Why this Cluster exists 

About one in five people develop cancer in their lifetime. Research is vital for understanding, preventing, detecting, and managing one of the most life-threatening diseases. Cancer has a profound influence on physical and mental well-being at a national and global level. The global burden of cancer is increasing with an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) occurring in 2020 based on GLOBOCAN estimates. In 2019, The World Health Organisation estimated cancer to be the first or second leading cause of death before the age of 70 years in most countries. It is therefore no surprise that the prevention of cancer is noted by the World Cancer Research Fund as one of the most significant public health challenges of the 21st Century.

In Australia, cancer is the leading cause of the 'burden of disease' mostly due to a growth in our national population as well as an ageing population. People diagnosed with cancer are surviving for longer and Australia is leading the way globally in positive cancer outcomes. These positive cancer outcomes are, however, currently not the case for ALL Australians, with some facing disparities in cancer outcomes. Through strategic and targeted actions these inequalities can be addressed. The Cancer Cluster aligns with the Australian Cancer plan to enhance cancer outcomes for all Australians.

Our objectives

1. Research excellence: We strive to conduct ground-breaking research that pushes the boundaries of knowledge in cancer biology, genetics, treatment, and supportive care.

2. Fostering research collaboration: We are committed to nurturing the next generation of cancer researchers through mentorship, promotion of cancer research pathways and opportunities, and creating an inclusive research environment.

3. Translational impact: We strive to translate scientific discoveries into real-world solutions to improve patient outcomes, enhance the quality of life for those affected by cancer, influence policy, and advance care delivery to cancer patients and their loved ones.

4. Community engagement: We actively partner with healthcare providers, advocacy groups, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to foster knowledge exchange, promote awareness, and facilitate the implementation of evidence-based cancer prevention and control strategies.

Theme 1: Advanced understanding of precision oncology

The precision oncology theme aims to maximise cancer prevention, early detection and treatment approaches. We do this using future focused research approaches leveraging emerging opportunities to improve cancer outcomes that are person-centered. Collaborating closely with the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, we leverage cutting-edge facilities and expertise to drive impactful research.

Research focus
We are currently conducting work to i) better understand factors contributing to the tumor immune microenvironment with a specific focus on thyroid cancer and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma; ii) we are examining novel prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers in prostate cancer and multiple myeloma; iii) we are investigating precision therapeutic strategies through leveraging for example genomics, bioinformatics, lipidomics, cellular reprogramming and cell death mechanisms across several cancer streams; and iv) we are looking at ways to optimize skin cancer diagnostics and prevention.

Current projects include:

• Single cell transcriptome integration to explore persistent CD8+ T cells shape the tumor immune microenvironment in thyroid cancer (Led by Dr Min Zhao)
• Prognostic and therapeutic potential of desmoglein-2 in multiple myeloma, designing precision liposomes to target multiple myeloma by inducing ferroptosis and bone turnover markers as prognostic biomarkers in smouldering multiple myeloma (Led by Associate Professor Craig Wallington-Gates)
• Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (Led by Dr Rebecca Donkin)
• Novel prognostic biomarkers for prostate cancer bone metastasis: a role for isomiRs (Led by Dr Michelle Maugham-Macan)
• Melanoma & You: An innovative 5-year national education project on melanoma prevention for junior high school students (Led by Dr Katharina Merollini and Dr Joe Scott in partnership with RGB Media (Brett Shorthouse) (seeking funding)
• Harnessing Aging Biology to Prevent Colorectal Cancer (Led by Dr. Lochlan Fennell)

Theme 2: Supportive care strategies to reduce cancer burden and promotion of health.

This theme draws together researchers and clinicians who specialise in economic, dietary, exercise, and psychological well-being for people touched by cancer with the goal of improving health, quality of life, and cancer-treatment outcomes.

This is achieved by taking a holistic and integrative approach to supportive care strategies combining social, health and medical sciences to find solutions for real-world problems.

We are currently i) exploring non-pharmacological interventions, such as diet, exercise and/or psychosocial, to support cancer treatment outcomes, manage treatment-related side-effects, and improve survival; ii) focus on enhancing self-management of health behaviours during cancer survivorship which includes a better understanding of the multitude of factors influencing the health behaviours of individuals; and iii) enhance community-based palliative care, death literacy, and end of life care in primary care settings.

Current projects include:

• Chemo in Motion: Increasing tumour perfusion with exercise to enhance chemotherapy delivery (Led by Dr Meegan Walker)
• Life and health After Childhood cancEr (LACE): a national linkage project (Led by Dr Katharina Merollini)
• Sarcopenia Toxicity pRevalence and Diagnosis in Head and Neck Cancer survivors (STRiDe-HNC) study (Led by Associate Professor Hattie Wright partnered with Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service)
• Financial toxicity support program for regional and rural cancer survivors (FINHOPe) study (Led by Dr Katharina Merollini)
• Assessing parkrun for walking rehabilitation for people living with, and beyond, cancer: acceptability, adherence, social support and physical function (PARK-Run) project (Led by Associate Professor Suzanne Broadbent)
• Sexual quality of life of people living with prostate cancer (Led by Dr Karina Rune)
• Diet and exercise self-management behaviour of people living with prostate cancer (Led by A/prof Hattie Wright)
• The Effects of Exercise in Patients with Melanoma Undergoing Adjuvant Immunotherapy with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy – the EXHIBIT Study (Dr Kate Bolam)
• ADT-Train - A New Training Concept for Men with Prostate Cancer Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy (Dr Kate Bolam)

Theme 3: Quality care delivery for improved health outcomes

This theme is focused on health service delivery and care pathways within the healthcare system, by translating and applying health, economic and psychosocial evidence and interventions. We prioritise evaluating and enhancing care delivery processes and models of care across the range of allied health and supportive care services.

Current work includes:

i) the use of large data sets to investigate cancer care costs across the continuum of care;

ii) promotion of equitable access to supportive care services with a special focus on rural and remote regions by exploring efficiencies in existing models of care and care pathways; and

iii) implementation and evaluation of innovative and cost-effective models of care using telehealth and digital health involving multidisciplinary care teams.

Current projects include:

• Health economics of palliative care (Led by Dr Katharina Merollini)
• Costs of surviving cancer in Queensland (COS-Q): a population data linkage study (Co-investigator Dr Katharina Merollini)
• Determining the need to optimise exercise oncology implementation in cancer care centres (OPTIMISE) study (Led by Dr Grace Rose partnered with Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service)
• Nurturing ExErcise and Diet Support in cancer practice through exploring use and refining needs-analysis assessment tools (NEEDS) study to enhance access to diet and exercise services nationally (Led by Dr Grace Rose)
• Implementing exercise in cancer care - a community-based exercise program for people with cancer - ExMed Cancer Sweden (Dr Kate Bolam)