Researcher Spotlight: Supporting Victorian Cancer Research

Melbourne is usually one of Australia’s busiest cancer research hubs, but with a Stage 4 lockdown now in place across Victoria, many projects have been forced to slow down. We talk to three Melbourne based Cure Cancer grant recipients to find out how the new restrictions are impacting their work and what we can do to help…

Dr Jessica Holien

Ovarian Cancer Researcher, RMIT University

My current project focuses on improving outcomes for women with mucinous ovarian cancer (MOC). It’s an understudied form of the disease and, typically, the outcomes are terrible. My grant is helping me to create a cutting-edge map of what scientists refer to as the proteins, or ‘machinery’ that makes mucinous ovarian cancer cells grow. By understanding how this cancer cell production line is formed, and how it differs to the one used by normal cells, I’m aiming to discover new, selective drug targets. Once we biologically confirm that these targets are important, I’ll then use computers to design the drugs.

Because my research is computational, the majority of my work can still go ahead. However, I now have a new set of challenges as I have my children at home. My partner is an essential worker, so balancing my work with home schooling is incredibly challenging. My days are full of meetings and as a result I’m busier and more stressed than ever before.

In terms of the impact of lockdown on diagnoses, there are concerns that we will see a further reduction in GP visits and participation in cancer screening as a result of Covid-19. This will lead to delays in diagnosis, causing a surge of new and more serious cases over the next year.

“Reducing my output just isn’t an option. After all, cancer doesn’t stop. I’m worried about what the future holds. With universities and research institutes tightening up on funds, it’s going to be more and more difficult to obtain the appropriate funding required to do the research. ”

Jessica’s grant is funded by Cure Cancer through the Cancer Australia Priority-driven Cancer Support Scheme.

Dr Shuai Li

Breast Cancer Researcher, University of Melbourne

In research supported by my current grant, I’m seeking to understand why and how puberty and menopause can affect the incidence of breast cancer, and in particular which genes can be impacted by the two factors. My project integrates genetic and epigenetic data to find answers, which I hope will provide new evidence about the causes of the disease. If I’m successful, it could reveal prevention strategies related to female hormones and potentially pave the way for new treatments.

Thankfully, my work doesn’t involve lab work and can be conducted remotely. However, the restrictions have impacted my ability to communicate efficiently with colleagues, work with collaborators and share results with other researchers worldwide. Although I can still talk to others virtually, the ‘new normal’ isn’t as efficient as face-to-face communication.

“COVID-19 needs our attention, but we can’t forget that our pre-pandemic health problems, including those related to cancers, are still here and impacting thousands of Australians. What’s worse, these people are facing restricted access to health service and are more likely to have worse outcomes. ”

If I could ask one thing it would be that we all continue supporting cancer research so that we can help our most vulnerable. We can’t allow cancer research to be disrupted or paused, particularly as additional efforts and resources are likely to be necessary once the threat of the pandemic has eased.

Your support will help us better prepare for the future.

Shuai’s grant is funded by our principal supporter, the Can Too Foundation.

Dr Rachel Thijssen

Blood Cancer Researcher, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

The project I’m currently working on is aiming to provide answers for sufferers of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), a slow-growing form of the blood cancer. The laboratory I work in contributed significantly to the development of venetoclax, an initially effective treatment for CLL patients. Unfortunately, the treatment eventually stops working in most patients, causing the disease to return.

I’m looking to discover why this happens, and then use this knowledge to design new venetoclax combination therapies to completely eradicate the cancer.

The new restrictions have certainly slowed things down. At the moment, the capacity of people at the institute is further reduced and there are time limits imposed on being in the lab. Because of the 1.5m social distance rule, we can only work with a few people at the same time in a certain space. My students’ projects are put on hold because it is almost impossible to give them the appropriate guidance in the lab.

In addition, I’ve noticed recently that I’m receiving fewer patient samples. My research looks at leukaemia in patients of an older age group and I expect that some patients’ appointments are done over the phone to protect them from possible exposure to Covid-19. Of course, keeping safe must be the priority but having fewer samples could have a knock-on effect on our research.

“It’s so important that we keep supporting cancer research, especially in these uncertain times. Although a lot of funding is necessarily being directed towards COVID-19 research, we need to make sure our search for a cure doesn’t stop.”

Rachel’s grant is co-funded with Cure Cancer, Cancer Australia and 50% funded by our principal supporter, the Can Too Foundation.

Dr Jessica Duarte

Immunotherapy Researcher, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute

My research has seen me develop a non-invasive technology to measure the extent of cancer patients’ ‘immune engagement’. Patients who have strong immune engagement respond better to treatments aimed at boosting their immune systems, and so by analysing a drop of blood taken from patients before undergoing immunotherapy, I aim to predict how they will respond.

My work with melanoma patients receiving immunotherapy last year has led to exciting early findings and it’s likely that these benefits may be transferable to the treatment of other types of tumours. This year’s grant is aimed at extending my research to patients receiving immunotherapy who have rare cancers. In the long term this could lead to a personalised medicine approach where all cancer patients, irrespective of cancer type, will have a unique tailored therapeutic plan with a high likelihood of treatment success.

We’re living in unprecedented times, and understandably several funding agencies are redirecting funds towards much needed COVID-19 research. In addition, due to restrictions on social gatherings, major cancer research fundraising events have been cancelled.

“For cancer patients, things are tough. The coronavirus could impact their mental health and induce other health problems. Our Cancer Centre and Hospital is currently not allowing visitors on-site, except for palliative care patients. As a result, admitted cancer patients undergoing treatment or procedures may be doing so alone without their support network. ”

However, cancer continues to affect our community as it did before, and cancer research remains vitally important. It is crucial that once we have overcome COVID-19 as a community, we can refocus our attention to cancer, and that funding is available to do so.

Similarly, because patients are more vulnerable to the coronavirus than healthy individuals, many have had to isolate from their family and friends, which can be extremely challenging, particularly those receiving new diagnoses or end-of-life care. As such, initiatives like Give Melbourne a Hug can truly make a difference to patients and provide them with much-needed support.

Support Victorian cancer patients today. Help us deliver 500 Big Hug Boxes to our most vulnerable.

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