Young researchers receive boost to develop innovative treatment for melanoma
4 March 2021
Melanoma research has received a boost with two researchers from Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) and The University of Sydney awarded highly competitive fellowships from Cancer Institute NSW.
Dr Tuba Nur Gide and Dr Camelia Quek were each awarded an Early Career Fellowship to support their innovative research into melanoma treatment. The Fellowships are designed to encourage promising early career researchers who recently completed their PhD to choose cancer as their selected field of research endeavor.
“It is deeply rewarding to see these two talented young researchers receive these prestigious Fellowships,” said Prof Richard Scolyer, Co-Medical Director of MIA. “Their dedication and passion for developing more effective treatments for patients is inspiring and we are proud to have them as part of our team.”
While immunotherapy is proving effective in treating many advanced melanoma patients, others either don’t respond or develop resistance. These treatments can also cause significant, life-altering side-effects. Dr Nur Guide and Dr Quek are trying to identify which patients will respond to treatment and why, as this is essential to improving survival and quality of life for advanced melanoma patients around the world.
Prof Georgina Long AO, Co-Medical Director of MIA, is delighted that Dr Nur Guide and Dr Quek have received funding to pursue their research endeavors.
“Supporting medical research into Australia’s national cancer is vital to improving care for melanoma patients,” commented Prof Long. “With Australia at the forefront of global melanoma research efforts, it is exciting that our early career researchers will have the support they need to pioneer new treatments to improve the lives of melanoma patients.”
Personalised immunotherapy
There are currently no effective tests to determine which patients will respond to immunotherapy and which will need another treatment to stop their melanoma progressing. Dr Nur Gide’s research project is investigating this by assessing the accuracy of a panel of predictive tests with the aim of taking this out of the lab and into the everyday clinic setting.
“Once a patient enters a clinic, in real time we will be able to determine if they are likely to respond to treatment,” said Dr Nur Gide. “This will allow patients to avoid unnecessary toxicities and limit costs to patients and the healthcare system, as well as ultimately improving survival outcomes.”
The research project will help change the way cancer patients are treated and selected for clinical trials, by moving away from the one-size-fits-all approach and towards a precision approach to delivering effective immunotherapies on a personal basis.
“It is a great honour to have been awarded the CINSW Early Career Fellowship,” said Dr Nur Gide. “It will allow me to continue conducting research that will positively impact the lives of patients with advanced cancer and contribute to achieving our goal of zero deaths from melanoma.”
Understanding resistance to immunotherapy
Dr Camelia Quek’s research is trying to understand why some people with advanced melanoma become resistant to immunotherapy after they receive treatment. She is investigating the relatively new concept that a tumour and the microenvironment around it can evolve, causing resistance to immunotherapy. She will be using innovative computational biology methods to identify which genes and proteins involved in immune control are altered.
“Ultimately my research will provide significant benefits in developing innovative drug combination strategies and novel therapeutic targets to improve treatment for melanoma patients,” commented Dr Quek. “This will improve survival for patients, as well as improve their quality of life.”
“This fellowship will provide a fantastic opportunity for me to continue making discoveries that enable the development of innovative treatment strategies and biomarkers, ensuring the prolonged survival of Australians with cancer,” she said.
Australasian Melanoma Conference AMC2021
The 2021 Australasian Melanoma Conference (AMC2021) will held in Sydney, Australia.
Australian researchers spearhead paradigm shift in melanoma treatment
Drug therapy set to become standard treatment in high-risk early stage patients to stop disease spread
Melanoma March physical events in 2022
We are excited to announce a return to our much-loved physical Melanoma March events in March 2022!
Melanoma Bike Bash 2021: What a ride!
Over two fun, yet challenging, days in September an intrepid group of riders and crew successfully completed the annual Melanoma Bike Bash in WA!
Prof Georgina Long AO awarded inaugural Outstanding Female Researcher Medal from AAHMS
Prof Long AO has been recognised by Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences for her transformative work advancing melanoma treatments.
MIA researchers awarded $7.2m in NHMRC grants for health research
Three MIA researchers at University of Sydney received grants to further their important melanoma research.
Amie St Clair Ball in Wagga postponed for a third time
COVID restrictions continue to impact fundraising for melanoma services in Riverina.
Honouring Ben's life by supporting the next generation of melanoma researchers
Ben Garrow lost his life to melanoma. In his honour his family has established a scholarship to support a PhD student whose work focuses on saving lives from melanoma.
MIA's annual Research Retreat 2021
More than 150 clinicians, researchers and MIA staff gathered online to share research highlights.
Understanding the needs of Stage III melanoma patients when choosing treatments.
Independent researchers at The University of Sydney are seeking patient feedback.
Community Fundraising Wrap Up Apr-June 2021
A re-cap of the wonderful, and often very creative, community fundraising initiatives over the April to June quarter.
Patients paying it forward
Our patients who donate their tissue samples and records to our research are helping to make a difference to the lives of future melanoma patients.
Research boost to improve outcomes for melanoma patients
MIA researchers have recently been awarded two competitive funding grants, which will help facilitate their ground-breaking work in melanoma research.
Amie St Clair 10th Annual Ball
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Amie St Clair Melanoma at the Annual Ball in Wagga Wagga!
Riverina Melanoma Ride
Postponed to early 2022. Melanoma survivor Matt Kean is doing a 1000km bike ride around the Riverina to increase awareness of melanoma and raise funds for Amie St Clair Melanoma - MIA. There are many ways you can be part of this life-changing ride!
Melanoma Clinical Trial to open in Wagga
Riverina patients gain access to potentially life saving immunotherapy treatment close to home.
Queen's Birthday Honour for Professor Richard Scolyer
MIA's Prof Scolyer has been appointed as an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia.
Sharing our research on the global stage at 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting
Research from MIA was once again in the spotlight as findings were shared at the virtual ASCO21.
Australian researchers lead world in successful trial of new cancer treatment.
In a breakthrough which could extend to the treatment of other cancers, a new immune checkpoint inhibitor has proven effective in helping save the lives of advanced melanoma patients.
Thank you doesn't seem enough for our melanoma nurses.
Whilst our research and clinical teams are trialling new treatments to save lives, it is our nurses who are on the front line providing care and support.