Q If you were diagnosed . 1
with cancer today, what would your
chances of survival be?
A Ongoing medical research from the last two decades has seen the cancer survival rate increase by more than 40%. However the survival rate across all cancers is only 66%, and with over 110,000 new cases diagnosed each year, it remains a major cause of death in Australia.
Garvan’s Cancer Research Division is discovering ways to detect cancers early and to improve treatments
Scientists in Garvan’s Cancer Division – one of the largest teams in Australia – are making signifi cant progress in the international battle against cancer with a series of integrated projects aimed at understanding the basic causes of all cancers. We particularly study breast, prostate and pancreatic cancers as well as lung, ovarian and colorectal cancers.
Signifi cant Garvan breakthroughs
• The discovery of the role of cyclins in breast cancer.
This is recognised internationally as one of the top 20 advances in the past decade of breast cancer research.
• Finding that large regions of DNA are “switched off”
in colon cancer. This has created the potential for a brand new approach to cancer therapy.
• Identifi cation of 2,000 mutated genes in pancreatic cancer tumours, demonstrating that so-called
‘pancreatic cancer’ is not one disease but many; which has resulted in life-saving treatments.
Transparent tissue sections are stained with coloured reagents to enable cancerous cells to be distinguished from normal healthy cells
2014
Q At what age can you . 2
be affected by rheumatoid
arthritis?
A Although there is a perception that rheumatoid arthritis mainly affects older people, it commonly begins between the ages of 35 and 65 and can affect children as young as 3 years old.
Garvan’s breakthrough research provides new hope for a cure for rheumatoid arthritis and asthma
The painful and twisted joints familiar to arthritis sufferers are not just a matter of ageing. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects more than 440,000 Australians of all ages.
Similarly, asthma has recently been designated a national health priority with almost 1 in 10 children under 16 suffering from this debilitating condition.
Garvan’s Immunology Research Division aims to identify the genes responsible for these and other infl ammatory and autoimmune diseases, as well as understand their processes.
Signifi cant Garvan breakthroughs
• The development of a therapeutic antibody against one of the body’s most potent infl ammatory agents (C5a) and using it to cure rheumatoid arthritis in mice. This antibody is now in stage 2 clinic trials and could be on the market in less than ten years.
• Discovering that suppressing the protein aP2 protects against asthma attack.
• Discovery of a new gene that guides the movement of the immune system’s cells through the body.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes severe infl ammation, which results from immune cells moving into the joint tissue
2014
Q By how much is . 3
diabetes in Australia
predicted to rise in
the future?
A It is expected that by 2025 there will be more than 2 million Australians with diabetes.
Scientists at the Garvan conduct research into metabolism and how nutrition affects our health
In Australia approximately 1 million people have diabetes with over 85% of these having type 2 diabetes. If we maintain current incidence rates, more than a third of young Australians will develop diabetes in their lifetime.
Using state-of-the-art cellular research techniques as well as clinical research volunteers, Garvan’s Diabetes and Obesity Division scientists aim to decipher how the body metabolises different energy sources (sugar and fat) and how this goes awry in disease. This research will allow us to develop strategies to reverse the worldwide trend of increased obesity and diabetes.
Signifi cant Garvan breakthroughs
• The discovery that low dose insulin infusion can help people in diabetic comas has saved thousands of lives since 1973.
• Identifying the benefi cial effects of fi sh oil in the diet.
• Understanding the role of abdominal fat in determining risk of type 2 diabetes and infl uencing insulin resistance.
A respirometer is used to measure carbohydrate and fat oxidation during exercise and rest periods
2014
Q . 4
How likely are you to
suffer dementia in
older age?
A Approximately 1 in 10 Australians aged 65 years or over suffer from dementia.
Garvan’s Neuroscience Research Division conducts vital research to increase our understanding of diseases of the mind and the brain
Garvan’s work in neuroscience includes pioneering research into ways in which nerve cells communicate with each other through transmission and receipt of complex chemical signals.
We focus on areas that are a major health care burden to our society, including Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia;
Parkinson’s disease; pain; various mental illnesses and eating disorders such as anorexia. Neurorestorative therapies for brain injury and hearing loss are also an important part of our work.
Signifi cant Garvan breakthroughs
• Identifying the link between the nervous and immune systems has suggested novel treatments for stress related disorders.
• Cloning the fi rst human galanin, a brain chemical that regulates appetite, anxiety and depression.
• Discovering a protein in the brain, called ‘beta-adducin’, which is important for new synapse formation in learning and memory and has implications for diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
A PET scan of the brain can help diagnose Parkinson’s Disease by showing if there is a decrease in the activity of specifi c nerve cells
2014
Q Does the total annual . 5
cost of osteoporosis in the Australian
community amount to
$500 million, $1 billion
or $7 billion?
A The direct costs of osteoporosis in the Australian community are well in excess of $1 billion per year, while the total cost – including factors such as carers and lost income – is estimated to be $7 billion per year.
Breakthrough research by Garvan’s
Osteoporosis and Bone Research Division has enormous potential for the development of improved treatments for osteoporosis
Garvan’s Osteoporosis research combines clinical, molecular and cellular research to demonstrate the links between genetic, hormonal and lifestyle infl uences on bone mass.
Our Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study is the world’s longest running osteoporosis population study. By collecting genetic information and monitoring bone density over time – sometimes across several family generations – Garvan fi ndings have infl uenced the way other scientists around the world view and treat osteoporosis.
Signifi cant Garvan breakthroughs
• The identifi cation of a major risk factor gene for osteoporosis – a world-fi rst for Garvan scientists.
• The discovery that the brain controls bone density through the neuropeptide Y2 receptor.
• Demonstrated premature mortality following all major osteoporotic fractures and not just hip fractures.
Gene chips enable rapid detection of genetic changes such as those associated with brittle bones
2014
Q How can you play a . 6
vital role in achieving
Garvan’s next medical
breakthrough?
A Throughout history, some of the greatest contributors to medical science haven’t been scientists…
they’ve been philanthropists.
Similarly today, our scientists can’t make rapid progress towards better treatments or cures without the support of people like you.
The Garvan Institute is a designated Centre of Excellence and a world leader in innovative, fundamental medical research, with a remarkable history of breakthroughs.
Within our fi ve research programs, our scientists collaborate to develop a better understanding of conditions such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, hearing loss, lupus, asthma, Parkinson’s disease, eating disorders, dementia, osteoporosis and many more.
However, breakthrough medical research requires a substantial investment in time, technology and scientifi c know-how, as well as an ability to attract and keep the very fi nest minds. That’s why the ongoing fi nancial support provided by government, the corporate sector, and – just as importantly – private individuals, is so vital.
To keep this great work going, we really need your support right now. While Garvan’s scientists work very hard to attain a high rate of success with competitive government grants for their work, these grants do not cover the full costs of research.
In fact, for every $1 Garvan receives in grants, we must raise another 70 cents to be able to work effectively. That’s why your support is so vital.
As a Garvan Institute supporter you can play a vital role in achieving the next major medical breakthrough.
Share in the excitement of knowing that you have played a signifi cant role in progressing medical research!
To donate simply complete the enclosed coupon and return it in the reply paid envelope, call 1300 73 66 77 (9am to 5pm) or visit www.garvan.org.au/support.
2014
