University of Newcastle Announces New Brain Cancer Research Centre

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The University of Newcastle is taking a step towards finding a cure for brain cancer, with the announcement of a new research centre. 

The Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research builds on the existing partnership between the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) and the University, with MHF having now committed over $15 million over five years to establish a dedicated research team and centre. 

A $10 million contribution from the University makes the centre a $25 million philanthropic investment. 

Bringing in colleagues from HMRI and the local heath district, as well as a national network of experts in the field, the centre will drive critical research, education, and health care improvements for brain cancer patients across the country, as well as their families and carers, and heath professionals. 

Professor Michael Fay will join the University as the MHF Foundation Chair in Brain Cancer and as Director of the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research, bringing with him extensive experience in brain cancer research and medical and radiation oncology. 

He said his team of researchers has already begun work to improve outcomes for brain cancer patients.

"There's a whole lot of different streams of research being done at the moment, for instance, developing new tests and new types of imaging for brain cancer. We want to translate these into patients as quickly as we can, so, take them out of the laboratory and into the clinical arena where we hope they can be used for patient benefit," Professor Fay said. 

"The problem with high-grade brain cancer, or glioblastoma, is that the outlook hasn't really changed in 20 years. Lots of things have been tried- chemotherapy was brought in during the early 2000's- but things really haven't improved much and for a lot of these patients, the outcomes are really poor."

A previous recipient of the MHF HMRI Clinical Research Fellowship, Professor Fay said the Foundation's commitment to the cause was inspiring.  

"I'm just delighted by the ongoing support from the Foundation and I think all of the brain cancer researchers locally would feel the same way," he said. 

"The fight against brain cancer is an urgent one and the establishment of a dedicated brain cancer research centre further cements our commitment to helping solve this devastating disease. My ambition is to advance brain cancer research and achieve the greatest impact for brain cancer patients and their families". 

Kirralee Hughes, Mark Hughes, Professor Alex Zelinsky, and Professor Elizabeth Sullivan

University Researchers Receive Funding Boost

BY HANNAH-LOUISE ANDERSON

Researchers from the University of Newcastle have received extra funding to continue their studies into the connection between women's reproductive health and cancer.

The research project conducted by the University in collaboration with the Hunter Medical Research Institute will receive $566 000 dollars over the next three years from the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation to help better understand how changes in a female's reproductive hormones affect their risk of developing ovarian cancer.

The intention is to investigate how medications already on the market, such as the oral contraceptive pill, can be utilised over an extended period to reduce the risk of developing the life-threatening disease.

Associate Professor Pradeep Tanwar says the project team hopes to alter the way the pill is perceived.

"With the pill, our aim is to shift the focus from birth control to cancer prevention," says Professor Tanwar. "We are developing a strong scientific foundation that shows the benefits of using contraceptive pills to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and other gynaecological cancers."

Photo belonging to the University of Newcastle