2021 Cancer Council WA Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour Initiative (GIST)
The objective of the Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour Initiative is to direct funds to advance the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal stromal cancer
Project title: | Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours: Towards better outcome prediction and therapy |
Lead researcher: | Prof Ruth Ganss |
Institution: | The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research |
Project team: | A/Prof Juliana Hamzah, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research Prof Alistair Forrest, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research Dr Hooi Ee, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Clin Prof Priyanthi Kumarasinghe, PathWest Dr Mickael Johansson, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Dr Louise Winteringham, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research |
Project description: |
Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) arise from our digestive organs, for instance the stomach and intestine. If the cancer is discovered early, surgical removal may lead to a cure, but some cancers re-grow even after surgery. So-called advanced GIST have already spread to distant organs and in most cases are treated with a drug called Gleevec. Most advanced GIST patients respond well to this drug which slows cancer growth. However, 90 per cent of patients eventually become non-responsive to the drug due to drug resistance, enabling the cancer to progress and spread. This project has two parts:
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Funding from Cancer Council WA: | $41,557 in 2021 (total $514,950 for 2018-2020) |
Supported by: | The initiative for cancer research into the diagnosis and treatment of Gastro Intestinal Stromal Cancer through the provision of the late Sandra O'Keefe by including a gift in her Will to make this research possible |