THERAPIES FOR CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKAEMIA
Professor Tim Hughes
Clinical Director Precision Cancer Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)
& Consultant Haematologist, Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia
RESEARCHER PROFILE (Filmed in Adelaide, South Australia | December 2024)
Professor Tim Hughes is the Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia Group Leader at SAHMRI, Clinical Director in the Precision Cancer Medicine Theme at SAHMRI and Consultant Haematologist in the Division of Haematology at SA Pathology and at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
He is also Inaugural Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS) and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
Professor Hughes is an international expert in the biology and treatment of leukaemia. He led the establishment of the molecular response criteria that are used world-wide to measure response in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and has led many of the key Global and National trials. His group has successfully developed predictive bioassays and molecular targets that influence the way CML patients are managed world-wide. He has published over 350 papers that have been cited over 65,000 times.
He has been recognised for his achievements with several national awards including the GSK Award for Research Excellence in 2017 for pioneering the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and the Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research in 2019. He was also awarded the International CML Foundation Goldman Prize in 2017 for lifetime contributions to improving outcomes for patients with CML.
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Treatment pathways for chronic plantar heel pain
Jason Rogers is a Tasmanian physiotherapist clinician-researcher with a longstanding interest in improving musculoskeletal foot and ankle conditions. He completed his PhD at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania in 2022 investigating the clinical and imaging factors associated with a common foot complaint known as chronic plantar heel pain.
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Targeting chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer patients
Dr Alex Cole, from the Centenary Institute’s Centre for Biomedical AI, is now leading the research focused on developing a new treatment to counteract a protein called follistatin (FST), known for making ovarian cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy.
By employing cutting-edge molecular biology and directed evolution techniques, the project aims to create nanobodies—small, precise molecules—that can block FST. If successful, these nanobodies could enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and improve ovarian cancer treatment rates.
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Public health and research into Ear, Nose and Throat conditions
Associate Professor Paul Paddle is an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon, head and neck surgeon with fellowship training in Laryngology – Voice, airway and Swallowing disorders. Working at Monash Health and Monash Children’s hospital, Paul has extensive experience managing a wide range of paediatric ENT conditions, from neonates to adolescents. He is also an active researcher in paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea and sleep disorders.
