Tumor bank Newsletter - January 2020

Tumor bank Newsletter - January 2020

THE TUMOUR BANK BULLETIN SUMMER - 20 20 Vol. 3 No. 2

Welcome to the first The Tumour Bank Bulletin for 20 20 ! With fresh faces and a fresh outlook, we are excited to be propelling toward 2020—a year which looks to hold great change and innovation. In this edition we reveal how the Tumour Bank is expanding and re-branding and learn about an exciting study into ovarian cancer. We explore the future direction of the

INSIDE THIS EDITION

I N S I D E T H I S E D I T I O N : New Year New Outlook 1 Individualised Ovarian Cancer Treatment 2 2 2 Welcome 1

participate in our bank

biobank industry globally and let you know how family and friends can

too. We hope you enjoy the latest edition of The Tumour Bank Bulletin .

WE’RE EXPANDING! The Kolling Institute Tumour Bank is undergoing some exciting changes! We will be bringing in the New Year with a new location, a new look and a new set of skills. We are currently undergoing a facility upgrade boasting a doubled work space, allowing the capability to house all of our processing equipment in the one location and boosting sample processing efficiency. Coinciding with this is a re-brand, with one of our own artistically gifted staff members creating a fantastic new logo. Designer, Gary Pan, says the inspiration for the logo came from looking into the core (cont. pg 2.)

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4 ABNA Conference 3

Biobanking: The Fact 4

CONTACT US

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Contact Us 4

of what we do - preservation of molecular information. The iconic double helix, together with the overlapping outlines gives a sense of movement; reflecting our de- termination to remain progressive and help shape the future of medical research. Also, the team’s robust resolve to deliver the best quality samples for research is captured in the striking lines and resilient diamond shape at the centre of the piece. Firing on all fronts, we now have two Phleboto- mists on board, enabling us to re-commence blood collections for our Healthy Volunteer Bank. Healthy Volunteer blood is important in research as it provides a baseline comparison from which to determine where the differences lie in a sample carrying a disease. It is these differences which are then targeted as new

treatments and diagnostic methods are developed.

DO YOU WANT TO HELP US FIND A CURE FOR CANCER? We are looking for healthy volunteers who: - Have not had cancer - Have not donated to our bank before - Are over the age of 18 (no upper age limit) - Have not been hospitalised in the last 6 months If you are interested in participating please contact us on 9926 4771 to arrange a time.

This project has been approved by the Northern Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee Version 1. 3 rd July 2014

understand which new treatment might be most effective. How does it work? Our genes are made up of DNA, which is the chemical structure that determines many of our human characteristics, from eye colour to height. It could also hold the link to understanding why some people develop certain diseases and others don’t; or explain why some people respond well to a treatment while others may experience side effects, or no response at all. By studying the genetic makeup of tumours, the INOVATe team hope to better classify ovarian cancer into different molecular subtypes and determine which chemotherapeutics and/or molecular target drugs have the strongest chance of the best outcome for women with ovarian cancer. In partnership with INOVATe, the Kolling Institute Tumour Bank collects tumour and blood samples from consented patients from which these genetic studies can be performed. This

then allows the patients to be matched with the most appropriate clinical trials for their unique molecular markers. In the long term, the ultimate goal is to use the knowledge gained to personalise treatment and improve the overall outcomes for women with ovarian cancer. We would like to acknowledge the clinical team at Royal North Shore Hospital and The Mater involved in this work: Gynaecological Surgeons Drs Greg Gard, Sue Valmadre and A/Prof Russell Hogg; Clinical Nurse Consultant Jayne Maidens; Medical Oncologists Drs Sally Baron-Hay and Connie Diakos; and Pathologist Dr David Nevell.

INOVATe

Recent research has identified a number of molecular events in ovarian cancer cells that can be targeted with newly developed therapies. A team of clinicians and scientists led by Prof Anna DeFazio and funded by the Cancer Institute NSW, are personalising treatment selection by developing a panel of screening tests that will help doctors more precisely tailor treatment plans for women with ovarian cancer. Our local project team is led by Prof Deborah Marsh and gynaecological surgeon Dr Greg Gard. Within the last decade, rapid progress has been made in the creation of numerous targeted treatments for various cancer types with great improvement seen in survival for patients with melanoma and women with breast cancer. The INOVATe Study is a state-wide collaboration across several NSW hospitals, universities and research institutes, determining the genetic nature of ovarian tumours to

AUSTRALASIAN BIOSPECIMEN NETWORK ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

The 17 th Annual Conference of the Australasian Biospecimen Network Association (ABNA) was held in Cairns in October, with this year’s focus being all about looking to- ward the future. For biobanking, this means developing an expansive and sustainable operational model, that also accounts for disaster recovery planning; strengthen- ing ties between the global net- work of biobanks via the sharing of infrastructure and specimens; and ensuring the quality of all specimens stored in the banks and issued for research. Our very own Ussha Pillai, Senior Tumour Bank Officer, pre- sented some of her work to confer- ence delegates. One of Ussha’s areas of focus this past year has

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www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au

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