Cancer
Cancer is the name given to a collection of related diseases. In all types of cancer the body’s cells begin to grow uncontrollably. The role of cancer research is to find ways to halt this growth.
Tackling cancer from many angles
Our work looks to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In particular, to alter the blood supply and to stop cells from spreading to new parts of the body.
As a result of many years of research some cancers in recent years have effective treatments. However, the most devastating are mostly untreatable. A feature of these cancers is their link to our diet and metabolism – another area of Centenary’s research.
We have many dedicated projects that cover specific types of cancer. Our researchers are currently looking at prostate, liver, breast and lung cancers, plus melanoma and leukaemia.
Our research Programs and Laboratories investigating cancer
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ACRF Centenary Cancer Research Centre
After centuries of cancer devastating almost half the population, the last decades of cancer research have brought unprecedented insights into the causation and treatment of this disease.
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Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program
Our Gene and Stem Cell Therapy program focuses it’s research on cancer, heart disease and genetic diseases. -
Epigenetics and RNA Biology Program
We focus on discovering and understanding the roles of novel mechanisms that control gene expression in normal physiology and cancer. -
Epigenetics of Melanoma Program
The Epigenetics of Melanoma Program seeks to understand how deregulation of epigenetic modifiers can potentially govern all hallmarks of cancer. Using cutting edge techniques such as CRISPR, high throughput drug screening and mouse models, we seek to identify new targets for potential treatments. -
Liver Injury and Cancer Program
Our work is devoted to understanding pathways at the cellular and molecular levels that drive liver injury and cancer. These pathways may then be identified as targets to modulate these processes or be used for diagnosis and staging of liver disease and cancer. -
Melanoma Oncology and Immunology Program
The current focus of melanoma research at the Centenary Institute is to better understand the resistance of certain melanoma to new treatments. We are particularly interested in the role of epigenetic regulation in resistance and the role of new drugs targeting these mechanisms in treatment of melanoma. -
Cancer and Gene Regulation Laboratory
Gene regulation is frequently dysregulated in cancer. During cancer initiation, transcription factors can exhibit somatic mutations including point mutations in regulatory domains or undergo copy number variations due to genetic deletion. -
Computational BioMedicine Laboratory
In the Computational BioMedicine lab, we develop integrative workflows combining various computational disciplines with experimentation to address questions around non-coding RNAs, post-transcriptional gene regulation and cancer biology. -
Directed Evolution Laboratory
In the Directed Evolution laboratory, we harness the power of Darwinian selection to evolve proteins with new therapeutic activities. Starting with unique proteins from all domains of life we aim to produce first-in-class or vastly improved drugs for intractable diseases.
Achievements
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New precision medicine laboratory to help fight cancer
The Centenary Institute has announced it will establish a new precision medicine laboratory, enabling world-leading research into the use of theranostics to treat cancer, thanks to a grant from the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF). -
Metastatic cancer research boosted
Dr Dannel Yeo from the Centenary Institute and Clinical Associate Professor Kate Mahon from Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, have been awarded an inaugural Sydney Cancer Partners Translational Fellowship. -
DPP9 enzyme role in cancer revealed
A new study from German and Centenary Institute researchers has provided new understanding of an enzyme called dipeptidyl peptidase 9 (DPP9) and its role in cancer development.
