Research Updates

Thanks to immunotherapy treatments, many patients achieve longer survival and long-term remission. But not all patients benefit from treatment, and researchers are working to better understand why some cancers respond while others continue to grow. AMRF-funded researcher Lewis Newland, a recipient of a 2024 Post Graduate Scholar Grant, is investigating how the immune system responds […]

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer, with a strong tendency to spread beyond the primary tumour. For many patients, the first destination is the lymphatic system, where melanoma cells establish themselves within nearby lymph nodes. Once melanoma reaches the lymph nodes, the risk of recurrence and progression increases significantly. In

With support from the Australian Melanoma Research Foundation in 2021, Dr Rebecca Simpson explored a fascinating and emerging area of cancer research: the connection between diet, gut health and immunotherapy outcomes. Her work formed part of a major international collaboration involving researchers and patients from Australia, the Netherlands and the United States. Published in Nature

Australian Melanoma Research Foundation-funded research is uncovering new clues to help identify patients at greatest risk of recurrence. While early detection has dramatically improved melanoma outcomes, recurrence remains one of the greatest challenges facing patients and clinicians. Many melanomas are successfully treated when first diagnosed, yet some patients experience the return of their disease months

Immunotherapy has transformed the treatment landscape for melanoma, giving hope to patients who previously had limited treatment options. Yet for many people, these treatments do not work as expected, or stop working over time. With support from the Australian Melanoma Research Foundation, researcher Dr Laura Nicholls, under the supervision of Dr Jessamy Tiffen at the

Determining whether a melanoma remains confined to the surface of the skin or has progressed to an invasive form can be one of the most challenging decisions clinicians face. Thanks to funding support from the Australian Melanoma Research Foundation awarded in 2022 in honour of Warren Meanwell, researcher Dr Bruna Melhoranse Gouveia from Melanoma Institute

With a PhD in computer science and a focus on biomedical image analysis, Dr Priyanka Rana is bringing a data-driven approach to melanoma research at Macquarie University. Her work, in part funded by the Australian Melanoma Research Foundation, uses AI to identify patterns in melanoma tissue samples that can predict a patient’s response to immunotherapy;