ACRF Tumour Metabolism Laboratory

The ACRF grant awarded in 2016, continues to support researchers to better understand the way cancer cells metabolise dietary nutrients. The state-of-the-art equipment funded by ACRF will provide critical information to the development of new cancer diagnostics and therapies.

Research at the ACRF Tumour Metabolism Laboratory focuses on the role of nutrient metabolism particularly in endometrial, brain and triple-negative breast tumours. These cancers are among the most difficult to treat of all cancers.

Endometrial cancer is diagnosed in more than 2,200 Australian women each year, accounts for 9.4% of all new cancer cases in women and has a 5-year survival rate of only 26%.
Glioblastoma is the most common and most malignant brain tumour and in terms of years of life lost is the highest of all the malignant cancers. It is associated with a 5-year survival rate of less than 5% and a median survival rate of less than 15 months.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of cancer that accounts for 10-15% of all breast cancer cases. TNBC lacks a targeted therapy, has an increased rate of recurrence, and a lower 5-year survival rate compared to other breast cancer subtypes.

In addition to funding from ACRF, Cancer Institute NSW has committed to supporting the Laboratory by providing funding for scientists that will carry out the research.

The Laboratory is located at the ACRF Centenary Cancer Research Centre to which ACRF contributed $5 million in 2007.