Cancer Research is one of the Research Centres at Ingham Institute Liverpool. The location next to Liverpool Hospital allows the co-location of research, education and clinical practice.
The Cancer and Inflammation Group has interests in colorectal, lung, gastric, brain and prostate cancer. Our focus is on immunotherapy, liquid biopsy and DNA damage responses, including induction of inflammation by DNA damage.
We use molecular and cellular biology techniques, pre-clinical models and patient samples from clinical trials and cohort studies to understand how to exploit differences between individual cancers and normal cells to improve patient treatment.
A core long-term theme of our research is to increase the use of personalised medicine — selecting the best treatment for each individual patient based on their own biology and the unique changes within their cancer cells.
In addition to our cancer research, we also investigate the role of inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s Disease. Our current focus in this area is the role of the microbiome in changing systemic inflammatory status and how this can impact neurodegeneration.
Historically, all patients with the same type of cancer received the same treatment. We now know that by understanding the biology of each patient’s unique cancer we can improve their treatment.
We’re trying to accelerate the translation to personalised medicine. We include patients from underrepresented groups in our datasets so our research is relevant to our community of South Western Sydney — one of the most ethnically diverse in Australia.
By identifying the best treatment for each patient, we can decrease the futile use of medication that does not benefit patients, decrease the incidence of side effects and increase the success of patient treatment to keep them out of hospitals.
Better understanding of cancer biology can allow for better targeting of treatment and faster PBS approval for drugs. We have worked with a number of commercial partners on clinical trials which include biomarker analysis and we welcome discussions with new partners in this area.
Personalised medicine can empower patients. They gain a better understanding of their cancer and its underlying biology, enabling them to make informed choices about their treatment options. This collaborative approach empowers patients and improves their engagement in their own care.
We have a strong focus on translational cancer research, where clinicians work with laboratory scientists to answer pressing medical research questions. We specifically support clinician-researchers to complete higher-degree research (PhD and Masters degrees) to solidify their understanding of research practices and to build strong connections between the lab and the clinic.
Associate Professor Tara Roberts
This study aims to identify predictive biomarkers, including STING, with a focus on DNA damage repair pathways and the genomic signature of gastric and oesophageal cancers. This will help determine which patients would respond to different treatments.
In retrospectively examining resected specimens, we aim to develop a better understanding of certain biomarkers and the impact they had on the survival of the patient. We’ll then take potential biomarkers into a prospective study of patients embarking on systemic treatment for advanced disease, and validate the role these biomarkers have in selecting patients who respond to chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy.
DNA damage repair and the immune system are novel methods we’re using to target cancer. Traditional anticancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy induce DNA damage to destroy cancer cells. We have also been able to harness our immune system to attack cancer cells that have been able to evade detection from it until the advent of immunotherapy.
This may also open up new therapies which enhance STING levels that can work hand in hand with our existing treatment to better improve outcomes in patients with stomach and oesophagus cancers.
Through this study, we’re aiming to determine what impact STING levels have on the ability of cancer to respond to treatment, how this impacts the immune response to cancer and ultimately the ability to survive. The goal is to be able to personalise treatment to suit the individual and their type of cancer.
The gift of a healthy husband and father
“We thought we’d lost him forever. But now he’s back with us and we’re so grateful.”
– Jane Doe
When Sam developed stomach cancer, his wife thought he would never recover. But thanks to Professor No Name’s pioneering research, Sam survived this deadly cancer. For his wife Jane and family, there is no price too high to pay for the miracle of having a husband and father alive and well.
I’m particularly proud of a current project we’re working on about lung cancer. The project aims to predict which lung cancer patients will benefit from immunotherapy, all via a simple blood test. We utilise highly sensitive molecular technology to analyse biomarkers of cancer.
The work is internationally groundbreaking and uses state-of-the-art technology developed by our collaborator Dr John Lock. The project has strong potential to change CTC analysis for most cancers.
” I’m working to make important discoveries that will change the understanding of diseases.”
As a charitable organisation, Ingham Institute relies on public donations and fundraising to enable our researchers to continue their vital work.
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