Onjcri - 2018 Annual Report Web

CHANGING
THE FUTURE
OF CANCER
ANNUAL REPORT
2018
CONTENTS
CHANGING Message from Olivia 4 Translational Breast

Cancer Program 30
THE FUTURE Chairman’s Report 5
Metastasis Research Lab 31
OF CANCER Directors’ Report 6
Matrix Microenvironment
About the ONJCRI 7 and Metastasis Lab 31
ONJCRI Year at a glance 8 Tumour Progression and
ANNUAL Our Programs 10
Heterogeneity Lab 32
Single Cell Cancer
REPORT Cancer and Inflammation Genomics Lab 32
2018 Program 12
Keeping in touch with
Cancer and Inflammation Lab 12 the real world 33
Tumour Microenvironment Meredith’s story 34
and Cancer Signaling Group 13
Cancer Therapeutics Community support
Development Group 13 essential for research 35
Cover story: Collaboration builds strength

A passion for change 14 for better patient outcomes 36
The rewards of being 16 Tumour Targeting Program 38

a scientist Tumour Targeting Lab 39
Nurturing the next Receptor Biology Lab 39
generation of researchers 17 Improving patient
Cancer Immunobiology outcomes through national
Program 18 brain cancer study 40
Cancer Immunobiology Lab 18 Being part of the

Tumour Immunology Lab 19 questions and the answers 41
Translational Genomics and Developing new
Epigenomics Lab 20 anti-cancer drugs 42
Mucosal Immunity and Centre for Research
Cancer Lab 20 Excellence in Brain Cancer 43
The vital role of technology 21 An insight into our new Centre
Pioneering rare cancer for Research Excellence 44
clinical trial 22 Combining science and law 45
Anna’s story 23 Ben’s story 46
Using science for better Partnerships and
patient care 24 collaborations 47
An early interest in genetics Board of Directors 48
ignites passion for science 25
Organisational chart 50
Gastrointestinal
Cancer Program 26 Donors and supporters 51
Oncogenic Transcription Lab 27 COO’s Report 52

Cell Death and Survival Lab 27 Financial snapshot 53
Being an ONJCRI student 28 International presentations 54
Accelerating research through Our publications 55
La Trobe University partnership 29
Our seminars 60
Our vision for the future 61
2 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 3
CONTENTS
A MESSAGE
FROM OLIVIA
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN AC, OBE

OUR FOUNDING CHAMPION
During 2018 I personally gained unique insight into
the very real impact of the incredible work being
performed at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer
Research Institute each and every day.
While I was receiving treatment at the ONJ Cancer
Wellness and Research Centre, it was oddly comforting
and humbling to know that cancer research was being
undertaken in the Institute’s laboratories mere metres
down the hallway from my hospital bed.
Patients, just like me, are benefitting from the
research of this passionate and dedicated team.
Several of these team members have shared their
personal stories with me, and their motivations for
working at the Institute.
Whether they have been touched by cancer in their
families, or have been inspired by cancer researchers
before them, their passion is the same – they want
to see a future where we can win over cancer.
I share this passion and I am honoured to lead this
dedicated team at the Research Institute.
A strong team of staff, partners, collaborators,
supporters and advocates who share a vision for
a future where cancer is both a manageable and
curable disease.
I am incredibly proud of our ONJCRI supporters
and excited to see the progress made for patients
today and in the future.
Thank you to each and every person who makes
the ONJCRI what it is today.
Love and light
Olivia

CHAIRMAN’S For such a young Institute these milestones
are a testament to the success, drive
REPORT
and dedication of our entire Institute
team. I thank the ONJCRI executive
team, researchers, clinicians, students,
professional services team and volunteers
THE HON JOHN BRUMBY AO who work tirelessly to fulfil our promise
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD of research discoveries and development.
When combined with the generosity of our
donors, supporters and key stakeholders
the Institute is in a strong position to
2018 was a successful year for ONJCRI and
achieve our mission for better outcomes
one that I am very proud of as Chairman of
for patients with cancer.
the Board.
I also extend my sincere thanks to my
Throughout the year, we secured some
fellow Board of Directors members as
of our largest funding to date which has
well as those on our Scientific Advisory
allowed us to continue in our research
Committee. You all freely give your time
endeavours including leadership roles in
to offer leadership and insight to ensure
national clinical trials for rare cancers and
the Institute is positioned for the greatest
brain cancer (see p22 and p40 for more
success and you each make a very real and
details).
lasting impact.
We recruited new leaders to expand our
I hope you enjoy reading in this Report
research and in turn fulfil our commitment
the many different ways we are working
to expanding treatment options available to
together to fulfil our shared passion to win
patients. We strengthened and developed
over cancer.
our collaborations and partnerships with
national and international bodies who
share our vision for a future where cancer
is better understood. This has all happened
while continuing to successfully undertake
world leading research to identify break
throughs for patients impacted by cancer
today and in the future. The Hon John Brumby AO

The ONJCRI team currently includes seven
clinical scientists who create a bridge
between our laboratory science and cancer
care. On one hand, this bridge creates new
opportunities for patient care and on the
other, it provides clinical insights that inform
our laboratory scientists’ perspectives
and helps to shape the direction of their
research. This year alone, these clinicians
have led more than 120 clinical trials, which
have provided hundreds of patients with
new treatment opportunities (find out more
about our rare cancer trial on p22 and the
national brain cancer study on p40).
The quality of work undertaken by our
researchers continues to stand out
and attract substantial support from
DIRECTORS’ various funding agencies at State and
Commonwealth level, even though overall
REPORT funding remains highly competitive.
One reason for this success is ONJCRI’s
privilege to be co-located within Austin
Health, one of Melbourne’s largest public
health services. This link provides seamless
PROF JONATHAN CEBON interactions between our researchers,
MEDICAL DIRECTOR clinician scientists, hospital care teams and
cancer patients.
PROF MATTHIAS ERNST
We are grateful for the united commitment
SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR
of all of our staff and the wider Institute
team including our Board of Directors,
our Scientific Advisory Committee, our
2018 was an exciting time to be involved in
partnerships with La Trobe University and
cancer research.
the Austin Health community, and our
The year provided Institute scientists with financial supporters including philanthropic
many new opportunities to discover and donors and funding bodies.
celebrate the way cancer is viewed and how
Cancer care is rapidly changing and we
it is treated. It was also a year of milestones
are delighted to lead a generation of
and achievements.
researchers and clinicians who are helping
As the La Trobe University School of Cancer shape the future and transform the options
Medicine, the Institute attracts the brightest available for treating patients with cancer.
and most dedicated students and early
career researchers, who we cherish as future
leaders. One such researcher is Dr Ashleigh
Poh who is featured on the cover of this
Report (full story on p14). Like many of our
researchers, her passion is driven by her own Prof Jonathan Cebon/Prof Matthias Ernst
family’s cancer story. And although individual
discoveries made by Ashleigh and our other
colleagues may not always hit the headlines,
their impact is cumulative and so can
make a huge difference that many patients
experience directly through clinical trials.

ABOUT US
ON
ABOUT
THE OLIVIA
NEWTON-
JOHN
JC
CANCER
RESEARCH
INSTITUTE
The Olivia Newton-John Cancer

Research Institute is a leader in
the development of experimental
and breakthrough cancer
RI
treatments. We investigate and
develop treatments for cancers
of the breast, lung, melanoma,
prostate, liver, gastrointestinal
tract and brain. This year our
researchers and clinicians are
running more than 120 clinical
trials, giving patients access
to potential new treatments
including immunotherapies and
personalised medicine.

YEAR AT A GLANCE
YEAR AT A
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
Dr Andreas Behren Dr Ashleigh Poh is Dr Belinda Yeo,

is one of the the first international ONJCRI Clinician
beneficiaries of a recipient of the Scientist is involved
$7m research boost American Association in one of the largest
92
from the Victorian for Cancer Research studies in the world
Cancer Agency to (AACR) Gastric for patients with
further his research Cancer Research early stage breast
into predicting the STAFF Fellowship. cancer. This trial
risk for melanoma may result in genetic
relapse. Read more in our testing to determine
feature story on p14 which patients
Find out more about could be spared
Andreas’ Laboratory from undergoing
on p19 chemotherapy.
$1.5m in funding is
announced by the
Medical Research
Future Fund (MRFF)
126
for brain cancer
research including
high-grade glioma or
glioblastoma (GBM).
Olivia Newton-John
Find out more on receives an honorary
53%
p40 doctorate from La CLINICAL TRIALS
Trobe University, where LED BY INSTITUTE
she thanked students INVESTIGATORS
FEMALE for allowing her to
STAFF A Greek dinner share their graduation,
dance fundraiser is receiving her honorary
held in tribute of doctors of letters
Melbourne musical honoris causa. The Victorian
legend, the late Government
“You are the next announces a $10m
Steven Kirkopoulos
generation of funding boost to
to fund an ONJCRI
practitioners, and I’m ONJCRI including for
Brain Cancer
really excited about the establishment
Research Fellowship
the potential you have of the Centre for
for Dr Diana Cao.
to impact the course Research Excellence in
of health care in Brain Cancer.
27%
Australia”.
237 Read more on p44
NHMRC GRANT RESEARCH

SUCCESS RATE COLLABORATIONS

YEAR AT A GLANCE
A GLANCE JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
The Olivia Newton- ONJCRI receives The Ian Potter

John Cancer Wellness Federal funding Foundation with
and Research Centre to extend its Rare funding support from
(ONJ Centre) is Cancer Trial that La Trobe University
ranked among uses immunotherapy and ONJCRI enables
the Top 30 ‘Most to treat patients with the purchase of
Technologically uncommon forms histology equipment
Advanced Cancer of gastrointestinal, to boost sample
Centres in the neuroendocrine analysis at ONJCRI
World’; and is listed and gynaecological and the wider
11th on the ‘Top cancers. Melbourne cancer
Master’s in Healthcare research community.
Administration’ List. Read more on p22
Read more on p21
Thousands of
23% supporters formed a

community of hope
and love at the 2018
Wellness Walk and
Research Run at the
36
PHD STUDENTS WITH beautiful La Trobe
MEDICAL TRAINING University Bundoora
campus.
STUDENTS
140 $28.7
MILLION
ONJCRI SCIENTIFIC SECURED EXTERNAL

PAPERS PUBLISHED FUNDING
The ‘Girls Night Out’

Fundraiser secured Dr Surein
PhD Student Mariah $37k to purchase a
Alorro is a finalist Arulananda is
‘Cryostat’ which aids awarded $10k from
in the La Trobe researchers such as
University ‘Three the Lung Foundation
Dr Normand Pouliot Australia to continue
Minute Thesis’ with his breast cancer
Competition. Mariah’s his research into
research to look at new treatments for
presentation explains freshly collected
her research into mesothelioma – lung
cancer biopsies. cancer caused by
STAT3, a protein found
in stomach cancer. asbestos.
Read more on p35

OUR
PROGRAMS
Our researchers are investigating
and developing treatments for a
broad spectrum of cancer types.
We are committed to making
scientific discoveries that benefit
patients living with cancer.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
CANCER AND CANCER GASTRO- TRANSLATIONAL TUMOUR

INFLAMMATION IMMUNOBIOLOGY INTESTINAL BREAST CANCER TARGETING
PROGRAM PROGRAM CANCER PROGRAM PROGRAM
Program Head: Program Head: PROGRAM Program Head: Program Head:
Prof Matthias Ernst Prof Jonathan Program Head: Prof Robin Prof Andrew Scott
Cebon Prof John Anderson
Cancer and Mariadason Tumour Targeting
Inflammation Cancer Metastasis Research Laboratory
Laboratory Immunobiology Oncogenic Laboratory Lab Head:
Lab Head: Laboratory Transcription Lab Head: Prof Andrew Scott
Prof Matthias Ernst Lab Head: Laboratory Prof Robin Anderson Researchers: Uwe
Researchers: Shoukat Prof Jonathan Cebon Lab Head: Prof John Researchers: Robin Ackermann, Laura Allan,
Afshar-Sterle, Mariah Anderson, Stefan Bader, Ingrid Burvenich, Diana
Alorro, David Baloyan,
Researchers: Surein Mariadason Cao, Puey Ling Chia,
Arulananda, Jonathan Caroline Bell, Allan
Nicola Boffinger, Michael Researchers: Zakia Alam, Burrows, Laphing Chi, Adriana Constantinou,
Buchert, Ashwini Chand, Cebon, Tom John, Oliver Mercedes Davalos-Salas, Hui Gan, Benjamin Gloria,
Klein, Candani Tutuka, Catherine Fang, Haiyan
Christine Dijkstra, Belinda Amardeep Dhillon, George Nancy Guo, Umbreen
Marzena Walkiewicz Liao, Kellie Mouchemore,
Duscio, Moritz Eissmann, Iatropoulos, Laura Jenkins, Hafeez, Eliza Hawkes, Sze
Matthias Ernst, Nima Richard Redvers, Charlotte
Stan Kaczmarczyk, David Ting Lee, Daryl Liu, Alex
Etemadi, Jennifer Huynh, Tumour Immunology Lau, Analia Lesmana, Ian
Roelofs, Victoria Simovich,
McDonald, Mike McKay,
Bill Tang, Kathryn Visser,
Saumya Jacob, Cameron Laboratory Luk, John Mariadason, Carmel Murone, Sagun
Johnstone, Kim Le, Riley Belinda Yeo
Morrow, Megan O’Brien,
Lab Head: Jennifer Mooi, Irvin Ng, Parakh, Adam Parslow,
Dr Andreas Behren Rebecca Nightingale, Matrix Evagelia Rigopoulos,
Robert O’Donoghue,
Camilla Reehorst, Andrew Scott, Fiona Scott,
Ashleigh Poh, Ursula Researchers: Andreas Cameron Scott, Niall
Microenvironment Christian Wichmann
Porage Dona, Pathum
Thilakasiri, Janson Tse,
Behren, Cyril Deceneux, Tebbutt, Wiphawan and Metastasis
Jessica Da Gama Duarte, Wasenang, Andrew Laboratory Receptor Biology
Merridee Wouters
Sean MacDonald, William
Murray-Brown, Simone
Weickhardt, David Lab Head: Laboratory
Tumour Ostrouska, Simon Tsao
Williams
Dr Normand Pouliot Lab Head:
Microenvironment A/Prof Peter Janes
Cell Death and Researchers: Delphine
and Cancer Signaling Translational Denoyer, Miriam Fuentes,
Survival Laboratory Researchers: Stacey Allen,
Group Genomics and Aadya Nagpal, Normand Peter Janes, Mary Vail,
Lab Head:
Group Head: Epigenomics Pouliot, Elnaz Tavancheh Hengkang Yan
Dr Doug Fairlie
Dr Michael Buchert Laboratory
Researchers: Surein Tumour Progression
Researchers: Shoukat Lab Head: CENTRE FOR
Arulananda, Marco and Heterogeneity
Afshar-Sterle, Alex A/Prof Alex Dobrovic Evangelista, Doug Fairlie, RESEARCH
Azimpour, Michael Buchert, Laboratory
Annalisa Carli, Nima Researchers: Hongdo Tiffany Harris, Erinna Lee,
Lab Head: EXCELLENCE IN
Sharon Tran
Etemadi, Ryan O’Keefe, Do, Alexander Dobrovic,
Dr Delphine Merino BRAIN CANCER
Janson Tse Basant Ebaid, Su Kah Goh,
Nicholas Low, Ramyar Researchers: Simone Co-Leads:
Cancer Therapeutics Molania, Ashan Musafer, Alexander, Jean Berthelet,
Prof Andrew Scott
Marcin Szaumkessel, Michal Merdas, Delphine
Development Group and A/Prof Hui Gan
Thomas Witkowski, Merino, Antonin Serrano,
Group Head: Boris Wong
Dr Ashwini Chand Single Cell Cancer
Researchers: Ashwini Mucosal Immunity Genomics Laboratory CLINICIAN
Chand, Lokman Pang, and Cancer Lab Head: SCIENTISTS
Ursula Porage Dona, Laboratory
Pathum Thilakasiri, Dr Bhupinder Pal Dr Chun Yew Fong
Kelly Tran Lab Head: Researchers: Michal A/Prof Hui Gan
Dr Lisa Mielke Merdas, Bhupinder Pal Dr Eliza Hawkes
Researchers: Anita Kumari, A/Prof Tom John
Lisa Mielke, Dinesh Raghu
A/Prof Andrew
Weickhardt
A/Prof David Williams
Dr Belinda Yeo
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

Our research and translational This includes: •• Vectra Multi-Spectral Imaging
development are underpinned, •• ACRF Centre for Translational Platform
enhanced and advanced by Cancer Therapeutics and Imaging •• Mammalian Protein Expression,
outstanding platform technologies, Production and Purification
•• ACRF Centre for Imaging the
facilities, technical expertise and Facility (MPEF)
Tumour Environment
support services that operate within
•• Molecular Diagnostics
5,500 square-metre state-of-the-art
laboratories. •• Flow Cytometry Core Facility

CANCER AND CANCER AND
INFLAMMATION LAB
INFLAMMATION Lab Head:
PROGRAM Prof Matthias Ernst
The Cancer and Inflammation
Laboratory focuses on three
different strategies to interfere
with the communication between
cancer and normal cells within a
tumour. All strategies are aimed
at myeloid cells, a type of white
PROGRAM LEAD: blood cell that plays a central role
during the wound healing process
PROF MATTHIAS ERNST and thus during most aspects of
Tumours are made up of cancer While the activities of our tumour growth progression and
cells as well as many different Program focus primarily on metastasis.
types of normal cells that have cancers of the bowel, stomach We aim to suppress signals
been recruited into the tumour and breast, many of these generated by cancer cells to attract
in order to help cancer cells to molecular communication myeloid cells into the tumour
grow. Many of the molecular mechanisms are also found in environment. Of particular interest
processes by which cancer and other solid tumours. Therefore, is an alarmin molecule called
normal cells interact with each the insights gained from our interleukin-33, which is produced
other are ancient mechanisms research could ultimately be by cancer cells of the stomach
that are important during translated into many different and which helps to orchestrate
wound-healing. Cancer cells solid malignancies. the recruitment and activation
have hijacked some of these of myeloid cells. In preclinical
mechanisms to help them PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS: models, we showed that ablation
survive, grow, obtain a steady Eissmann, M. et al. Interleukin 33 of the receptor of interleukin-33
signaling restrains sporadic colon cancer
stream of nutrients, become in an interferon-gamma-dependent suppressed the accumulation of
stealth to the immune system manner. Cancer Immunology Research 6: myeloid cells within the tumour
and develop resistance against 409-421. (2018)
environment which in turn reduced
treatment. Poh, A.R. et al. Targeting macrophages
in cancer: From Bench to Bedside. Front the tumour growth.
Oncol 8: 49. (2018)
The Cancer and Inflammation Our goal is to disrupt the
Ziegler, P.K. et al. Mitophagy in Intestinal
Program aims to understand Epithelial Cells Triggers Adaptive communication between
some of the mechanisms Immunity during Tumorigenesis. Cell 174: normal cells and cancer cells by
1-14. (2018)
by which cancer cells and targeting the signal generated
certain types of normal cells by interleukin-11 and transmitted
communicate with each other through the gp130 receptor and its
within the tumour. Disrupting associated intracellular signaling
these lines of communication molecule Stat3. Interleukin-11 is
will make cancer cells more produced by both cancer cells
vulnerable as they become less and certain normal cells, and
supported by the normal cells in turn can engage the gp130/
in their vicinity. Importantly, this Stat3 signaling axis in cancer
strategy may also help make cells to promote their survival
tumour cells become more and proliferation. Meanwhile,
visible to the immune cells and gp130/Stat3 signaling in immune
therefore more vulnerable to cells reduces their capacity to
treatment with contemporary kill cancer cells. Therapeutic
immune-based therapies. interference with the interleukin-11/
gp130/Stat3 signaling axis
therefore provides an Achilles heel
that could suppress the growth of

CANCER AND INFLAMMATION PROGRAM
cancer cells and simultaneously Ryan’s PhD project aims to CANCER THERAPEUTICS
unleash a more effective anti- increase our understanding of
DEVELOPMENT GROUP
tumour immune response. the role of a rare chemosensory
We aim to convert the tumour
cell population of the intestinal Group Head:
epithelium, called tuft cells, during
promoting and immune supressing Dr Ashwini Chand
initiation, development and
attributes of myeloid cells
progression of gastric tumours. Research projects in the Cancer
within the tumour into tumour
In particular, we propose that Therapeutics Development Group
supressing and immune promoting
the tuft cell population present are focussed on discovering new
characteristics. To achieve this,
throughout the gastrointestinal treatments for breast, gastric and
we have identified the myeloid
system together with the type colon cancers. Our group has been
cell-specific tyrosine kinase HCK
2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2), a working on how repurposing of
to work as a intracellular molecular
recently discovered immune cell existing drugs could be beneficial
switch between these cellular
population located at mucosal for cancer treatments, as well
properties. Accordingly, inhibition
surfaces, contribute significantly to as our new drug development
of HCK not only reduces the
the development of gastric cancer. projects.
growth of primary and metastatic
tumours in preclinical models, but Additional highlights of the TMCS In 2018, we discovered that
importantly allows effector T-cells included a detailed analysis of drugs that are used to treat
to enter into the tumour and to the oncogenic mechanisms by post-menopausal osteoporosis
become more active in killing which miR21 contributes to gastric in women could serve as novel
tumour cells. cancer, and the spectacular rescue treatment for gastric and colon
of a mutant embryonic phenotype cancers. Recent evidence
TUMOUR using an experimental Wnt points to the importance of
MICROENVIRONMENT pathway inhibitor. Both studies understanding the interactions of
AND CANCER were spearheaded by postdoctoral the gut microbiome with human
researcher Dr Janson Tse. Finally, health. We are now beginning to
SIGNALING GROUP Dr Shoukat Sterle initiated an develop projects targeted towards
Group Head: in-depth study to investigate the understanding how inflammation
impact of DCLK1 expression on the damages the intestinal barrier to
Dr Michael Buchert cell’s microtubular network using alter host-microbiome interactions
The Tumour Microenvironment state-of-the art high-resolution and how this contributes to
and Cancer Signaling Group confocal microscopy. cancer development or affects
(TMCS) seek to understand the effectiveness of cancer treatments.
intricate interactions between
As our studies are directed
cancer cells and their surroundings
at suppressing mediators of
to ultimately deliver better
inflammation called cytokines,
treatments and therapies for
our recent work demonstrates the
patients.
importance of such inflammatory
In 2018 we welcomed two new cytokines in promoting triple
PhD students in Annalisa Carli negative breast cancer cells into
and Ryan O’Keefe. Annalisa’s becoming more prone to growth
project investigates the role and spreading to other parts of the
of doublecortin-like kinase 1 body. By understanding how pro-
(DCLK1) in gastric cancer. DCLK1 inflammatory cytokines facilitate
is a microtubule-associated these cellular effects, we have
protein with a functional kinase been able to identify molecular
domain. DCLK1 has a proposed targets, for which we are now
role as a cancer stem cell marker developing targeted treatments.
and potential driver of gastric
tumourigenesis. A meta-analysis
demonstrated positive correlations
between DCLK1 expression levels,
advanced malignancy and reduced
overall survival.

A PASSION FOR
CHANGE
Her career has only just begun but
ONJCRI researcher, Dr Ashleigh Poh,
is already off to a flying start.

COVER STORY
2018 has been an action-packed year for Ashleigh: Macrophages can play two major, but mutually
making significant discoveries, securing prestigious exclusive roles – they can act as “garbage
grants, and presenting her findings to an collectors” to remove unwanted debris or damaged
international audience of experts on the other side cells, or as “nurses” to facilitate regenerative
of the world. processes at sites of injury.
But through it all, she has never lost sight of why Ashleigh’s research has shown that the more
she got into the field of cancer research in the first HCK activity a macrophage has, the more it is
instance. It was then, and remains now, the people able to help tumours grow. Rather than acting as
touched by cancer who drive a deep passion for garbage collectors that clean up cancer cells, these
her work. macrophages 'nurse' the growth of tumour cells
and hide them from being detected and destroyed.
“My aunt was diagnosed with colon cancer when I
Ashleigh’s discoveries show that treatment with a
was in high school, and passed away shortly after.
drug that reduces HCK in macrophages slows the
It was devastating. A cancer diagnosis doesn’t only
growth of over 6 tumour types, including stomach,
affect the person with cancer, but also friends and
bowel/colon and breast cancer.
family,” she said.
“I am currently extending my discoveries to
Ashleigh’s aunt was one of four family members
pancreatic and other types of solid tumours to
that she has lost to cancer and Ashleigh has
find out whether targeting of HCK will improve
witnessed first-hand the devastating toll cancer
the survival rate of these aggressive cancers. Our
can take on individual people and their families.
ultimate goal is to translate our current findings
“These experiences reinforced my belief that we need from the laboratory to the bedside to deliver better
better ways of managing and treating the cancer and treatment outcomes for patients” she said.
to discover new targets for therapy,” she said.
“I’m frequently asked if scientists are going to find
a cure. This has always been a hard question to
answer, because cancer is a complex disease and “IT IS THE PEOPLE TOUCHED BY
there is no 'one-size-fits-all' treatment and cure. CANCER WHO DRIVE A DEEP
The goal of our research is to better understand
how cancer cells can hide from our immune system,
PASSION FOR MY WORK”
which allows them to grow and spread from their
initial site. By gaining insight on these important
processes, we will be able to develop new and One of the highlights of Ashleigh’s year was
more effective therapies that will make cancer cells travelling to Florida to attend the fundraising
more ‘visible’ for detection and destruction.” gala in memory of Candace Netzer, and to meet
Candace’s family who funded Ashleigh’s fellowship
Ashleigh completed her PhD studies in 2017 in
in memory of their loved wife, who passed away
ONJCRI’s “Cancer and Inflammation Program”
the previous year.
(see p12), but as an early career researcher since
then has already racked up an impressive list of “I have had the opportunity to connect with
achievements. survivors, patients and their families. Their
positivity and resilience are a major driving force
In 2018, she was one of the five finalists for the
behind my passion for cancer research, and my
Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research
goal to contribute to a better understanding
and subsequently became the first international
how we can win over cancer. As scientists, these
recipient of a fellowship for gastric cancer awarded
experiences are reminders of the people we do it
by the prestigious American Association for Cancer
for, and draws it all back into focus. It’s this aspect
Research.
of my work that I love the most.” she said.
Ashleigh conducted her ground-breaking work on
a protein called Haematopoietic Cell Kinase (HCK).
HCK is found in a type of immune cell known as a
macrophage, which are a major component of solid
cancers and often help tumours to become less
visible to the immune system.

THE REWARDS OF BEING
A SCIENTIST
“If you can’t accept failure, this probably isn’t the job for you.”
Dr Michael Buchert’s advice to aspiring “In particular, we’re investigating
scientists is informed by a long and successful how cancer cells change their
career in medical research that has been as immediate environment to their advantage,
challenging as it has been fulfilling. for example evading detection by the immune
“It’s not a nine to five job where you go system to survive anti-cancer treatments
home at night and don’t think about work. and to disperse to distant sites.”
It is constant, and intellectually challenging, For Michael, being at the forefront where
and that can be stressful but it’s also very biomedical knowledge is gained and
rewarding,” he said. potentially improving outcomes for cancer
“There are a lot of setbacks - an experiment patients are powerful motivators for his work,
might not work or the hypothesis might be and he is excited about future breakthroughs
wrong - so you always have to go back to the in the cancer research, particularly in
drawing board and try to think, ‘What did I immunotherapy.
miss?’ But I’m not discouraged by failure – you
have to go through a lot of failure before you "WE ARE INVESTIGATING HOW
reach success – that’s part of being a scientist.”
CANCER CELLS MANIPULATE
As Head of the Tumour Microenvironment and
THEIR ENVIRONMENT TO
Cancer Signaling Group, Michael’s research
focus is cancers of the stomach and colon THEIR ADVANTAGE"
– two of the main causes of cancer-related
deaths worldwide. In 2018, he secured funding
from the National Health and Medical Research “We know immunotherapy works very well
Council (NHMRC), which allowed him to hire in some cancers but in others it hasn’t been
and train two scientists – a PhD student and a working well at all, so there’s a lot of research
postdoctoral fellow – to accelerate his research. needing to be done to understand how we can
make those tumours adaptable to that way of
“The funding was for studying how an immune
treatment, but I have great hope that we will
defence mechanism used by the body to deal
win the fight against this disease eventually.”
with parasite infections is hijacked by cancers
to promote their own growth,” he said.

NURTURING THE
NEXT GENERATION
OF RESEARCHERS
In the fight against cancer, nurturing the next generation of cancer
researchers is critical.
ONJCRI has a proud record of mentoring Both Honours students and PhD candidates
students with thriving projects that produce at the Institute enjoy an environment where
incredible results. research and clinical work is interlinked and
Dr Ashwini Chand, Head of the Cancer they can achieve translational outcomes on
Therapeutics Development Group, relishes her their projects.
role as a mentor and says it is one of the most At ONJCRI, students are paired with senior
rewarding experiences in her role. researchers in one-on-one mentorship
“I really like the vitality and enthusiasm programs. They are also part of mentorship
students bring to the Institute and to my panels themselves, together with other young
team. Their curiosity really makes us better graduates undertaking world leading research
teachers, particularly if students bring new at ONJCRI.
perspectives into their projects” she said. “There is no better way for me to expose the
Institute’s students to the talent of visiting
established scientists than to also act as
"THE QUESTIONS OUR STUDENTS ONJCRI’s seminar convenor” Ashwini says,
ASK REALLY MAKE US MORE adding that “creating an excellent seminar
CONSIDERATE TEACHERS" program with speakers from all over Australia
to report on the latest insights in cancer
research is my most important contribution to
“For me personally, the journey and creating a vibrant environment at ONJCRI.”
progression of a student in terms of acquiring “Our strong training program enables young
skills and knowledge during their candidature, scientists to go on to have bright careers
sharing their exciting results and seeing and to make major contributions to cancer
them developing their own research story is research. But the benefits flow both ways,
just so rewarding. There are many pressures with mentors getting as much from this
that students face and I have seen students relationship as the students they supervise.”
undergoing immense personal hardship and
showing resilience to achieve their goals –
that makes me proud.”

CANCER CANCER
IMMUNOBIOLOGY LAB
IMMUNOBIOLOGY Lab Head:
PROGRAM Prof Jonathan Cebon
Our clinical trial in Rare Cancers
has demonstrated that various
cancers that were not known to
respond to immunotherapy can
indeed respond. During 2018,
60 patients were treated on our
Rare Cancers protocol. We also
PROGRAM LEAD: obtained additional funding from
the Medical Research Future Fund,
PROF JONATHAN CEBON which will enable us to treat an
The research undertaken within Both cancer and the immune additional 60 patients during
the Cancer Immunobiology system change with time – 2019. Using patient materials from
Program seeks to understand indeed they can shape each this trial has enabled us to design
how cancer and the immune other. As immunity attacks, the laboratory studies that will identify
system affect each other. From cancer can adapt and escape biomarkers which will be able to
this, we can then harness the immune recognition. Moreover, predict benefits to patients.
power of the immune system the cancer can also interfere These above laboratory studies are
to treat cancer by performing with cells of the immune performed under the supervision
clinical trials with drugs that system in a variety of ways. of Dr Andreas Behren in the
stimulate immune responses. We are particularly interested Tumour Immunology Laboratory.
In parallel, we are developing in understanding the targets Dr Behren is an emerging leader
diagnostic tests based on that the immune system who helped organise the highly
our clinical experience to recognises, understanding how successful Winter Retreat of
better select patients for both cancer and immunity co- the Melbourne Immunotherapy
immunotherapy and predict evolve to enable us to discover Network. He secured a prestigious
and manage auto-immune side new therapeutic targets. fellowship from the Victorian
effects. Cancer Agency and has played
Recent successes in a clinical PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS: an instrumental role in securing
trial for patients with rare Cebon, J. Perspective: cancer vaccines in state-of-the-art equipment for
the era of immune checkpoint blockade.
cancers provides a powerful Mamm Genome 29: 703-713. (2018)
imaging immune cells in the
illustration of this (see full story Tsao, S.C. et al. Characterising the
cancer tissue of trial patients at
on page 22). These cancers phenotypic evolution of circulating ONJCRI. The clinical biomarker
tumour cells during treatment. Nat
represent an important area Commun 9: 1482. (2018)
team also includes Dr Jessica
of unmet need and the trial Da Gama Duarte, J. et al. Autoantibodies
Duarte who has been studying
is showing life-saving benefit May Predict Immune-Related Toxicity: the blood of trial patients to
Results from a Phase I Study of
for a mixture of cancer types measure antibodies that naturally
Intralesional Bacillus Calmette-Guerin
for which there are currently followed by Ipilimumab in Patients with arise when the immune system is
no effective treatments. These
Advanced Metastatic Melanoma. Front stimulated either to react against
Immunol 9: 411. (2018)
include rare cancers of the upper tumours or normal tissues, which
Halse, H. et al. Multiplex
gastrointestinal tract such as the immunohistochemistry accurately defines can be an unwanted auto-immune
liver and bile ducts; cancer that
the immune context of metastatic consequence of immunotherapy.
melanoma. Sci Rep 8: 11158. (2018)
develops from neuro-endocrine
cells; and rare cancers of the
female genital tract.

CANCER IMMUNOBIOLOGY PROGRAM
Dr Lisa Mielke joined ONJCRI in TUMOUR Our research has led to multiple
2018 as an expert in intestinal important discoveries that
IMMUNOLOGY LAB
immune cell biology, following were published in 2018: in a
completion of her PhD in 2009 at Lab Head: collaboration with researchers
the National Institute of Health, in Queensland, our PhD student
Dr Andreas Behren
USA, followed by postdoctoral Simon Tsao found an easy and
training at Trinity College Dublin, The Tumour Immunology sensitive method to measure how
Ireland and the Walter and Eliza Laboratory was launched in tumour cells that are travelling
Hall Institute of Medical Research. May 2018 as an independent in the blood of patients react
She has led numerous studies laboratory embedded in the Cancer to different therapies. In the
revealing new and exciting Immunobiology Program. future, this discovery could allow
cross-talk between our diet clinicians to detect very early if
and transcriptional regulation Our laboratory focuses on the a patient will develop resistance
of intestinal innate lymphoid interaction between the immune to a therapy and how to tackle
cells (ILC) and so-called γ/δ T system and cancer, and on resistance.
cell populations. These studies understanding how a successful
anti-cancer immune response is Other exciting research is based
are opening an exciting new
orchestrated. on the use of protein arrays that
frontier of research in the field
can measure the presence of
of mucosal immunology. Shortly To ensure that our work has tumour antibodies in the blood of
after joining the ONJCRI, Dr relevance for patients, we are cancer patients. Dr Jessica Duarte,
Mielke was awarded a prestigious working closely with Prof Jonathan our postdoctoral research fellow,
fellowship from the Victorian Cebon and other clinicians across championed these studies and
Cancer Agency that will fund Melbourne to gain access to proposes that such arrays could
research investigating the role of patient samples to re-evaluate be used to guide treatments.
intestinal immune cell populations findings and ideas from the Indeed, Dr Duarte was successful
in gastrointestinal cancers. laboratory in “real-life” samples. in securing funding from the Cure
We firmly believe that collaboration Cancer Australia Foundation to
across research institutes and further pursue this approach.
pharmaceutical industry will
lead to the best outcomes for
patients. The laboratory has
therefore established a network
of collaborations with a strong
clinical trial and industry-supported
research component.
Our Winter Symposium for the
Melbourne Immunotherapy
Network (MIN) brought together
more than 80 like-minded
researchers from across Melbourne
to exchange ideas and research.

CANCER IMMUNOBIOLOGY PROGRAM
TRANSLATIONAL A research highlight was being Modulation of immune cells has

part of a continuing collaboration revolutionised the treatment of
GENOMICS AND
with Prof Clare Scott at the some cancer types and it is now
EPIGENOMICS LAB Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and evident that manipulating the
subsequent publication in Nature immune system is a powerful
Lab Head:
Communications. We showed that technique to treat and potentially
A/Prof Alex Dobrovic the precise measurement of DNA support cancer prevention.
methylation of the BRCA1 gene Understanding the unique
The Translational Genomics
was able to predict the response functions of immune cells in
and Epigenomics Laboratory
to a class of drugs known as a the intestine, and the role they
undertakes gene-based and
PARP inhibitors which are used play in tumourigenesis, will pave
genomics-based research in cancer
to treat breast and ovarian cancer the way for discovery of new
with a focus on collaborative
patients. immunotherapies to harness the
studies that optimise treatment
power of our own immune cells
of cancer patients. Because our MUCOSAL IMMUNITY to eradicate tumours.
laboratory is active in both research
and diagnostics, it creates a
AND CANCER LAB
synergy that benefits both areas. Lab Head:
We aim to advance personalised Dr Lisa Mielke
medicine for cancer patients with a
particular focus on our expertise in The body’s mucosal surfaces
the frontier area of liquid biopsies. include the lungs and
When a patient has cancer, some gastrointestinal tract. There are
of the tumour’s DNA can be found specialised immune cells at these
in the blood. This DNA, referred sites that play a critical role in
to as circulating tumour DNA, maintaining these surfaces of
can not only be detected, but the body to help protect you
it also carries the same genetic from the external environment.
changes that are found in the Because these surfaces are
cancer. Monitoring these specific constantly under stress from the
changes via liquid biopsies can environment, including the air we
measure the extent of the cancer breathe, the food we eat, the sun,
and guide towards appropriate and infectious organisms, these
treatment. Liquid biopsies are a surfaces are also more prone to
rapidly growing area of research, the development of cancer.
because they are minimally invasive The Mucosal Immunity and Cancer
compared to conventional tissue Laboratory investigates how some
biopsies and thus enable more of these specialised immune cells
frequent monitoring of the success develop, how they function to
of therapy. maintain homeostatic renewal
In 2018, we were successful in of the epithelial surfaces, and
obtaining a new grant from the the role these immune cells play
National Breast Cancer Foundation in development of and defence
to monitor breast cancer with against cancer. Our Lab has been
liquid biopsies; this complements working closely with the Tumour
similar work we are conducting Immunology Laboratory, Cancer
in lung cancer, which is funded and Inflammation Program, and
through an existing grant from Gastrointestinal Cancer Program
the National Health and Medical at ONJCRI to uncover how some
Research Council. Our team is of these specialised immune
also collaborating with the Austin cell populations of the intestine
Hospital Department of Surgery in contribute to the development of
using circulating DNA to monitor bowel cancer.
the health of liver transplant
patients.

THE VITAL ROLE
OF TECHNOLOGY
An intellectual curiosity into the complex nature of cell biology drove
Dr Andreas Behren to pursue a career in cancer research.
He was intrigued by how a body’s cells could lose “The Vectra system is a type of microscope with a
partial control of their fate, and start to divide to specialised camera and software that allows you to
the point that they could potentially kill a person. simultaneously visualise various markers on cells
Curiously, such cells still remained highly organised and therefore different cell types within the tumour
and in constant communication with non-cancerous microenvironment” Andreas explains. “For the first
cells within their immediate “neighbourhood”. time we can now see where and how the normal cells
– like fibroblasts or immune cells – sit among
A need to better understand these processes and
the cancer cells within a patient’s tumour.
to ultimately help to develop new cancer treatments
has motivated Andreas ever since he started his Prior to using the Vectra system, the multitude of
career in Germany and moved to Australia in staining was a labour and time-intensive process and
2008. As the Head of the Tumour Immunology could never be done on the same tissue slide. By
Laboratory, Andreas has predominantly focused combining the multi stainer with the Vectra system,
on understanding and slowing down the complex the work flow has become much more streamlined
processes that govern the development of melanoma and time efficient not only for Andreas’ group, but
- one of the deadliest cancers if not detected early. also for many researchers from around Melbourne
and Australia who have access to this equipment.
Andreas led two successful campaigns to obtain
An important additional benefit from using these
funding from the Ian Potter Foundation in 2015 and
state-of-the-art pieces of equipment is that now all
2018 for the purchase of state-of-the-art imaging
results can be directly compared between different
equipment, which allows better microscopic insights
researchers and institutes, as these machines reduce
into the complex architecture of tumours. When
the unavoidable variability that comes with manual
purchased in 2015, the Vectra system provided the
processing.
first multi-slide capacity in Australia, and allowed
Andreas and his team to easily describe the spatial Andreas says in an era of immunotherapy, where
distribution within a tumour of the various cancer patients are given targeted drugs to enhance their
cell-killing immune cells that surround a tumour. This immune reaction to cancer, the technology plays
has now become a widely used technique and has a vital role. “The Vectra technology will help us to
revealed crucial information to better understand the better understand why immunotherapy is working
interactions between the immune system and tumour in some patients and why it isn’t working in others,
cells. In his second bid, Andreas secured a $100,000 and how cells of the immune system interplay with
grant from the Ian Potter Foundation, to match tumour cells.”
funding from the Institute and La Trobe University,
to acquire an automated tissue stainer that enables
streamlined preparation of histology slides.

CONTENTS
PIONEERING RARE
CANCER CLINICAL TRIAL
One of ONJCRI’s greatest achievements they are often excluded from large clinical
in 2018 was the emerging success of a trials,” he said. “This generous funding
clinical trial to help patients living with from the Australian Government will not
rare cancers. only result in more rare cancer patients
A $1 million funding boost to the Institute being treated in the existing metropolitan
from the Federal Government enabled 60 sites, but will also enable us to take our
additional patients living in regional and trial to regional patients.”
rural areas to access immune-stimulating Working in partnership with Rare
anti-cancer drugs. These patients all Cancers Australia and the Pharmaceutical
suffer from various rare types of cancers company Bristol-Myers Squibb, clinicians
that affect fewer than six people in every have already treated 50 patients at three
100,000. Access to immunotherapy drugs metropolitan centres with a combination
for these rare cancers are usually not immunotherapy, to activate the patients’
subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits immune system to seek out and kill
Scheme, and therefore treatment can cancer cells.
be cost-prohibitive for many rare cancer Prof Cebon said the early responses
patients. have been very promising, however not
ONJCRI Medical Director, Prof everyone benefits. “A suite of laboratory
Jonathan Cebon, said the funding will tests are also under development in
benefit a group of patients with rare our laboratories which will help guide
gastrointestinal, neuroendocrine and clinicians to identify those who are most
gynaecological cancers for whom there likely responding to treatment, and
are few effective drugs. more importantly, those who will not.
“Australians with rare cancers have limited This means valuable time will not be
access to effective treatments due to lost for patients by pursuing ineffective
the lack of understanding of how their treatments.”
cancers will respond to treatment and

ANNA’S
STORY
Anna Anderson is grateful Following less than a year on the
trial, scans revealed Anna’s tumours
to be alive. When she was had reduced to five per cent of their
diagnosed with stage four original size.
gallbladder cancer her
surgeon told her she had ANNA'S TUMOURS HAD
just months to live. REDUCED TO FIVE PER CENT
That was in October 2017. OF THEIR ORIGINAL SIZE
The cancer was rare and aggressive
and had metastasised to her liver.
“The doctors are calling it a miracle,” she
With the outlook bleak, the mother-of- said. “It’s marvellous. I wouldn’t be here if
three was encouraged to get her affairs not for the clinical trial”.
in order.
“I am incredibly grateful to the ONJCRI
In January 2018 Anna was enrolled in the Team for the life changing work that
rare cancer immunotherapy trial under they do. I hope that trials such as this will
the supervision of Dr Oliver Klein at the make it possible for others to benefit from
the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research the most up to date treatments modern
Institute. Almost immediately things medicine has to offer.”
started to improve.

USING SCIENCE
FOR BETTER
PATIENT CARE
The ONJCRI had 26 PhD students involved in projects during 2018,

but for Dr Su Kah Goh, completing his final PhD year at the Institute
was something quite special.
Su Kah’s project gave him the opportunity to a small amount of my DNA would be shed
investigate and repurpose a technique that into your bloodstream. The blood test that
was originally developed for cancer detection we have developed allows us to count the
into another medical specialty – specifically number of ‘donor’ DNA molecules that are
liver transplantation, where 30-40% of in the recipient’s blood. On that basis we
patients develop organ rejection in the first have developed a blood test, in which the
12 months after transplantation. However, the detection of elevated amounts of ‘donor’
current means of diagnosing organ rejection DNA in the recipient can be used to diagnose
is rather invasive. It involves the insertion organ rejection.”
of a large needle through the skin and into The hope is that perhaps one day this test
the liver under local anaesthetic in order to may help clinicians reduce, or even better,
obtain a small sample of liver tissue. replace liver biopsies. “More than 25% of liver
Under supervision from both the ONJCRI transplantations performed at the Austin
Translational Genomics and Epigenomics Lab Health are for early stage liver cancers and
and the University of Melbourne Department often in these patients, surveillance for
of Surgery, Su Kah developed a blood test cancer recurrence is difficult,” said Su Kah.
that can monitor organ health after liver The clinical acceptance of tests based on
transplantation. The test borrows techniques liquid biopsies will increase and it is through
used in oncology to detect tumour cell DNA collaborations like that of Su Kah's, that we
in the blood stream. Adjusting these liquid can start developing applications for liquid
biopsy techniques to detect the earliest signs biopsies outside of oncology.
of organ rejection proved a great chance “Although I worked in a cancer-focused
for Su Kah to exploit modern molecular institute, my project is a good example of
technologies and genetics to improve how sharing knowledge and expertise across
diagnosis after liver transplantation. disciplines can have great benefits for our
“DNA between individuals is subtly different,” patients.”
said Su Kah and explains, “If I, the donor, were
to put my liver inside of you, the recipient,

AN EARLY
INTEREST IN
GENETICS IGNITES
PASSION FOR
SCIENCE
Dr Lisa Mielke found her inspiration for a “This is an important priority for me because
career in research in her own family. I grew up in Gippsland and I understand the
Her older brother has Down Syndrome, and disadvantages faced by young people in
as a child, she was curious about what made regional Victoria, especially young women, in
him different. a non-metropolitan setting who traditionally
have little access to STEM and related mentoring
She began to explore the root causes of programs.”
the condition, eagerly attending events and
devouring books on genetics. Lisa says one of the greatest challenges for
women forging a career in science is balancing
“As a young kid, it was extremely intriguing starting a family with the competing demands
wanting to understand why my brother had of research projects, building their professional
a disability; and learning about our genes and networks and accessing leadership programs.
how they can, to a large degree, define who
we are,” she said.
"IN THE LAST THREE YEARS
Her early interest in genetics and biology ignited
ONJCRI HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED
a burning passion for science that ultimately
led her to her current role as Head of ONJCRI’s FEMALE REPRESENTATION AT THE
Mucosal Immunity and Cancer Laboratory. FACULTY LEVEL"
As one of several women heading up
laboratories at the Institute, Lisa believes At ONJCRI, she feels she has found a supportive
having more female scientists in senior roles is workplace that champions diversity and has
vital if we are to encourage girls to follow similar made gender equity a priority.
career paths. “It is very much a family-friendly environment
“I believe that young girls have always been and our directors have done an amazing job
fascinated by science and technology, the in the last few years of hiring and promoting
difference is today there are more mentoring women to leadership positions within the
programs available to help them pursue a career Institute,” she said.
in those fields,” she said. “In the last three years we’ve more than doubled
“We still have a long way to reach gender our female representation at faculty level and we
equality in the STEM areas (Science, Technology, have gender neutral policies for parental leave."
Engineering & Mathematics), especially in the The ONJCRI is proud to offer our team an environment
areas of engineering and maths.” where we actively encourage, embrace, and promote
gender equity and diversity.

GASTROINTESTINAL
CANCER PROGRAM
PROGRAM LEAD:
PROF JOHN MARIADASON
The Gastrointestinal Cancer In 2018, our team completed PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS:
Mooi, J.K. et al. The prognostic impact of
Program is seeking to a phase II clinical trial with the consensus molecular subtypes (CMS) and
understand the biological causes drug everolimus in patients with its predictive effects for bevacizumab
benefit in metastatic colorectal cancer:
of cancers of the colon (bowel), advanced biliary tract cancer. molecular analysis of the AGITG MAX
biliary tract and stomach in Although a relatively rare cancer, clinical trial. Ann Oncol 29: 2240-2246.
(2018)
order for new treatments to be approximately 700 patients
Lau, D.K. et al. Phase II study of
developed for patients affected die of biliary tract cancer each everolimus (RAD001) monotherapy as
by these diseases. In particular, year in Australia, and there first-line treatment in advanced biliary
tract cancer with biomarker exploration:
we are seeking to identify and are currently few effective the RADiChol Study. Br J Cancer 118: 966-
target the major proteins, which treatments for this disease. In a 971. (2018)
enable tumour cells to survive trial led by A/Prof Niall Tebbutt Hockings, C. et al. Mcl-1 and Bcl-
xL sequestration of Bak confers
in the body, and we are testing and PhD student and Medical differential resistance to BH3-only
whether drugs which work Oncologist Dr David Lau, we proteins. Cell Death Differ 25: 719-732.
in other cancers can be re- found that some patients with (2018)
purposed for the treatment of biliary tract cancer gain benefits

gastrointestinal cancers. from treatment with everolimus,
a drug that is currently used in
the treatment of kidney cancer.
Our program is now seeking
to develop further treatment
strategies for this disease, and
in developing ways to tailor the
best treatment for individual
patients based on the genetic
makeup of each patient’s
tumour.

GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER PROGRAM
ONCOGENIC CELL DEATH AND Our Lab has a strong interest

in a second important process,
TRANSCRIPTION LAB SURVIVAL LAB
known as autophagy, which is
Lab Head: Lab Head: required to keep cells alive. We
are now investigating how this
Prof John Mariadason Dr Doug Fairlie
process contributes to the health
During 2018, team members Ian The Cell Death and Survival of the gastrointestinal system and
Luk, Camilla Reehorst and Rebecca Laboratory is interested in the potentially prevents inflammatory
Nightingale made the significant fundamental processes that enable bowel disease. Because autophagy
discovery that loss of a gene cancer cells to survive. In the last and apoptosis are two fundamental
known as EHF plays a previously decade, there has been significant mechanisms to keep organisms
unappreciated role in the progress in the development healthy, we recently published a
development of colon cancer. With of drugs to target one of these study looking at the “cross-talk”
research support provided by a processes and induce death in the between these two processes.
three-year grant from the Victorian tumour cells through a process
Cancer Council, this discovery is called apoptosis. While one of
now enabling us to investigate these drugs is now approved for
potential new treatments for this use in patients with blood cancers,
disease based on re-activating the several others similar drugs are also
EHF gene. under development.
With support provided by a grant In 2017, our lab started working
from Tour de Cure, the team also with a range of these drugs in
continued its pre-clinical research melanoma and showed remarkable
into a new drug combination for improvement in their ability to
treating colon cancer. In work led kill tumour cells when used in
by PhD student Laura Jenkins specific combinations. That study
we have found that combining was completed in 2018 and the
drugs which inhibit proteins called manuscript describing the work
“HDACs” and “MEK” in colon is currently under review for
cancer cells can induce a high publication. Building on the success
rate of killing of tumour cells. of this observation, we have now
We are now ideally positioned to extended this approach to other
undertake a clinical trial of this cancers, especially mesothelioma,
drug combination in patients with where we have observed similar
colon cancer. effects. This work is a close
collaboration between our Lab
Finally, our team discovered a
and Dr Surein Arulananda and
new way of predicting whether
A/Prof Tom John, and the project
a patient is likely to benefit from
is supported by a grant from
treatment with the colon cancer
the National Health and Medical
drug bevacizumab. In work led
Research Council to confirm our
by A/Prof Niall Tebbutt and PhD
exciting preliminary findings.
student and Medical Oncologist
Other work in the laboratory in
Dr Jennifer Mooi, we identified a
2018 involved collaboration with
set of genes which, if active in a
Australian pharmaceutical company
patient’s tumour, can improve the
PharmAust. Here, we have provided
likelihood of a patient responding
important new insights into how a
to this drug. Although ideally this
novel drug (monepantel) confers
finding needs to be confirmed by
anti-cancer effects in a range of
other researchers, it could provide
cancers.
a means for sparing patients
unlikely to benefit from this
treatment from unnecessary costs
and side effects.

BEING AN ONJCRI
STUDENT
Our Institute is a highly coveted seat DAVID LAU

of learning, with opportunities to be Why did you choose ONJCRI?
mentored by some of the sharpest I completed my medical oncology training at Austin
scientific brains working at the Hospital in 2013 and I was a clinical fellow when
the ONJCRI was known under the name of its
forefront of cancer research.
predecessor Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.
There are opportunities for students Working mainly on melanoma, I was exposed to the
marvellous and highly stimulating world of medical
to obtain higher degrees as Honours,
research. The integration of clinical research all the
PhD and Doctorate of Medical Science. way from basic laboratory research, translational
We chatted to two students from the activities and culminating in clinical trials excited me.
Oncogenic Transcription Lab on what What is it like being a student at ONJCRI?
drew them to ONJCRI. As a medical oncologist, I was able to continue my
practice and be actively involved in patient care. It is
a privilege to be able to augment my clinical practice
CAMILLA REEHORST with medical research. As a clinician, I am all too
familiar with the need to improve cancer treatments.
Why did you choose ONJCRI? Research brings a sense of optimism that patient
It’s a growing institution with great opportunities care and outcomes can be improved.
to translate findings from the laboratory bench to
What research were you involved in during 2018 and
benefit patients, and it allows researchers to directly
your time at ONJCRI?
interact with patients. The Institute also promotes
My PhD focused on exploring novel molecular targets
collaborations with other national and international
for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal cancers,
research teams, which often helps delivering high
specifically stomach and biliary tract cancers. In
quality research outcomes.
particular, I have been investigating the mechanisms
What research were you involved in during 2018? of action of a new drug called regorafenib in stomach
My research focus has been to determine the impact cancer and how patients can be better selected
of in-vivo deletion of a transcription factor called for that treatment with molecular biomarkers. In
Ehf, and in 2018 I mainly focused on characterising biliary tract cancers, I investigated the clinical use of
the role of Ehf during murine mammary gland the drug everolimus and investigated biochemical
development. markers that correlate with clinical benefits.
I have also contributed to research into the role of What is your research focus and what is the
Hdac3, another transcriptional regulator, which we potential impact for patients?
have linked to diet-induced obesity. In 2018, my research focus has been on using next-
What is it like being a student at ONJCRI? generation sequencing to investigate new targets
It’s challenging, but ONJCRI has encouraged and in biliary tract cancer such as the IDH1 and FGFRs
facilitated the foundation of a student society that genes. The results from my studies will assist
helps support and empower our student community. researchers worldwide to develop new therapies in
I also believe that being away from the 'ivory tower' this disease.
of a university campus better prepares students At the end of 2018, David was successful in obtaining the
Australasian Gastrointestinal Trials Group (AGITG) Clinical Research
for what it actually means to conduct research as a fellowship that enabled him to take on a position in the UK where
career in the 'real world' after your studies finish. he is currently furthering his research career at the Royal Marsden
Hospital in London.

ACCELERATING RESEARCH THROUGH
LA TROBE UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP
Through ONJCRI’s role as the La Trobe University “The partnership with La Trobe University
School of Cancer Medicine, scientists, students enables us to work with their team of structural
and patients are benefiting from a strong biologists who specialise in this type of atomic
partnership with La Trobe University (LTU). level analysis. Our Lab has been working in the
Together with the university, ONJCRI undertakes field of cell death research for many years and
collaborative research, joint training of medical this collaboration has been so important for the
researchers and translates research into clinical success of the projects we are pursuing.”
practice, ultimately improving health outcomes Being able to recruit the best and brightest
for patients with cancer. students from LTU for Honours, Masters and PhD
For Dr Doug Fairlie, Head of the Cell Death and students is also a benefit of the partnership, as
Survival Laboratory with a joint appointment at is access to specialised equipment and facilities
LTU, the collaboration has allowed him to tap not currently available at the Institute.
into the expertise of many of the university’s “In a broader sense, we’re also thinking about
world-leading scientists with expertise in fields the idea of developing our own cancer drugs.
complementary to those currently represented Our LTU partnership will allow us to work with
at the Institute. their team of specialised chemists to identify and
“A primary interest of our Lab is to try to progress opportunities for drug development.”
understand why cancer cells survive better and
how we can use that information to try to kill "THE PARTNERSHIP ALLOWS US
them. There are a number of proteins in the BOTH TO PERFORM CRITICAL
cell that are essential to those processes, and
for certain aspects of our studies, it is critical EXPERIMENTS AND ACCELERATE
to understand what those proteins look like RESEARCH OUTCOMES"
at an atomic level. These structural details are
particularly important in terms of thinking about Overall, Doug believes that ONJCRI’s partnership
how we develop cancer drugs,” he said. with LTU provides reciprocal benefit to both
institutions to perform critical experiments and
accelerate research outcomes.

TRANSLATIONAL
BREAST CANCER
PROGRAM
PROGRAM LEAD:
PROF ROBIN ANDERSON
In 2018, over 18,000 Australian after the patients have undergone PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS:
Steigedal T.S. et al. Nephronectin is correlated
women and about 150 men were therapy. This project aims to with poor prognosis in breast cancer and
diagnosed with breast cancer understand why some tumours promotes metastasis via its integrin-binding
motifs. Neoplasia 20: 387-400. (2018)
and over 3,200 died, largely due respond to the therapy whilst
Kim S-H. et al. Identification of brain metastasis
to the spread of their cancer to others do not, and to predict the genes and therapeutic evaluation of histone
other vital organs such as liver, best therapy for individual patients deacetylase inhibitors in a clinically relevant
model of breast cancer brain metastasis.
lung and brain. The Translational (read more on p36). Disease Models & Mechanisms 11: doi:10.1242/
Breast Cancer Program aims to dmm.034850. (2018)
Curative treatments for breast
provide benefits to these breast Merino D. et al. BH3-Mimetic Drugs: Blazing the
cancer that has spread to the Trail for New Cancer Medicines. Cancer Cell 34:
cancer patients, both by helping 879-891. (2018)
brain are not yet available. One
to identify the most effective initial Buus R. et al. Novel 18-gene signature for
goal for our Program is to identify
therapy after diagnosis as well as predicting relapse in ER-positive, HER2-
more effective therapies for negative breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 20:
the subsequent therapies that are
these patients. A highlight of 103. (2018)
effective if the cancer has spread
2018 was the publication of our
to other organs through a process
study, led by Dr Normand Pouliot,
called metastasis.
of a preclinical model of brain
Our Program comprises four metastasis and possible therapies
research groups led by Drs that could be trialled in the clinic.
Normand Pouliot, Delphine Merino,
Finally, in a study led by Prof Robin
Bhupinder Pal and Prof Robin
Anderson, we have shown that a
Anderson.
protein called nephronectin, that
Dr Bhupinder Pal joined our we have demonstrated previously
Program in 2018 and provides to promote breast cancer spread
complementary skills in analysis in our preclinical models, is also
of patients’ tumours at the level of associated with poor prognosis in
individual cells within the tumour breast cancer patients.
with the ultimate aim of being
able to identify those genes that
drive the growth of the cancer
(read more on p37). He is working
closely with other faculty members
in the Program, including Dr
Delphine Merino and our breast
medical oncologist, Dr Belinda Yeo,
to analyse tumours before and

TRANSLATIONAL BREAST CANCER PROGRAM
METASTASIS In the era of immunotherapy, MATRIX

breast cancer, unlike some other
RESEARCH LAB MICROENVIRONMENT
types of cancer, has typically
Lab Head: not been amenable to therapies AND METASTASIS LAB
that help the patient’s immune
Prof Robin Anderson Lab Head:
system to fight the cancer.
The goal of the Metastasis Indeed, immunotherapy has Dr Normand Pouliot
Research Laboratory is to identify been shown to be effective
The overarching goal of the Matrix
the genes that control metastasis, only in a small proportion of
Microenvironment and Metastasis
and to test or develop drugs that breast cancer patients. We have
Laboratory is to develop more
target these genes. We aim to tested an alternative approach
effective treatments for patients
provide more effective therapies to immunotherapy, targeting a
with breast cancer metastasis.
for breast cancer patients with different type of immune cell
Ongoing research in our Lab
advanced disease. To achieve this, called the neutrophil. We have
focuses on identifying genes and
we have developed preclinical shown that early treatment with
proteins that can predict the spread
models of advanced breast an antibody that prevents the
of aggressive breast cancer and
cancer that allow us to identify neutrophils from leaving the bone
to test new therapies that prevent
metastasis related genes and test marrow, can effectively prevent
breast cancer from reaching and
novel therapies. During 2018, we metastasis. Our focus is now on
growing in the brain.
reported on the development of understanding how neutrophils
two new preclinical models of promote metastasis and to identify During 2018, we developed unique
metastasis that we use extensively the patients who will be most likely pre-clinical models of breast cancer
in our research. responsive to this therapy. brain metastasis that closely
mimic the human disease and
Our Lab team have tested the the associated clinical scenarios
function of several genes that we in patients. In these models, we
have identified as regulators of have evaluated the efficacy of
metastasis. The most advanced several new drugs either alone,
study is of a protein called BMP4 or in combination with standard
that is very effective in preventing therapies. Our work published in
metastasis. During 2018, we the journal Disease Models and
identified some compounds that Mechanisms describes one such
possibly mimic the actions of new model, called 4T1Br4, in which
BMP4 and we are actively testing we demonstrated the efficacy
these compounds in breast cancer of novel drugs called histone
cells. We also tested potential deacetylase inhibitors against
biomarkers in tumours from breast brain metastasis. In collaboration
cancer patients to identify those with Australian and international
patients for whom this therapy researchers we are also testing
could be appropriate in the future. novel combination therapies that
block resistance to anti-cancer
agents routinely used in the clinic.
Finally, we also explore whether
so called aptamers could improve
drug delivery into the brain and
minimise side effects of standard
chemotherapy.

TRANSLATIONAL BREAST CANCER PROGRAM
TUMOUR PROGRESSION us to identify those subpopulations

of breast cancer cells that are
AND HETEROGENEITY
resistant to chemotherapy, and
LAB to study their biology so that we
can design better treatments for
Lab Head:
metastatic breast cancer.
Dr Delphine Merino
SINGLE CELL CANCER
There is a real need to understand
the mechanisms by which cancer
GENOMICS LAB
cells metastasize before the time Lab Head:
of diagnosis, and how they escape
current therapies.
Dr Bhupinder Pal
During 2018, the Tumour In 2018, we launched the newly
Progression and Heterogeneity formed Single Cell Cancer
Laboratory in collaboration with Genomics Laboratory. The goal of
breast cancer oncologist Dr our Lab is to address key issues
Belinda Yeo and genetic expert related to the failure of cancer
Dr Bhupinder Pal, studied the treatments and to predict the risk
genetic make-up of metastases of disease relapse in breast cancer
from nine patients. Some of these patients. We believe that the subtle
patients had been treated with differences in RNA, DNA and
multiple therapies, and some had protein composition of individual
not yet received therapy. In both cancer cells collectively dictate how
cases, we found that each tumour well and for how long a tumour will
consisted of a mix of highly diverse respond to a treatment. However,
cancer cell populations with each such cellular complexities cannot
population having its own unique be detected using conventional
genetic profiles. diagnostic tests, because they
generate an average genetic profile
In order to better understand of all cancer cells in a tumour,
which of these subpopulations of thus masking clinically relevant
cancer cells are responsible for the information of individual cells.
spread of the tumour to distant
organs and also for developing Our research team specialises in
resistance to therapy, we are using the use of innovative single cell
a new technology called ‘cellular techniques that can reveal the
barcoding’. This technology allows genetic blue print of individual
us to “tag” each cancer cell from a cancer cells as well as monitor the
patient tumour with unique DNA surrounding cell types residing
or optical mark to enable us to within a tumour site. This approach
track each cancer cell individually can identify those few rare
and study its behaviour over time cells that ultimately will lead to
and in response to a particular treatment resistance and therefore
therapy. We then can identify the inform us on how to develop
most aggressive cells in a patient more effective drugs and how to
sample, and study its individual “personalise” treatment plans for
response when exposed to cancer patients. Although, we are
different drugs in the laboratory, primarily focussed on analysing
including chemotherapy and those cancer cells from breast cancer
novel therapies that have entered patients undergoing treatment at
the clinic for the treatment of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer
other malignancies. The ‘cellular Centre, we are also studying other
barcoding’ technology also enabled cancer streams currently being
investigated at the Institute (i.e.
colon, lung, skin).

Consumer advocate Kathy Doerre with Prof Robin Anderson.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
WITH THE REAL WORLD
Prof Robin Anderson’s ‘lightbulb’ moment came at a breast cancer
conference in the United States in the mid-1990s.
Cancer survivors were co-chairing lecturing She is currently working with five women
sessions with scientists and clinicians, and who have had or are living with breast cancer,
telling their patient stories. At the time, it was meeting over coffee or talking on the phone
such an unusual but innovative way to run a to discuss her research and obtain their input
conference; Robin was inspired. into research proposals submitted to granting
“You could sit down at lunch and instead of agencies.
talking to a scientist you would find you were “These consumer advocates will tell us
talking to a person with cancer. It was a real whether our research plans make sense to
eye opener to me,” she said. them, whether they feel our proposals are
“When I returned back to the world of important and whether they think it might
science in my own laboratory, I realised that help the next person who has cancer,” she
discussions with women with breast cancer said.
have the potential to change the direction of “It really is so valuable to have that sense
my research. of what a patient is dealing with and what
research looks like from their point of view.”
"IT REALLY IS SO VALUABLE TO Keeping the patient experience at the

forefront of her research is a priority for Robin
HAVE THAT SENSE OF WHAT A and the students she mentors, and over the
PATIENT IS DEALING WITH" years she has developed strong bonds with
some of these consumer advocates.
“There is one lady I’ve been working with since
Since then, consumer advocates – patients
about 2010 and I regard her as a friend now.
who use their experience of living with or
I call her up and have chats and a coffee. You
experiencing the burden of cancer – have
do become quite close and that is lovely.”
become far more important contributors to
cancer research. They play a critical role in
Robin’s work as Head of the Translational
Breast Cancer Program and her Metastasis
Research Laboratory.

MEREDITH’S
Meredith with her
partner Alli and
their son Augie.
STORY
Patients make critical contributions to the I really like that researchers and clinicians at
success of medical research, and helping to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre work
progress the development of new treatments as multidisciplinary teams. They are all part
for the benefit of many. of the same big picture. It is the passion for
For Meredith Cowley, her involvement the grass roots work of people like Belinda
with cancer research began after she and her colleagues that really makes a
had undergone gene testing when first difference.
diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast I strongly believe that if you are truly wanting
Cancer in October 2017 at the age of 38. to make a difference, being involved in
As part of her gene testing, Meredith was research is what you need to do.
given the option of donating her blood I am benefitting from the people who have
sample for further genetic research. Since been involved in clinical trials and donated
this time, she has donated additional blood to cancer research in the past. Unfortunately,
samples to research in consultation with her some of these people may not have been
oncologist and ONJCRI Clinician Scientist able to benefit from this but thanks to them
Dr Belinda Yeo. In Meredith’s words – “This – I can.
is about getting real results for cancer
treatment.” The success of cancer research might
keep me alive, but if it is not me it might
In talking with Belinda, Meredith shares her be the next person. And I certainly want to
thoughts about why being involved in cancer be able to give for future generations in the
research is so important... same way.
“Having worked as a social worker in front I feel like I’ve got a lot of life to live and
line child protection for nearly 20 years, I being involved in cancer research is one
understand the importance and value of way to contribute.”
different disciplines working together.

COMMUNITY “This often makes detection of these molecules
very difficult and unreliable. The cryostat
SUPPORT ESSENTIAL
overcomes these limitations because it allows
us to prepare slices of freshly frozen tissues
without the use of these harsh chemicals and
FOR RESEARCH therefore enables to detect biomarkers easier
and more reliably.”
They say from little things The Girls Night Out event was MC’ed by Lord
big things grow. Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp – a member of
the ONJCRI Board and herself a past Scotch
College mum – and featured a live auction
And that is exactly what happened when and talks from ONJCRI Clinician Scientist and
three women who work at Scotch College Austin Health’s Director of Clinical Trials, A/
came together with ONJCRI Fundraising Prof Hui Gan alongside survivors of brain and
Co-ordinator Helen Hovrell to raise funds in breast cancer.
memory of loved ones lost to cancer.
The event was such a success that the
The $37,000 they raised at their Girls Night organising team plan to work with ONJCRI
Out event was donated to ONJCRI and used and hold the event every two years.
to buy vital equipment to help in the fight
Having the capacity to purchase urgently
against cancer.
needed equipment like the cryostat through
This substantial donation allowed the Institute fundraising efforts not only transforms
to purchase a cryostat - a versatile instrument, Normand’s research, but also provides a
essential for any research involving biomarker huge boost to the research of many of his
studies. colleagues at ONJCRI.
Dr Normand Pouliot, Head of the Institute’s “As research becomes more and more
Matrix Microenvironment and Metastasis dependent on expensive technologies and
Laboratory, said the cryostat is primarily used equipment every institute struggles to find
to freeze and cut thin slices of tissue samples. funds to satisfy the demands to perform
cutting-edge research,” he said.
This equipment is critical to progress his work
to identify biomarkers such as proteins, DNA “Without the engagement of the community
and RNA that help predict patients who are to become involved with fundraising, we
likely to see the disease recur or those who could not perform leading edge research, so
would benefit from a particular treatment. these fundraising efforts are really essential
to our work. We really can’t thank our donors
“The presence of these biomarkers is
enough.”
commonly validated in ‘archival’ tumour tissues
preserved in wax. However, tissues that are
preserved in wax for long-term storage require
treatment with harsh chemicals that affect the
integrity of protein, DNA and RNA,” he said.

COLLABORATION BUILDS
STRENGTH FOR BETTER
PATIENT OUTCOMES
After seven years working together, Drs Delphine
Merino and Bhupinder Pal share more than just a
passion for science.
They have been 'partners in “The technologies are extremely
crime' on their rollercoaster ride complex these days and when
of triumph and failure that comes we’re trying to answer big
with medical research. questions, we rely on highly
At ONJCRI the pair continues skilled people bringing together
to collaborate on a number of unique expertise, complementing
projects in the area of metastatic research approaches, and
breast cancer. specialised cutting-edge
technologies,” she said.
While Delphine focuses on the
biology of cancer samples at the As the Head of the Tumour
cell or tissue level, Bhupinder Progression and Heterogeneity
brings his expertise in DNA and Lab, Delphine collaborates with
genetics. a variety of colleagues including
clinicians, researchers, professional
Their shared passion is to develop services and patient advocates.
and test new drugs for the
treatment of the most aggressive “One of the really positive things
cells present in a patient’s cancer, about working at ONJCRI is that
and collaboration is the key to that we are located in a hospital so
research. we work closely with oncologists
and we can follow the progress
of the patients. This provides
Dr Delphine Merino ongoing dialogues and conceptual
inputs from colleagues with
In the movies, science is often complementing knowledge; this
depicted as a lonely pursuit – a is a real strength for all research
solo researcher hunched over a teams at ONJCRI.”
microscope in a deserted lab. Engaging with experts in multiple
But for the modern scientist, fields has been a career highlight
teamwork is key to success. for Delphine, who says there has
never been a more exciting time
For Dr Delphine Merino,
to be a scientist in translational
collaboration is the cornerstone
cancer research.
of her work in translational breast
cancer.

WE ARE INVESTIGATING HOW SPECIFIC
DIFFERENCES IN INDIVIDUAL CANCER CELLS
CAN RESULT IN RESISTANCE TO TREATMENT
– DR BHUPINDER PAL
“We are now able to apply the Collaboration is a pivotal part

latest technologies in cellular of Bhupinder’s research and he
imaging, DNA sequencing works closely with many research
and drug screening on groups within ONJCRI as well
patient samples. Thanks as teams from other research
to the collaborative efforts institutes.
between clinicians, geneticists, “If we want to maximise the
mathematicians, chemists, insights into how cancers work
biologists, microscopists and we need a multi-disciplinary
computational scientists, we are approach and for that we need
now for the first time able to to bring together experts from all
understand the progression of the areas that are relevant for a
cancer in greater depth,” she said. particular project.”
“Together with my colleagues
Dr Bhupinder Pal Drs Belinda Yeo and Delphine
Merino, we are trying to
Dr Bhupinder Pal joined ONJCRI understand how we can effectively
in June 2018 to set up a new monitor breast cancer treatment
laboratory in the Translational and prevent spread of the disease
Breast Cancer Program. to other vital organs.”
As the Single Cell Cancer Bhupinder comes to the Institute
Genomics Laboratory Head, he having completed his postdoctoral
is building a team committed training at the prestigious
to translating research findings Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
into novel diagnostic tools that in Melbourne and is thriving at
will help to better match specific ONJCRI on the opportunity to
treatment with specific patients. work closely with clinicians and
This is referred to as personalised to lead a team at one of the
cancer treatments. forefronts of cancer research.
“My research focusses on “ONJCRI is young and growing
understanding how specific and as an institute, it provides a
differences in individual cancer lot of support to new Lab heads
cells residing within a tumour can like me; this environment will
influence the treatment outcome, certainly help me as I progress my
including disease relapse and career as a researcher.”
spread to other locations in the
body,” he said.

TUMOUR
TARGETING
PROGRAM
PROGRAM LEAD:
PROF ANDREW SCOTT
The Tumour Targeting Program PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS:
Roswall P. et al. Microenvironmental control
focuses on the targeting, of breast cancer subtype elicited by paracrine
molecular imaging and treatment platelet derived growth factor-CC signalling.
Nature Med 24: 463-473. (2018)
of tumours, as well as defining
Gan H. K. et al. Safety, Pharmacokinetics
receptor-based signaling pathways and Antitumor Response of Depatuxizumab
responsible for cancer cell growth, Mafodotin as Monotherapy or in Combination
with Temozolomide in Patients with
and to uncover mechanisms that Glioblastoma. Neuro-Oncology 20: 838-847.
result in resistance to targeted (2018)
therapies. Burvenich I. J. G. et al. Molecular Imaging of T
Cell Co-regulator Factor B7-H3 with 89Zr-DS-
The Program has strong 5573a. Theranostics 8: 4199-4209. (2018)
collaborative links to Austin

Health’s Department of Molecular
Imaging and Therapy, directed by
Prof Andrew Scott and Cancer
Clinical Trials Centre, directed
by A/Prof Hui Gan, enabling the
iterative research cycle from
laboratory to the clinic and back.
During 2018, we continued to
develop new drugs to inhibit some
of the most important cancer
pathways, in order to improve
patient survival and quality of life.
We also continued to investigate
the molecular imaging of tumours
to evaluate tumour response
and aiding in selecting the most
suitable patient for a particular
drug. Accordingly, we commenced
Phase I/II clinical trials with tumour
targeting antibodies developed by
the Program.

TUMOUR TARGETING PROGRAM
TUMOUR models. Remarkably, we showed In 2018, we continued to

that mAb-based intervention of investigate the role of EphA3 in
TARGETING LAB
PDGF-CC activity converted basal- the tumour microenvironment,
Lab Head: like breast cancers into a hormone because we previously found
receptor-positive state, and that EphA3 is most commonly
Prof Andrew Scott
enhanced sensitivity to endocrine present in non-tumour cells that
During 2018, the Tumour therapy in preclinical models. travel to the tumour and can aid
Targeting Lab continued to Meanwhile, in a model of stroke, its growth. By reducing EphA3
identify novel targets for cancer the intraperitoneal administration levels, we found that tumour
drug development and explored of the chimeric anti-PDGF-CC growth depends on ‘host’ cells
different therapeutic approaches. mAb ch6B3 reduced PDGF-CC- which are recruited to the tumour
Novel antibodies developed in our induced disruption of the blood- and promote the formation of new
Lab against receptors expressed in retinal barrier. blood vessels and suppress anti-
the tumour microenvironment and tumour immune responses.
Our Lab is developing novel
on cancer cells have been explored imaging probes through Similarly, we investigated the
in model systems to inhibit sophisticated chemistry function of ADAM10, which is
signalling, to work for antibody- techniques to identify patients highly active in certain tumour
drug conjugates (ADCs), and for suited to treatment with hormone cells, by blocking the production
enhancement of patients’ anti- therapies or anti-cachexia agents, of this protease in order to inhibit
tumour immune responses. specific oncogenic signalling the growth of tumours in models
Our research into new therapies pathways, and immunotherapy. for colon cancer and glioma. In
for glioblastoma patients has Grant funding supported collaboration with the Tumour
shown highly promising results commencement of our clinical Targeting Laboratory, we have
from studies with a drug called bioimaging trial with 89Zr labelled developed and tested monoclonal
Depatuxizumab mafodotin mAbs to validate therapeutic antibodies (mAbs) which bind to
(depatux-m, ABT-414), a tumour- targets as well as to identify either EphA3 or ADAM10 as a way
selective anti-epidermal growth optimal dose and patient selection to specifically target and inhibit
factor receptor ADC comprised for therapy (NCT03374943; tumour growth. Our ADAM10
of our monoclonal antibody NCT03610061). mAb, which specifically binds to
(mAb) 806 and the monomethyl an active form of ADAM10 that
auristatin F “warhead” to kill
RECEPTOR is highly abundant in tumours,
cancer cells. We were also BIOLOGY LAB was recently licensed to Carina
continuing to investigate next Biotech for the development of
generation mAb806-based ADCs
Lab Head: a new immune cell-based anti-
and their combinations with Dr Peter Janes cancer therapy. We also tested
chemotherapy. the effects of our mAbs linked to
Following a move from Monash cytotoxic drugs to build antibody-
We are also developing University, the Receptor Biology drug conjugates to specifically kill
therapeutics that target key Lab joined the Tumour Targeting tumour cells.
molecules in breast, lung, Program at the end of 2018.
prostate and colon cancer, and The Lab investigates those
with collaborators at La Trobe cell surface proteins that are
University are developing a novel particularly abundant or active in
treatment approach for cancer tumours and/or the surrounding
cachexia. microenvironment, as potential
targets for new therapies. In
In order to explain the biological
particular, we study two families
and pathological role(s) of
of cell surface proteins, namely
signalling from a molecule called
the Eph receptors, which guide
PDGF-CC, we collaborated with
cell migration, and the ADAM
colleagues from the Karolinska
proteases, which shed proteins
Institute in Sweden to engineer
from the cell surface and thereby
high affinity neutralising mAbs
control cancer cell growth, drug
that recognise the human PDGF-
resistance, and invasion and
CC and that have therapeutic
spreading to other tissues (see full
effectiveness in cancer and stroke
story on p42).

IMPROVING PATIENT OUTCOMES
THROUGH NATIONAL BRAIN
CANCER STUDY
Glioblastoma, or GBM, is one of investigates the benefits of incorporating FET-
PET imaging technology into the treatment of
the most aggressive types of brain GBM patients.
cancer. Patient symptoms are often
Fluoroethyl-tyrosine (FET) is an amino acid
non-specific, the tumours grow and metabolism tracer agent that measures cell
spread quickly, and survival rates proliferation. It is regarded as one of the best
are low. markers for positron emission technology
(PET) imaging of common primary brain
Treatment for GBM traditionally involves tumours, as it allows researchers to view the
chemotherapy and radiotherapy, often patient’s tumour at an illuminated focal point,
alongside invasive surgery. Now, thanks to rather than being obscured by normal brain
$1.52m in funding from the Medical Research tissue. For patients with particularly aggressive
Future Fund (MRFF) and $200k in funding forms of brain cancer, such as GBM, it is
from the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, Prof important to precisely determine the extent
Andrew Scott, Head of the Tumour Targeting of disease prior to initiating the treatment,
Lab, is leading a national brain cancer study which this study will evaluate. The ability of
investigating novel treatments for patients FET-PET to more accurately evaluate response
with GBM. The MRFF funding was announced to treatment will also be evaluated, as current
by Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt MP imaging techniques cannot always distinguish
in February 2018, and will be received over between treatment response and progression
five years. This allows Prof Andrew Scott to of disease, which is crucial information in
conduct a multi-centre study that will bring determining the best treatment approach for
together 19 investigators from major hospitals patients.
and universities across Australia.
“This trial will determine how we can use
“Currently only 25 percent of patients with the FET-PET technology to provide optimal
GBM are still alive two years after diagnosis and treatment to GBM patients, and hopefully
just 10 percent live for 5 years despite receiving improve survival rates,” Andrew says.
treatment,” says Andrew. “New imaging
techniques that incorporate prognostic A total of 210 patients are planned to be
information are required to improve patient enrolled in the study, and it will be conducted
outcomes because they allow us to better at 10 sites around Australia.
tailor care to individual patients.” The study

BEING PART OF
THE QUESTIONS
AND THE ANSWERS
As a Clinician Scientist, Dr Eliza Hawkes
believes she has the best of both worlds.
She gets to combine her passion for

medical research with the reward of "I GET TO COMBINE MY
helping patients in face-to-face PASSION FOR MEDICAL
cancer care.
RESEARCH WITH THE
“I enjoy being part of the questions
and the answers - seeing patients with
REWARD OF HELPING
problems we can’t yet solve, then going PATIENTS"
to the research laboratory and trying
to find that answer, rather than hoping
“I really enjoy the variety of being in
that someone else is working on it,”
the clinic treating patients and working
she said.
with clinical nurse specialists, other
As an oncologist and the Head of consultants and the junior doctors;
the Lymphoma Service for the Olivia particularly mentoring and teaching
Newton-John Cancer Centre, Eliza them, then shifting gear and heading
provides the front-line of treatment into the research space.” she said.
for patients living with cancer, and this
“Working with a lot of different people
often helps to inform her research in
who have different backgrounds –
the laboratory.
patients, nurses, allied health and the
“Marrying our understanding of the ancillary staff in the clinics and on the
biology of cancer and how it behaves ward; all the way through to the lab
in patients closes the research loop scientists - I am learning from them
from which both the advancements all constantly and it helps me improve
in the laboratory and the patients can across the board.”
benefit simultaneously.
Her research focuses on
“I enjoy helping patients on an immunotherapy drugs and other novel
individual level in their cancer therapies in lymphoma and how these
experience, but then also contributing drugs can be combined with standard
to the global effort to improve treatments, as well as investigating
outcomes.” blood, tissue and imaging markers to
predict which patients are likely to
Teamwork plays a big role in her job
benefit from these treatments.
and Eliza works with a range of staff
including medical, scientific, nursing,
allied health and administrative, in
a way that she says is a “constant
learning process.”

DEVELOPING these proteins with antibodies may reduce the
capacity of tumours to grow and therefore
result in novel therapies.”
NEW ANTI- The role the EphA3 receptor plays in the
CANCER DRUGS
tumour microenvironment is a key focus of
Peter’s team, and the insights from their recent
research provides promising cues.
Dr Peter Janes is one of “Cell migration is a key to the spreading of
ONJCRI’s newest recruits, cancers to distant organs. Cancer cells can
joining the Institute in 2018. “coerce” normal cells to migrate towards the
tumour to help the tumour grow, and also to
hide cancer cells from being detected by the
As Head of the Receptor Biology Laboratory, he immune system. We believe that the EphA3
is fascinated by the way our bodies function on receptor plays a critical role in guiding this cell
a cellular level, and how normal developmental migration”, he said.
processes can become hijacked by tumours.
“Ideally we’d be able to block this migratory
Peter is particularly interested in developing activity so that we can stop those normal cells
antibodies that can bind and block proteins that from helping the cancer grow.”
are more abundant in cancerous tissue and aid
tumour growth.
"IDEALLY WE WOULD BE ABLE TO
It is this focus that informs his collaborative
INHIBIT MIGRATION OF NORMAL
work with the Tumour Targeting Lab as he
investigates the function of key cell surface CELLS TOWARDS THE TUMOURS
proteins and develops monoclonal antibodies SO THAT THEY NO LONGER
as potential new anti-cancer drugs. SUPPORT THE CANCER TO GROW"
Peter’s research in 2018 focused on two
families of cell surface proteins: The EphA3 A complementary strategy is to exploit
receptor, which guide cell migration, and ADAM antibodies that recognise proteins that are
proteases, which clip certain proteins from the highly abundant on cancer cells. Coupling such
cell surface thereby stimulating tumour growth antibodies with cytotoxic drugs enables the
and drug resistance. selective killing of tumour cells to avoid many
“We’re investigating these proteins because of the side effects associated with standard
they’re more abundant or more active in tumour chemotherapies.
cells, or in the microenvironment that supports “Our initial work suggests these new cytotoxic
the tumour. We want to target these proteins antibody-drug conjugates can inhibit the
with novel cancer therapies,” he said. growth of cancer cells in the lab, and we are
“Our research focuses on the biological roles now very keen to find out whether these
these proteins play in cancer and how inhibiting experimental approaches can be developed for
use in patients in the long term.”

CENTRE FOR
RESEARCH
EXCELLENCE IN
BRAIN CANCER
CO-LEADS:
PROF ANDREW SCOTT
AND A/PROF HUI GAN
In 2018, the Victorian Government announced funding for
the establishment of a Centre for Research Excellence in
Brain Cancer at the OJNCRI (see full story on p44). This was
based on the achievements and reputation of key researchers
at the ONJCRI in developing new and innovative strategies
for imaging and treating brain cancer, and the ongoing
commitment of the Victorian Government to support further
research in this area.
The structure of the Centre for Research Excellence in Brain
Cancer builds on the unique strengths of the existing ONJCRI
activities in brain cancer research. The Centre will focus
on the development of imaging techniques and chemistry,
molecular assays and novel therapeutics. The Centre’s
program will extend from primary brain cancer to metastatic
disease, and link in with new targets for molecular imaging
and therapy, biomarkers aiding in the selection of patients to
specific treatments and prognosis, as well as developing novel
techniques for optimising drug delivery to brain cancer.

AN INSIGHT INTO
OUR NEW CENTRE
FOR RESEARCH
EXCELLENCE What will be some of the main areas of focus for
the Centre team?
1. New imaging probes: to assist with initial
diagnosis, evaluate prognosis, guide treatment,
In May 2018, the Victorian and assess response to treatment more
Government announced a $10million accurately than current techniques.
funding boost to the Olivia Newton- 2. Developing new molecular assays: for
John Cancer Research Institute. characterisation of brain cancers, leading to
improved decision making and selecting the
Part of this funding will allow the establishment most appropriate treatment for patients.
of a Centre for Research Excellence with a focus
3. Developing new drugs and approaches
on brain cancer. Centre co-Directors A/Prof Hui
to treatment: that will result in improved
Gan and Prof Andrew Scott, explain what this
responses and survival in brain cancer patients.
Centre for Research Excellence (CRE) means for
our researchers and patients. What are the next steps for the Centre and what
are the long-term goals?
What will be your role at the new Centre for
The CRE in Brain Cancer will formally commence
Research Excellence?
operation in 2019. Our goals are to improve
A/Prof Gan is a medical oncologist and recipient
patient survival through the development of
of a ONJCRI Clinician Scientist Fellowship,
novel imaging probes and molecular assays,
specialising in the management of brain tumour
coupled with new drug discoveries that are
patients, as well as head and neck cancer and
translated into clinical trials.
Phase 1 studies. He is also the Director of Cancer
Clinical Trials at Austin Health. How will patients benefit from this Centre?
Our group has a proven track record in rapid
Prof Scott is a clinician scientist with extensive
translation of its discoveries into the early
experience in molecular imaging of cancer, and
phase clinical trials, as shown by our success in
discovering and translating new therapeutic
bringing two novel therapeutics (ABT-414 and
approaches for cancer therapy. He is Head of the
KB004) into clinical trials in GBM patients. New
Tumour Targeting Program in the ONJCRI, and
discoveries from the CRE in Brain Cancer will also
Director of the Department of Molecular Imaging
be extended into clinical trials, aiming to improve
and Therapy at Austin Health.
access to new and more effective treatments for
What is a Centre for Research Excellence? brain cancer patients.
A Centre for Research Excellence is a multi-
What will the Centre offer to our researchers?
disciplinary collaborative consortium that has
The CRE in Brain Cancer will comprise a truly
come together to undertake research in a
collaborative group of researchers with world-
specific area. The CRE in Brain Cancer at ONJCRI
class expertise to undertake novel research that
will bring together national and International
is focused on the needs of patients, and the
clinicians, scientists and other researchers in
development of novel treatments to improve
brain tumours to accelerate the development
survival.
of treatments, diagnostic modalities and
biomarkers. Collectively, this will improve survival What does it mean for you both to be involved
in this very poor prognosis cancer. in such an important milestone?
To be involved in the CRE in Brain Cancer is very
gratifying. It builds on the research and work we
have done to date, and represents an opportunity
to accelerate our research and create new
programs of discovery that will lead to clinical
trials aimed at improving outcomes for brain
cancer patients.

FEATURE
COMBINING Gabrielle is responsible for managing all of

the Institute’s legal affairs and the intellectual
SCIENCE AND LAW

property it generates. As the sole legal counsel,
it is a huge job but one that allows her to enjoy
enormous variety in her work.
As a self-confessed “science nerd”, lawyer “One morning I might be reviewing a clinical trial
Gabrielle Hirsch has found her ideal job as agreement or a material transfer agreement. At
noon, I might be negotiating a software licence
the legal counsel for the Olivia Newton-John or providing corporate governance advice, and
Cancer Research Institute. in the afternoon, I’ll be meeting with researchers
to discuss a potential collaboration or finalising a
“I always loved science but got into law because grant agreement to ensure our researchers have
I inadvertently sat in on a biotechnology law the funding support to progress their research.”
lecture and thought it was really fascinating,
In 2018, Gabrielle was among the first cohort
so I decided to study both science and law at
of women to be accepted into the Victorian
university as a way to combine the two fields”
Women in Leadership Development program,
she said.
which provides mentoring for female leaders in
“It’s been a really great way to harness those the areas of science, technology, engineering
different aspects of my personality and and mathematics. She was also named a finalist
approach to problem solving – combining in the Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech
scientific curiosity and an analytical approach Lawyer of the Year and Not-for-Profit Lawyer
with the critical thinking and strategic approach of the Year categories of the Lawyers Weekly
associated with legal thinking. Of course, using Corporate Counsel Awards, a national award
language effectively is also a really important which recognises high achieving lawyers across
part of being a lawyer and having a good Australia.
understanding of both legal and scientific
She feels very fortunate to work in a field that
terminology and concepts allows me to
is interesting, challenging and impactful. “Being
communicate more effectively with diverse
a lawyer in the medical research sector gives
audiences and help find common ground.”
me the opportunity to combine my two very
different intellectual interests – science and
law – to try to make a difference in the lives of
"WORKING AS LEGAL COUNSEL IN people today and tomorrow.” she said. “Cancer
THE MEDICAL RESEARCH SECTOR touches the lives of every one of us in different
ways and our Institute is filled with people who
ALLOWS A RARE COMBINATION OF
are dedicated to a shared mission of winning
MY TWO VERY DIFFERENT INTERESTS over cancer and they work tirelessly to improve
– SCIENCE AND LAW" the lives of people with cancer. It’s amazing to
be part of it.”

Ben Service with his wife Jess and their two young children Darwin
and Henry at the Centre for Excellence in Brain Cancer funding
announcement at Parliament House, Victoria.
BEN’S
STORY
Cancer survivor Ben Service, He was also able to receive highly-
targeted radiotherapy to control the
32, says he has advances in tumours in his brain.
cancer research to thank for
“To imagine, in December 2016, I
being alive. thought it was my last Christmas and
“Research means I was able to see my New Year with my family,” he says.
little girl’s first day at school. Without
research I simply wouldn’t be here,” the
Warrigal man says.
“WITHOUT RESEARCH
Ben was diagnosed with malignant
I WOULDN’T BE HERE”
melanoma in 2016. Shortly after
diagnosis his cancer spread to his
bones, liver and brain. Under normal
circumstances this would have been Ben’s wife Jess describes the results as
rapidly fatal, however he was able to “out of this world’’.
receive life-saving immunotherapy “I thought I was going to lose him so
treatment. many times. I am so grateful; from the
bottom of my heart,” she says.

OUR COLLABORATIONS
PARTNERSHIPS AND knowledge and expertise to ensure we

can strengthen our ability to translate
COLLABORATIONS breakthrough cancer research into treatments

that save lives. Our collaborations include a
wide range of colleagues and span all the way
from academic researchers and clinicians to
ONJCRI is an independent Medical Research
universities and pharmaceutical industries
Institute. It is embedded in the Olivia
to enhance the depth and impact of our
Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research
research.
Centre, which is operated by Austin Health,
a major provider of tertiary health services, ONJCRI is proud to be part of La Trobe
research, and health professional education University where it is its School of Cancer
in Victoria. ONJCRI occupies three floors of Medicine. This is led by our Scientific Director,
dedicated research space in a purpose-built Prof Matthias Ernst, as the Head of School.
comprehensive cancer centre building, where Together we share knowledge, skills and
we integrate clinical medicine with laboratory training to turn our research into more
and clinical research. effective clinical practice and improved
The researchers and clinicians at ONJCRI patient outcomes.
proactively find opportunities for
collaboration and the exchange of
OUR GLOBAL NETWORK

75
INTERNATIONAL
RESEARCHERS FROM
31
COUNTRIES
237
COLLABORATIONS
FROM
19
COUNTRIES Collaborations International researchers

Prof Ashley Dunn CONTENTS
The Hon John Brumby AO, Sue Shilbury
Chairman
Prof Ashley Dunn became Head of Sue Shilbury has been the CEO of
the Molecular Biology Program at the The former Premier of Victoria John Austin Health since 2017 and currently
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Brumby served for more than seven holds various non-executive positions
(Melbourne) in 1982. Two years later he years as State Treasurer, six years as across the Victorian healthcare
and colleagues molecularly cloned GM- Leader of the Victorian Opposition and landscape. She has previously held
CSF, a cytokine used to aid recovery seven as Federal MHR for Bendigo. numerous Executive positions in the
of bone marrow in cancer patients Since retiring from politics, he has NSW Public Health Sector, including
following chemotherapy treatment. become the Chair of MTAA Super, General Manager of North Shore Ryde
He served as Associate Director of Citywide Solutions Pty Ltd, BioCurate Health Service and the Central Hospital
the Institute until 2004, is currently a Pty Ltd and the Melbourne Convention Network as well as Director of the
Professorial Fellow of the Department and Exhibition Trust. John is the Division of Critical Care and Surgery
of Surgery at the University of Chancellor of La Trobe University at St George Hospital and Director of
Melbourne and serves on several and an Enterprise Professor at the Clinical Services at the Royal Hospital
scientific advisory boards. University of Melbourne. He is active for Women.
in a range of community and not-for-
Prof John Dewar (not pictured) profit organisations as the Chairman Richard Balderstone
of Trustees of the Joe Welch Bursary Richard Balderstone has worked in
Prof John Dewar is the Vice-Chancellor Trust, the Como Trust and the Fred the financial & investment markets
and President of La Trobe University. Hollows Foundation. for over 35 years. He is a Director of
An internationally-known family law
JCP Investment Partners, as well as a
specialist and researcher, he has held
Trustee Director of several charitable
senior leadership positions at Griffith
organisations including the Baker
University and the University of
Foundation, Cormack Foundation, Surf
Melbourne as Provost, and has served
Life Saving Foundation and the
on a number of higher education and
legal bodies, groups and committees,
including for the State and Federal
Governments. He is a director of
Universities Australia and
Adjunct Professor in
both the Melbourne
and La Trobe Law
Schools.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ONJCRI is an independent medical research
institute governed by a Board of Directors
including representatives from stakeholders
Austin Health and La Trobe University.

SecondBite Future Trust. Richard Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO a Director at Ingham's Enterprises
was previously a Director of ABN and Medibank Private. Linda has a
Dr Katherine Woodthorpe is currently
AMRO (and BZW) for over 10 years, B.A (economics) from Cornell
Chair of the Bushfire and Natural
a Director of the Australian Rail Track University, an MBA from Harvard
Hazards CRC as well as Chairing the
Corporation and a Trustee Director Business School and more than
Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC
of the Commonwealth Public Service 30 years of experience as a senior
and the HEARing CRC. She is Chair of
Superannuation Schemes (CSS/PSS). executive and director in banking,
the National Climate Science Advisory
insurance and funds management in
Sally Capp Committee and Chair of Fishburners,
Australia, New Zealand and the United
Australia’s largest technology startup
States. Linda retired from the ONJCRI
The Right Honourable, The Lord Mayor co-working space. She is also Chair
board in May 2018.
of Melbourne Sally Capp has extensive of TIP Group Ltd and a Director of
experience in executive leadership Bioplatforms Australia, a member of
roles including at the Property Council
Morry Schwartz AM
the NSW Council of the AICD and the (not pictured – retired from
of Australia, the Victorian Chamber of Industry Member of the National Health the board in May 2018)
Commerce, KPMG and ANZ Bank, and and Medical Research Council, NHMRC.
represented the Victorian Government Morry Schwartz is a publisher of
as Agent General across Europe and Linda Bardo Nicholls AO Australian books, journals and
Israel. She has acted on a number of (not pictured – retired from the periodicals and an Adjunct Professor
boards including for private and public board in May 2018) of Journalism at RMIT. In a career
companies, not-for-profit organisations spanning 40 years, his company
and was the first female director of the Linda Bardo Nicholls is a corporate
Schwartz Media publishes the Saturday
Collingwood Football Club. advisor and non-executive director
Paper, The Monthly, Quarterly Essay
of a number of leading Australian
and Australian Foreign Affairs. After 15
companies and organisations. She is
years of involvement with the Ludwig
Chairman of Japara Healthcare and
Institute and ONJCRI, Morry retired
from the ONJCRI Board in May 2018.

ORGANISATIONAL
CHART
BOARD OF DIRECTORS SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEDICAL DIRECTOR SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR

Prof Jonathan Cebon Prof Matthias Ernst
COO / CFO
Kim Tsai
AUSTIN HEALTH
JOINT MEDICAL
ONCOLOGY UNIT CANCER IMMUNOBIOLOGY FINANCE
A/Prof Niall Tebbutt PROGRAM
Prof Jonathan Cebon
HUMAN RESOURCES
GASTROINTESTINAL
ACRF CENTRE FOR IT
CANCER PROGRAM
TRANSLATIONAL CANCER
Prof John Mariadason
& THERAPEUTIC IMAGING
LABORATORIES &
Prof Andrew Scott
TUMOUR TARGETING FACILITIES
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Prof Andrew Scott
DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH &
MOLECULAR IMAGING GOVERNANCE
& THERAPY TRANSLATIONAL
Prof Andrew Scott BREAST CANCER
PROGRAM PHILANTHROPY
Prof Robin Anderson
MARKETING &
ACRF CENTRE FOR CANCER & COMMUNICATIONS
IMAGING THE TUMOUR INFLAMMATION
ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM
Prof Matthias Ernst Prof Matthias Ernst
CENTRE FOR
RESEARCH EXCELLENCE
IN BRAIN CANCER
Prof Andrew Scott
A/Prof Hui Gan

DONORS AND SUPPORTERS
The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute is grateful to the individuals and
organisations who supported our research in 2018.
Individuals and Organisations
Ashton-Nixon Bequest Freemasons Peninsula Preceptory Rightside Legal

Associazione Padovani Nel Mondo No 19
Riverview Ladies Golf Club
ATF Paul Krongold Investment Trust Girls Night Out BB Fundraiser
Rotary Club of Williamstown Friends
Bev Beacham George Kirkopoulos R-4
Blue Illusion KSU Design Kaye Stacey
The Hon John Brumby AO Simon Lay Pam Stanley
Micaela, Mark & Pippa Byers Lovegelico Collection Star Search 4 A Cause
Cancer Research Advocate Bikers Macedonian Senior Citizens Group Stephen Kirkopoulos Brain Cancer
of Doncaster and Templestowe Research Fundraiser
Collingwood Football Club
Foundation Yvonne Moon OAM Peter Sullivan
Hector Davis ONJCRI Ladies Golf Day Union of Christians from

Pacific Pension & Investment Constantinople
Stephen Eastgate
Institute Anonymous Gifts (6)
Eltham Weight Loss Club
John and Barbara Ralph
Trusts, Foundations, Industry Grants and Government Funding
American Association for Cancer Cure Brain Cancer Foundation National Breast Cancer Foundation
Research
Glaxo Smith Kline Biologicals S.A. National Health and Medical
Austin Medical Research Foundation Harold Mitchell Foundation Research Council
Australian Cancer Research Ian Potter Foundation The CASS Foundation
Foundation The Collie Foundation
Ivan Maurice Jones Endowment
Australian Government - (Perpetual Trustees) The Ian Potter Foundation
Department of Industry, Innovation
and Science John T Reid Charitable Trusts The Myee Dodrington Medical
La Trobe University Foundation (Perpetual Trustees)
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Lodge Amicus – Freemasons Tour de Cure Australia
BUPA Australia Foundation
Victoria Victorian Cancer Agency
Cancer Australia
Ludwig Cancer Research Victorian State Government
Cancer Council Victoria Operational Infrastructure Support
Lung Foundation Australia
Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer Program
Our special thanks to family and friends who made generous gifts in memory of:
Bev Byers Jim McMeckan Sheryl Sullivan

Peter John Davies Bob Schway
Helen Edgar Ken Stanley

Through careful stewardship from the Executive
team and Board of Directors, we have seen
steady and strategic growth across the Institute
during the past year and we have continued to
ensure our business model is the most efficient
and effective possible. This guarantees that we
can continue to dedicate maximum resources to
perform life changing cancer research.
We have also continued to build our strong
Institute infrastructure that supports our
researchers in all that they do. This includes state
of the art laboratory facilities and equipment; an
engaged team of research support staff and a
COO’S REPORT
dedicated professional services team.
During 2018, we were very fortunate to access
a range of innovative funding opportunities that
KIM TSAI allow us to continuously diversify the types of
CHIEF OPERATING AND research we undertake so that we can achieve
our goal of finding answers and new treatments
FINANCIAL OFFICER
for patients with cancer.
I extend my thanks to our great supporters
and donors who continue to take this journey
When ONJCRI started in 2014 we made a with us and our key stakeholders including the
commitment to bring together people who have Australian Government, Victorian Government,
a real desire to win over cancer. As I reflect on all La Trobe University and Austin Health.
that has been achieved in 2018, I am incredibly
humbled to know that four years on we have a Our commitment to cancer research is not just
team of dedicated staff, clinicians, students and for the short term. While we do and should take
volunteers who are working each and every day time to celebrate our wins during the last year,
to fulfil our original commitment. we also know that the road ahead in cancer
research is a long one. But as a team we are
But this team has not come together by committed to seeking even more opportunities
accident. We have built an Institute where for growth and working hard as we know so
each and every staff member is valued and many people are counting on us.
encouraged to think outside the square. I
truly believe cancer research needs this type
of thinking. We have established a diverse,
supportive, and family friendly work environment
and we are incredibly proud of the culture we Kim Tsai
can offer our team.
Non-government Research and

grants 51% clinical trials 74%
Government Support
grants 42% $16.76m laboratories $15.60m
TOTAL and TOTAL
Donations and REVENUE administration EXPENDITURE
bequests 4% 18%
Other Capital
revenue 3% expenditure 8%

FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT
Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income

For the Year ended 31 December 2018
REVENUE 2018 2017
Grants 15,704,484 13,521,984
Donations and fundraising 595,132 846,547
Investment and other revenue 468,921 330,299
Total Revenue 16,768,537 14,698,830
EXPENDITURE
Research Laboratories 11,754,294 11,507,171
Clinical Trials 819,781 298,405
Administration Support 3,030,594 2,780,331
Total Expenditure 15,604,669 14,585,907
Total Comprehensive Income 1,163,868 112,923
Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December 2018
ASSETS 2018 2017
Current assets 11,737,762 12,367,563
Non-current assets 13,222,708 6,900,714
Total Assets 24,960,470 19,268,277
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities 20,343,316 15,888,565
Non-current liabilities 217,063 143,489
Total Liabilities 20,560,379 16,032,054
Net Assets 4,400,091 3,236,223
EQUITY
Total Equity 4,400,091 3,236,223
The summary financial information provided above have been extracted from the audited general purpose financial statements of Olivia Newton-John
Cancer Research Institute (ACN 167 192 752). The extract does not include all the information and notes normally included in a statutory financial report.
The audited general purpose financial report can be obtained upon request to the Chief Financial Officer.
The statutory financial report (from which the summary financial information has been extracted) has been prepared in accordance with the
requirements of the Corporation Act 2001, Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 and Regulations 2013, Australian Accounting
Standards and other authoritative pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board.

SELECTION OF INTERNATIONAL
PRESENTATIONS
Prof Robin Anderson A/Prof Peter Janes Prof Andrew Scott

Metastasis Research Laboratory Receptor Biology Laboratory Tumour Targeting Laboratory
17th Biennial Congress of the Metastasis Eph/ephrin congress, Parma, Italy Mind and Brain conference, Hamamatsu,
Research Society, Princeton, USA Inducible knock-down of endogenous Japan
BMP4 is a bonafide breast cancer EphA3 in mice reveals novel roles for Innovation in Biology Research and
metastasis suppressor. EphA3 in the inflammatory tumour Therapeutics Development.
microenvironment.
International Symposium Korea University Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre,
College of medicine BK21 Plus Graduate A/Prof Tom John New York, USA
Program, South Korea Cancer Immunobiology Laboratory Molecular Targets for Imaging and
Regulation of breast cancer metastasis by ESMO Asia, Singapore Therapy of Cancer.
two growth factors, BMP4 and G-CSF. Efficacy and Safety of Entrectinib in
patients with NTRK fusion positive SNMMI conference, Philadelphia, USA
Dr Ashwini Chand tumours. SNMMI Oncology and Therapy Highlights.
Cancer Therapeutics Development Group
100th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Dr Erinna Lee IAEA meeting on Global Nuclear
Society – ENDO 2018, Chicago, USA Cell Death and Survival Laboratory Medicine Strategic Directions, Vienna,
Repurposing of Angiotensin Receptor Asia-Pacific Protein Association Austria
Blockers as treatments for Breast Cancer. Workshop, Niigata, Japan Molecular Imaging and Therapy: Asia-
What’s the John Dory?…building Oceania.
Repurposing the Selective Estrogen understanding and collaboration Down
Receptor Modulator Bazedoxifene to Arab Society of Nuclear Medicine
Under. conference, Amman, Jordan
suppress colon cancer growth.
Dr Sze Ting Lee Theranostics for Immune Based Therapies
A/Prof Alexander Dobrovic Tumour Targeting Laboratory in Cancer; Global Trends in Nuclear
Translational Genomics and Epigenomics South African Society of Nuclear Medicine.
Laboratory Medicine, Johannesburg, Durban and
3rd Asian Pacific ddPCR Symposium, International Symposium on
Cape Town, South Africa Radiopharmaceutical Therapy, Helsinki,
Shanghai Latest Innovations in PET/CT Imaging
Moving forward with clinical applications Finland
in Oncology; Radionuclide Therapy in PSMA Targeting and Therapy Trials in
of droplet digital PCR. Neuroendocrine Tumour and Prostate Australia; and Global Trends in Nuclear
Association for Molecular Pathology Cancer. Medicine.
Annual Meeting, San Antonio, USA Dr Lisa Mielke
Expanding the use of droplet digital PCR IAEA Conference on Theranostics,
Mucosal Immunity and Cancer Laboratory Singapore
for clinical applications. Singapore Society of Immunology PET in Dementia Diagnosis and
27th International Congress, The meeting, Singapore Management.
Transplantation Society, Madrid, Spain TCF-1 limits the formation of Tc17 cells via
Donor-specific cell-free DNA as an repression of the MAF-RORγt Axis. Dr Belinda Yeo
emerging biomarker of organ rejection Metastasis Research Laboratory
Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, SABCS, San Antonio, USA
after liver transplantation. Immunology Teaching Course, Institut The importance of the metastatic biopsy:
Prof Matthias Ernst Pasteur International Network and Institut Clinical and translational relevance
Cancer and Inflammation Laboratory Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, in a real world series of patients with
ISREC-SCC Symposium, Lausanne, Cambodia metastatic breast cancer.
Switzerland The Microbiome and Immunity.
Drugging the myeloid-cell kinase HCK MEA Breast Cancer Leaders Summit,
Mucosal Innate Immunity. Cairo, Egypt
improves anti-tumour immunity.
Dr Normand Pouliot 1st-line Therapy for HR+ve, HER2-ve
European Wnt Meeting 2018, Heidelberg, Matrix Microenvironment and Metastasis Advanced Breast Cancer.
Germany Laboratory
A physiological in vivo assay to test Experience from clinical practice on the
17th Biennial Congress of the Metastasis use of CDK4/6 inhibitors in Advanced
efficacy of putative Wnt/β-catenin Research Society, Princeton, USA
inhibitors. Breast Cancer.
Evaluation of Neratinib efficacy and
A/Prof Hui Gan mechanisms of resistance in a new
Tumour Targeting Laboratory syngeneic model of spontaneous breast
77th Annual Meeting of the Japanese cancer brain metastasis.
Cancer Association, Osaka, Japan
Novel Antibody Drug Conjugates for
High Grade Gliomas and Other EGFR
Expressing Tumours.

OUR PUBLICATIONS
1. Acevedo, K. M., Hayne, D. J., 6. Arulananda, S., Lynam, J., Sem Liew, M., 14. Binder, Z. A., Thorne, A. H., Bakas,
McInnes, L. E., Noor, A., Duncan, C., Wada, M., Cher, L. and Gan, H. K. "Clinical S., Wileyto, E. P., Bilello, M., Akbari, H.,
Moujalled, D., Volitakis, I., Rigopoulos, correlates of severe thrombocytopenia Rathore, S., Ha, S. M., Zhang, L., Ferguson,
A., Barnham, K. J., Villemagne, V. L., from temozolomide in glioblastoma C. J., Dahiya, S., Bi, W. L., Reardon, D.
White, A. R. and Donnelly, P. S. "Effect patients." Intern Med J. (2018) A., Idbaih, A., Felsberg, J., Hentschel, B.,
of Structural Modifications to Glyoxal- Weller, M., Bagley, S. J., Morrissette, J. J.
bis(thiosemicarbazonato)copper(II) 7. Arulananda, S. and Mitchell, P. D., Nasrallah, M. P., Ma, J., Zanca, C., Scott,
Complexes on Cellular Copper Uptake, "BRAF Mutations-A Good News Story A. M., Orellana, L., Davatzikos, C., Furnari,
Copper-Mediated ATP7A Trafficking, and for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in F. B. and O'Rourke, D. M. "Epidermal
P-Glycoprotein Mediated Efflux." J Med Oncogene-Addicted NSCLC?" J Thorac Growth Factor Receptor Extracellular
Chem 61(3): 711-723. (2018) Oncol 13(8): 1055-1057. (2018) Domain Mutations in Glioblastoma
8. Arulananda, S. and Mitchell, P. "Elderly Present Opportunities for Clinical
2. Aldape, K., Amin, S. B., Ashley, D. Imaging and Therapeutic Development."
M., Barnholtz-Sloan, J. S., Bates, A. patients with stage III NSCLC survive
longer when chemotherapy is added to Cancer Cell 34(1): 163-177 e167. (2018)
J., Beroukhim, R., Bock, C., Brat, D. J.,
Claus, E. B., Costello, J. F., de Groot, J. radiotherapy-fortune favours the bold." 15. Burvenich, I. J. G., Farrugia, W., Liu, Z.,
F., Finocchiaro, G., French, P. J., Gan, Transl Lung Cancer Res 7(Suppl 4): Makris, D., King, D., Gloria, B., Perani, A.,
H. K., Griffith, B., Herold-Mende, C. C., S388-S392. (2018) Allan, L. C., Scott, A. M. and Ramsland,
Horbinski, C., Iavarone, A., Kalkanis, S. N., 9. Arulananda, S., Thapa, B., Walkiewicz, P. A. "Global conformational changes
Karabatsou, K., Kim, H., Kouwenhoven, M. M., Zapparoli, G. V., Williams, D. S., in IgG-Fc upon mutation of the FcRn-
C. M., McDonald, K. L., Miletic, H., Nam, D. Dobrovic, A. and John, T. "Mismatch binding site are not associated with
H., Ng, H. K., Niclou, S. P., Noushmehr, H., Repair Protein Defects and Microsatellite altered antibody-dependent effector
Ormond, R., Poisson, L. M., Reifenberger, Instability in Malignant Pleural functions." Biochem J 475(13): 2179-2190.
G., Roncaroli, F., Sa, J. K., Sillevis Smitt, P. Mesothelioma." J Thorac Oncol 13(10): (2018)
A. E., Smits, M., Souza, C. F., Tabatabai, G., 1588-1594. (2018)
Van Meir, E. G., Verhaak, R. G. W., Watts, 16. Burvenich, I. J. G., Parakh, S., Lee, F.
C., Wesseling, P., Woehrer, A., Yung, W. 10. Ayati, N., Lee, S. T., Zakavi, R., T., Guo, N., Liu, Z., Gan, H. K., Rigopoulos,
K. A., Jungk, C., Hau, A. C., van Dyck, E., Pathmaraj, K., Al-Qatawna, L., Poon, A., O'Keefe, G. J., Gong, S. J., Goh, Y. W.,
Westerman, B. A., Yin, J., Abiola, O., Zeps, A. and Scott, A. M. "Long-Acting Tochon-Danguy, H., Scott, F. E., Kotsuma,
N., Grimmond, S., Buckland, M., Khasraw, Somatostatin Analog Therapy M., Hirotani, K., Senaldi, G. and Scott,
M., Sulman, E. P., Muscat, A. M., Stead, Differentially Alters (68)Ga-DOTATATE A. M. "Molecular imaging of T cell co-
L. and Consortium, G. "Glioma Through Uptake in Normal Tissues Compared with regulator factor B7-H3 with (89)Zr-DS-
the Looking GLASS: Molecular Evolution Primary Tumors and Metastatic Lesions." 5573a." Theranostics 8(15): 4199-4209.
of Diffuse Gliomas and the Glioma J Nucl Med 59(2): 223-227. (2018) (2018)
Longitudinal AnalySiS Consortium." 17. Burvenich, I. J. G., Parakh, S., Parslow,
11. Bailey, D. L., Hofman, M. S., Forwood,
Neuro Oncol 20(7): 873-884. (2018) A. C., Lee, S. T., Gan, H. K. and Scott, A. M.
N. J., O'Keefe, G. J., Scott, A. M., van
3. Ameratunga, M., Chenard-Poirier, M., Wyngaardt, W. M., Howe, B., Kovacev, "Receptor Occupancy Imaging Studies in
Moreno Candilejo, I., Pedregal, M., Lui, O. and Francis, R. J. "Accuracy of Dose Oncology Drug Development." AAPS J
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ONJCRI SEMINARS*
*does not include speakers from ONJCRI or Austin Health
Dr Gabriela Brumatti A/Prof Nick Huntington Prof Mark Shackleton

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Alfred Health
Medical Research Medical Research Studies in melanoma heterogeneity.
RIPping leukaemia apart - Exploring Targeting NK cells in cancer
the regulation of cell death pathways immunotherapy. Dr Sarah Shigdar
in the development and treatment of Deakin University
leukaemias. A/Prof Louis Irving Aptamers as novel theranostic agents.
The Royal Melbourne Hospital
A/Prof Daniel Buchanan Recent insights into the biology and Dr Clare Slaney
University of Melbourne Centre for management of malignant pleural Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Cancer Research effusions. Using Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T
Genomic Approaches that Improve the cell immunotherapy against solid cancers.
Identification and Clinical Actionability Dr Misty Jenkins
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of A/Prof Erica Sloan
of Hereditary Colorectal Cancer and Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical
Polyposis syndromes. Medical Research
Killer T cell immunotherapy and brain Sciences
A/Prof Irina Caminichi cancer. Neural signalling regulates tumour cell
Monash University mechanotype: Defining mechanisms to
Hierarchical immunogenicity of tumour Dr Lev Kats optimally target new anti-metastasis
derived neo-antigens. Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre drugs.
Understanding and Targeting Aberrant
Dr Andrew Cox Epigenetic Regulators in Acute Myeloid Dr Kortnye Smith
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Leukaemia. Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Metabolic reprogramming in zebrafish The use of genomic sequencing in the
models of cancer. Dr Conor Kearney clinical management of patients with
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre solid tumours.
Dr Andrew Deans The role of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)
St Vincent's Institute in anti-tumor immunity. Prof Tony Tiganis
Biochemical reconstitution of DNA repair Monash Biomedicinde Discovery Institute
pathways that predispose to cancer. A/Prof Paul Macklin Obesity, NAFLD and liver cancer.
Indiana University, Bloomington IN, USA
Prof Mark Febbraio An open source virtual laboratory for Dr Ajithkumar Vasanthakumar
Garvan Institute of Medical Research high-throughput 3-D studies of cancer. University of Melbourne
Novel insights and therapies for the Harnessing adipose tissue adaptation
treatment of obesity driven liver cancer. Dr Andreas Möller mechanisms of regulatory T cells to treat
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research metabolic diseases.
A/Prof Thomas Gebhardt Institute
The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection Extracellular vesicles in cancer Prof Raymund Wellinger
and Immunity progression and metastasis. Université de Sherbrooke, Québec,
Tissue-resident memory T cells drive Canada
melanoma-immune equilibrium in skin. Prof John Moses The telomere – telomerase connection: all
La Trobe Institute for Molecular Sicence is well that ends well.
Prof Jenny Graves Click Chemistry in Drug Discovery and
La Trobe University Target Identification — What Can It Do A/Prof Adrian Wiegmans
Animal sex determination by genes, For You? QIMR Berghofer Medical Research
chromosomes and the environment. Institute
Prof Stuart Pitson Novel mechanisms of chemoresistance
Dr Philip Gregory Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology mediated by Prion protein: guiding
Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and UniSA clinical choices.
and UniSA Targeting sphingolipid metabolism in
MicroRNAs – master regulators of gene cancer.
expression and splicing during cancer
progression. Dr Gretchen Pootinga
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
A/Prof Natasha Harvey Targeting ribosomal DNA transcription
Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and nucleolar chromatin in cancer.
and UniSA
Lymphatic vessels: origin, development Dr Jodi Sanus
and how things go wrong in human Centre for Clinical Research,
disease. University of Queensland
Biomarkers of prognosis, treatment
response and distant relapse in breast
cancer.

OUR VISION
FOR THE FUTURE
The one overarching goal that drives all activities at the Olivia
Newton-John Cancer Research Institute is our ambition to not
only understand how cancer works, but also to convert it into a
manageable disease.
To achieve this, our researchers and clinicians continuously
work together on discoveries and research breakthroughs
to ultimately deliver better health outcomes for today’s and
tomorrow’s cancer patients.
Our work is only possible because of the team of staff, clinicians,
partners, supporters and advocates who share our belief that
together – we can win over cancer. Thank you for being a part of
this journey with us.
CONTENTS
Olivia Newton-John
Cancer Research Institute
Level 5, ONJ Centre
145 Studley Road
Heidelberg VIC 3084 Australia
T +61 3 9496 5726
E enquiries@onjcri.org.au
onjcri.org.au

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CHANGING

CHANGING Message from Olivia 4 Translational Breast

Cover story: Collaboration builds strength

The rewards of being 16 Tumour Targeting Program 38

Cancer Immunobiology Lab 18 Being part of the

Oncogenic Transcription Lab 27 COO’s Report 52

2 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN AC, OBE

4 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 5

6 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

The Olivia Newton-John Cancer

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 7

Dr Andreas Behren Dr Ashleigh Poh is Dr Belinda Yeo,

237 Read more on p44

NHMRC GRANT RESEARCH

8 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

A GLANCE JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

The Olivia Newton- ONJCRI receives The Ian Potter

23% supporters formed a

ONJCRI SCIENTIFIC SECURED EXTERNAL

The ‘Girls Night Out’

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 9

10 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

CANCER AND CANCER GASTRO- TRANSLATIONAL TUMOUR

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 11

12 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 13

14 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 15

16 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 17

18 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 19

TRANSLATIONAL A research highlight was being Modulation of immune cells has

20 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 21

22 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 23

The ONJCRI had 26 PhD students involved in projects during 2018,

24 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 25

purposed for the treatment of biliary tract cancer gain benefits

26 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

ONCOGENIC CELL DEATH AND Our Lab has a strong interest

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 27

Our Institute is a highly coveted seat DAVID LAU

28 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 29

30 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

METASTASIS In the era of immunotherapy, MATRIX

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 31

TUMOUR PROGRESSION us to identify those subpopulations

32 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

"IT REALLY IS SO VALUABLE TO Keeping the patient experience at the

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 33

34 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 35

36 ANNUAL REPORT 2018

“We are now able to apply the Collaboration is a pivotal part

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER 37