The ACRF Centre for Advanced Cancer Modelling is set to revolutionise the way cancer patients are treated through the development of tailored, real-time treatment approaches.
It will develop and apply more specialised and personalised treatment options, using cutting-edge technology and fostering collaboration between clinical, research and bioengineering experts.
The centre was made possible by ACRF’s first major contribution to Macquarie University, through its 2023 Grant Awards Program.
The Lead Investigator of the Centre and of Macquarie’s Precision Cancer Therapy Research Team, Professor Helen Rizos, said ACRF’s generous grant to facilitate the opening of the centre was a game-changer for the University’s cancer research.
“The centre will allow us to develop clinical models of treatment efficacy, while also supporting fundamental research to enhance existing therapies and develop new treatments,” she said.
“It will allow us to push the boundaries of personalised medicine and bring hope to countless patients facing cancer.”
ACRF CEO Kerry Strydom said the Foundation was thrilled to enable Macquarie University's innovative approach to cancer research.
"This project exemplifies our commitment to backing brilliant, world-class research that has the potential to transform the detection, treatment, and prevention of cancer,” she said.
“Thanks to the generosity of our community, ACRF has funded more than 90 ground-breaking research projects across Australia, totalling over $204 million awarded in grants.
“We are excited to see what the dedicated team behind the ACRF Centre for Advanced Cancer Modelling can achieve for all Australians impacted by cancer.”
The centre was officially launched with an event on campus, including the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, an afternoon tea and lab tours for supporters.
The ACRF Centre for Advanced Cancer Modelling will initially focus on two key research themes:
Real-time selection of effective therapies using lab-grown cancer models
Macquarie scientists have successfully grown cancer cells in the lab using a new Rastrum 3D cell printer funded by the ACRF grant, and they are now using an advanced automated system powered by AI to analyse the 3D models.
This system will process images, remove background noise, and characterise cancer cell colonies to measure how cancer cells respond to different treatments.
The goal is to use these lab-grown models to test potential cancer treatments to help doctors more quickly and effectively select the best therapy options for their patients.
Examining mechanisms of treatment resistance and restoring treatment response
Using advanced technology, including the ACRF-funded Lunaphore COMET platform, Centre researchers will examine 3D-printed tumour samples to gain a deeper understanding of treatment resistance in melanoma and how the body's immune system remembers and responds to cancer.
With a focus on melanoma, researchers will investigate why some patients respond well to immunotherapy while others don't, with an aim to understand immune cell behaviour and develop strategies to enhance immunotherapy effectiveness.
Learn more about the work of the ACRF Centre for Advanced Cancer Modelling
