Stephen Luen Q&A

Stephen Luen
Medical Oncologist

What are you researching in lay terms?

My research focuses on identifying and developing new treatment options for patients with breast cancer and sarcoma, focusing specifically on patients with the highest risk of poor outcomes. I aim to identify the specific features amongst these high risk tumours that are driving the poor outcomes, and then designing tailored clinical trials with specific therapies to target them.

What motivated you to come and work at Peter Mac?

Peter Mac is a unique world class cancer research institute and hospital. Working at Peter Mac provides me the critical infrastructure to realise my goal of becoming a world-class translational researcher, and allows me to work with global experts on a daily basis.

What drives you to achieve better outcomes for cancer patients?

Being a clinician allows me the privilege of being involved in cancer research translation at the level of the clinic, alongside my patients. Being a part of driving cancer research forward and improving cancer outcomes for my own patients provides me with incredibly strong motivation.

How will your research improve outcomes for cancer patients?

As a clinician researcher heavily involved in early drug development, it sometimes feels like a treatment breakthrough might be just around the corner. I believe through rigorous science, and research like mine into those with the worst prognosis, we will improve outcomes for patients with cancer.

What do you like most about working for Peter Mac?

Getting to work with world-class researchers and clinicians towards a common goal.

Can you please detail how your research has used and benefitted from the core facilities at Peter Mac?

The core facilities have helped me deliver large-scale translational research studies of my own using complex molecular techniques. This has enabled me to uncover and publish key research findings.