Exciting announcements from the Leukaemia Foundation, HSANZ and state government for Victorian and Western Australian research.
From landmark funding in WA, to biobank expansion in Victoria and exceptional new PhD projects, recent weeks have marked a significant step forward for blood cancer research.
Let’s get into it.
THE LARGEST NON-GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN BLOOD CANCER RESEARCH IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S HISTORY
The Leukaemia Foundation, in partnership with The University of Western Australia (UWA), has announced a $3 million investment to establish the Leukaemia Foundation Tony Fini Endowed Chair in Blood Cancer.
This creates a permanent platform for research collaboration between leading WA scientists, hospitals, medical research institutes and national and international blood cancer communities.
The chair will be based at UWA and focus on prevention, early detection and diagnostics, areas that have historically received less than a tenth of blood cancer research funding in Australia.
The initiative also represents the tripling of the Leukaemia Foundation’s investment in blood cancer research in the state over the past 25 years.
“This is a legacy-defining moment for blood cancer research in Western Australia,” Leukaemia Foundation head of research, Bill Stavreski, told media.
“Blood cancer continues to be one of the nation’s most rapidly increasing cancers, with cases rising by a staggering 90% since 2003.
“Without significant intervention, the number of Australians diagnosed each year is expected to double within 10-15 years.”
Despite incredible advances in treatment, Mr Stavreski said that diagnosis was often made in the advanced stages.
“Earlier detection means treatments are more effective, less invasive and less costly, and that means better outcomes for patients and their families,” he said.
“Every day, 55 Australians will be newly diagnosed with blood cancer and a further 17 will sadly lose their life to the disease with blood cancer remaining one of the nation’s deadliest cancers.”
PHD SCHOLARSHIPS FOR BLOOD CANCER RESEARCH
The Leukaemia Foundation and The Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand (HSANZ) have once again awarded PhD scholarships to blood cancer researchers and clinicians.
The three 2025 recipients, each set to receive $150,000 for their research, were announced at the annual Blood conference in Perth.
Dr Tamasine Stewart, a haematology laboratory registrar at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, aims to improve diagnostic, prognostication and treatment for patients with bone marrow failure and cancer predisposition conditions.
Using a new stem cell culture platform, she will study the underlying biology of these diseases and look at repurposing existing medicines and gene therapy.
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Dr David Kipp, a clinical haematology and bone marrow transplant physician at the Alfred Hospital, will be investigating the role of chromosomal instability and DNA sensing in cellular senescence in myelofibrosis.
While there are treatments for myelofibrosis symptom management, there is nothing to prevent its worsening or progression to leukaemia.
A key challenge is that senescent cells in the bone marrow impede healthy cellular growth and reduce the success of stem cell transplants.
By preventing bone marrow damage early, the risk of developing aggressive leukaemia could be reduced, stem cell transplant success could be improved and new therapies could be developed that target the disease rather than the symptoms.
Ms Jessica Bowden, a pathology scientist at the University of South Australia, will look at a novel treatment to improve survival in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
AML is particularly aggressive, often returning after treatment, and fewer than three in ten patients survive beyond five years.
Venetoclax is a promising new therapy, particular for people who cannot tolerate intensive chemotherapy. However, patients stop responding over time and overcoming this treatment resistance remains one of the greatest challenges in AML care.
Recent research found that the molecule CD93 is much higher in patients whose cancer is resistant to treatment, and early findings suggest that it ‘switches on’ survival pathways inside leukaemia cells, allowing them to evade therapy and continue growing.
The new research project will look at targeting CD93 signalling and testing new treatment strategies to overcome treatment resistance.
EXPANDED BIOBANK FUNDING
The Victorian Government has announced further funding for childhood cancer research.
Minister for economic growth and jobs Danny Pearson announced the funding of two research teams under the Children’s Cancer CoLab’s Innovation Accelerators Impact Program.
Monash Children’s Cancer Biobank will receive a $360,000 grant, while over $410,000 will go to the Hudson Institute Living Biobank.
“Biobanks are a critical resource for Victoria’s researchers and specialist hospitals – facilities like these underpin the state’s position as a global leader in medical research and biotechnology,” Mr Pearson told media.
“We’re backing the life-changing work of Victoria’s world-class researchers to develop breakthroughs in children’s cancer treatment and bring new hope to children and their families.”
Children’s Cancer CoLab CEO Udani Reets said the funding transforms donated tumour samples into accessible resources essential for high-impact research.
