The Cancer Program is led by Professor Pilar Blancafort.
The mission of the Perkins Cancer Program is to transform cancer outcomes by uncovering the molecular and cellular causes, advancing early detection methods, and developing precision treatments for poor prognosis cancers, specifically women’s cancers (breast, ovarian), liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, melanoma and head and neck cancers.
Perkins Cancer Researchers are working towards understanding cancer, detecting it sooner and treating it smarter by:
Perkins researchers have made major discoveries in the field of cancer including uncovering the SLIRP gene which controls hormone production in breast and prostate cancers, the tumour suppressor gene HLS5 and a process for normalising blood vessels in tumours to allow more effective absorption of cancer-combating drugs. Detailed information about our cancer laboratories can be found below.
All donations of $2 and over are tax deductible in Australia.
Perkins is registered with the Australian Taxation Office as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR): Charitable Fundraising Authority No DGR CC20761
The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research recognises Australia’s first healers and scientists, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation, the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live and work, and pay respects to their elders past and present.