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Professor

Sunil Lakhani

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 66052

Overview

Background

Sunil Lakhani is Executive Director Research and Senior Staff Specialist, Pathology Queensland, and Head of the Molecular Breast Group at the University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR) at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

Prior to his move to Australia in 2004, he was Professor of Breast Pathology at The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK

His current research interests include lobular carcinoma and its variants, normal and stem cells, tumours with a basal phenotype, familial breast cancer and biology and therapeutic development for brain and distant metastases.

He was series editor for the 4th Edition WHO Tumour Classification Books and volume editor for the 4th Ed WHO Classification of Tumours of the Breast (2012). He is currently Standing member of the Board for the 5th Ed WHO Tumour Classification Books. He is also on the editorial board of a number of pathology and experimental research journals.

Availability

Professor Sunil Lakhani is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours), University College London
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and Medical Science, University College London
  • Doctoral Diploma of Medicine, University College London
  • Royal College of Pathologists, Royal College of Pathologists

Research impacts

The recognition that ADH is biologically very similar to DCIS has led to a policy of excising all ADH lesions diagnosed on core biopsies at breast screening assessment

The demonstration that LCIS is a clonal neoplastic proliferation with the same molecular phenotype as invasive lobular carcinoma, and the subsequent dissemination of this knowledge through publication (Lakhani SR 2003, Lancet) and conference presentations has also changed the management of LCIS. It is accepted that it is a non-obligate precursor, rather than a hyperplastic lesion.

The recognition of the pleomorphic variant of lobular is now changing the way this proliferation is managed. Like other lobular lesions, it is multifocal/bilateral but a more aggressive variant. There is considerable ongoing discussion on the international stage regarding management and my work has played a role in this policy change.

We have also shown that columnar cell lesions, which are increasingly being diagnosed in the screening program, are clonal lesions with a progressive relationship to low grade DCIS (Simpson PT et al 2005 Am J Surg Pathol). We have shown that morphological atypia is associated with molecular profiles similar to that of DCIS and hence patients with atypical lesions on core biopsy are now subjected to further excision. It has been shown subsequently that many of these patients have worse pathology on further resection.

My expertise, in diagnostic and molecular biology of pre-invasive breast disease has also been acknowledged in being appointed Head of Breast Screen Pathology, North Brisbane as well as being a member of the Breast Screen Quality (‘Q’) group in Queensland.

My work as part of the BCLC has demonstrated that BRCA1-related breast cancers are high grade, highly proliferative tumours and occurred in young women. Hence there was an immediate impact on breast screening protocols. I was invited to many meetings to discuss the pathology in relation to the following: (i) should mammography be used in young women and how effective would it be in dense breasts? (ii) should another modality such as MRI be considered? (iii) irrespective of the modality, should the screening interval be shortened to reduce the risk that patients would present with interval cancers?

All these issues have been addressed subsequent to the publications – in particular, I was member of the steering group that published the experience of using MRI in young women at high risk of breast cancer (Leach et al 2005 MARIBS The Lancet). MRI is now used in many countries to screen high-risk women. The screening interval has been reduced to 1 year as many patients did present with interval cancers as predicted by the pathology.

In extending the original work on morphology, my group has also demonstrated that a large proportion of BRCA1associated cancers are ER negative and ‘basal-like’. This led us to propose that this phenotype could be used to improve the risk estimation and carrier probability of women seen in family cancer clinics (Lakhani et al 2005 Clin Can Res).

We have now published a number of papers supporting the use of pathology data to improve risk estimation as well as improving the likelihood of unclassified variants (UVs) being pathogenic. This work has been done with previous BCLC collaborators (Prof Doug Easton) as well as with Georgia Chenevix-Trench and Amanda Spurdle at QIMR (Chenevix-Trench et al 2006 Can Res, Lovelock et al 2007 Br Can Res, Spurdle et al 2008 JCO, Spurdle et al 2009 Hum Mut, Mavaddat et al 2010 Br Can Res) This approach is now being incorporated into the genetics clinics.

Works

Search Professor Sunil Lakhani’s works on UQ eSpace

478 works between 1983 and 2025

381 - 400 of 478 works

2004

Journal Article

Collagenous spherulosis in an adenomyoepithelioma of the breast

Reis-Filho, J. S., Fulford, L. G., Crebassa, B., Carpentier, S. and Lakhani, S. R. (2004). Collagenous spherulosis in an adenomyoepithelioma of the breast. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 57 (1), 83-86. doi: 10.1136/jcp.57.1.83

Collagenous spherulosis in an adenomyoepithelioma of the breast

2004

Book Chapter

Lobular carcinoma in situ: Biology and pathology

Fulford, Laura G., Reis-Filho, Jorge S. and Lakhani, Sunni R. (2004). Lobular carcinoma in situ: Biology and pathology. Diseases of the breast. (pp. 489-495) edited by Jay R. Harris, Marc E. Lippman, Monica Morrow and C. Kent Osborne. Philadelphia, U.S.A.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Lobular carcinoma in situ: Biology and pathology

2004

Journal Article

Grade of recurrent in situ and invasive carcinoma following treatment of pure ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

Millis, R. R., Pinder, S. E., Ryder, K., Howitt, R. and Lakhani, S. R. (2004). Grade of recurrent in situ and invasive carcinoma following treatment of pure ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. British Journal of Cancer, 90 (8), 1538-1542. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601704

Grade of recurrent in situ and invasive carcinoma following treatment of pure ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

2004

Journal Article

Cytokeratin 5/6 in normal human breast: lack of evidence for a stem cell phenotype

Clarke, CL, Sandle, J, Parry, SC, Reis, JS, O'Hare, MJ and Lakhani, SR (2004). Cytokeratin 5/6 in normal human breast: lack of evidence for a stem cell phenotype. Journal of Pathology, 204 (2), 147-152. doi: 10.1002/path.1647

Cytokeratin 5/6 in normal human breast: lack of evidence for a stem cell phenotype

2003

Journal Article

Pathologic quiz case: A 93-year-old woman with an enlarged and tender left breast

Reis-Filho, Jorge S., Fulford, Laura G., Freeman, Alex and Lakhani, Sunil R. (2003). Pathologic quiz case: A 93-year-old woman with an enlarged and tender left breast. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 127 (12), 1626-1628.

Pathologic quiz case: A 93-year-old woman with an enlarged and tender left breast

2003

Journal Article

The diagnosis and management of pre-invasive breast disease: Editor's reply

Lakhani, Sunil R. (2003). The diagnosis and management of pre-invasive breast disease: Editor's reply. Breast Cancer Research, 6 (1), E4.1-E4.2. doi: 10.1186/bcr741

The diagnosis and management of pre-invasive breast disease: Editor's reply

2003

Journal Article

The morphology of breast tumors in BRCA1/2 carriers

Lakhani, Sunil R. (2003). The morphology of breast tumors in BRCA1/2 carriers. Pathology Case Reviews, 8 (5), 240-244.

The morphology of breast tumors in BRCA1/2 carriers

2003

Journal Article

A 62-year-old woman with a 4.5-cm nodule in the right breast

Reis-Filho, Jorge S., Fulford, Laura G., Lakhani, Sunil R. and Schmitt, Fernando C. (2003). A 62-year-old woman with a 4.5-cm nodule in the right breast. Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 127 (9), e396-e398.

A 62-year-old woman with a 4.5-cm nodule in the right breast

2003

Journal Article

Progesterone receptor-positive eruptive syringoma associated with diabetes

Timpanidis, Penelope C., Lakhani, Sunil R. and Groves, Richard W. (2003). Progesterone receptor-positive eruptive syringoma associated with diabetes. Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology, 48 (5, Supp. 1), S103-S104. doi: 10.1067/mjd.2003.159

Progesterone receptor-positive eruptive syringoma associated with diabetes

2003

Journal Article

Malignant adenomyoepithelioma of the breast metastasizing to the liver [Letter to the Editor]

Jones, Chris, Tooze, Reuben and Lakhani, Sunil R. (2003). Malignant adenomyoepithelioma of the breast metastasizing to the liver [Letter to the Editor]. Virchows Archiv, 442 (5), 504-506. doi: 10.1007/s00428-003-0806-2

Malignant adenomyoepithelioma of the breast metastasizing to the liver [Letter to the Editor]

2003

Journal Article

In-situ lobular neoplasia: time for an awakening

Lakhani, Sunil R. (2003). In-situ lobular neoplasia: time for an awakening. The Lancet, 361 (9352), 96-96. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)12240-4

In-situ lobular neoplasia: time for an awakening

2003

Journal Article

The diagnosis and management of pre-invasive breast disease — current challenges, future hopes

Lakhani, Sunil R. (2003). The diagnosis and management of pre-invasive breast disease — current challenges, future hopes. Breast Cancer Research, 5 (5), 248-249. doi: 10.1186/bcr641

The diagnosis and management of pre-invasive breast disease — current challenges, future hopes

2003

Journal Article

Pathology of atypical lobular hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ

Simpson, Peter T., Gale, Theodora, Fulford, Laura G., Reis-Filho, Jorge S. and Lakhani, Sunil R. (2003). Pathology of atypical lobular hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ. Breast Cancer Research, 5 (5), 258-262. doi: 10.1186/bcr624

Pathology of atypical lobular hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ

2003

Journal Article

X-inactivation patch size in human female tissue confounds the assessment of tumor clonality

Novelli, M, Cossu, A, Oukrif, D, Quaglia, A, Lakhani, S, Poulsom, R, Sasieni, P, Carta, P, Contini, M, Pasca, A, Palmieri, G, Bodmer, W, Tanda, F and Wright, N (2003). X-inactivation patch size in human female tissue confounds the assessment of tumor clonality. Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America, 100 (6), 3311-3314. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0437825100

X-inactivation patch size in human female tissue confounds the assessment of tumor clonality

2003

Journal Article

Salivary gland-like tumours of the breast: surgical and molecular pathology

Pia-Foschini, M., Reis, J. S., Eusebi, V. and Lakhani, S. R. (2003). Salivary gland-like tumours of the breast: surgical and molecular pathology. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 56 (7), 497-506. doi: 10.1136/jcp.56.7.497

Salivary gland-like tumours of the breast: surgical and molecular pathology

2003

Journal Article

BCL-6 is expressed in breast cancer and prevents mammary epithelial differentiation

Logarajah, S, Hunter, P, Kraman, M, Steele, D, Lakhani, S, Bobrow, L, Venkitaraman, A and Wagner, S (2003). BCL-6 is expressed in breast cancer and prevents mammary epithelial differentiation. Oncogene, 22 (36), 5572-5578. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1206689

BCL-6 is expressed in breast cancer and prevents mammary epithelial differentiation

2003

Journal Article

cDNA microarray analysis of genes associated with ERBB2 (HER2/neu) overexpression in human mammary luminal epithelial cells

Mackay, A., Jones, C., Dexter, T., Silva, R. L. A., Bulmer, K., Jones, A., Simpson, P., Harris, R. A., Jat, P. S., Neville, A. M., Reis, L. F. L., Lakhani, S. R. and O'Hare, M. J. (2003). cDNA microarray analysis of genes associated with ERBB2 (HER2/neu) overexpression in human mammary luminal epithelial cells. Oncogene, 22 (17), 2680-2688. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1206349

cDNA microarray analysis of genes associated with ERBB2 (HER2/neu) overexpression in human mammary luminal epithelial cells

2003

Journal Article

Can the stroma provide the clue to the cellular basis for mammographic density?

Warren, R and Lakhani, SR (2003). Can the stroma provide the clue to the cellular basis for mammographic density?. Breast Cancer Research, 5 (5), 225-227. doi: 10.1186/bcr642

Can the stroma provide the clue to the cellular basis for mammographic density?

2003

Journal Article

Comparative genomic hybridization analysis of bilateral hyperplasia of usual type of the breast

Jones, C, Merrett, S, Thomas, VA, Barker, TH and Lakhani, SR (2003). Comparative genomic hybridization analysis of bilateral hyperplasia of usual type of the breast. Journal of Pathology, 199 (2), 152-156. doi: 10.1002/path.1280

Comparative genomic hybridization analysis of bilateral hyperplasia of usual type of the breast

2003

Journal Article

Genetic alterations in pre-invasive lesions

Reis-Filho, Jorge S. and Lakhani, Sunil R. (2003). Genetic alterations in pre-invasive lesions. Breast Cancer Research, 5 (6) 313, 313-319. doi: 10.1186/bcr650

Genetic alterations in pre-invasive lesions

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2028
    Reducing invasive lobular carcinoma mortality by enhanced liquid biopsy monitoring
    NHMRC MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2029
    The EARLY study: Evaluating the Specificity and feasibility of the EARLY Test for Ovarian Cancer Detetion
    NHMRC Partnership Projects
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    High-resolution investigation of pre- and post-neoadjuvant treatment breast cancers
    National Breast Cancer Foundation Investigator Initiated Research Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Implementing a Multivariate Index Assay for the Earlier Detection of Ovarian Cancer
    NHMRC MRFF EPCDR - Improving Diagnosis in Cancers with Low Survival Rates
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Whole Genome Sequencing in high-risk breast cancer patients.
    MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission, Project Grant administered by AusIndustry
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2024
    E-cadherin, ROS1 and synthetic lethality in ILC
    Breast Cancer Trials Clinical Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    ACRF Facility for Targeted Radiometals in Cancer (AFTRiC)
    Australian Cancer Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Detection of aberrantly glycosylated biomarkers as a novel approach to diagnose and monitor breast cancer (USDOD Breast Cancer Research Program grant administered by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Nanomedicine strategies for early detection and treatment of brain metastases
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2023
    Centre for Translational Breast Cancer Research (TransBCR): delivering laboratory discoveries to the clinic (NHMRC CRE administered by The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)
    Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI)
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Hide and seek with hereditary cancer: Improving detection of colorectal cancer patients with a high risk of Lynch syndrome (Cancer Australia grant led by Cancer Council NSW)
    New South Wales State Cancer Council
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Exploiting the Remodeling of Ca2+ Signaling in Breast Cancer Cell Microenvironments to Control Metastasis and to Specifically Target Brain Metastases
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Breast Cancer Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Translating molecular determinants of susceptibility and progression in breast cancer (NHMRC Program Grant administered by QIMR)
    Queensland Institute of Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Repurposing HER2/3 antibodies for treatment of brain metastases from breast cancer
    Cancer Bequest Fund
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    SoM Leaders Research Support for Head of the Discipline of Molecular and Cellular Pathology
    Mayne Bequest Fund
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Unravelling clinical and molecular heterogeneity in metaplastic breast cancer - a unique 'stem cell like' malignancy (grant administered by Cancer Australia)
    National Breast Cancer Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Repurposing pertuzumab for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer patients with HER2-positive brain metastases
    ANZBCTG Discretionary Funding - Research Seed Funding
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2019
    NBCF repository of primary tumours and metastases from breast cancer patients (National Breast Cancer Foundation grant led by The University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    The Brisbane Breast Bank
    Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2020
    ACRF Molecular Oncology Translational Imaging Facility (MOTIF)
    Australian Cancer Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Prospective study of breast cancer progression by content analysis of circulating exosomes in serially collected blood samples
    Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2017
    The Kathleen Cuningham Foundation Consortium for Research into Familial Breast Cancer (NBCF Infrastructure Grant led by UoM)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Defining therapeutic options for brain metastases
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Molecular determinates of susceptibility and progression in breast cancer (NHMRC Program Grant 1017028 administered by QIMR)
    Queensland Institute of Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Re-defining the molecular evolution of breast cancer and its precursors
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Tandem fluorescent and phase-contrast imaging of live cells in real time for application to cancer cell biology, developmental biology, respiratory biology, wound healing investigation and cellular to
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Understanding the heterogeneity of invasive ductal breast cancers - a proteomic approach for the discovery of biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets (NBCF administered through QUT)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Applying Inducible Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cell Technology to Study Breast Lineage Differentiation and Tumourigensis
    Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Investigating Luminal and Basal Cell Difference: Molecular and Functional Characterization of the Normal Breast Epithelia
    National Breast Cancer Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2015
    Clinical Academic Fellowship - Senior Clinical Academic Fellow in Cancer
    Clinical Academic Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    Elucidating genetic mechanisms responsible for familial hyperaldosteronism type II
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Improving the outcome of patients with invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Macroscopic fluorescence imaging system for identifying and isolating transgenically tagged cells
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Clinical and molecular analysis of multifocal/ multicentric in-situ and invasive breast cancers
    RBWH Private Practice Trust Fund
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Calcium Influx Pathways and Breast Cancer
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009
    High-end optical in vivo molecular imaging system for stem cells, tumours, tissue repair and pathogens
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Fellowship
    Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    The role of the MYB oncogene in mammary carcinogenesis
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2011
    Beyond BRCA1 and BRCA2: pathways to breast cancer (NHMRC Program grant administered by QIMR)
    Queensland Institute of Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Molecular Profiling of Breast Tumour Stem/Progenitor Cells
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2007
    The role of DEP-1 as a tumour suppressor in breast cancer
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    Research in the field of breast and human cancers and related immunopathology techniques in the Department of Pathology
    Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2012
    Molecular Pathology
    Cancer Bequest Fund
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Sunil Lakhani is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Professor Sunil Lakhani directly for media enquiries about:

  • Brain metastasis
  • Breast cancer
  • Breast cancer - family history
  • Cancer - breast
  • Genetics - breast cancer
  • Myoepithelial cells

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