The MOCI group consists of medical, scientific, operational and support staff working to advance the groups three primary aims:
- To deliver cutting-edge clinically impactful genomic testing to Epworth patients
- To perform translational, investigator-initiated research in the fields of genomics and cancer immunology
- To provide a support service in the areas of study design and translational genomics to Epworth colleagues performing clinical research
Key activities
MOCI Investigator-initiated genomic research
- MOCI Biobank – The collection of patient samples (blood and tissue) and clinical information for use by future researchers
- Lymphoma ctDNA collaboration – Observational trial to monitor ctDNA of Epworth lymphoma patients in development. Funding for real-time patient testing
- Myelofibrosis (MF) Fellowship – Interventional trial for Epworth MF patients in development. Funding for real-time and exploratory genomics
Support for Investigator-initiated studies for other Epworth Clinicians, Scientists and VMOs
- Assist with study set-up and management, as well as facilitate the genomic aspects of trials
Ongoing projects:
- Circulating Tumour DNA in Endometrial Cancer (CODEC)
- Circulating Tumour DNA as a Marker of Residual Disease and Response to Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Stage I-IV Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube and Primary Peritoneal Cancer (EOC)
- Accuracy and clinical utility of genomic profiling using next generation sequencing of thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) samples
- Using ctDNA to monitor response to chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer
Service genomics for current Epworth patients
- Haematology and solid organ malignancy samples tested at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Key partnerships
- Molecular Haematology Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
- Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
- Cancer Research laboratory, The University of Melbourne
- Victorian Pancreatic Cancer Biobank
- Victorian Cancer Biobank, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Team
- Prof. Miles Prince, Medical Director
- Dr Costas Yannakou, Deputy Medical Director
- Dr Nicole Brooks, Research Program Manager
- Dr Caitlyn Nguyen-Ngo, Clinical Study Coordinator
- Dr Emma Petley, Clinical Study Coordinator
- Dr Indu Raman, Research Fellow
- Charmaine Tan, Clinical Research Assistant
For further information:
Website: epworth.org.au/bloodcancer
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 03 9426 0555