Centre for Clinical Cancer Genomics

Research into the critical genes and their mutations, the discipline of genomics, is essential to inform and develop novel and innovative treatments, improve responses and outcomes for our patients.

Peter Mac’s Centre for Clinical Cancer Genomics is the pre-eminent cancer genomics centre in Australia. Our investments in clinical cancer genomics promote excellence nationally and internationally, and our breakthroughs give our patients the most specialised and advanced diagnosis and treatment.

At the centre we continually build our expertise and increase the specialised bench-to-bedside translation of research findings for adoption in the clinical setting. Our facilities enable increased access to genomic research for our clinical and research staff, as well as external users.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre’s Clinical Cancer Genomics Centre attracts the best talent, so we can train and educate the future global leaders in clinical cancer genomics.

Unique across the world, our lab-to-bedside genomics model supports the development of targeted agents and collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, as well as novel clinical trial design to enable the most impact on our patients

Our Work

Recent achievements of Genomics at Peter Mac:

• Developed an in-house molecular genomics diagnostic decision support tool, Path-OS, that uses cutting edge software tools and a clinical information exchange platform to provide the clinician with a comprehensive account of the patient’s genomic landscape, a list of “actionable” mutations and detail regarding current clinical trials that might be amenable to that clinician and his / her patient
• Established a Molecular Tumour Board (MTB) involving VCCC clinicians and researchers to review cases to enable the best possible approach to the management of patients based on genomic sequencing
• Peter Mac has collaborated with Pharma and Biotechnology companies to be at the forefront of the clinical development of target agents and new technology

The Centre for Clinical Cancer Genomics undertakes a range of activities to progress cancer genomics and deliver the latest technology to patients. Key activities of CCCG include:

• Genomic & Molecular Pathology including molecular panels for familial and somatic cancers and haematology panels enabling precision diagnosis and treatment
• Genomic Research including clinical genomic research programs e.g. MGHA, AGHA, Cancer2015, genomic test R&D, personalised medicine initiatives and resources which are integral to supporting cancer genomics research such as Genomics core facility, bioinformatics core, clinical informatics and compute infrastructure
• Molecular Diagnostic Software – PathOS, a unique automated software solution, provides decision support tools for understanding genetic mutations
• Germline Testing for familial cancers including breast, ovarian, endometrial, prostate, GI, colorectal and pancreatic
• Clinical Trials – specialising the clinical trials central testing
• Partnerships for genomics – the CCCG actively participates in genomic partnerships and pursues commercial arrangements
• Participation in the monthly VCCC Molecular Tumour Board to provide molecular analysis of individual patients tumours to enable a multi-disciplinary approach to clinical care and research
• A TIA funded facility fully integrated into the largest cancer specific NATA-accredited molecular pathology laboratory. The facility is able to offer conventional and bespoke state-of-the-art protein, RNA and DNA molecular pathology services as above with particular emphasis on ancillary biomarker studies in small and large-scale clinical trials

The Team

The CCCG is led by Stephen Fox, Director of Pathology and supported by Cancer Research Division and the Cancer Medicine Division.

Peter Mac has a number of cancer genomics professionals who are experts in:

• Genomic research
• Bioinformatics
• Clinical informatics

Related experts

Stephen Fox

Dominic Wall

Ricky Johnstone

Tony Papenfuss

David Westerman

Piers Blombery

Anthony Bell

Andrew Fellows