Three leading experts have been appointed by the VCCC Alliance to oversee and enhance research programs at the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC).
The $1 billion purpose-built treatment, education and research facility will bring together the world’s best researchers and clinicians and scientists and drive breakthroughs in cancer prevention, detection and treatment.
From mid-2016, the VCCC will be a brand new and expanded home for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. With more beds and double the number of operating theatres and procedure rooms, consulting rooms and radiation therapy bunkers, Peter Mac will be able to deliver more care to more patients.
The VCCC will also provide new state-of-the-art cancer research and clinical facilities for Melbourne Health, and more than 25,000 square metres of dedicated space for over 1200 cancer researchers.
Professor Grant McArthur and Professor Andrew Roberts have been appointed to lead the research and education of two specific cancers – melanoma and haematology – and Professor Jon Emery will oversee the delivery of primary care at the VCCC.
As VCCC Alliance Research and Education Leads, these experts will:
- Develop and harmonise high quality, VCCC-wide research and educational activities,
- Embed international and local research into clinical practice at the VCCC,
- Increase the impact, breadth and depth of research relevant to the tumour stream across the VCCC,
- Establish the framework for post-graduate education and training activities that underpin excellence in clinical care and research,
- Increase the use of integrated research and clinical data across VCCC partners, and
- Establish a framework to promote multi-site clinical trials.
These appointments have been made for a 12 month period, and further appointments will soon be made for other cancer areas.
The VCCC Alliance comprises Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Royal Women’s Hospital, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Royal Children’s Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Western Health, Austin Health, and Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.
The Andrews Labor Government is committed to improving the care and treatment of Victorians living with cancer, and supporting medical research to advance diagnosis, treatments and care of cancer patients.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“I am delighted to announce these appointments, which demonstrates our commitment to the VCCC and to world-class cancer research, care and education.”
“The VCCC will bring together the world’s best researchers, clinicians and scientists – and now we have three pre-eminent leaders in their field working with us to make the VCCC one of the world’s best comprehensive cancer centres.”
“Victoria is leading the world in medical research, and the VCCC will be front and centre of our work to find new and better treatments and diagnoses for cancer.”
About the VCCC Alliance Research and Education Leads
VCCC Research and Education Lead for Melanoma – Professor Grant McArthur MB BS (Hons) Ph.D. FRACP
Professor McArthur has an outstanding track record as a physician scientist with accomplishments extending from basic cancer biology to clinical research. From 2006-2010, he held the Sir Edward Dunlop Clinical Cancer Research Fellowship of the Cancer Council of Victoria, the most prestigious clinical and translational research fellowship in Australian Cancer Research. He has a well-established international reputation in the field of melanoma oncology and targeted cancer therapeutics, with regular invitations to speak at international meetings. Currently, Professor McArthur is an Associate Editor at Annals of Oncology responsible for melanoma and sarcoma. He has attracted over $42 million in non-clinical trial related research funding and is consistently published in the highest quality journals.
VCCC Research and Education Lead for Haematology – Professor Andrew Roberts MB BS Ph.D. FRACP FRCPA
Professor Roberts has an international reputation in blood cancer research, both in the regulation of blood cell function and as a world leader in the development of an exciting new class of anti-cancer drugs (BH3 mimetics). His research spans basic discovery, translational medicine and clinical trials, and has resulted in 124 publications and three patents which attracted licensing for development. His international prominence is reflected in his appointment as Scientific Co-Chair for the 2015 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, the first non-North American to have this honour and responsibility. His career has been built on successful translation of basic discoveries in blood and blood cancer research into new therapies and improved clinical outcomes, including allogeneic stem cell transplantation and BH3 mimetics.
VCCC Research and Education Lead for Primary Care – Professor Jon Emery MB BCh DPhil FRACGP
Professor Emery’s specific research interests are in cancer care in the community, the integration of genetic medicine into primary care, complex interventions, and primary care trials. Much of his research entails parallel programs of work on cancer screening and diagnosis in Australia and Cambridge. He has been a Chief Investigator on research grants and awards in Australia and internationally. He is the author of over 140 papers and contributed to two chapters in the Oxford Textbook of Primary Care. He has delivered 60 Invited Presentations over the last eleven years in Australia, the UK, North America, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong.
Reviewed 19 August 2020