Melanoma Institute part of $14m melanoma project grant
25 March 2015
Federal Minister for Health, the Hon. Sussan Ley, announced more than $14 million in funding for a research program to study the molecular determinants of risk, progression and treatment response in melanoma.
The research, funded as part of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Program scheme, will commence in 2016 and will be administered through Macquarie University in Sydney. The team’s investigators are largely based at the University of Sydney, as well as the Centenary Institute, the Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research, and the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.
All investigators are part of MIA, the world’s largest cancer centre dedicated to research and treatment of melanoma, and have been linked as a NHMRC Program since 2006. Treating 1900 new melanoma patients annually, the MIA’s repository of clinical research data and melanoma biospecimens is the largest in the world.
Lead researcher Professor Rick Kefford from MIA and Macquarie University said the project had real prospects of accelerating prevention and early detection of melanoma.
“In this era of rapid change the program could make realistic progress towards a cure of metastatic disease,” Professor Kefford said.
MIA tumour samples and data from people receiving targeted and immune treatments for melanoma are driving these promising advances. The Program has also recruited thousands of people from the community, and families with a strong history of melanoma, to lead discovery of melanoma risk genes.
“In the last few years our program has helped drive large-scale genomic analysis of melanoma, and this will continue to be a cornerstone of our research,” says Professor Graham Mann of MIA, Westmead Millennium Institute and the University of Sydney. “These approaches have already been highly successful, and we have great hopes for better prevention, detection and treatment of melanoma in the future,” he said.
Professor Richard Scolyer presents at world's largest annual meeting of pathologists
Harvard’s Clinical Professor Martin Mihm and MIA’s Conjoint Medical Director Professor Richard Scoyler delivered a series of lectures on melanoma pathology in Vancouver, British Colombia this week at the world’s biggest annual pathology meeting.
Farewell from Carole Renouf, CEO of Melanoma Institute Australia
A message from our CEO, Carole Renouf
Marching in the twilight
Piction, Brisbane, Bahturst and Port Macquarie march to end melanoma.
Researchers uncover treatment sequence for advanced melanoma patients
Australian researchers have greater clarity on the best course of treatment for patients with advanced melanoma which has spread to the brain.
An unsung hero of melanoma care for nearly 30 years
Melanoma treatment has come a long way in recent times, and the role that nurses play caring for melanoma patients has changed dramatically too.
Sharing our research on melanoma surgery
MIA is sharing it's research with the global surgical oncology community this week at the Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Cancer Symposium.
14 Melanoma Marches down, 7 to go!
It was a massive weekend of Melanoma Marches with six Marches in: Bendigo, Canberra, Manly, Newcastle, Bunbury and Adelaide.
Melanoma March keeps marching
Weekend two hit the ground marching with Melanoma Marches in Wollongong, Townsville, Mandurah and Western Sydney.
Melanoma March kicks off for 2018
Melanoma Institute Australia's annual fundraising initiative is all systems go!
Calls for urgent crackdown on illegal backyard solariums
The reported proliferation of illegal commercial solariums is costing lives and requires urgent government intervention.
15-year-old melanoma survivor Toby Rayner will lead Mount Gambier's march against melanoma
15-year-old melanoma survivor Toby Rayner will lead Mount Gambier’s march against melanoma Julie-Ann Sams knows all too well that melanoma doesn’t discriminate.
Excision margins for melanoma redefined
Updated guidelines defining appropriate excision margins have been published thanks to research from MIA.
A Pawsome Story of Hope
Joanne and her trusty companion Frankie spend their days spreading a message of hope in hospitals, nursing homes, even prisons. It is a long way from her darkest hour facing palliative care. This is her story of hope.
A new generation of melanoma researchers
Melanoma impacts more Australian teenagers and young adults than any other cancer. Dr James Wilmott, who has a young family of his own, has devoted his career to determining why these young Australians are susceptible to melanoma, and importantly, how to save them.
Melanoma Masterclass celebrates Australian luminaries who have transformed melanoma treatment worldwide
The extraordinary contribution of Australia’s most distinguished melanoma clinicians and researchers is being celebrated today.
Prestigious award in pathology for Professor Scolyer
Congratulations to Professor Richard Scolyer who was awarded the William O. Russell/Joanne Vandenberge Hill Award of Excellence in Pathology.
A Day in the Life Of... Serigne Lo
A Day in the Life Of... Serigne Lo, Research and BioStatistics Manager at Melanoma Institute Australia
Jay inspires others to help end melanoma and so can you
Jay was your typical Aussie bloke – a truck driver, husband, dad and mate to many. Then he got melanoma. His cancer diagnosis turned his life upside down.
A dilemma no mother-to-be should face
Clair faced an impossible choice – risk delivering her baby early, or delay potentially life-saving melanoma treatment