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RESEARCH OVERVIEW

We are interested in the cancer microenvironment or tumour stroma which consists of various cell types, including immune cells and blood vessels, and supports cancer growth. Our research program aims to understand how stromal cells are remodelled, and the extent to which stromal networks regulate cancer progression. We have shown that the tumour microenvironment is highly dynamic and can be re-programmed or remodelled to enhance immune cell uptake and overall response to immunotherapy. Furthermore, we have developed precision tools to specifically target abnormal stromal features to disrupt and re-program signalling networks between multiple stromal components and to break the vicious cycle of disease progression and relapse.

Utilising a suite of preclinical cancer models which includes genetically modified mouse models of pancreatic cancers, orthotopic cancer models of breast, lung, brain and melanoma, and human cancer specimens our goal is to develop new drugs that can increase the survival rate and quality of life of cancer patients.

Professor Ruth Ganss

Professor Ruth Ganss

Cancer Microenvironment

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LATEST NEWS

image shows ovarian cancer cells from various patients in various colours to show tumour elements

“Google map” of ovarian tumours reveals cancer cells control who gets into their neighbourhood

Perth researchers find some ovarian cancer cells appear to tell immune system to stay away. “Spatial transcriptomics reveals discrete tumour microenvironments and autocrine loops within ovarian cancer subclones” published in the journal Nature Communications A cross-town collaboration involving researchers from the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, St John of…

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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 Research have discovered a link between a specific immune cell found in some patients with advanced liver cancer and how…

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World melanoma expert exposes sailor’s skin cancer risk

Perth based cancer researcher Professor Jonas Nilsson regularly sees in his laboratory just how damaging sun exposure is to our skin as he investigates ways to treat melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. However, his extensive knowledge about the risks of sun exposure doesn’t stop him fulfilling his…

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