Professor David Wiesenfeld, VCCC Research and Education Lead for Head and Neck Cancer recently hosted a forum to bring together laboratory scientists and clinical researchers to better understand cancers of the head and neck therefore assisting the discovery of new and effective interventions for prevention and treatment.
The meeting focussed on key research areas:
Using tumour tissue collected at surgery or during a biopsy, Associate Professor Oliver Sieber’s group at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute is developing “avatars” of cancers in the laboratory with goals of studying the biological characteristics of an individual's cancer and guiding personalised treatment recommendations. This “living biobank” will serve as a powerful tool for selecting the most promising new treatments for testing in clinical trials and has the potential to accelerate effective treatments. Professor Rob Ramsay’s group from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre showed data that for adenoid cystic carcinoma the culture conditions still have to be optimised.
A good laboratory model of cancer that closely mimics the human tumour environment is required to guide clinical decision-making and evaluate novel therapies for head and neck cancer. Dr Charbel Darido’s investigations within the Cancer Therapeutic Program at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre are made possible through genetically engineered mouse models. The models open the possibility to conduct research projects on innovative ways to model the immune system and microbiome together with cancer cells in the laboratory.
Immunotherapy has shown great promise in treating skin and some head and neck tumours. Drs Minyu Wang and Annette Lim’s work comprehensively maps the individual cell types that are present in head and neck tumours, with a goal of identifying the underlying function of the immune system. Their work has potential for novel drug targets and development of new immunotherapies for the treatment of head and neck cancer. Post-doctoral Fellow, Lloyd Pereira reported on further work in which the generation of DNA vaccines against adenoid cystic cancer is informing the clinical trials portfolio with the intent of improving and broadening the scope of treatments for patients.
General dental practitioners don’t necessarily have the training and experience to distinguish potentially malignant lesions; hence, many patients are referred to a specialist clinic for a definitive diagnosis. This may present issues for patients such as cost, the need for anaesthesia, bleeding risks and inconvenience of the procedure. There is a need for novel, non-invasive tests that will overcome these barriers, so that more cancers can be detected at an earlier stage. Dr Tami Yap, Lecturer in Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology, Melbourne Dental School reports they have partnered with Optiscan to improve screening and early diagnosis of oral cancer. The state-of-the-art confocal laser endomicroscope, hand-held microscope uses a laser light and confocal optics to painlessly perform “digital biopsies”.
The symposium provided a showcase for the six groups currently researching Head and Neck Cancer within the VCCC. Over 40 interested clinicians and scientists attended the symposium which has already generated ideas for future head and neck research collaborations, both within the VCCC, and with external organisations. Further targeted symposia are planned for later this year.
For enquiries, contact VCCC Program Manager, Dr Jasper de Boer, e: [email protected].
