Eva Baxter

Biomarkers in gynaecological cancer

Gynaecological cancers are the third most common cancer type diagnosed in Australian women. Each year over 6,700 Australian women and girls are diagnosed with gynaecological cancer and almost a third will not survive their disease.

We have a PhD opportunity available at the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer (QCGC) Research focusing on discovering and validating biomarkers that improve outcomes for women with gynaecological cancer. This project will involve working with clinical samples, conducting laboratory work, and analysing data.

The successful applicant will work as part of the QCGC Research team at the Centre for Clinical Research, as well as collaborate with researchers, clinicians, consumers, and stakeholders from other organisations, including hospitals, pathology providers and the community.

Improving outcomes for women experiencing gynaecological cancer

Endometrial cancer originates from the inner layer of the uterus and is the fifth most common cancer in women. In Australia, the incidence is >3,000 cases per year and this is rising at a rate of 1% year on year, while globally over 400,000 patients are diagnosed annually. Current standard treatment requires surgical removal of the uterus, tubes, and ovaries (hysterectomy). Clinical management guidelines for early-stage endometrial cancer also prescribe lymph node dissection to determine (via histopathology) the extent of the disease, however, this may lead to treatment that is more extensive than necessary.

The Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer (QCGC) Research is currently running a phase III randomised clinical trial exploring the risks and benefits of lymph node dissection in clinical stage I endometrial cancer. The primary outcome of the trial is to determine the probability of disease-free survival at 4 years.

This trial will also assess:

• Patient-reported outcome measures, including health-related quality of life and fear of cancer recurrence
• Perioperative outcomes, including intra- and postoperative adverse events
• Lower-limb lymphoedema
• Requirements for adjuvant treatment
• Biomarkers to improve outcomes for patients

Candidates will develop a project with QCGC Research that is both in line with their research interests and fits within the scope of the clinical trial.

Improving Quality of Survival for Women with Gynaecological Cancer

Gynaecological cancers are the third most common cancer type diagnosed in Australian women. Each year over 6,700 Australian women and girls are diagnosed with gynaecological cancer and almost a third will not survive their disease.

PhD scholarships are available for exceptional students to complete a PhD as part of a National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) in Improving the Quality of Survival for Gynaecological Cancer Patients. The aim of this CRE is to address contemporary issues in gynaecological cancer care, with a focus on three priority areas: 1) enabling fertility after endometrial cancer; 2) reducing lymphoedema; and 3) optimising cancer recovery.

We have three full-time PhD opportunities available focusing on improving quality of life, health, and function during and after gynaecological cancer treatment, with a focus on biomarker research, implementation research and cancer survivorship.