New cancer research facility aims to accelerate personalised cancer medicine in Queensland Posted on August 4, 2014February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The opening of a new cancer genomics centre at UQ Diamantina Institute at TRI means Queensland is now home to the largest and most sophisticated genome sequencing facility in the southern hemisphere. Funded by the ACRF ($2 million), the Diamantina Individualised Oncology Care Centre (DIOCC) will be an innovative, world leading center of near-patient cancer genomics research. “The way forward for cancer research is to really prioritise translational, patient-focused outcomes, and that is why the Australian Cancer Research Foundation is so proud to support this new centre at TRI,” said ACRF Chairman, Mr Tom Dery. DIOCC will house state of the art genomics, proteomics and metabolomics technology. This technology will enable cutting edge research primarily into skin, blood and breast cancers. The research to be undertaken within DIOCC will focus on understanding disease causes, improving diagnosis and treatment development. It will also allow for the development of protocols to implement the use of these new technologies in clinical practice. As a collaboration of clinicians and scientists working in near patient cancer research, DIOCC offers a unique opportunity to foster translational research. It brings together research and clinical groups across the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) campus, including clinical services in Oncology, Haematology and Dermatology, The University of Queensland Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy and the Translational Research Institute (TRI). The new facility was opened during an official ceremony on Thursday 31 July 2014.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_gallery type=”flexslider_fade” interval=”0″ images=”22170,22167,22172,22168,22171,22169″ onclick=”link_image” custom_links_target=”_self” img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Cells involved in aggressive prostate cancer growth to be targeted in the disease’s early stages Posted on June 6, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit A new sub-group of cells that influences prostate cancer recurrence has been identified by researchers at Monash University. The previously unidentified cells are present in the disease’s early stages, opening up new doors to develop a therapy which targets these cells and prevents the disease from progressing to an aggressive stage. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men, claiming more than 3000 Australian lives and affecting up to 20,000 annually. For advanced cases, the best available treatment involves drugs that deprive the tumour of the male hormones which cause it to grow (androgen-deprivation therapy) . In many cases, the tumour can become resistant to this treatment leaving the patient with both debilitating side-effects and an aggressive new form of the prostate cancer. The new sub-group of cells identified by Monash researchers is involved in this very treatment resistance. Continue reading “Cells involved in aggressive prostate cancer growth to be targeted in the disease’s early stages”
