12 world-class cancer research projects helping us reach a cancer free future, sooner

Each year Cancer Council NSW funds ground-breaking cancer research projects. Although these projects focus on different cancers, treatments, and research areas, they all have one thing in common – they’re helping us reach our vision of a cancer free future, sooner.

This year, thanks to the support of our incredible fundraisers and donors, we’ve been able to award more than $5.2 million in funding to 12 world-class cancer research projects.

These eminent and emerging cancer researchers are investigating new treatments and solutions to common treatment challenges. The projects span a range of cancers, including common cancers like breast and prostate, and rarer cancers such as childhood cancer. 

Funding is awarded through an independent process with projects assessed on their scientific merit and potential impact for the community. 

• Leveraging stem-like memory T cells for effective anti-cancer mRNA vaccines, Associate Professor Joanna Groom, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research 

• Engineering childhood cancer for precision medicine, Professor Maria Kavallaris, Children’s Cancer Institute

• Harnessing androgen-mediated viral mimicry to improve immunotherapy in prostate cancer, Associate Professor Luke Selth, Flinders University 

• Extending the benefit of immunotherapy for children with solid cancers, Dr Klaartje Somers, Children’s Cancer Institute

• Protein Biosignatures for Predicting Recurrence of Stage II Colorectal Cancer, Dr Seong Beom Ahn, Macquarie University 

• Developing personalised treatments for pancreatic cancer, Associate Professor Marina Pajic, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research

• Improving outcomes for a devastating childhood leukaemia, Professor Richard Lock, Children’s Cancer Institute

• Developing an immunotherapy for triple negative breast cancer, Associate Professor David Gallego Ortega, University of Technology Sydney  

• Targeting childhood cancer where it begins, Professor Murray Norris, Children’s Cancer Institute

• Designing a targeted treatment for aggressive lung cancer, Associate Professor Thomas Cox, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research

• Overcoming a major treatment challenge in advanced prostate cancer, Professor Jeffrey Holst, University of New South Wales 

• Targeting cellular plasticity to prevent and treat chemotherapy-resistant disease, Dr Beatriz Perez San Juan, University of New South Wales

Without the support of our incredible community, we wouldn’t be able to fund research and grow our collective understanding of how to better diagnose and treat cancer.

Your help ensures that we’re here for life.