|
Professor Rob Sutherland, PhD, FAA is Director of the Cancer Research Program at the Garvan. He has been responsible for development of our basic research program aimed at identifying new genes involved in the development and progression of ovarian cancer.
Dr Philippa O’Brien, PhD, heads the ovarian cancer research team at the Garvan Institute, focusing on the identification of biomarkers of early stage disease.
Trish Vanden Bergh, RN, Clinical Research Coordinator. Trish is responsible for the recruitment of patients into our research studies and maintains our extensive clinical database. She is the most familiar face of the research team to the patients at the Gynaecological Cancer Centre.
Dr Viola Heinzelmann-Schwarz, MD, is a Gynaecological Registrar from Switzerland who completed a two-year stint as a Visiting Scientist collecting international awards for the GO Fund research.
|
The 1990’s have seen major advances in our understanding of the causes of cancer. We now know that cancer is caused by mutations in genes. Most cancers, including the majority of ovarian cancers, are caused by an accumulation of genetic mutations over time in response to environmental factors. In some cases, genetic mutations that predispose individuals to certain cancers can be inherited. Like breast cancers, inherited mutations account for a small percentage of ovarian cancers. The Human Genome Project, an attempt by scientists to map and sequence all of the genes that make up the human genetic blueprint, marks an exciting stage in cancer research. We now have the ability to determine which genes are turned on or off in a particular cancer, and can use this information to identify cancer-specific markers that can be used in diagnosis and treatment. In order to be at the forefront of genetic research into ovarian cancer, the Gynaecological Cancer Centre at the Royal Hospital for Women has joined forces with the Cancer Research Program at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, an internationally recognised centre of excellence for cancer research. The major aim of our research is to use the genetic information encoded within ovarian cancers to identify markers that could form the basis of a blood test to detect early signs of ovarian cancer. This alone would reduce the significant mortality associated with this cancer and is imperative in improving the outcome for patients. We are also identifying genes that can be used as the basis of specific new treatments for ovarian cancer. We are optimistic that this collaboration between a world-class clinical treatment centre and a world-class medical research institute will lead to major advances in this field in the years ahead, ultimately resulting in an improved outlook for patients with ovarian cancer. The Research Team Professor Rob Sutherland, an internationally recognised expert in cancer research, heads the Cancer Research Program at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. The Ovarian Cancer Project is lead by Dr Philippa O’Brien, a scientist with extensive experience in gynaecological cancer research. Together they are assembling a team of scientists, clinicians, pathologists and biostatisticians, and have established a number of collaborations with laboratories around the world. They are working toward achieving the research goals and establishing the reputation of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research as a world leader in the translation of ovarian cancer research into clinical applications.
|
The Research
