:button {\"style\":{\"color\":{\"background\":\"#4f9837\"}}} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/donate\/\" style=\"background-color:#4f9837\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Donate today<\/a><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:button --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:buttons -->\n\n<!-- wp:separator -->\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" \/>\n<!-- \/wp:separator -->\n\n<!-- wp:media-text {\"mediaId\":11728,\"mediaLink\":\"https:\\\/\\\/lungfoundation.com.au\\\/stories\\\/lachlans-story\\\/bev-and-lachlan-2\\\/\",\"mediaType\":\"image\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Bev-and-Lachlan-1-1024x704.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11728 size-full\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4>30 Reasons for Research <\/h4>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The work of Dr Clare Weeden is giving hope to\u00a0people like\u00a0Lachlan, who was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of just 20. Eight years after his devastating diagnosis, Lachlan has experienced first-hand how life-changing treatment is allowing him to live a \u201cnormal\u201d life.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:buttons -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons\"><!-- wp:button -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/stories\/lachlans-story\/\">Read Lachlan's story<\/a><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:button --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:buttons --><\/div><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:media-text -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","post_title":"Dr Clare Weeden","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"dr-clare-weeden","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2021-03-05 15:30:48","post_modified_gmt":"2021-03-05 05:30:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/?post_type=researcher&p=1559","menu_order":0,"post_type":"researcher","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":10055,"post_author":"85","post_date":"2020-08-24 16:49:17","post_date_gmt":"2020-08-24 06:49:17","post_content":"<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4>Research update <\/h4>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:quote -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>\"Our results have the potential to identify predictive mutations and changes that will pave the way for large clinical screening trials and the development of new early LC diagnostics using samples collected using minimally invasive methods. This would significantly improve detection and treatment, and have a major impact on the lives of lung cancer patient\u2019s.\"<\/p><cite>Dr Atiqur Rahman from the University of Newcastle.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<!-- \/wp:quote -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>The Deep Manchanda\/Lung Foundation Australia Early Career co-funded Fellowship in Lung Cancer 2016\/17<\/strong> allowed Dr Atiqur Rahman from the University of Newcastle to undertake his research project, in the lab of Professor Phil Hansbro, titled: Elucidating and targeting genomic and epigenetic changes in the development and progression of lung cancer. This award was made possible thanks to the generous donation from the Manchanda Family in memory of Deep Manchanda who died of lung cancer. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Atiqur\u2019s research aims to identify changes that occur as lung cancer progresses using a world-first short-term mouse model of cigarette-smoke\/tobacco carcinogen-induced lung cancer. It will identify early genetic changes in lung cancer such as when adenomas (benign) progress to adenocarcinomas (cancerous). The research hopes to advance diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer to improve the lives of people living with this disease. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As a result of the exciting developments in this research project, the University of Newcastle have recruited an additional three PhD students to progress this world-class research. The team are now sequencing tumours from three mice that were only exposed to cigarette smoke to further refine potential mutations. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To discover early diagnostic biomarkers and better treatment for lung cancer, these mutations will be examined earlier as well as assess samples such as blood or sputum.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","post_title":"Dr Atiqur Rahman","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"atiqur-rahman","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-07 19:55:58","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-07 09:55:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/?post_type=researcher&p=10055","menu_order":0,"post_type":"researcher","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":10866,"post_author":"85","post_date":"2020-09-30 17:54:38","post_date_gmt":"2020-09-30 07:54:38","post_content":"<!-- wp:heading {\"align\":\"center\",\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>For<\/strong><strong> Dr <\/strong><strong>Afaf<\/strong><strong> Abed<\/strong><strong>, research means exploring the evidence patiently\u202fin order to\u202fimprove\u202fpatient health.\u202f<\/strong> <\/h4>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Dr Afaf Abed is a medical oncologist at Linear Clinical Research - Oncology. Dr Abed believes that research plays a major role in improving our understanding of diseases and understanding cancer biology, which is critical to improving the treatment and patient health.\u202fShe is passionate about\u202fusing evidence-based\u202fmedicine\u202fto\u202fimprove the health of her patients and believes more research in lung cancer is crucial. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cMy hope for the future is to find a cure for cancer, while this sounds far, far away for me at this stage, but really\u202fthat's\u202fwhat we should be aiming to.\u201d <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Please tell us a little bit about your project and what you hope to achieve.<\/strong> <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>My research project aims to improve personalised medicine. There have been great improvements in the lung cancer space with the introduction of multiple types of immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Biomarkers, such as PD-L1, help to guide the type of immunotherapy that is best for an individual, but it's not an adequate biomarker for response to immunotherapy. The reason for looking at these markers is we want to identify those who will benefit most from immunotherapy, because we want to provide the most effective treatment for an individual. This will improve efficacy and reduce toxicity.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This project will help us to improve treatment for an individual through identifying biomarkers that can be used in conjunction with PD-L1 to identify those who will benefit the most. Hence alternative or combination therapies might be used among those who are unlikely to benefit from single agent immunotherapy.   <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>What have been some of the key findings or outcomes that\u202fyou've\u202fseen so far?<\/strong> <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>I\u2019ve found that someone who is heterozygosity \u2013 the condition of having two different alleles at a locus \u2013 is more likely to be able to attack cancer and have a longer survival when treated with immunotherapy. While those who are homozygous \u2013 having two identical alleles of a particular gene \u2013 are less likely to survive longer when treated with immunotherapy. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>I believe my project will add to the development of precision medicine and translation of research in order to identify those patients who will benefit the most from immunotherapy. As a result, reduce the toxicity on those who are less likely to benefit from single agent immunotherapy. Those patients might benefit from dual immunotherapies, the addition of chemotherapy or targeted therapy in order to improve efficacy.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>How important was funding from Lung Foundation Australia to your work?\u202f<\/strong> <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The funding from Lung Foundation Australia played a major role in giving me the ability to achieve my analysis to give a meaningful result that can contribute to the advancement of literature and our understanding of the role of genomic HLA in cancer. I was able to analyse higher numbers with the funding I got from the Lung Foundation Australia. In addition to that, the funding will allow me to perform the T-cell receptor analysis, which is quite expensive. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>W<\/strong><strong>hat<\/strong><strong> would you say to someone who is considering donating to lung disease research?<\/strong> <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The only way to improve our understanding of lung cancer and its treatment is through research, and research needs funding. It's a generosity, from those who donate to lung cancer research, which we need and appreciate.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>What would you like to say to the fundraiser, Elizabeth, who made this research <\/strong><strong>grant <\/strong><strong>possible?<\/strong> <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>I really appreciate Ellen Yates' family that contributed to my research. I met the daughter, Elizabeth, and I thanked her with very warm words. The whole aim at the end is to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, which could be my Mum, my Dad or my relative. Hence, any improvement in our understanding of lung cancer and treatment optimisation, means I'm actually looking after my family.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:media-text {\"customBackgroundColor\":\"#491b62\",\"mediaId\":10868,\"mediaLink\":\"https:\\\/\\\/lungfoundation.com.au\\\/?attachment_id=10868\",\"mediaType\":\"image\",\"mediaWidth\":59} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-background is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"background-color:#491b62;grid-template-columns:59% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Elizabeth-social-tile.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10868\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><!-- wp:heading {\"customTextColor\":\"#ffffff\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ffffff\">Meet the Donor<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"customTextColor\":\"#ffffff\"} -->\n<p style=\"color:#ffffff\" class=\"has-text-color\">Since 1990, thanks to our generous community, we have raised and invested over $40.9 million in research that\u2019s revolutionising our understanding of these conditions, driving advancements in the prevention, treatment and search for a cure.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"customTextColor\":\"#ffffff\"} -->\n<p style=\"color:#ffffff\" class=\"has-text-color\">Dr Afaf Abed's research funding is made possible by the generous contributions made by the family of Ellen Yates. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:buttons {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons aligncenter\"><!-- wp:button {\"customBackgroundColor\":\"#ffffff\",\"customTextColor\":\"#491b62\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/stories\/elizabeths-story\/\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff;color:#491b62\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Find out more<\/a><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:button --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:buttons -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:media-text -->","post_title":"Dr Afaf Abed","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"dr-afaf-abed","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-07 20:27:28","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-07 10:27:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/?post_type=researcher&p=10866","menu_order":0,"post_type":"researcher","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}]}],"full_width_components":{"full_width_page_components":[{"acf_fc_layout":"featured_posts_static","heading":"","view_more_link":null,"posts":[{"ID":1559,"post_author":"3","post_date":"2018-09-18 15:43:36","post_date_gmt":"2018-09-18 05:43:36","post_content":"<h4 style=\"text-align: center\">For Dr Clare Weeden, research means everything. It means hope for the next generation of lung cancer patients. <\/h4>\n<p><strong>What are some of the key findings, progress and discoveries you have made with your research to date \u2013 and how will this make a difference to patients with this disease?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Our research has previously focused on lung squamous cell carcinoma \u2013 the second most common subtype of lung cancer. Lung squamous cell carcinoma is often diagnosed too late, when the cancer is inoperable. Therefore, the ability to detect this cancer early would help more patients have life-saving surgery. We identified the cells that are likely to give rise to lung squamous cell carcinoma, known as basal stem cells, that are present in healthy airways. We uncovered evidence that these cells are the \u201cseed\u201d from which lung squamous carcinomas grow. The hope going forward is our discovery will allow for the earlier detection of aberrant basal stem cells and enable more patients to have curative surgery.<\/p>\n<p>We have also investigated how to better treat lung squamous cell carcinomas with \u201ctargeted\u201d, personalised medicine. We identified a \u2018biomarker\u2019 that would better categorise the patients who would respond to promising new anti-cancer drugs called FGFR (Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor) inhibitors. We hope this work will allow for the right participants to be recruited into clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of this new targeted therapy. Our recent work has also found that two BH3-mimetics and one FGFR inhibitor were able to block cancer cell survival so successfully in pre-clinical models that tumours not only stopped growing, they began to shrink away. The next step in our research is working to develop new drugs that can block these molecules safely and effectively in patients.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What do you hope to achieve with this research project?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>My research project investigates lung cancer metastasis. Over 70% of lung cancer patients present with cancers that have spread from the \u2018primary\u2019 lung cancer to other parts of the body and this renders their cancer inoperable. Such patients rely on chemotherapy, radiotherapy and more recently immunotherapy to slow the growth of their tumours, yet this treatment is rarely curative. There is a desperate need to design new treatments that target metastases, which requires an understanding of the unique features of these cancer cells and their microenvironment. I am profiling the cancer cells and immune cells from \u2018primary\u2019 and metastatic sites within lung cancer patients to identify novel targets for treatment. Our work relies on the generosity of lung cancer patients, and collaboration between clinicians and basic scientists. We hope this project will go on to improve treatment options for the majority of lung cancer patients who present with inoperable tumours.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Clare Weeden hopes that in the future, lung cancer will become a manageable disease. <\/p>\n<p><strong>How important was the funding from Lung Foundation Australia to your work?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Deep Manchanda Early Career Fellowship is crucial in supporting me to continue my work in lung cancer and lung diseases. This funding allows me to ask challenging research questions and perform state-of-the-art experiments to answer them. Funding opportunities for young researchers can be scarce. Having dedicated funding support for lung diseases attracts more researchers to tackle these projects, and with more research comes more discoveries that have the potential to improve the health of patients living with lung diseases.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do you have a message for Lung Foundation Australia\u2019s supporters?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Despite being the leading cause of cancer death, lung cancer research currently receives only 5% of cancer research funding in Australia. Your support evens this gap, and funds research that has real-world impact on the lives of patients. Thank you for supporting our research into lung cancer and lung disease, it truly makes our work possible.<\/p>\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"style\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"#4f9837\"}}} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" id=\"block-5abf52d1-6a14-4e0e-a4f0-3e5577014a33\" style=\"color:#4f9837\">Research saves lives and gives hope for a cure.<br><strong>Give hope. Give to research today<\/strong>.<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:buttons {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons aligncenter\"><!-- wp:button {\"style\":{\"color\":{\"background\":\"#4f9837\"}}} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/donate\/\" style=\"background-color:#4f9837\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Donate today<\/a><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:button --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:buttons -->\n\n<!-- wp:separator -->\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" \/>\n<!-- \/wp:separator -->\n\n<!-- wp:media-text {\"mediaId\":11728,\"mediaLink\":\"https:\\\/\\\/lungfoundation.com.au\\\/stories\\\/lachlans-story\\\/bev-and-lachlan-2\\\/\",\"mediaType\":\"image\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Bev-and-Lachlan-1-1024x704.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11728 size-full\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4>30 Reasons for Research <\/h4>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The work of Dr Clare Weeden is giving hope to\u00a0people like\u00a0Lachlan, who was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of just 20. Eight years after his devastating diagnosis, Lachlan has experienced first-hand how life-changing treatment is allowing him to live a \u201cnormal\u201d life.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:buttons -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons\"><!-- wp:button -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/stories\/lachlans-story\/\">Read Lachlan's story<\/a><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:button --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:buttons --><\/div><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:media-text -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","post_title":"Dr Clare Weeden","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"dr-clare-weeden","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2021-03-05 15:30:48","post_modified_gmt":"2021-03-05 05:30:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/?post_type=researcher&p=1559","menu_order":0,"post_type":"researcher","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":10055,"post_author":"85","post_date":"2020-08-24 16:49:17","post_date_gmt":"2020-08-24 06:49:17","post_content":"<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4>Research update <\/h4>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:quote -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>\"Our results have the potential to identify predictive mutations and changes that will pave the way for large clinical screening trials and the development of new early LC diagnostics using samples collected using minimally invasive methods. This would significantly improve detection and treatment, and have a major impact on the lives of lung cancer patient\u2019s.\"<\/p><cite>Dr Atiqur Rahman from the University of Newcastle.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<!-- \/wp:quote -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>The Deep Manchanda\/Lung Foundation Australia Early Career co-funded Fellowship in Lung Cancer 2016\/17<\/strong> allowed Dr Atiqur Rahman from the University of Newcastle to undertake his research project, in the lab of Professor Phil Hansbro, titled: Elucidating and targeting genomic and epigenetic changes in the development and progression of lung cancer. This award was made possible thanks to the generous donation from the Manchanda Family in memory of Deep Manchanda who died of lung cancer. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Atiqur\u2019s research aims to identify changes that occur as lung cancer progresses using a world-first short-term mouse model of cigarette-smoke\/tobacco carcinogen-induced lung cancer. It will identify early genetic changes in lung cancer such as when adenomas (benign) progress to adenocarcinomas (cancerous). The research hopes to advance diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer to improve the lives of people living with this disease. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As a result of the exciting developments in this research project, the University of Newcastle have recruited an additional three PhD students to progress this world-class research. The team are now sequencing tumours from three mice that were only exposed to cigarette smoke to further refine potential mutations. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To discover early diagnostic biomarkers and better treatment for lung cancer, these mutations will be examined earlier as well as assess samples such as blood or sputum.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","post_title":"Dr Atiqur Rahman","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"atiqur-rahman","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-07 19:55:58","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-07 09:55:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/?post_type=researcher&p=10055","menu_order":0,"post_type":"researcher","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":10866,"post_author":"85","post_date":"2020-09-30 17:54:38","post_date_gmt":"2020-09-30 07:54:38","post_content":"<!-- wp:heading {\"align\":\"center\",\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>For<\/strong><strong> Dr <\/strong><strong>Afaf<\/strong><strong> Abed<\/strong><strong>, research means exploring the evidence patiently\u202fin order to\u202fimprove\u202fpatient health.\u202f<\/strong> <\/h4>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Dr Afaf Abed is a medical oncologist at Linear Clinical Research - Oncology. Dr Abed believes that research plays a major role in improving our understanding of diseases and understanding cancer biology, which is critical to improving the treatment and patient health.\u202fShe is passionate about\u202fusing evidence-based\u202fmedicine\u202fto\u202fimprove the health of her patients and believes more research in lung cancer is crucial. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cMy hope for the future is to find a cure for cancer, while this sounds far, far away for me at this stage, but really\u202fthat's\u202fwhat we should be aiming to.\u201d <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Please tell us a little bit about your project and what you hope to achieve.<\/strong> <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>My research project aims to improve personalised medicine. There have been great improvements in the lung cancer space with the introduction of multiple types of immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Biomarkers, such as PD-L1, help to guide the type of immunotherapy that is best for an individual, but it's not an adequate biomarker for response to immunotherapy. The reason for looking at these markers is we want to identify those who will benefit most from immunotherapy, because we want to provide the most effective treatment for an individual. This will improve efficacy and reduce toxicity.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This project will help us to improve treatment for an individual through identifying biomarkers that can be used in conjunction with PD-L1 to identify those who will benefit the most. Hence alternative or combination therapies might be used among those who are unlikely to benefit from single agent immunotherapy.   <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>What have been some of the key findings or outcomes that\u202fyou've\u202fseen so far?<\/strong> <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>I\u2019ve found that someone who is heterozygosity \u2013 the condition of having two different alleles at a locus \u2013 is more likely to be able to attack cancer and have a longer survival when treated with immunotherapy. While those who are homozygous \u2013 having two identical alleles of a particular gene \u2013 are less likely to survive longer when treated with immunotherapy. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>I believe my project will add to the development of precision medicine and translation of research in order to identify those patients who will benefit the most from immunotherapy. As a result, reduce the toxicity on those who are less likely to benefit from single agent immunotherapy. Those patients might benefit from dual immunotherapies, the addition of chemotherapy or targeted therapy in order to improve efficacy.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>How important was funding from Lung Foundation Australia to your work?\u202f<\/strong> <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The funding from Lung Foundation Australia played a major role in giving me the ability to achieve my analysis to give a meaningful result that can contribute to the advancement of literature and our understanding of the role of genomic HLA in cancer. I was able to analyse higher numbers with the funding I got from the Lung Foundation Australia. In addition to that, the funding will allow me to perform the T-cell receptor analysis, which is quite expensive. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>W<\/strong><strong>hat<\/strong><strong> would you say to someone who is considering donating to lung disease research?<\/strong> <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The only way to improve our understanding of lung cancer and its treatment is through research, and research needs funding. It's a generosity, from those who donate to lung cancer research, which we need and appreciate.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>What would you like to say to the fundraiser, Elizabeth, who made this research <\/strong><strong>grant <\/strong><strong>possible?<\/strong> <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>I really appreciate Ellen Yates' family that contributed to my research. I met the daughter, Elizabeth, and I thanked her with very warm words. The whole aim at the end is to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, which could be my Mum, my Dad or my relative. Hence, any improvement in our understanding of lung cancer and treatment optimisation, means I'm actually looking after my family.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:media-text {\"customBackgroundColor\":\"#491b62\",\"mediaId\":10868,\"mediaLink\":\"https:\\\/\\\/lungfoundation.com.au\\\/?attachment_id=10868\",\"mediaType\":\"image\",\"mediaWidth\":59} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-background is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"background-color:#491b62;grid-template-columns:59% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Elizabeth-social-tile.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10868\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><!-- wp:heading {\"customTextColor\":\"#ffffff\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ffffff\">Meet the Donor<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"customTextColor\":\"#ffffff\"} -->\n<p style=\"color:#ffffff\" class=\"has-text-color\">Since 1990, thanks to our generous community, we have raised and invested over $40.9 million in research that\u2019s revolutionising our understanding of these conditions, driving advancements in the prevention, treatment and search for a cure.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"customTextColor\":\"#ffffff\"} -->\n<p style=\"color:#ffffff\" class=\"has-text-color\">Dr Afaf Abed's research funding is made possible by the generous contributions made by the family of Ellen Yates. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:buttons {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons aligncenter\"><!-- wp:button {\"customBackgroundColor\":\"#ffffff\",\"customTextColor\":\"#491b62\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/stories\/elizabeths-story\/\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff;color:#491b62\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer 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