Ovarian Cancer

The silent killer, a leading cause of death in women. 

Poor understanding of its pathobiology, the lack of early detection tests, and significant chemoresistance of the late-stage disease are some of the key reasons for poor outcomes observed in patients.

We aim to develop: 

1. An early detection test for ovarian cancer patients
2. New, less-toxic and cost-effective therapeutic treatments against chemoresistant cancer
3. Novel prevention strategies against ovarian cancer

Endometrial Cancer

Fourth most common cancer affecting women and the most common form of gynaecological cancer in the developed world. 

The incidence of endometrial cancer has been rising with a higher prevalence of obesity and increased life expectancy. At the same time, relative survival has not improved over the past decades.

We aim to develop:

1. New conservative fertility-sparing treatments for young endometrial cancer patients
2. Novel approaches to treat the late stage metastatic chemoresistant disease
3. Unique blood-based biomarkers to diagnose the disease early before it spread outside the uterus.

Endometriosis

830,000+ Australian women and girls (190 million worldwide) are living with endometriosis.

Affects more than 10% of women of reproductive age, and approximately 50% of affected women experience severe chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Despite the profound adverse effects of this chronic condition on individual functioning and quality of life, diagnosis can take 5-12 years and there is no cure for endometriosis.

We aim to develop:

1. Non-hormonal, non-surgical treatments for endometriosis
2. Disease-specific biomarkers to diagnose the disease early
3. Tools to predict endometriosis recurrence after surgical treatments.

Vulvovaginal Diseases

The ‘unhappy disease’ is the most common reason for gynaecological consultation 

• About 30% of women with vulvovaginal diseases go without a diagnosis even after a complete evaluation using the most advanced testing methods. Even when a diagnosis is made, treatments are often ineffective, or the benefit is of short duration.
• Patients experience significant physical and emotional problems yet vulvovaginal diseases remain unappreciated in the broader medical community and are sometimes even regarded as minor annoyance to women.
• Regardless of the underlying cause, treatments for vulvovaginal diseases aim to control the symptoms rather than cure the condition, and in over 30% of cases, recurrence is common following the recommended treatment.

We aim to develop: 

1. A scientifically rationalised approach for the management and treatment of vulvovaginal diseases.

Fibroids

Affects up to 70% of women during their reproductive years 

• Represent a significant source of gynaecological and obstetrical problems. Despite the major health care burden posed by fibroids, very little is known about their cause or the best treatment strategies.

We aim to develop:

1. A blood-based test that will be able to differentiate between active and static disease states, allowing stratification of patients for personalised management of their disease
2. Non-surgical, non-hormonal treatments for fibroids