Transforming Cancer Care Through Precision Research

The Cancer research theme brings together experts in oncology, genomics, proteomics, cell biology and translational science to tackle some of the most challenging cancers.

Our work spans blood cancers, brain tumours, breast cancer, prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer, with a strong focus on precision medicine and improving treatment safety. Using cutting-edge technologies such as multi-omics, spatial transcriptomics and advanced preclinical models, we uncover molecular vulnerabilities, develop targeted therapies and design innovative clinical strategies.

Through collaboration with clinicians, patients, industry and global partners, we aim to reduce the burden of cancer and deliver better outcomes for patients.

Our researchers work within the Hunter Medical Research Institute's Precision Medicine and Health and Cancer Detection and Therapy programs.

Research focuses

Adult and Paediatric Blood Cancers

Advancing precision medicine for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, acute myeloid leukaemia, myelodysplasias and related blood cancers.

Researchers

Key activities

  • Developing targeted therapies and combination strategies to overcome drug resistance
  • Profiling epigenetic heterogeneity and treatment resistance using single-cell multi-omics
  • Integrating proteogenomics and phosphoproteomics for functional precision medicine
  • Translating discoveries into biomarker-driven clinical trials.
Adult and Paediatric Brain Cancers

Driving innovation in treatment for glioblastoma and diffuse midline glioma.

Researchers: Matt Dun, Paul Tooney, Hubert Hondermarck

Key activities
  • Applying multi-omics and machine learning to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities
  • Developing adaptive clinical trial designs for rare and aggressive brain cancers
  • Investigating tumour–vasculature interactions and resistance mechanisms
  • Exploring neuro-oncology biomarkers for early detection and monitoring.
Breast Cancer Biology and Therapeutics

Improving outcomes for triple negative and therapy-resistant ER+ and HER2+ breast cancers.

Researchers: Hubert Hondermarck, Nikki Verrills, Rodney Scott, Murray Cairns, Heather Lee

Key activities
  • Identifying molecular drivers of treatment resistance and relapse
  • Developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting tumour suppressor pathways
  • Investigating nerve–tumour interactions and their role in cancer progression
  • Translating biomarker discoveries into personalised treatment approaches.
Prostate Cancer and Bone Metastases

Understanding and targeting metastatic spread in prostate cancer.

Researchers: Hubert Hondermarck, Chen Chen Jiang

Key activities
  • Studying tumour–nerve signaling and its role in bone metastases
  • Identifying biomarkers for metastatic progression and treatment response
  • Developing strategies to block nerve-driven cancer growth
  • Translating findings into new therapeutic interventions.
Pancreatic Cancer

Developing therapies against pancreatic cancer.

Researchers: Chen Chen Jiang, Hubert Hondermarck

Key activities
  • Studying tumour-nerve interactions in pancreatic cancer initiation and progression.
  • Repurposing drugs to pancreatic cancer.
Pharmacogenomics & Cardio-oncology

Enhancing treatment safety and personalisation through pharmacogenomics and cardio-oncology.

Researchers: Doan Ngo, Rodney Scott

Key activities
  • Developing strategies to prevent chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity
  • Applying pharmacogenomic testing to reduce adverse drug reactions
  • Integrating genomic risk profiling into clinical decision-making
  • Driving innovation in personalised cancer care and survivorship.