Jayesh Desai Q&A
Jayesh Desai
Medical Oncologist, Associate Director Clinical Research, Head Early Drug Development Trials
What are you researching in lay terms?
Clinical trials, in particular clinical trials focused on new drugs being developed for patients with cancer.
What motivated you to come and work at Peter Mac?
Peter Mac is an outstanding centre focused on research-led cancer care. We are the pre-eminent centre in the region, and drive clinical research and in particular, novel clinical trials that are of global significance; so I am proud to work in this environment. Finally, this is a place with great people, leaders in their fields and with a strong culture of collaboration and collegiality. That collaborative spirit extends to working incredibly effectively with other cancer centres around Australia, adding to our impact.
What drives you to achieve better outcomes for cancer patients?
As much as I'm driven by the clinical science, this is very personal. I have the privilege of being a cancer clinician, so I can see the direct impact of research leading to improvements in cancer outcomes in my patients. This in itself is very motivating.
How will your research improve outcomes for cancer patients?
I am focused on applying insights made in cancer biology towards developing new therapies (predominantly drugs) for patients with cancer. This extends from programs focused on precision medicine to clinical trials with new cancer drugs. Perhaps the most transformational example of this in the last five years has been with trials studying a new class of drugs known as RAS-inhibitors. RAS is the most commonly mutated gene in cancer, but until recently we have been unable to effectively target this in patients' cancers. We have been at the forefront of a number of trials targeting RAS, with potential benefits to patients across a range of different cancers.
What do you like most about working for Peter Mac?
Cutting-edge research applied to (improved) clinical care. Highly collaborative approach with outstanding colleagues.
Can you please detail how your research has used and benefitted from the core facilities at Peter Mac?
I have particularly benefitted from the clinical research core groups, in particular BaCT and CRDO.