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        Sarcoma Translational Research

        We think all kids with Sarcoma should be able to lead happy, healthy lives! To achieve this, we aim to discover and develop safer and more effective treatments by doing inventive and rigorous research. We focus on addressing high relapse rates using a combination of unique pre-clinical models, patient samples and systems immunology.

        Sarcomas are a heterogenous group of cancers of the bone, muscle, or connective tissue.

        About 15% of cancers in children and adolescents are sarcomas whereas only 1% of cancers in adults are sarcomas. Although many sarcomas can be cured with standard therapy, the relatively high incidence of the disease in younger people and the frequency of recurrence makes the development of more effective therapies a high priority.

        The Sarcoma Group aims to identify new treatments for young people with sarcoma. In particular, we are developing immunotherapy approaches that can be applied during surgery in order to prevent local relapse and metastasis.

        Today Tonight

        The new sarcoma research team

        The new sarcoma research team

        Related Links

        Telethon Kids

        Cancer Centre

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        Team

        Leader

        Associate Professor W. Joost Lesterhuis

        Program Head, Cancer / Chronic and Severe Diseases RFA Deputy Head / Simon Lee Fellow

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        Members

        Ben Wylie

        BSc, PhD

        Postdoctoral Researcher, Sarcoma Translational Research

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        Rachael Zemek
        Postdoctoral Researcher

        Postdoctoral Researcher

        Tao Wang
        Senior Research Officer

        Senior Research Officer

        Lizeth Orozco
        Research Officer

        Research Officer

        Jun Lu
        Research Assistant

        Research Assistant

        Francois Rwandamuriye
        PhD Student (Sock it to Sarcoma Scholarship)

        PhD Student (Sock it to Sarcoma Scholarship)

        Breana Vitali
        PhD Student (Sock it to Sarcoma Scholarship)

        PhD Student (Sock it to Sarcoma Scholarship)

        Xueting Ye
        PhD Student

        PhD Student

        Related teams

        Sarcoma Translational Research projects

        The interplay between sarcoma and surgery-induced wound healing

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        Local immunotherapy for sarcoma

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        Reports and Findings

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        January 2023

        Improving compliance with swallowing exercise to decrease radiotherapy-related dysphagia in patients with head and neck cancer

        Dysphagia, one of the most common complications in head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with radiotherapy, can severely affect patients’ quality of life. Currently, because no “gold standard” treatment exists, swallowing exercise remains the main rehabilitation strategy for dysphagia. However, patients’ compliance with long-term swallowing exercise is only 40%, thus, greatly compromising outcomes. This article aims to analyze thefactors influencing swallowing exercise compliance in patients with HNC and explains strategies developed to date for improved rehabilitation outcomes.

        Children's Cancers Published research Sarcoma Translational Research
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        December 2022

        CD4+ T cells drive an inflammatory, TNF-α/IFN-rich tumor microenvironment responsive to chemotherapy

        While chemotherapy remains the first-line treatment for many cancers, it is still unclear what distinguishes responders from non-responders. Here, we characterize the chemotherapy-responsive tumor microenvironment in mice, using RNA sequencing on tumors before and after cyclophosphamide, and compare the gene expression profiles of responders with progressors.

        Children's Cancers Published research Computational Biology Sarcoma Translational Research Translational Genetics
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        December 2022

        Genes involved in platelet aggregation and activation are downregulated during acute anaphylaxis in humans

        Mechanisms underlying the anaphylactic reaction in humans are not fully understood. Here, we aimed at improving our understanding of anaphylaxis by investigating gene expression changes.

        Published research Sarcoma Translational Research
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        November 2022

        Anoctamins and Calcium Signalling: An Obstacle to EGFR Targeted Therapy in Glioblastoma?

        Glioblastoma is the most common form of high-grade glioma in adults and has a poor survival rate with very limited treatment options. There have been no significant advancements in glioblastoma treatment in over 30 years. Epidermal growth factor receptor is upregulated in most glioblastoma tumours and, therefore, has been a drug target in recent targeted therapy clinical trials.

        Children's Cancers Published research Brain Tumour Research Oncogenic Signalling Laboratory Sarcoma Translational Research
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