Kyohei is a Research Officer at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. Originally from Japan, he completed his M.D and PhD at Tohoku University, Sendai, before relocating to Queensland.

During his PhD, Kyohei studied a type of tumour cells called Natural Killer cells and revealed one of the mechanisms of how tumour cells escape from control by NK cells. He also studied inflammation biology, and was awarded the Ikushi Prize by the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science in recognition of his work.

In April 2015, Kyohei relocated to Queensland and started his post-doctoral training under Professor Mark Smyth, an internationally recognised expert in cancer immunology. Here, Kyohei’s research has been focused on multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.

Dr Kyohei Nakamura's research

The growth of multiple myeloma occurs in the bone marrow, where myeloma triggers tissue injury (such as bone damage). Kyohei hypothesised that inflammation induced by tissue injury might drive myeloma progression. So far, his project has successfully identified a critical inflammatory factor that promotes myeloma progression. He also found that an increased level of this factor predicts poor prognosis in myeloma patients, so targeting this factor might be a potential approach for myeloma treatment.

During his clinical training, Kyohei saw multiple myeloma patients suffering from symptoms such as bone pain, paralysis, or infection. As multiple myeloma mainly occurs in the elderly, it presents challenges for clinicians who must treat patients with age-related complications.

Kyohei believes that there’s real reason for optimism. While multiple myeloma is widely recognised as being incurable, emerging therapies have shown remarkable promise in clinical trials. ‘I believe a cure will be within reach in the near future; researchers including me are intensively working for this purpose.’

The importance of funding

For Kyohei, the Cure Cancer Australia grant has provided support both financially and emotionally. ‘I have been further motivated to promote my research since I received this grant, and have devoted myself to bringing hope to patients,’ he says. ‘There is a pressing need for effective and tolerable therapy for patients. With great support from the Cure Cancer Australia Grant, I hope to make a real difference.’

Kyohei is co-funded by Cure Cancer Australia and Cancer Australia.

‘I believe a cure will be within reach in the near future; researchers including me are intensively working for this purpose.’

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