Hana Starobova

A systematic review of predictors and outcome measures in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Masters Project:

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a debilitating side effect without effective treatment options. Up to 90% of paediatric and adult patients treated with chemotherapy develop severe CIPN. This condition not only increases morbidity but also significantly diminishes long term the quality of life for the affected patients. CIPN is very difficult to diagnose in patients, impacting the future understanding of this condition and the development of effective treatment strategies. A vast range of studies addressing CIPN predictors/markers and outcome measures have been published, however, many of these studies contradict each other or are based on poor methodologies. Therefore, in this project, we will aim to perform a systematic review of clinical studies to bring a better understanding of the predictors/markers and outcome measures of CIPN.

Systematic Review, no laboratory work involved.

Supervisors: Dr Hana Starobova, Prof Irina Vetter

Modulating Potassium Channels for Immune Cell Activation

Project available from January 2024

Macrophages are innate immune cells that are crucial for initiating immune response. Macrophage activation is implicated in driving many painful pathological stages, including neuropathy and inflammatory pain. Potassium channels, such as Kv1.3, regulate cell potassium homeostasis, and any dysregulation in intracellular potassium can lead to macrophage activation and resultant cytokine and chemokine release, driving pathogenesis of pain. This project will investigate the effects of specific potassium channel-targeting toxins on macrophage activation using electrophysiology techniques, live cell fluorescent microscopy, and in vivo rodent behavioural studies.

Supervisors: Prof Irina Vetter, Dr Hana Starobova

Animal handling and behavioural assessments in rodents are vital for this project.

Developing Models of Cancer Therapy-Induced Late Effects

Project available from January 2024

Treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy for childhood and adult brain cancers save many lives. However, they also cause long-term debilitating adverse effects, also termed "late effects", such as pain, cognitive disabilities and sensory-motor neuropathies. Currently, no effective treatments are available, and brain cancer survivors are forced to live with long-term disabilities.

Animal models are important for the understanding of disease pathology and for preclinical testing of novel treatment strategies. However, currently there are no appropriate animal models available for the testing of late effects of cancer therapy.

To address this gap, this PhD project aims to develop in-vivo animal models of cancer therapy-induced late effects and to test the efficacy of novel treatment strategies. This project forms a foundation for future clinical studies.

Project will be performed in collaboration with Prof. Irina Vetter (IMB) and A/Prof. Raelene Endersby (Telethon Kids Institute).

Animal handling and behavioral assessments in rodents are vital for this project.

Modulating Potassium Channels for Immune Cell Activation

Project available from January 2024

Macrophages are innate immune cells that are crucial for initiating immune response. Macrophage activation is implicated in driving many painful pathological stages, including neuropathy and inflammatory pain. Potassium channels, such as Kv1.3, regulate cell potassium homeostasis, and any dysregulation in intracellular potassium can lead to macrophage activation and resultant cytokine and chemokine release, driving pathogenesis of pain. This project will investigate the effects of specific potassium channel-targeting toxins on macrophage activation using electrophysiology techniques, live cell fluorescent microscopy, and in vivo rodent behavioural studies.

Supervisors: Prof Irina Vetter, Dr Hana Starobova

Animal handling and behavioural assessments in rodents are vital for this project.