Better Outcomes for Cancer Patients
Centre for Rational Cancer Therapeutics
Contact: Professor Robyn Ward
Centre for Rational Cancer Therapeutics is a multi-centre nascent group, supported by the Cancer Institute NSW. The Centre incorporates clinicians and basic scientists from across the major teaching hospitals operating within South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Services, and their corresponding UNSW Clinical Schools. Its goal is to utilise the considerable clinical resources and scientific talent available at those hospitals in the area of cancer management and research, for the purpose of improving cancer therapy.
The Clinical Trials Unit, Cancer Centre, St George Hospital Clinical School
Contact: Dr Matthew Links
The Clinical Trials Unit, Cancer Centre, St George Hospital Clinical School is dedicated to performing clinical trials in patients with cancer. We have a particular interest in early phase clinical trials (phase 1) and pharmacokinetic studies, but have experience in all phases of clinical research and all cancer types. Current trials examine questions of optimal drug use, novel combination chemotherapies, targeted therapies, radiation therapy , supportive care and quality of life. The aim of the unit is to be able to offer patients treated in the cancer centre access to new treatments, and to provide answers to important scientific questions. This is achieved through a mixture of investigator initiated trials and multi-centre collaborations.
Division of Surgery, St George Hospital Clinical School
Contact: Professor David Morris
Improved outcomes for cancer patients is the focus of liver surgery research at Division of Surgery, St George Hospital Clinical School. Investigations have been centrally involved in the development of liver ablation therapies and the department has a large clinical experience of this with good long term clinical data. The development of new ablative therapies is a specific goal. Recently an RF probe system for liver resection has been developed and commercialised and some further development plans for bipolar RF tumour ablation are anticipated. Research on peritonectomy is predicated on the largest experience with this procedure in Australia. The procedure is employed for treating pseudomyxoma, mesothelioma and low volume colon cancer and also have some basic laboratory and animal work planned.
Department of Medical Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital Clinical School
Contact: Professor Michael Friedlander
Staff of the Department of Medical Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital Clinical School investigate new therapeutic approaches to cancer treatment. On-going research interests include etiology of breast cancer fatigue and prognostic factors in ovarian cancer. A major research effort is underway on psychological aspects of cancer care. Issues being studied include patient understanding of information provided during consultations and stress experienced by patients who are involved in genetic testing for cancer risk. The Department collaborates with the Centre for Culture and Health on cross-cultural attitudes to cancer. The Department is a significant contributor to clinical trials and is affiliated with the major Australian co-operative groups including the breast cancer, lymphoma, gastrointestinal and gynaecologic cancer collaborative trials including the Australasian Gynaecological Oncology Trials Group and the Australasian Gastrointestinal Trials Group. The department also collaborates with the Cancer Research Centre UNSW on novel approaches to utilising targeted therapy and this work is already the subject of a pending patent.
Blood Diseases & Cancer Research Unit at St Vincent's Hospital Clinical School
Contact: Professor David Ma
Blood Diseases & Cancer Research Unit at St Vincent's Hospital Clinical School is major research facility of the St Vincent’s campus, the Unit draws on the skills of some 30 scientists, doctors and post-graduate students. The Cancer Research Unit works closely with the hospital’s Oncology, Haematology & Stem Cell Transplantation Units as well as other departments. The multi-disciplinary integrated approach ensures that new treatments are fast-tracked to the patients' bedside.
Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Group at St Vincent’s Hospital Clinical School
Contact: Dr David Williams
The Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Group at St Vincent’s Hospital Clinical School is a multi-disciplinary group dedicated to providing the best clinical management for patients suffering from a wide range of upper GI cancer. The Group has a particular interest in the staging of upper GI cancer with emphasis on the use of endoscopic ultrasound in diagnosis and staging and the use of minimally invasive surgery for staging and treatment of upper GI cancer, including laparoscopy & laparoscopic U/S for staging and laparoscopic resection of gastric and pancreatic tumours. Other research interests include Barrett's oesophagus and the genetic abnormalities leading to malignant transformation. These investigations have identified genetic markers which may be of potential use in predicting malignant transformation in Barrett’s oesophagus. The Group is collecting clinical data from patients with oesophagogastric cancer who are currently being offered neoadjuvant ECF therapy as well as outcome data following treatment of duodenal, ampullary & pancreatic head carcinoma.
Gynaecological Cancer Centre, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Royal Hospital for Women
Contact: Professor Neville Hacker
At Gynaecological Cancer Centre, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Royal Hospital for Women, research is directed toward improving outcomes for women with cancer. Specific projects include study of
Anatomical and functional changes to the vagina resulting from the treatment of cervical cancer
Role of a primary surgical approach for stage 1B2 cervical carcinoma.
Presenting symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Risk factors in patients presenting to a gynaecological cancer centre.
Pre-treatment factors influencing the outcome for patients with cervical cancer.
Lymph node metastases in endometrial cancer.
Incidence and clinical course of brain metastases in epithelial ovarian cancer
Prognostic factors and survival for adenocarcinoma of the cervix
Women’s experiences of vaginal changes following treatment for cervical cancer.
Collaboration for Cancer Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CCORE)
Contact: A/Professor Michael Barton
The Collaboration for Cancer Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CCORE) is a research unit attached to the Liverpool Cancer Therapy Service. It was founded by the Radiation Oncology Department in 1999 to improve the outcome of cancer treatment by the better use of existing knowledge. We have particular expertise in radiotherapy but have broad interests in all areas of cancer management. Our staff includes radiation oncologists, a medical oncologist, an epidemiologist, data manager and project officers. We have long-standing collaborative arrangements with other leading cancer specialists, epidemiology services and health services research groups. In the last six years we have published 40 peer-reviewed journal articles and 12 commissioned reports. We have received nearly two million dollars in project grants. CCORE has a wide range of activities that extend from the individual cancer patient to the organisation of cancer services at a State or National level. We have been involved in the planning and evaluation of radiotherapy and cancer services in NSW, Victoria and nationally and have particular expertise in the utilisation, costs and cost-effectiveness of radiotherapy services as well as cancer services in general. Other work includes patterns of care studies, distance learning and evidence-based benchmarking of workforce and treatment activity.