State-of-the-art research centres launch, with Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation contributions uplifting ovarian cancer treatment research momentum
- Australia Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) launches two new research Centres in Victoria and Queensland, with the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) contributing $300,000 over three years to each.
- Ovarian cancer research is being undertaken by Professor Andrew Scott’s team at the ACRF Centre for Precision Medicine at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, and by Dr Kondrashova’s team at and the ACRF Centre for Optimised Cancer Therapy at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.
- Both teams are taking distinct and innovative approaches to finding new treatments, principally for high-grade serous ovarian cancer, the most common and aggressive subtype.
- OCRF contributions to ACRF Centres ensure ovarian cancer researchers can access advanced cutting-edge technologies, while working alongside multidisciplinary teams and harnessing the latest medical research knowledge.
Reading time: 2.5 mins
The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) has officially launched two new research centres to propel innovative cancer research: the ACRF Centre for Precision Medicine at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI) and the ACRF Centre for Optimised Cancer Therapy at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.
Collaborating with the ACRF, the OCRF contributed $300,000 over three years to each Centre, ensuring ovarian cancer isn’t left behind while other cancer research benefits from the latest advances.
The OCRF spoke with the ovarian cancer researchers at each Centre, receiving intel on how they are leveraging opportunities catalysed by the new Centres.
At ONJCRI, Professor Andrew Scott and his team have developed antibodies (proteins that counteract cancer) capable of delivering treatment to ovarian cancer tumour cells and boosting immune system response.
Professor Scott explained, "We have developed novel antibodies that bind to and stop the function of a protein that is highly expressed in ovarian cancer, and in specialised cells that surround the ovarian tumour. These antibodies hold promise for therapeutic use as they have the potential to fight cancer on two fronts: directly impeding tumour growth and activating the patient immune system.”
With the help of OCRF funding and the Centre’s advanced technology, the team are now testing the targeting accuracy and treatment effectiveness of the antibodies.
Pictured: Professor Andrew Scott
Crucial funding from the OCRF has already enabled us to engineer these antibodies and create genetically modified preclinical models.
Professor Andrew Scott, ONJCRI
At the ACRF Centre for Optimised Cancer Therapy, Dr Kondrashova is investigating how ovarian cancers become resistant to current treatments by looking at the molecular features in cancer cells, and how this resistance can best be prevented through new therapeutics.
“We’ve uncovered molecular clues that suggest new vulnerabilities in ovarian cancer—potential targets for future therapies. By the end of the project, we’ll know whether these are viable for therapeutic development,” Dr Kondrashova explained.
“OCRF’s support has been essential, funding our postdoctoral researcher, Dr Jacinta Simmons, whose work is driving these discoveries.”
Pictured: Dr Jacinta Simmons and Dr Olga Kondrashova
Attending the opening of the ACRF Centre for Optimised Cancer Therapy at QIMR Berghofer, OCRF Senior Research Advisor, Dr Amy Wilson, spoke to the researchers who highlighted the importance of OCRF contributions to these centres.
"It’s incredible to see world-class tools like long-read sequencing, deep machine learning and complex computing now helping to predict the best cancer treatments for each patient. We’re thrilled to be funding Dr Jacinta Simmons who told us that having stable salary support for the next three years means she can focus entirely on leveraging this incredible infrastructure to advance life-changing research for the ovarian cancer community," she reflected.
Pictured: (Left to right): Kerry Strydom (ACRF CEO), Dr Amy Wilson (OCRF Senior Research Advisory), Researchers Dr Jacinta Simmons, Dr Olga Kondrashova and Professor Stacey Edwards
There’s no doubt progress is being made in the cancer treatment landscape in labs across the country, particularly in Centres established through the ACRF. However, without the OCRF community’s generous donations and collaborative initiatives, it wouldn’t be possible for dedicated researchers to ensure the ovarian cancer community reaps the rewards of innovative approaches that are benefiting research of other cancers.
The OCRF’s partnerships, with organisations like the ACRF, exemplify the importance of collaborating to share knowledge, resources, critical infrastructure, which in turn ensures every generously donated dollar is leveraged for greatest impact.
Read more about OCRF collaborative funding initiatives: QIMR funding announcement
Get the latest news, stories & updates.
