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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

Dr Ankur Sharma in front of MRI image at Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research

New liver cancer blood test gets $2.5m research funding boost

Predicting relapse for one of the world's deadliest cancers. Perth cancer researchers are on track to improve the outcomes of patients with the most common type of primary liver cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most aggressive cancer types. Patients typically suffer a high rate of treatment failures.…

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people in lab coats inside a cancer laboratory

ACRF Centre for Advanced Cancer Genomics opens in Perth

Latest technology analyses WA cancer patient tumours. The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Centre for Advanced Cancer Genomics, housing the next generation DNA sequencing technology, was opened today at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research by the Federal Member for Curtin, Ms Kate Chaney. ACRF CEO, Kerry Strydom, in…

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Reasons for hope this festive season

Prof Peter Leedman AO, Director of the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, provided the following end-of-year observations about the outlook for medical research in WA to The West Australian, published on Friday, 16 December 2022. This article may be published behind a paywall. The end of one year and…

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