Download The Establishment of a Cancer Biology Research

The Establishment of a
Cancer Biology Research Unit
Cancer is a chronic disease affecting a substantial portion of our population. With 1 in 2 Australians diagnosed with
cancer by the age of 85, it is a leading cause of death in Australia. It presents a significant burden economically,
costing more than $3.8 billion in direct health system costs but more importantly it affects individuals and families who
can suffer from various forms of cancer that present at all ages.
Griffith Health Institute
The Griffith Health Institute (GHI) is a large multidisciplinary research institute with a focus on chronic disease –
specifically cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease and mental health. Research encompasses
behavioural, molecular, clinical and population health components. GHI houses most of Griffith University’s cancer
research experts, who cover a vast range of cancer research, including cancer epidemiology; genetics; cancer
pathology, progression and metastasis; anti-cancer treatments and cancer vaccine development. Further information
about the institute can be found at griffith.edu.au/griffith-health-institute.
Seed funding needed
The establishment of a dedicated Cancer Biology Research Unit will allow for this extensive area of cancer research
to be consolidated to optimise progression of current, vital cancer research being undertaken. In order to provide
support for researchers, initial seed funding of $100,000 is required to support our researchers in developing specific
cancer research projects. We are looking to get this unit up and running in the next six months.
If you would like to contribute to establishing this unit, please contact Gillian Rumpf,
Development & Alumni Manager - Health (07) 555 27472, [email protected]
Cancer studies ready to progress
Mesothelioma - Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer originating from the lining cells of the lungs and abdomen.
Because of the nature of mesothelioma and the relatively late diagnosis, the prognosis of the patients is very grim,
with survival of 1-12 months post diagnosis. GHI researchers are investigating anti-cancer drugs related to vitamin E
which they have demonstrated will kill cancer cells by inducing the cells own cell death pathway, while being largely
non-toxic to normal cells and tissues. Further research is needed to investigate this mechanism in animals and
humans and apply it to mesothelioma and other types of cancer.
Anti-cancer vaccines - Recent research has shown that certain viruses may be involved in cancer development and
progression. As an example, human papillomavirus has been found in a number of cancers including breast, prostate
and cervical tumours. These findings have led to research that is directed towards targeting viruses via viral vaccines
as a means of stopping cancer growth. Further research has the potential to lead to stronger and more effective
anti-cancer vaccines.
Molecular Oncology – Research in this field looks at cancers in the thyroid, gastrointestinal tract, oral and head/neck
region. Current projects include studying the roles of novel oncogenes and known mutations as prognostic and
diagnostic markers in cancers, a clinical trial on resistance to cancer therapy, investigating the impact of micro-RNA
and angiogenesis in cancers.
Prostate cancer and bone metastasis – Both prostate and breast cancer are known to move to the bone at a high
rate. This process involves an interaction between the cancer cell and the resident bone cells that activates processes
responsible for breaking down bone. These osteolytic phenomena are a prime target for therapy, as stopping the
spread of cancer to bone should permit more effective control of the disease. Research progress in this area is
addressing the signaling between cancer and bone cells that initiate the osteolytic processes through activation of
osteoclasts, the cells that break down bone.
If you require further information about any of our cancer research, please contact
Professor Lyn Griffiths, Director - GHI, (07) 555 28664, [email protected]
The Establishment of a
Cancer Biology Research Unit
Key cancer researchers
Professor Jiri Neuzil
Professor Jiri Neuzil and his research team have developed anti-cancer agents
derived from vitamin E, with the capacity to induce programmed cell death, a process
known as apoptosis for all types of cancer.
Professor Neuzil and his research group are targeting cancer cells using a selective
method that has potentially huge ramifications in the field of cancer biology. The
process involves an innovative chemical modification of an anti-cancer compound that gives researchers the potential
to seek out and kill cancer cells only, with little or no harm to normal, non-malignant cells. This research is being
applied to various types of cancer including mesothelioma, breast and brain cancer.
Associate Professor Nigel McMillan
Associate Professor McMillan's research is centred around the human papillomavirus (HPV) and
RNA interference (RNAi).
Associate Professor McMillan’s research group study RNA interference therapy for cancers and
infectious diseases such as Influenza, Respiratory syncytial virus and Hendravirus. We are
interested in the role of HPV in other cancers and have, for example, found HPV on normal skin and
in breast and prostate tumours. These findings suggest a potential role for HPV in various types of
cancer and this has implications for future therapies, including vaccine-based treatments.
Associate Professor Nigel Morrison
Associate Professor Nigel Morrison and his research group undertake research into the mode of
action of prostate cancer as well as bone cancer.
Associate Professor Morrison’s laboratory is addressing bone metastasis, which is known to occur
at a high rate in both prostate and breast cancer. This process involves an interaction between the
cancer cell and the resident bone cells that activates processes responsible for breaking down
bone. These osteolytic phenomena are a prime target for therapy, as stopping the spread to bone
should permit more effective control of disease.
Professor Alfred Lam
Professor Alfred Lam’s central research focus is on the mechanisms, treatment, clinical pathology
and genetic mutations in human cancers.
In the last 20 years, Professor Lam’s research networks have resulted in numerous projects on
cancer pathology and the collection of multiple databases on clinical and molecular biology of
cancer. The cancers he is currently studying in depth are in the thyroid, gastrointestinal tract, oral
and head/neck region with a focus on identifying genes involved in cancer development and
progression as well as defining molecular factors involved in treatment response.