Home  >  Research  >  Disease

OUR DISEASE FOCUS

Our researchers focus on some of the major diseases that affect Western Australians and the global community. In particular we focus on cancer, diabetes, heart disease and rare genetic or neuromuscular diseases.

CANCER

The survival rates for many cancers have improved because of medical research. However, for some cancers the prognosis remains poor. We investigate these deadly cancers and those that have particular relevance for West Australians.

Find out more >

NEUROGENETIC DISEASES

Neurogenetic disease is a broad term that encompasses many diseases or conditions that impair the functioning of the nervous system and muscles. Symptoms may include muscular weakness, loss of muscular control, twitching, spasming and muscle pain.

Find out more >

HEART DISEASE & STROKE

Cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke and blood vessel diseases) is the leading cause of death in Australia of both men and women. Despite improvements over the last few decades, it remains one of the biggest burdens on our economy.

Find out more >

KIDNEY DISEASE

Impaired kidney function is common, affecting up to one in six adult Australians, with one in three at risk. In most cases kidney disease is not apparent until almost all kidney function is lost. For those who progress to end stage disease, there are few options and more work is needed to improve outcomes for patients.

Find out more >

DIABETES

Diabetes impacts millions of Australians and Perkins researchers are working to improve diagnostics and treatments for this chronic condition.

Find out more >

MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE

Mitochondria are energy producing machines that are found in all human cells. Defects in mitochondrial function caused by mutations in genes that make mitochondria cause debilitating diseases for which there are no cures and treatments are difficult and limited.

Find out more >

FAQS

What is cancer?

Cancer refers to a group of diseases characterised by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells anywhere in the body. When we’re healthy, cells grow and multiply in a controlled way before naturally dying off to make way for fresh, new cells. If there is damage to a person’s DNA, this can impact the blueprint their cells use to replicate and the cells can become abnormal, which allows them to grow and multiply unmitigated as well as spread to invade other tissues. Mutations that cause abnormal cells can be caused by a number of genetic or environmental factors.

How many types of cancer are there?

Cancer is an umbrella term used to describe collections of out-of-control cells. Cancer cells can arise from almost any type of tissue cell, so cancer actually refers to about 100 different diseases. Cancers are often categorised according to the organ or cell type where the abnormal cells first developed. Terms such as liver cancer, brain cancer and breast cancer etc refer to the primary site where the cancer started. If these cancer cells spread to other parts of the body, they are termed metastatic cancer.

How does cancer develop and spread?

As abnormal cells (those with mistakes in their genetic blueprint) grow and divide, a mass of abnormal cells or a tumour is formed. In some cases these cells will form a detached lump, in other cases such as leukaemia, abnormal blood cells circulate around the body. Cancer cells can break away from the lump (or tumour) and travel through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream to different parts of the body. These cells can settle in other parts of the body to form a secondary cancer or metastasis and can prevent organs from functioning properly.

What causes cancer?

We do not know all of the risks and causes of cancer but medical researchers have discovered many significant genetic and environmental factors that can trigger mistakes in the cellular blueprint that ultimately lead to cancer. Environmental factors that cause cancer are called carcinogens and include tobacco, UV radiation and asbestos. Some cancers are caused by genetic errors and can be hereditary and Perkins researchers are focused on finding more of these disease genes as well as finding new, innovative ways to revert the abnormal cells back into healthy cells and treatments that can attack the cancer cells without damaging healthy tissue.

RESEARCH NEWS & EVENTS

Phase 3 drug trial for rare chronic kidney disease achieves key milestone

Biopharmaceutical company, Dimerix Limited (ASX: DXB, “Dimerix”), which is developing new treatments for types of inflammatory kidney and respiratory diseases, has announced successful interim results of a Phase 3 trial…

Read More

Support needed for doctors offering couples genetic testing

As the number of genetic abnormalities that can be identified in pre and post pregnancy tests reaches the thousands, a national project has been launched to assist doctors as they…

Read More

Predicting immunotherapy effectiveness in late-stage liver cancer

Blood test could hold key to identifying who will respond to immunotherapy after researchers discover biomarkers in liver cancer tissue. Liver cancer researchers at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical…

Read More

Help WA's best medical researchers beat the world's toughest diseases.