A high-tech microscope slide promising to revolutionize medical imaging has been named a Eureka Prize finalist for 2022, in the Innovative Use of Technology category.
Developed by La Trobe University researchers in partnership with Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Garvan Institute of Medical Research, the NanoMslide enables pathologists to detect breast cancer at the earliest stage of development.
Co-inventor, Professor Brian Abbey from La Trobe University, said by applying a coating created using cutting edge nanofabrication technology, the research team has turned the humble glass microscope slide into a diagnostic lab.
“Comparing images from our slides to conventional staining is a bit like watching colour television when all you’ve seen before is black and white,” Professor Abbey said.
“The coating on the slide causes light to interact differently with cancer tissue compared to healthy tissue which results in a striking colour contrast, making it easier to detect abnormal cells.”
Professor Abbey said the NanoMslide could make diagnosing early-stage breast cancer fast, cost-effective and more reliable.
“The slide can be used on any microscope, anywhere – from a world-class hospital to a field clinic in a developing country – meaning the possibilities are endless,” Professor Abbey said.
Professor Abbey has spent more than six years developing the technology along with co-inventor Dr Eugeniu Balaur, also at La Trobe University, and Associate Professor Belinda Parker, a cancer research expert from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
They demonstrated how it could be used to accurately diagnose very early-stage breast cancer, as part of a pre-clinical patient study (published in Nature in 2021). This work was conducted in collaboration with the Garvan Institute in Sydney using samples collected as part of a National Breast Cancer screening program.
Associate Professor Parker said early diagnosis is critical in breast cancer patients.
“More and more cancers are now being diagnosed at an early, pre-invasive stage. Accurate diagnosis of this stage of breast cancer is critical for early intervention and better patient outcomes,” Associate Professor Parker said.
“NanoMslide allows cancer cells to be distinguished from surrounding normal tissue, increasing the chance of picking up very few cancer cells in a complex tissue under the microscope. This has huge potential for early diagnosis.”
Clear detection of early cancer cells has wide ranging implications, from more successful patient outcomes to a reduction in the side effects of treatments, to a massive reduction in the cost of treatment.
Whilst this initial research has focused on breast cancer, the applications for NanoMslide are wide ranging, with lung, melanoma, and colon cancer already being explored for future diagnostic applications. The technology has the potential to be used across multiple industries where precise detection of specific chemicals is required.
The NanoMslide is a finalist in the 2022 Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology. Eureka Prize 2022 winners will be announced on Wednesday, 31 August 2022.
About the Eureka Prize
The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are the country’s most comprehensive national science awards, honouring excellence across the areas of research and innovation, leadership, science engagement, and school science. Presented annually in partnership with some of the nation's leading scientific institutions, government organisations, universities and corporations, the Eureka Prizes raise the profile of science and science engagement in the community by celebrating outstanding achievement. Since the prizes were established in 1990, more than four million dollars in prize money, and a total of 451 Eureka Prizes have been awarded. More here: https://australian.museum/get-involved/eureka-prizes/
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Following an international competitive process, Professor Linda Mileshkin has been appointed to the position of Medical Director, Medical Oncology.
Professor Mileshkin is a highly accomplished medical oncologist and clinician scientist and has been Deputy Director of Medical Oncology at Peter Mac since 2017. Since November last year has acted in the role and has successfully led the team through some very challenging months during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She has done much to improve the clinical model and to support and mentor her colleagues, trainees and junior faculty.
With 176 publications accepted in peer-reviewed journals including in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Blood, Cancer, Lancet Oncology and Nature, Linda’s research output is impressive. An investigator on 58 successful peer-reviewed grant applications, which have attracted funds of over $15 million, Professor Mileshkin has been chief investigator on seven National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants, nine Cancer Australia grants, and three Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grants.
Her work leading academic clinical trials in the adjuvant therapy of endometrial and cervical cancer has changed clinical practice and international guidelines for recommended work-up and treatment. Last year, Professor Mileshkin presented what we believe was Peter Mac’s first Plenary session at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting. There she presented the practice-changing outcomes of OUTBACK - a Phase III clinical trial that assessed chemotherapy plus standard treatment for women with locally advanced cervical cancer.
From 2018 to 2021 Linda was the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance (VCCC Alliance) Research and Education Lead for Gynaecological Cancer. She is the Research Lead for the gynaecological cancer stream within the Parkville Cancer Clinical Trials Unit (PCCTU), and a Research Advisory Committee and Board member for the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG). She was also recently appointed as new Chair of the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) Gynaecological Oncology Group.
Linda has a particular interest in Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP). She runs Australia’s only specialist clinic dedicated to the care of people affected by CUP, and has established a national network of clinicians and researchers working on a suite of studies in this area.
A Professor in the Department of Medicine at St Vincent’s Hospital, The University of Melbourne and an Honorary Member of the Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology at The University of Melbourne, Professor Mileshkin is also the Director of Physician Training at Peter Mac.
Peter Mac breast cancer clinician researcher, and Clinical Head of the Breast Medical Oncology Unit Professor Prue Francis has had her outstanding achievements acknowledged by Breast Cancer Trials, (previously ANZBCTG) who have awarded her a gold medal.
In addition to providing excellent patient care at Peter Mac and St. Vincent’s hospitals, Professor Francis has worked with Breast Cancer Trials for more than 25 years. She is an international leader in breast cancer trials and clinical implementation, and her efforts have improved outcomes for people with breast cancer across the world.
Professor Francis has overseen the development and roll-out of many clinical trials, providing support and scientific input, notably as the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee (2017-21) for Breast Cancer Trials, and previously Deputy Chair of the committee from 2012-17.
In congratulating her, a colleague described Professor Francis as, “an incredibly enthusiastic, humble and generous researcher,” adding, “she has facilitated many careers within Peter Mac and well beyond, by mentoring other clinical researchers and assisting them with developing their research ideas.”
Professor Francis reflected, “I feel very honoured to have received this award, acknowledging that clinical trials research requires the sustained efforts of many dedicated people, contributing in different roles, with a common goal of improving future breast cancer outcomes."
"It has been very gratifying to see the improvements over time that have resulted from clinical trials in breast cancer”.
Breast Cancer Trials is one of the world’s leading breast cancer research organisations, dedicated to finding new and better treatments and prevention strategies for people affected by the disease.
Peter Mac warmly congratulates Professor Francis, and thanks her for her enormous contributions to advancing treatment and care.
Peter Mac experts visited Methodist Ladies College last week, speaking to students about their work, Peter Mac, and the future of STEM.
Nine Peter Mac speakers discussed their work and careers, four delivering keynote speeches. They joined colleagues from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), the Doherty Institute, and the Alfred Hospital.
Dr Elizabeth Christie, Group Leader in Peter Mac’s Cancer Evolution and Metastasis Program shared her career path and some of her research findings, explaining “I hoped to inspire young people who have an interest in science and medicine."
"I also believe that you can’t be what you can’t see, and by participating I hoped to help change the stereotype of scientists being male.”
“They were so engaged and asked the scientists some fantastic questions. There were some very keen students who really want to work in STEM, and their enthusiasm was infectious!”
Fundamental researcher and immunologist Associate Professor Paul Beavis (pictured) spoke to students about developing novel therapies that activate the the immune system to treat cancer.
Professor Grant McArthur, medical oncologist and Head of Peter Mac’s Molecular Oncology Laboratory spoke on the importance of understanding the detailed cellular and molecular mechanisms of human disease, which can lead to the development highly effective therapies with profound impact.
Professor McArthur was enthusiastic about the opportunity, “It is very exciting for a grey haired and ageing Professor to interact with the up-and-coming STEM talent in our schools.”
Peter Mac’s Biomedical Animator Dr Maja Divjak agreed, “I was thrilled to be invited to speak at this wonderful event. It was a great opportunity to showcase my alternative career in science, which visually represents cancer biology and treatments at the molecular level, using stunning 3D animation."
"Students are generally unaware of the alternative careers available to science graduates: just because you studied science doesn’t mean you’ll end up at the bench!”
Associate Professor Kaylene Simpson, Head of the Victorian Centre of Functional Genomics at Peter Mac, spoke on how functional genomics brings the genome to life.
Professor McArthur underlined the importance of community engagement, adding, “Developing the next generation of experts in STEM is critical to continuing to improve the health of our community and delivering better outcomes for cancer patients.”
The event was hosted by PRISM (People Really Into Science @ MLC), aims to promote a love and appreciation for science within the community. PRISM fosters scientific curiosity in girls who hope to enter the STEM fields.
Peter Mac pop-up clinics have delivered a COVID-19 pre-exposure treatment to almost 900 Victorian cancer patients.
The treatment, called Evusheld, greatly reduces the chance of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19. It protects against all variants of COVID-19 identified to date.
Several teams from across Peter Mac cooperated to establish and staff a short-term clinic that operated between June and July. About 500 patients received the treatment, building on the success of an earlier pop-up clinic that treated another 400 patients.
Peter Mac recommends Evusheld for patients with blood cancer, and cancer patients who are immunosuppressed.
Yvonne Panek-Hudson, Associate Director of Nursing (Haematology and Medical Oncology) said patients were relieved to be offered an extra layer of protection from COVID-19, with many saying they felt fortunate to have access to Evusheld.
“Working with a dedicated team to stand up the Evusheld treatment clinic for our immunocompromised patients has been an absolute highlight,” she said.
Watch a Peter Mac patient information video about Evusheld here.
Download the Evusheld patient guide here.
The Peter Mac Evusheld clinic will now continue to operate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until the end of August. Ask your clinician to find out if Evusheld is suitable for you.