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V I TAL H I GHL I GHTS 20 1 4 - 202 1
Acknowledgment of Country
Sydney Vital acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which our research centre has been bui lt , the Gaimariagal , Guringai and Dharug peoples , and we honour and pay our respects to their ancestors . We acknowledge and pay our respects to al l Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to Elders past , present and emerging . We acknowledge that past , current and future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the continuing custodians of this country upon which we l ive , work and meet and that it is from their blood , courage , pride and dignity that we are able to continue to l ive , work and meet on this ancient and sacred country .
Sydney Vital would l ike to acknowledge the support of our pr incipal funding organisations : the New South Wales Government through the Cancer Institute NSW , the University of Sydney and the Northern Sydney LHD .
Sydney Vital Translational Cancer Research Centre
Level 8 , Kol l ing Bui lding Royal North Shore Hospital St Leonards , NSW , 2065
E : sydneyvital . admin @ sydney . edu . au P : ( 02 ) 9926 4726 W : www . sydneyvital . org . au
© Sydney Vital 2020
This work is copyr ight . It may be reproduced in whole or part for internal or training purposes , subject to the inclusion of acknowledgement of the source . It may not be reproduced for commercial usage or sale . Reproduction for purposes other than those indicated above requi res wr itten permission from Sydney Vital .
TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS
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A W O R D F R O M O U R D I R E C T O R
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A W O R D F R O M O U R D I R E C T O R
I N T R O T O T H E T C R C
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I N T R O T O T H E T C R C
A B O U T S Y D N E Y V I T A L
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A B O U T S Y D N E Y V I T A L
E X E C U T I V E T E A M
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E X E C U T I V E T E A M
R E S E A R C H
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R E S E A R C H
F L A G S H I P S
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F L A G S H I P S
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F O R M E R F E L L O W S , W H E R E A R E T H E Y N O W ?
F O R M E R F E L L O W S , W H E R E A R E T H E Y N O W ?
T R A N S L A T I O N A L C E N T R E S O F E X C E L L E N C E
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T R A N S L A T I O N A L C E N T R E S O F E X C E L L E N C E
A W A R D E E S
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A W A R D E E S
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F U N D I N G A L L O C A T I O N 2 0 1 4 - 2 0 2 0
F U N D I N G A L L O C A T I O N 2 0 1 4 - 2 0 2 0
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V I T A L F E E D B A C K
V I T A L F E E D B A C K
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N S W P R E M I E R ' S A W A R D S
R E S E A R C H I N F R A S T R U C T U R E
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R E S E A R C H I N F R A S T R U C T U R E
M E M B E R S H I P
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M E M B E R S H I P
O U T P U T S & A C H I E V E M E N T S
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O U T P U T S & A C H I E V E M E N T S
H O W S Y D N E Y V I T A L I S M A K I N G A D I F F E R E N C E
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H O W S Y D N E Y V I T A L I S M A K I N G A D I F F E R E N C E
O U R C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G Y
O U R C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T R A T E G Y
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A WORD FROM OUR DI RECTOR
Professor Dale Bailey
Director , Sydney Vital Flagship Lead , Translational Theranostics
Sydney its seventh year of operation as a fully - fledged Translational Cancer Research Centre . Along the way priorities have shifted where necessary and research activities modified , however , our focus has remained on patient - centred translational cancer research . Vital is now entering “ Translational ” means that we try to take concepts that look promising and take them into practice in the clinic or to fill a void in patient care . Our ultimate measure of success is the outcome for cancer patients in New South Wales . It is therefore pleasing , though not yet satisfactory , to see in the latest national cancer statistics that patients with cancer in the Northern Sydney Local Health District have some of the best outcomes in Australia . There is no one single reason for this , yet , having an environment where patient management is discussed regularly by a multi - disciplinary team of clinicians and researchers with a strong research focus is part of the formula . At Sydney Vital we aim to turbo - charge existing activities in our region in cancer research , train the next generation of clinicians / researchers , create opportunities to better inform our community about the latest advances in cancer care , and serve as a stepping stone to launch junior clinicians and researchers into the next phase of their careers .
Over our seven years we have been able to support in excess of 130 clinicians and researchers , many of whom have gone on to develop their own careers based on their research experience supported by Sydney Vital . One of last year ’ s research fellows , Dr David Chan , was successful at his first attempt in securing a five year NHMRC Investigator Award which will allow him to continue the research that he started with Sydney Vital . The first half of 2020 is a time like no other for the majority of us . I am pleased to be able to report that the research activities of Sydney Vital have been able to continue due to the passion and commitment that our researchers and professional staff possess . “ Social distancing ” has not meant that successes have become more distant . Our current programme grant has less than a year to run and we are yet to find out whether our program will be renewed by CINSW and the University of Sydney from July 2021 . We are all anticipating a different future and a “ new normal ” when we finally reach the other side of the COVID - 19 pandemic . Hopefully , this will be a brave new world , but no matter what form that takes we know that Sydney vital has made a tangible contribution to the current and future generation of cancer clinicians and researchers .
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INTRO TO THE TCRC In 2011 , Cancer Institute NSW introduced a translational cancer research program to bring together research , clinical training , education and service delivery within a formal framework to connect leading research and clinical institutions . Seven TCRCs were established to represent the seven Local Health Districts , in collaboration with partnering universities and teaching hospitals . These 7 TCRCs are Sydney Vital , Sydney West , Sydney Catalyst , CONCERT , Kids Cancer Alliance , TCRN , and Hunter Cancer Research Alliance .
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THE TRANSLAT IONAL RESEARCH P I PEL INE
Basic Research
TRANSLATION From basic science to human studies
Clinical Research
TRANSLATION Of new knowledge into clinical practice
Improved Health
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Sydney Vital is a Translational Cancer Research Centre based on the Royal North Shore Campus . Our aim is to take research from the laboratory bench and put this into practice . By doing so , we are able to provide patients with access to the latest medical discoveries and improve both their care and outcomes . We are funded by the Cancer Institute NSW and the University of Sydney , and our research partners include The University of Sydney , Macquarie University & Medical School , The Kolling Institute , The University of Technology Sydney , Royal North Shore Hospital , Mater Hospital , and North Shore Private Hospital .
We bring together over 500 cancer researchers who share Sydney Vital ’ s goal to ensure that the latest advances in cancer prevention , treatments and care are available to patients in the shortest time possible . We also coordinate and build research facilities that facilitate the translating of cancer research from the laboratories into routine patient care and improve treatment guidelines . Raising awareness of cancer research and gaining the community ’ s support is a vital component in a holistic community approach to cancer management . This is especially true when there were 126 , 000 new cancer cases diagnosed in Australia in 2015 and the number is predicted to rise to 150 , 000 by 2020 ( Cancer Australia 2016 ). We raise awareness of cancer research and research findings to our local community via email , newsletters , Facebook , Twitter , YouTube and we regularly update our website with the latest news and events . We run regular ‘ cancer events ’ to disseminate cancer research findings and to engage with the local community .
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EXECUT I VE TEAM
Prof Fran Boyle AM
Prof Dale Bailey Centre Director Sydney Vital ( 2019 - present ) Medical physicist
Prof Anthony Gill AM
Surgical pathologist
Medical oncologist
Prof Melanie Lovell
A / Prof Thomas Eade
Palliative medicine physician
Radiation oncologist
Prof Alexander Engel Founding Director
Sydney Vital ( 2013 - 2019 )
Dr Trisha Dwight
Prof Mark Molloy Molecular scientist
Colorectal surgeon
Cancer biologist
Founding Director NTCRU ( 2011 - 2013 ) Prof Stephen Clarke OAM
Dr Connie Diakos Medical oncologist
Read more about our executives here .
Medical oncologist
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OPERAT IONAL TEAM
Suzie Nguyen MBA GAICD ACPA
Natalie Buehler BA
Anna Renfrew PhD
Centre Manager Sydney Vital
Research Development Manager Sydney Vital and Executive Officer of the Drug Discovery Initiative
Digital Communications Officer Sydney Vital
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RESEARCH
At Sydney Vital , our overarching mission is to translate basic and clinical research into better outcomes for patients , in alignment with the goals of the Cancer Institute NSW .
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Towards this end , we have developed a research program to build excellence across the cancer research pipeline and enable productive collaborations . Our research structure comprises three Flagship themes , pioneering new research and technologies , and seven Translational Centres of Excellence ( TCEs ) that link local clinical and research strengths , all supported by state - of - the - art infrastructure and facilities .
Infrastructure & Resources
TCEs
Tumour Bank
TCE 1 Pancreatic Cancer
TCE 2 Thyroid Cancer
APAF
SARRP
TCE 7 Pain & Palliative Care
TCE 3 Breast Cancer
Flagship 1 Cancer & Inflammation
Flagship 2 Translational Theranostics
Flagship 3
Nano - oncology
TCE 4 Neuro - endocrine Tumours
TCE 6 Colorectal Cancer
Clinical Data & Trials
Imaging
TCE 5 Brain Cancer
Flagships
Surgical Pathology
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RESEARCH FLAGSHIPS
At the forefront of Sydney Vital ’ s research are our three Flagship teams , each working on a cutting - edge aspect of cancer research to develop new technologies , therapeutics and treatments to change the way that we approach cancer . Each Flagship is supported by a Sydney Vital Research Fellow , who takes ownership of the project , mentors research students and disseminates research findings through publications and conferences . In addition to Sydney Vital support , each Flagship receives significant funding from external funding schemes , industry partnerships and charitable donations .
Flagship 1 Cancer & Inflammation
Flagship 2 Translational Theranostics
Flagship 3
Nano - oncology
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FLAGSHIP 1
CANCER & INFLAMMATION
FLAGSHIP LEADERS
RESEARCH FELLOW
Find Dr Hudson on ResearchGate
Dr Amanda Hudson ( current )
Dr Kelly McKelvey ( former )
A / Prof Viive Howell
Dr Connie Diakos
GOAL
TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN INFLAMMATION , CANCER DEVELOPMENT AND TREATMENT RESPONSES . HARNESSING THIS FOR BETTER ANTI - CANCER BENEFIT .
DIRECTION TO
USE OF INFLAMMATION TO IMPROVE TREATMENT STRATEGIES AND OUTCOMES FOR CANCER PATIENTS . OUR UNDERSTANDING
Inflammation a cardinal feature of malignancy , contributing to the development of cancer , as well as being a consequence of the disease and its treatments . In established cancers , patients with evidence of systemic inflammation have demonstrated poorer outcomes and poorer response to treatment , with inferior anti - cancer effect and greater toxicities . is now recognised as Local inflammation , i . e . that arising within the primary tumour , has positive prognostic outcomes , however , as the recruitment of immune and inflammatory cells into the tumour signify a heightened immune response
to the malignancy , resulting in a positive anti - cancer benefit and lower systemic inflammation .
Systemic vs local inflammation Prognostic and predictive biomarkers Amelioration of inflammation to improve patient outcomes Treatment - related inflammation , in - cluding harnessing this for better anti - cancer benefit In this flagship , we aim to examine the following aspects of cancer - related inflammation :
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FUNDING FLAGSHIP 1 ( 2017 - 2020 )
Sydney Vital : $ 815 , 625
External Sources : $ 2 , 125 , 000
23.6%
76.4%
External Sources include : The Mark Hughes Foundation , The Brain Cancer Group , NHMRC , Sutton Family Translational Research grant
RESEARCH SUCCESSES
Pin - pointed the need for close monitoring of haematologic and immune - related adverse events in patients receiving combination immunotherapy and radiotherapy . Demonstrated the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory response biomarkers in colorectal cancer . Revealed an unrecognised deficiency in immune cells following chemotherapy for colorectal cancer that needs to be considered in therapeutic management . Was awarded an additional $ 2 . 1 million in research funding by leveraging the initial funding . Led a special international journal issue dedicated to inflammation in cancer . Established infrastructure utilizing the only small animal research radiation platform ( Xstrahl SARRP ) in Australia for pre - clinical assessment of new therapies in combination with radiation .
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RECENT PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS
1 . McKelvey, K.J. , Hudson, A.L. , Kumar , R . P ., R ., Eade, T. , Clarke, S.J. , Diakos, C.I. , Howell, V.M. Sub - acute Toxicity in Non - cancerous Tissue and Immune - Related Adverse Events of a Novel Combination Therapy for Cancer ( 2020 ) Frontiers in Oncology , 9 , art . no . 1504 . doi : 10 . 3389 / fonc . 2019 . 01504 2 . McKelvey, K.J. , Hudson, A.L. , Clarke, S.J. , Wheeler, H.R. , Diakos, C.I. , Howell, V.M . et al . Temporal and spatial modulation of the tumor and systemic immune response in the murine Gl261 glioma model ( 2020 ) PLoS ONE , 15 , art . no . e0226444 . doi : 10 . 1371 / journal . pone . 0226444 3 . Hudson, A.L. , Parker , N . R ., Khong , P ., Parkinson , J . F ., Dwight, T ., Ikin , R . J ., Zhu , Y ., Chen , J ., Wheeler, H.R. , Howell, V.M. Glioblastoma recurrence correlates with increased APE1 and polarization toward an immuno - suppressive microenvironment ( 2018 ) Frontiers in Oncology , 8 , art . no . 314 . doi : 10 . 3389 / fonc . 2018 . 00314
Bold = Sydney Vital Member Bold underlined = Flagship Member
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FLAGSHIP 2
TRANSLATIONAL THERANOSTICS
FLAGSHIP LEADER
RESEARCH FELLOW
Find Dr Agarwal on ResearchGate
Dr Veenoo Agarwal ( current )
Dr David Chan ( former )
Prof Dale Bailey
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Dr Aimee Hayes ( former )
Sharon Gordon
GOAL
BRINGING NEW THERANOSTIC PAIRS INTO CLINICAL USE BY FACILITATING RAPID TRANSLATION FROM THE CLINICAL TESTING PHASE INTO CLINICAL TRIALS AND IMPROVING PATIENT OUTCOMES .
DIRECTION
TO IMPROVE AND INCREASE THE RANGE OF THERANOSTIC RADIONUCLIDE THERAPY TREATMENTS AVAILABLE AND TO OPTIMISE THEIR USE TO DELIVER IMPROVED PATIENT OUTCOMES .
“ Theranostics ” is the name given to an emerging methodology for imaging and delivering therapy with a single compound , usually a molecule , nanoparticle or a peptide ( or vector ). Usually , different labels are added to the vector for pre - therapeutic imaging and for therapy . Common examples of some of the labels used are radionuclides such as PET or SPECT imaging labels ( e . g ., Gallium - 68 , Technetium - 99m , Iodine - 124 , Copper - 64 ) and
and therapy with a beta particle emitting radionuclide ( e . g ., Iodine - 131 , Lutetium - 177 , Yttrium - 90 , Copper - 67 ). Other non - radionuclide labels that can be imaged are also available , such as fluorescent compounds . The imaging often serves to establish that the disease targeted by the therapy demonstrates sufficient uptake of the theranostic vector before proceeding with the treatment .
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FUNDING FLAGSHIP 2 ( 2014 - 2020 )
Sydney Vital : $ 874 , 464
External Sources : $ 2 , 251 , 933
Item 1 28%
33.2%
66.8%
Item 2 72%
External Sources include : Novartis , Sirtex Medical , PETNET Solutions , ANSTO , IPSEN , Varian
RESEARCH SUCCESSES
Success in securing external funding from NHMRC through the highly competitive Investigator Grant awarded to Dr David Chan . Leading a randomised clinical trial on PRRT vs PRRT + chemotherapy vs chemotherapy in patients with metastic neuroendocrine tumours . Achieved accreditation as an ENETS ( European Neuro - Endocrine Tumour Society ) Centre of Excellence . Provision of a comprehensive image bank of NETPET ( Positron Emission Tomography ) scans in NSW for collaborative research . Attracted external funding equal to more than 2 . 5 times the sum of the base funding for the Flagship .
PATIENT OUTCOMES
Better outcomes for NET patients achieved in collaboration with the Sydney Vital NET TCE . CINSW impact report generated on Lu - DOTATATE outcomes for patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumours . Collaboration with Coviu on the development of a “ virtual MDT ” application which allows remote access to medical specialists at the weekly MDT meeting . Conducted three Q & A forums that have engaged patients , carers & GPs . Ran an information update session on NETs for General Practitioners ( Primary Health Network ).
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RECENT PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS
1 . Chan, D.L. , Pavlakis, N. , Schembri , G ., Bernard , E ., Hsiao , E ., Hayes, A.R. , et al . Dual Somatostatin Receptor / FDG PET / CT Imaging in Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumours : Proposal for a Novel Grading Scheme with Prognostic Significance . ( 2017 ) Theranostics , 7 , 1149 - 58 . doi : 10 . 7150 / thno . 18068 2 . Chan, D.L. , Bernard , E . J ., Pavlakis, N. , Clarke, S.J. , Bailey, D.L . et al . High Metabolic Tumour Volume on 18 - Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Predicts Poor Survival from Neuroendocrine Neoplasms ( 2020 ) Neuroendocrinology , 110 , 950 - 958 . doi : 10 . 1159 / 000504673 3 . Chan, D.L. , Hoang , J ., Bailey, D.L. , Nevell , D ., Pavlakis, N. , Engel, A. et al . Routine Early 68Ga - DOTATATE Positron Emission Tomography Has Low Yield after Resection of Appendiceal Neuroendocrine Neoplasms ( 2020 ) Pancreas , 49 , 891 - 896 . doi : 10 . 1097 / MPA . 0000000000001589
Bold = Sydney Vital Member Bold underlined = Flagship Member
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FLAGSHIP 3
NANO - ONCOLOGY
FLAGSHIP LEADER
RESEARCH FELLOW
Find Dr Pham on ResearchGate
Dr Binh Pham ( current )
Dr Yaser Hadi Gholami ( former )
Prof Alexander Engel
CO - LEADERS
Dr Wei Deng ( former )
Dr Hilary Byrne ( former )
Prof Ewa Goldys Prof Zdenka Kuncic
GOAL
RELATION / INTERACTION
TO
DEVELOP
THE
BETWEEN CLINICAL CANCER , AND ITS PRECURSORS , FOCUSING ON IMPROVING UNDERSTANDING , DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF LYMPH NODE METASTASES IN SOLID CANCERS . NANOSCIENCE AND USE NANOSCIENCE - BASED STRATEGIES TO DEVELOP NEW DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT OPTIONS , BETTER STRATIFY TREATMENT DECISIONS , AND IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR CANCER PATIENTS . NEW
DIRECTION TO
The Nano - oncology Flagship brings together several disciplines , including non - medical researchers , across multiple sites and multiple partners to enhance capacity at Sydney Vital , with the broad purpose of embedding nanotechnology in oncology . Its primary aim is to better define lymph - node metastasis in colorectal cancer with a view to developing a nanotechnology - based theranostic pathway . A secondary aim is to improve adenoma recognition at colonoscopy by developing a surface biomarker based nano - beacon .
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FUNDING FLAGSHIP 3 ( 2016 - 2020 )
Sydney Vital : $ 671 , 454
External Sources : $ 1 , 580 , 454
Item 1 29.8%
Item 2 34.7%
33.2%
Item 1 65.3%
66.8%
Item 2 70.2%
External Sources include : CINSW , Cancer Council NSW , NHMRC , Ramsay Foundation , and CSSANZ
RESEARCH SUCCESSES
Obtained two patents : X - ray triggered chemotherapy and PCT based on our liposome - CRISPR delivery technology . Developed a program about X - ray - triggered photodynamic therapy ( X - PDT ) demonstrating for the first time improved rectal cancer survival in mice with X - PDT delivered via engineered nanocarriers made from a clinically approved polymer . Developed a theranostic magnetic nano - platform for non - invasively detecting , diagnosing and eliminating lymph node metastases . Developed a model for colorectal polyp development , understand risk of lymphnode metastasis in very early ( malignant polyp ) colorectal cancer and enhance polyp recognition using nano - optonics ( close collaboration with Colorectal TCE and Prof Mark Molloy ). Demonstrated the efficacy of X - ray triggered chemotherapy in colorectal cancer .
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RECENT PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS 1 . Deng, W. , McKelvey, K.J. , Howell, V.M. , Engel, A.F. , Goldys, E.M. et al . Application of Mitochondrially Targeted Nanoconstructs to Neoadjuvant X - ray - Induced Photodynamic Therapy for Rectal Cancer ( 2020 ) ACS Central Science , 6 , 715 - 726 . doi : 10 . 1021 / acscentsci . 9b01121 2 . Gholami, Y.H. , Yuan , H ., Wilks , M . Q ., Maschmeyer , R ., Kuncic, Z. et al .
A radio - nano - platform for T1 / T2 dual - mode PET - MR imaging ( 2020 ) International Journal of Nanomedicine , 15 , 1253 - 1266 . doi : 10 . 2147 / IJN . S241971
3 . Deng, W. , Chen , W ., Clement , S ., Guller , A ., Zhao , Z ., Engel, A. , Goldys, E.M. Controlled gene and drug release from a liposomal delivery platform triggered by X - ray radiation ( 2018 ) Nature Communications , 9 , 1 - 11 , doi : 10 . 1038 / s41467 - 018 - 05118 - 3
Bold = Sydney Vital Member Bold underlined = Flagship Member
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Thomas Ried , National Cancer Institute
FORMER FELLOWS , WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
The Flagship Fellow scheme gives emerging researchers a 12 - month opportunity to develop their own research program , with mentorship from leaders in translational cancer research . Many of our former Fellows have used this opportunity to become independent researchers , with funding from prestigious external schemes .
Dr Kelly McKelvey (Flagship 1 Fellow 2017-2018) Dr McKelvey is now the the Matt Callander Beanie for Brain Cancer HMRI Fellow , funded by the Mark Hughes Foundation . Currently , she is based at the Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory where she is continuing the vital research that she began with Flagship 1 on inflammatory responses in brain cancer . Find Dr McKelvey on ResearchGate .
Dr Aimee Hayes (Flagship 2 Fellow 2017-2018)
Dr Hayes is now a Consultant in Medical Oncology at the Royal Free Hospital , London , United Kingdom . Find Dr Hayes on ResearchGate .
Dr David Chan (Flagship 2 Fellow (2019-2020) Dr Chan was awarded a 5 - year NHMRC Investigator grant on Quantitative dual PET analysis in neuroendocrine tumours , building on the groundbreaking research of his Sydney Vital Fellowship . David is also a medical oncologist at Royal North Shore Hospital . Find Dr Chan on ResearchGate .
Dr Wei Deng (Flagship 3 Fellow 2017-2018) Dr Deng is now a senior Research Fellow working at the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering , University of New South Wales . She recently received CINSW Career Development Fellowship to work on New therapeutic option for lymph node metastasis in rectal cancer : radiation - triggered photodynamic therapy in deep tissue . Find Dr Deng on Google Scholar .
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Dr Hilary Byrne (Flagship 3 Fellow 2018-2019) Dr Byrne is now a researcher at the ACRF Image X Institute at the University of Sydney investigating improvements to radiotherapy , including the BRAVEHeart clinical trial at Royal North Shore Hospital and continuing investigation of nanomedicine . Find Dr Byrne on ResearchGate .
Dr Yaser Hadi Gholami (Flagship 3 Fellow 2019-2020)
Dr Gholami has continued his pioneering research into nanomedicine as a Research Fellow at the University of Sydney School of Physics and Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory . He leads the nanomedicine research group at the Bill Walsh Lab . Find Dr Gholami on ResearchGate .
A/Prof Haryana Dhillon (Breast Cancer Flagship Fellow 2015-2016)
A / Prof Dhillon is now a Director of the Centre for Medical Psychology & Evidence - based Decision - making and holds a continuing position in the School of Psychology , The University of Sydney . Throughout 2020 , she led a national team to obtain $ 4 . 97 million in funding from the MRFF Brain Cancer Mission Survivorship Grant entitled the BRAINS Program encompassing five themes of research to address the survivorship and supportive care needs of people diagnosed with brain cancers and their caregivers . Find A / Prof Dhillon on ResearchGate .
Dr Aleksandra Ochnik (Breast Cancer Flagship 2014-2016) Dr Aleksandra Ochnik is currently a Research Associate at the University of South Australia in Professor Claudine Bonder ’ s Vascular Biology & Cell Trafficking Laboratory . Her current research is aimed at investigating the relationship between DSG2 and CD82 to control the immune - response and cell vascularisation in melanoma . Find Dr Ochnik on Google Scholar .
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TRANSLATIONAL CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE
Our Translation Centres of Excellence ( TCEs ) nurture the strengths of Sydney Vital research across seven specific cancer areas . TCEs are pre - existing groups with an established track record in innovation and / or a patient - oriented R & D programme . Each is provided with $ 35 , 000 to support a PhD stipend , to “ supercharge ” their research activities , or to formulate a new research plan that aligns with the TCRC Programme Goals and TCE aims .
TCE 1 PANCREATIC CANCER
TCE 7 PAIN & PALLIATIVE CARE
TCE 2 THYROID CANCER
TCE 6 COLORECTAL CANCER
TCE 3 BREAST CANCER
TCE 4 NEURO - ENDOCRINE TUMOURS
TCE 5 BRAIN CANCER
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TCE 1 PANCREATIC CANCER
The Pancreatic TCE is focussed on improving survival outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients by developing a biomarker-based precision medicine approach to predict treatment outcomes.
TCE Leaders
Dr Anubhav Mittal
Prof Stephen Clarke
Prof Jaswinder Samra
PhD Student
Dr Sarah Maloney PhD Project : “ The identification and evaluation of predictive and prognostic biomarkers in order to personalise treatment pathways for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer ” Find Dr Maloney on ResearchGate .
Dr Joseph Xavier PhD Project : “ Understanding the pathophysiology of post - op pancreatitis ; looking critically at the role of ischaemia ” Former PhD Student
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The Thyroid TCE investigates the genetic causes of thyroid malignancies, on the one hand to provide new therapeutic opportunities for aggressive thyroid cancers, and on the other hand to more accurately identify low risk thyroid cancers for whom observation or minimal therapy is appropriate.
TCE 2 THYROID CANCER
TCE LEADERS
A / Prof Rory Clifton - Bligh
Prof Mark Sywak
Prof Anthony Gill
Ms Grace Lim PhD Project : “ Reversing Immortality in Thyroid Cancer ” Find Ms Lim on ResearchGate . PhD Student
The Breast TCE is focussed on linking our multi- disciplinary team of experts in the management of patients with breast cancer with research opportunities, including clinical trials and communication training.
TCE 3 BREAST CANCER
TCE LEADERS
Prof Frances Boyle
Prof Andrew Spillane
PhD Student
Ms Elizabeth Hutchings PhD
Project : “ Understanding patients , clinicians , and other key personnel towards the secondary use and analysis of breast cancer data in Australia ; developing a path towards consensus ” Find Ms Hutchings on ResearchGate . the attitudes of
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The NET TCE is focussed on improving the outcomes for all NET patients by developing better treatment strategies, including combination therapies, and enhancing patient selection with better imaging methods.
TCE 4 NEURO - ENDOCRINE TUMOURS
TCE Leader
A / Prof Nick Pavlakis
Mr Harry Marquis PhD Project : “ Development of a Dosimetry Platform for Theranostic Agents ” PhD Student
The Brain Cancer TCE seeks to improve our un- derstanding of how brain tumours grow within the brain by studying the biological nature of these tumours in the laboratory, recognising the patterns of infiltration on sophisticated imaging scans, and measuring the outcomes experienced by our patients from treatment in the clinic.
TCE 5 BRAIN CANCER
TCE LEADER
A / Prof Michael Back
PhD Student
Ms Angela Cho PhD Project : “ Laying the foundations for improved monitoring and treatment for IDH - mutated gliomas ” Find Ms Cho on ResearchGate .
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The Colorectal TCE is building capacity for molecular research into the causes and improved treatments for patients with bowel cancers. We are building patient cohorts from prospective collections as well as exploiting our extensive archival specimen collection.
TCE 6 COLORECTAL CANCER
TCE LEADERS
Prof Stephen Clarke A / Prof Kellie Charles
Prof Mark Molloy
Prof Alexander Engel
SEED FUNDING PROJECT
Sydney 1000 Bowel Cancer Study
TCE 7 PAIN & PALLIATIVE CARE
The Pain and Palliative TCE is focussed on improving the outcomes for all people with cancer related pain and advanced disease by increasing the collection of patient reported outcome measures, developing new treatment strategies and implementing evidence into practice.
TCE Leaders
Prof Paul Glare
Prof Melanie Lovell
PhD Student
Ms Madeleine Juhrmann PhD Project : “‘ Broadening the Role of Paramedics Delivering Palliative and End of Life Care in the Australian Community " Find Ms Juhrmann on ResearchGate .
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TCE SIGNIFICANT OUTCOMES
NEUROENDOCRINE TUMOUR CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE CERTIFICATION
In November 2019 , the Neuroendocrine Tumour TCE was awarded Centre of Excellence certification by the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society ( ENETS ). While interim accreditation is often only given for one year , the NET TCE was granted full 5 - year accreditation . This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the exceptional team of NET specialists in surgery , oncology , pathology , nuclear medicine , radiology , and endocrinology , who always go above and beyond for their patients .
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Following the success of the Neuroendocrine Tumour TCE , the NSLHD has provided funding to support the Sydney Vital Pancreatic Cancer TCE to create a virtual , Patient - Centred Care Centre that aims to harness the passion that exists within the treating clinicians and translate research into evidence based clinical practice . The clinicians and administration staff are committed to continuing work in this area , formalising pathways and continuing to progress innovation in research . PANCREATIC CANCER PATIENT - CENTRED CARE CENTRE
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CANCER INSTITUTE NSW RESEARCH EQUIPMENT GRANT FOR ANTHONY GILL In 2014 , Prof Anthony Gill was successful in obtaining a Cancer Institute NSW grant for the purchase of a Nanostring ncounter system . Modern cancer treatment is based on accurate pathological classification of tumors into different types all with different natural histories and responses to treatment ( personalized medicine ). The Nanostring nCounter system measures the genes expressed by individual cancer cells which in turn helps to classify the cancers into different types which need different treatments . This testing can be performed on routine ( formalin fixed ) biopsies routinely undergone by all cancer patients including those already performed many years previously or those performed at different sites ( including in remote and regional centres ). The pathology group has developed a pathway to deploy tests performed on this machine into the routine clinical setting including a pathway towards NATA accreditation for diagnostic testing and expects to be able to offer clinical testing to patients with different cancer types using this platform .
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COLORECTAL CANCER - INAUGURAL LAWRENCE PENN CHAIR OF BOWEL CANCER RESEARCH
In April 2018 , Sydney Vital ’ s colorectal cancer research capacity was enhanced with the appointment of Prof Mark Molloy as the inaugural Lawrence Penn Chair of bowel cancer research at The University of Sydney , with a research laboratory established in the Kolling . The Lawrence Penn Chair has been established in perpetuity through a gift from Bowel Cancer Australia to build a dedicated scientific research focus for bowel cancer on the Royal North Shore Hospital campus . Professor Molloy is a biochemist and expert in the application of proteomics and analytical technologies and will use patient specimens and clinicopathology data already establish by clinical researchers at Sydney Vital . His research is focused on understanding why some bowel polyps develop into cancers , integrative molecular subtyping of colorectal cancers to develop new prognostic biomarkers and developing predictive biomarkers for response to therapy . He has appointed two post - doctoral fellows to expand bowel cancer research capacity at the Kolling .
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2020 ARTHUR M . WEIS , PhD , AWARD IN RADIATION DOSIMETRY AND SAFETY FOR HARRY MARQUIS
In May 2020 , Harry Marquis , the PhD scholar from Sydney Vital ’ s TCE in Neuroendocrine Tumours , was awarded the prestigious 2020 Arthur M . Weis , PhD , Award in Radiation Dosimetry and Safety from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging ( SNMMI ) for his work " SPECT / CT - based Dosimetry in PRRT : Using Theranostics to Minimise the Impact of the Partial Volume Effect ." The Arthur M . Weis , PhD , Award in Radiation Dosimetry and Safety recognises outstanding original work in radiation safety and dosimetry at the premier international meeting for nuclear medicine held annually .
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AWARDEES At Sydney Vital , we recognize the importance of investing in the next generation of clinicians and scientists . Through our program of research support schemes , we have funded 130 PhD students and early careers researchers since 2014 , many of whom have gone on to establish their own research groups . Some awardees have been awarded multiple times in the same category but are only listed once .
SCHOLARSHI P TOP - UPS
( $ 10k - $ 1 5k )
Alexey Rzhevskiy
Adrian Lee
Alexander Cole
Alexander Yuile
Amanda Seabrook
Angela Cho Anthony Glover
Atul Bhatnagar
Biyao Yang Christopher Muir
Ayanthi Wijewardene
Ben Harris
Dennis Diaz - Rincon
Diana Hatoum
Christopher Nahm David Chan
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Dorsa Morshedi Rad
Diana Shinko
Elizabeth Hutchings
Emily Hewson
Grace Gifford
Grace Lim Hamidreza Aboulkheyr Estarabadi
Emma Colvill
Jaynish Shah
Jenny Lee Jerikho Bulanadi
John Park
Kyle Crassini
Lauren Joo
Josef Gilson
Kai Brown
Lionel Leck
Louise Koelmeyer
Malinda Itchins
Marco Mueller
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Nicholas Hindley
Marthe Chehade
Nana Lyu Nathan MacArthur
Nunki Hassan
Quynh Ngoc Vi
Rajdeep Chakraborty
Rui Sang
Ryu HyunJu Samdridhi Sharma
Samuel Brennan
Sarah Alavi
Sarah Maloney Subash Adhikari
Takanori Hioki
Talia Fuchs
Vincent Caillet
Wei Zhang
Yaser Hadi Gholami
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SEED FUNDING ( $ 20k - $ 25k )
Aleksandra Ochnik
Amanda Hudson Angela Chou
Aimee Hayes
Anna Guller
April Wong
Fred Azimi
David Chan
Haryana Dhillon Hilary Byrne
Jing Zhao Katherine Clark
Kelly McKelvey Mark Connor
Mark Molloy
Melanie Lovell
Sharon Kilbreath
Sandhya Clement
Rosetta Martiniello - Wilks
Robert Baxter
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Trish Dwight
Viive Howell
Wei Deng
Yaser Hadi Gholami
Yue Xian Ooi
TRAVEL AWARDEES ( $ 1 . 5k - $ 3k )
Aaron Tan Amanda Hudson Angela Cho Carina Owen
Christopher Nahm Chun - Chien ( Andy ) Shieh
David Chan Elisabeth Steiner
Grace Lim Helena Collgros
Jasmine Yee
Jenny Lee
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John Delaney Jothi Murugesan Kathy Flitcroft
Kelly McKelvey
Paul Liu Sandhya Clement
Lionel Leck
Malinda Itchins
Sarah Hayes
Wei Deng
Ziba Gandomkar
Yaser Hadi Gholami
Zizhen Ming
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FUNDING ALLOCAT ION 201 4 - 2020
BY TYPE
$
1 , 500 , 000
$
1 , 000 , 000
500 , 000
$
0
$ 4 , 865 , 263 TOTAL FUNDING ALLOCATED
BY INSTITUTION
$
2 , 000 , 000
$
1 , 500 , 000
1 , 000 , 000
$
$
500 , 000
0
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V I TAL FEEDBACK
RESEARCH FELLOWSHI P
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Publications
Grants
Dr Kelly McKelvey
The project Inflammation: A Roadblock to Response and Recovery in Cancer sought to provide greater understanding of the interactions of cancer and host inflammatory systems during cancer development and treatment to support early diagnosis , achieve brain cancer remission , and alleviate the detrimental systemic inflammatory response which induces poorer patient outcomes . With this knowledge repurposed or novel therapeutics could be identified and investigated .
The Flagship Fellowship I received led to the generation of preliminary data for the successful application to be awarded a 3 - year HMRI Fellowship , the Matt Callander ‘ Beanie for Brain Cancer ’ HMRI Fellowship funded by the Mark Hughes Foundation . I relinquished the SV / TBCG Fellowship in order to take up this Fellowship and my work continued as part of the HMRI Fellowship .
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RESEARCH FELLOWSHI P
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Publications
Awards
Dr Yaser Hadi Gholami
To address this , we have developed a radiolabelled nanoparticle platform to : ( i ) detect metastatic disease with high sensitivity ( using PET / MR imaging modality ) in the lymph nodes ; ( ii ) provide sufficiently enhanced diagnostic quality image contrast in the lymph nodes to stage cancer ; ( iii ) treat metastases with a highly localised radiation dose that uses the natural immune system for targeting the lymph nodes ; and ( iv ) develop a sequential imaging , therapeutic and dosimetry protocol that can be utilized for future human clinical trials .
The aim of my project was to carry out the necessary preclinical animal studies in preparation for a first - in - human clinical study using our novel immuno - radio - nanomedicine platform in identifying and treating lymph node metastases . Metastases ( spread of cancer ) are the leading cause of death from all cancer types and first appear in tumour draining lymph nodes . For many patients , by the time the primary cancer is detected , it has already metastasised . This is further compounded by very limited and largely ineffective treatment strategies , resulting in poor prognosis . To date , an effective and safe method capable of exclusively targeting metastatic tumour cells that have spread to the lymph nodes or other organs does not exist .
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OUTCOMES AND SUCCESSES
COMMERCIALISATION :
I have submitted an invention disclosure at CDIP - USyd . Inventors : Yaser Hadi Gholami ( Primary inventor ), Hushan Yuan , Lee Josephson , Georges El - Fakhri , Richard Mashmyar , Moses Q Wilks , Marc Normandin and Z . Kuncic .
This included evaluation of therapeutic outcomes for patients , computational modelling , publication and provision of advice regarding radiation related matters .
WHERE I AM NOW :
We
have
invented
a
theranostic
I Vital Postdoctoral Fellow at the School of Physics at the University of Sydney . I am also leading the nanomedicine team at the Bill Walsh Lab at the Kolling am currently a Sydney Building . As an early career researcher , I have been working on developing a theranostic magnetic nano - platform for multi - modal imaging and radiation therapy . The Sydney Vital Fellowship has given me the opportunity to develop innovative and groundbreaking clinical theranostic solutions for cancer medicine . I have also been awarded the prestigious 2020 Physics Grand Challenge grant by the University of Sydney School of Physics for my project Postronium the key for cancer annihilation . This grant will support my research project with $ 250 , 000 over two years .
Nano - platform
non -
magnetic invasively
for
detecting , and treating lymph node metastases . The technique uses the FDA approved nanoparticle Feraheme ( FH ). This multifunctional radio - nanomedicine platform can be used to detect , diagnose and treat lymph node metastases arising from any primary cancer site : breast , colorectal , prostate , lung , liver etc . diagnosing
INDUSTRY COLLABORATION :
I IDE approval from the U . S . Food and Drug Administration OncoPac - 1 U . S and International Clinical Study for pancreatic cancer Localised Internal Radionuclide Therapy ( LIRT ) using the 32P OncoSil microparticle . have contributed to achieving
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TRAVEL AWARD
ORAL PRESENTATION AT THE IPA WORD CONGRESS 2019 BOSTON, USA
Dr Wei Deng
This conference travel provided me with an excellent opportunity to showcase my research to the wider communities including clinicians and industry experts who specialise in PDT ( Photo Dynamic Therapy ) technique . In particular , I was able to establish contact with researchers from
from the US and Canada during this conference .
As a result of this , in 2020 , we then co - founded a start - up company with our Canadian collaborators around the X - ray triggered PDT technology .
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TRAVEL AWARDS ( 2014 - 2020 )
$61,675 25 awarded to recipients since 2014
SEED FUNDING ( 2014 - 2020 )
$713,530 32 in total awarded to projects since 2014
Sydney Vital awards $ 20k to $ 25k in seed funding per project . The aim of this funding scheme is to seed projects with a high potential to leverage external funding .
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SYDNEY VITAL AT THE NSW PREMIER ' S AWARDS
FOR OUTSTANDING CANCER RESEARCH
A/PROF ANGELA CHOU (2015 & 2020) A / Prof Angela Chou , Sydney Vital seed funding recipient , has received two NSW Premier ' s Awards . In 2015 , A / Prof Chou was recognised with a Rising Star award for her pioneering research in the field of gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancers , which was part of her PhD project at the Garvan Institute . In 2020 , she won the NSW Premier ' s Awards for Outstanding Cancer Research Fellow - Early Career Fellow for her work in translational pancreatic cancer research . A / Prof Chou is now a cancer researcher in the Kolling at the Royal North Shore Hospital ( RNSH ) as well as a practicing diagnostic pathologist at RNSH and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Sydney .
PROF ANTHONY GILL AM (2013, 2015, 2018 & 2019)
Prof Pathologist , Executive and Thyroid Cancer TCE leader , received the NSW Premier ’ s award for Excellence in Translational Cancer Research prior to his work with Sydney Vital in 2013 . In 2015 , 2018 and 2019 , he received the Wildfire Highly Cited Publication award as the Chairman of the Australian Anthony Gill , Sydney Vital Academic Pancreatic Genome Initiative ( APGI ) in recognition of the most highly cited original research papers over the preceding three years ( for : Nature 2012 ; 491 : 399 - 405 ; Nature 2015 ; 518 , 495 – 501 ; and Nature 2016 ; 532 , 47 - 52 ). The APGI focusses on improving treatment and diagnosis of people with pancreatic cancer by facilitating research projects which systematically catalogue the genomic and epigenomic abnormalities in pancreatic cancer and translating their discoveries into routine clinical care .
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RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE
Our research activity is underpinned by state - of - the - art equipment to enable impactful discoveries . Sydney Vital is active in supporting these facilities through staffing and funding .
TUMOUR BANK
The Kolling Tumour Bank Team
The Kolling Tumour Bank ( KTB ) is a collection of human biospecimens that are stored and distributed for use in cancer research . It is partially funded by the Sydney Vital , who support two of the four current staff positions working . The Kolling Tumour Bank is certified by the NSW Health Pathology Biobank Certification Program ( BRC - 00015 ). The KTB consists of collections of breast , gynaecological , upper gastrointestinal , endocrine and neurological tumours , and colorectal specimens were added to this collection . There is also a Healthy Volunteers blood bank . There are currently over 20 , 000 specimens collected as part of the KTB from over 9 , 000 cancer patients who have had cancer surgery at Royal North Shore Hospital , North Shore Private or The Mater Hospital , North Sydney with approval from the relevant Human Research Ethics Committees ( HRECs ). This is an invaluable resource that facilitates translational research now and into the future as new technological platforms become available .
Find out more about the Tumour Bank here .
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IMAGING
Imaging has always been regarded as one of the strengths of the Royal North Shore campus . It was the site of the first clinical MRI scanner in Australia . Today , researchers have access to state - of - the - art medical imaging devices in both the public and private hospitals and the necessary research support teams to help them analyse their data . In addition , closely aligned with imaging , the Kolling Building houses a small animal irradiator ( SARRP ) which can be used for cell and preclinical radiation experimentation . Sydney Vital researchers make extensive use of the precinct ’ s imaging resources . The Translational Theranostics flagship has active projects in the use of whole - body PET functional imaging as a prognostic biomarker for neuroendocrine tumours and in prostate cancer . The nano oncology flagship uses a combination of MRI and PET imaging to identify metastatic lymph node disease in colorectal cancers . Other trials currently recruiting are using early imaging with PET to identify response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy , with a view to changing the treatment if it is not proving successful . The figure shows a PET/CT scan of a patient with metastatic prostate cancer that has spread to the spine and skull.
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PATHOLOGY
This project links all patients with frozen material in the Kolling tumour bank to matched paraffin blocks and then expands this resource by retrieving large numbers of paraffin blocks of similar tumours for use in validation studies . Tumour streams are now numerous and highly annotated ( e . g . we have now linked to long - term follow - up over 3 , 000 patients with colorectal cancer , 600 patients with glioblastoma multiforme , 150 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma , 600 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma , and 100 patients with adrenal cortical carcinoma ) and have been the basis of major international collaborations including the Cancer Genome Atlas ( TCGA ).
CLINICAL TRIALS & DATA
The Northern Sydney Cancer Centre ( NSCC ) clinical trials group is under the management of Sally McCowatt . They received the Premier ’ s Award for Outstanding Cancer Clinical Trials Unit in 2019 .
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SARRP ( SMALL ANIMAL RADIATION RESEARCH PLATFORM )
In Australia , almost 50 % of cancer patients receive radiation therapy at some time during their cancer journey . While it is painless and only takes a few minutes , there are still questions around what dose of radiation to give and for how long . The SARRP allows researchers to study the effect of radiation on tumours , and healthy cells and tissues , in order to develop new treatment combinations for cancer patients . For example , the addition of radiosensitiser and radioprotective agents , as well as novel chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic drugs . Our multi - disciplinary team and patient - centric focus ensures that there is bi - lateral communication of highly clinically relevant questions and findings between the laboratory and clinic . The SAARP is the only image guided small animal radiation research platform ( Xstrahl SARRP ) in Australia . In combination with the expertise of the Flagship 1 team in inflammation research and pre - clinical cancer modelling , this facility has led to many multi - institutional and inter - disciplinary collaborations . As a result , a new infrastructure pipeline for advancing cancer therapeutics ( PACT ) was established with funding from Sydney Vital and the Mark Hughes Foundation . The pipeline is available to researchers across the state to assist in pre - clinical assessment of novel therapies .
Learn more about SARRP here .
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