How Garvan's research is breaking the barriers to treating pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancers, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 13%. Early detection is challenging, as the disease often progresses without noticeable symptoms until it has already spread.

A major hurdle in treatment is the tumour’s dense, fibrotic tumour microenvironment – known as the stroma – which not only supports tumour growth but also acts as a barrier to effective therapy. However, recent advances in understanding these molecular complexities are opening new paths for targeted treatments.

At the forefront of this research effort are Professor Marina Pajic and Professor Anthony Joshua, Directors of the Translational Oncology Program at Garvan. At the heart of the Program’s work is precision medicine, an approach that uses the molecular makeup of a tumour to guide treatment. As new molecular targets are identified, these findings feed directly into the next wave of clinical trials – creating a cycle of discovery and testing.

In this public seminar, you will hear from our leading experts on the latest clinical trials, biomarker discoveries and personalised treatment strategies that are offering new hope to patients facing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

Panel

Professor Marina Pajic

Professor Marina Pajic completed her PhD at the Children’s Cancer Institute, University of NSW, where she investigated chemoresistance mechanisms in childhood cancers. Since joining Garvan in 2013, she has developed a research program that leverages 3D and patient-derived models, extensive genomic data and strong clinical partnerships which have been instrumental to our understanding of pancreatic cancer’s complexity and resistance to treatment. As the Co-Director of the Translational Oncology Program, she continues to integrate Garvan’s breakthrough research with St Vincent’s Hospital’s world-class cancer care to transform therapies and improve patient outcomes.

Professor Anthony Joshua

Professor Anthony Joshua is Co-Director of the Translational Oncology Program at Garvan and a medical oncologist at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney. With interest in phase 1 clinical trials, he specialises in prostate, bladder, kidney, adrenal and testis cancers, as well as cutaneous and ocular melanoma. At Garvan, Anthony co-leads an integrated team of cancer researchers, enabling the real time translation of research-derived discoveries into clinical implementation.

Anthony completed his medical oncology training at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital before moving to Toronto, Canada to complete a PhD in prostatic carcinogenesis. He joined the Department of Medical Oncology at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto as a staff oncologist in late 2008, and returned to Australia, joining The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in late 2015.

Daniel Goulburn OAM

Daniel Goulburn co-founded #PurpleOurWorld in 2014 after losing his wife, Rochelle, to pancreatic cancer. The global movement raises awareness and support for those affected by the disease. He now serves on the Steering Committee of the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition and contributes to Australia’s National Pancreatic Cancer Roadmap. Through his advocacy, Daniel continues to push for earlier detection and better outcomes for patients facing this devastating illness.