Researchers from QUT have received more than $3.2 million through the 2023 MRFF Clinical Trials Activity scheme to address gaps in health and medical research.
The grant opportunity aims to fund research in two priority areas: rare cancers, rare diseases and unmet need; and effective health interventions.
The two QUT projects include research to improve spinal care for remote, rural and regional children with scoliosis, and to evaluate the efficacy of colchicine for treating children with bronchiectasis.
Associate Professor Julie Marchant, from the School of Medicine and AusHSI, has received $2,682,874.84 for the project A multicentre RCT to evaluate the efficacy of colchicine, an inexpensive anti-inflammatory medication, for treating children with bronchiectasis.
Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung condition where the airways become permanently damaged and widened, leading to a buildup of mucus and increased risk of infection.
Deemed by the European Respiratory Society as one of the most neglected lung diseases in clinical practice, Professor Marchant said the condition was relatively under-researched with large unmet needs.
"There are no current therapies, other than antibiotics, for children with bronchiectasis," she said.
"Our study will examine whether colchicine – an old, safe, inexpensive drug – used as an adjunct anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory therapy can improve clinical outcomes of children with bronchiectasis respiratory exacerbations."
The QUT research team comprises chief investigators Professor Marchant, Professor Anne Chang, Professor Stephanie Yerkovich, Dr Vikas Goyal and Dr Hannah O'Farrell, all from the School of Medicine, and associate investigator Associate Professor Steven McPhail, from the School of Public Health and Social Work.
Other chief investigators include Professor Keith Grimwood (Griffith University), Professor Hiran Selvadurai (Children's Hospital at Westmead), Professor Andre Schultz (University of Western Australia), Mrs Lesley Versteegh (Menzies School of Health Research), Associate Professor Katherine Baines (The University of Newcastle), Associate Professor Anna Nathan (University of Malaya), Professor Peter Morris (Menzies School of Health Research). Dr Pamela Laird (University of Western Australia) is also an associate investigator.
Partner organisations include Children's Hospital at Westmead, Royal Darwin Hospital, Queensland Children's Hospital, Perth Children's Hospital and Pharmacor.
Main (left to right): Associate Professor Deborah Long, Dr Sinduja Suresh, Maree Izatt, Associate Professor Paige Little, Professor Marianella Chamorro-Koc, Professor Evonne Miller, Professor Jeff Duff
Associate Professor Paige Little, from the School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, has received $551,461.68 for the project Geographically Equitable Spinal Care for Remote, Rural and Regional Children with Scoliosis: Smart digital strategies linking patients and specialists.
Scoliosis is the most common spinal deformity in children.
However, around 30 per cent of Australians live in rural, remote and regional communities posing challenges for those patients to receive care.
"If untreated, scoliosis has lasting impacts on quality of life, mental health, and may have lasting negative impacts on respiratory health. Early diagnosis and timely intervention is crucial for young patients – if left unchecked deformities can quickly worsen, leaving extensive spinal fusion surgery as the only option," she said.
QUT has the only dedicated scoliosis research group in the southern hemisphere. Partnering spinal specialists and engineers, the team has developed a novel AI-guided digital technology ("ScoliDoc") to link specialists with patients living in RRR communities, allowing 'virtual' appointments with the patient in their own home.
"Using ScoliDoc, patients can be managed remotely, and targeted non-surgical treatments can be used earlier.
"With successful validation, this new remote health technology will deliver timely healthcare to these children ensuring they receive early intervention and management of their scoliosis so they can have the best chance to thrive."
The QUT research team comprises chief investigators Professor Little, Professor Marianella Chamorro-Koc and Professor Evonne Miller (Queensland Health), from the School of Design, Associate Professor Deborah Long and Professor Jed Duff, from the School of Nursing, Dr Sarah Whitehouse, from the School of Medicine, Dr Bridget Hughes, from the School of Education, and Adjunct Professor Geoffrey Askin (Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service), Dr Sinduja Suresh and Maree Izatt (Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service) from the School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, alongside associate investigator Adjunct Professor Robert Labrom.
Dr Kristopher Lundine (The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne) is also an associate investigator.
Partner organisations include Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Health, Amazon Web Services Australia, North West Hospital and Health, and Royal Perth Hospital.
Main image (left to right): Associate Professor Paige Little and Associate Professor Julie Marchant
