Overview
Background
Dr Hana Starobova is a pharmacist and NHMRC Investigator Fellow at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland. Her research addresses a critical challenge in cancer survivorship: how to prevent the pain, nerve damage and other lasting neurological complications of cancer treatment, particularly in children.
Working within the Sensory Neuropharmacology Group alongside Professor Irina Vetter, Dr Starobova leads a research program investigating how age, immune responses and treatment regimens influence neurological injury and recovery. Her work connects neuroimmune mechanisms with the development of therapies that protect the nervous system while preserving anticancer efficacy. A central focus is understanding why some patients recover after treatment while others experience persistent sensory, cognitive and motor difficulties.
Since completing her PhD at UQ in 2020, Dr Starobova has established experimental models of single and combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy across developmental stages, supported by advanced imaging, transcriptomic analysis and functional assessments. Her research integrates mechanistic discovery with pharmacological intervention and collaborations spanning cancer biology, clinical care and consumer involvement.
Previously a Children’s Hospital Foundation Fellow (2021–2023), she now holds an NHMRC Investigator Fellowship (2024–2029). Her overarching goal is to ensure that surviving cancer also means living well, with effective strategies to prevent long-term neurological disability.
Availability
- Dr Hana Starobova is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Development of mechanism based treatments of cancer therapy-induced adverse effects
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Adhesion Molecules and Immunology
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Adult and Juvenile In vivo preclinical models
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Impact of age on cancer therapy-induced adverse effects
Research impacts
Dr Hana Starobova’s research advances strategies to prevent the lasting neurological complications of cancer treatment, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for childhood cancer survivors. Her discoveries have supported industry collaborations and industry-sponsored research programs, including a partnership with Swedish biopharmaceutical company Cantargia investigating IL1RAP-targeted approaches to treatment-related neuropathy.
Her research has attracted competitive and philanthropic support, including an NHMRC Investigator Fellowship (2024–2029), a Children’s Hospital Foundation Fellowship (2021–2023), and funding from the Simon Axelsen Anderson fund, the Bill and Pauline North fund and Prep4Gold. This support enables her team to connect fundamental discoveries with therapeutic development and reflects strong community investment in improving life after cancer.
Dr Starobova contributes to research leadership and engagement through the CIPHER steering committee and as a consulting member of the Cancer Prevention Initiative Scientific Council in Washington, DC. She works with researchers, clinicians, industry partners and consumers to align research priorities with the needs of patients and survivors.
She has received more than 15 awards and honours, including the Women in Technology Young Achiever Award (2019), the ANZCHOG Best Abstract Award in the allied health category (2023), an IASP award at the World Congress on Pain (2018), the German State Pharmacists’ Association Medal (2015), and an Australian Academy of Science travel award. A 2019 Homeward Bound alumna, she remains part of its international community of women in science and leadership.
Works
Search Professor Hana Starobova’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Journal Article
Why pharmacogenomic biomarkers for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy fail: a systematic review of genetic associations, replication, and clinical translation
Maganti, Aditya, Rankothge, Ishara, Sakadales, Hunter, Kok, Ethan, Britton, James, Rao, Neil, Shatunova, Svetlana, Shimell, Katherine, Zambrano, Paula Manuela Rojas, Park, Susanna B., Schweitzer, Daniel, Laakso, E-Liisa, Yengo, Loic, Vetter, Irina and Starobova, Hana (2026). Why pharmacogenomic biomarkers for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy fail: a systematic review of genetic associations, replication, and clinical translation. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 17 1842379. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2026.1842379
2026
Journal Article
Distinct neuroinflammatory effects of individual chemotherapeutics shape chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in a novel mouse model of CVAD combination regimen
Starobova, Hana, Tay, Nicolette, Nageshwar, Nikhil Inturi, Alshamari, Ammar, Tavares-Ferreira, Diana, Nayler, Samuel, Andersson, Asa, Shatunova, Svetlana and Vetter, Irina (2026). Distinct neuroinflammatory effects of individual chemotherapeutics shape chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in a novel mouse model of CVAD combination regimen. Pain, 167 (9), e414-e427. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000004031
2026
Journal Article
Repeated convergent evolution of bradykinin mimics as defensive toxins
Shi, Naiqi, Touchard, Axel, Schendel, Vanessa, Koch, Thomas Lund, Starobova, Hana, Niu, Pancong, Tran, Hue, Ragnarsson, Lotten, Safavi-Hemami, Helena, Vetter, Irina and Robinson, Samuel D. (2026). Repeated convergent evolution of bradykinin mimics as defensive toxins. Science, 391 (6789), 1046-1052. doi: 10.1126/science.adx0452
2025
Conference Publication
G-CSF-induced pain-like behaviors can be prevented by therapeutic blockade of vascular endothelial E-selectin in mice
Winkler, Ingrid, Barbier, Valerie, Bisht, Kavita, Levesque, Jean-Pierre, Shatunova, Svetlana, Starobova, Hana and Vetter, Irina (2025). G-CSF-induced pain-like behaviors can be prevented by therapeutic blockade of vascular endothelial E-selectin in mice. 54th Annual Scientific Meeting of the ISEH - International Society for Experimental Hematology, Kumamoto, Japan, 24-27 September 2025. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.exphem.2025.105098
2025
Conference Publication
Distinct neuropathy signatures in juvenile vs adult mice treated with clinically relevant fractionated brain radiotherapy
Starobova, Hana, Buck, Jessica, Short, Annabel, Howlett, Meegan, Whitehouse, Jacqueline, Hii, Hilary, Dholaria, Hetal, Shatunova, Svetlana, Endersby, Raelene and Vetter, Irina (2025). Distinct Neuropathy Signatures in Juvenile vs Adult Mice Treated With Clinically Relevant Fractionated Brain Radiotherapy. HOBOKEN: WILEY.
2025
Journal Article
A comprehensive protocol for simplified mouse DRG fixation, processing and F4/80 immunohistochemistry: overcoming common challenges
Tay, Nicolette, Alshammari, Ammar, Kaur, Simranpreet, Pettit, Allison, Mu, Erica, Reid, Anna, Winkler, Ingrid, Vetter, Irina and Starobova, Hana (2025). A comprehensive protocol for simplified mouse DRG fixation, processing and F4/80 immunohistochemistry: overcoming common challenges. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 418 110434, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2025.110434
2025
Conference Publication
Adding nadunolimab to chemotherapy or antibody drug-conjugates (ADCs) may improve antitumor efficacy and counteract peripheral neuropathy
Le Sourd, Samuel, Garcia-Carbonero, Rocio, Hiret, Sandrine, Gyllenback, Elin Jaensson, Millrud, Camilla Rydberg, Thorsson, Lars, Shatunova, Svetlana, Vetter, Irina, Starobova, Hana and Liberg, David (2025). Adding nadunolimab to chemotherapy or antibody drug-conjugates (ADCs) may improve antitumor efficacy and counteract peripheral neuropathy. AACR Annual Meeting 2025, Chicago, IL United States, 25-30 April 2025. Philadelphia, PA United States: American Association for Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2025-309
2025
Journal Article
Inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome using MCC950 reduces vincristine‐induced adverse effects in an acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient‐derived xenograft model
Starobova, Hana, McCalmont, Hannah, Shatunova, Svetlana, Tay, Nicolette, Smith, Christopher M., Robertson, Avril, Winkler, Ingrid, Lock, Richard B. and Vetter, Irina (2025). Inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome using MCC950 reduces vincristine‐induced adverse effects in an acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient‐derived xenograft model. HemaSphere, 9 (3) e70092, 1-3. doi: 10.1002/hem3.70092
2024
Conference Publication
Antibody drug conjugate (ADC) payload-induced IL1 suggests potential for anti-IL1RAP therapy combination for enhanced treatment efficacy and prevention of neuropathy
Gyllenback, Elin Jaensson, Shatunova, Svetlana, Rydberg-Millrud, Camilla, Grönberg, Caitríona, Vetter, Irina, Starobova, Hana and Liberg, David (2024). Antibody drug conjugate (ADC) payload-induced IL1 suggests potential for anti-IL1RAP therapy combination for enhanced treatment efficacy and prevention of neuropathy. SITC 39th Annual Meeting (SITC 2024), Houston, TX United States, 6-10 November 2024. London, United Kingdom: BMJ Group. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2024-sitc2024.1303
2024
Journal Article
The role of the neuronal microenvironment in sensory function and pain pathophysiology
Starobova, Hana, Alshammari, Ammar, Winkler, Ingrid G. and Vetter, Irina (2024). The role of the neuronal microenvironment in sensory function and pain pathophysiology. Journal of Neurochemistry, 168 (11), 3620-3643. doi: 10.1111/jnc.15724
2024
Journal Article
The role of the gut microbiome in neuroinflammation and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Shatunova, Svetlana, Aktar, Rubina, Peiris, Madusha, Lee, Jia Yu Peppermint, Vetter, Irina and Starobova, Hana (2024). The role of the gut microbiome in neuroinflammation and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. European Journal of Pharmacology, 979 176818, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176818
2024
Conference Publication
Impact on chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy of nadunolimab, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody against IL1RAP, in patients with pancreatic cancer, with supportive mouse model data
Van Cutsem, Eric, Ochsenreither, Sebastian, Collignon, Joelle, Eefsen, Rikke Løvendahl, Ivanauskas, Audrius, Shatunova, Svetlana, Vetter, Irina, Gyllenbäck, Elin Jaensson, Skoog, Petter, Losic, Nedjad, Tersago, Dominique and Starobova, Hana (2024). Impact on chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy of nadunolimab, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody against IL1RAP, in patients with pancreatic cancer, with supportive mouse model data. 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL United States, 31 May - 4 June 2024. Alexandria, VA United States: American Society of Clinical Oncology. doi: 10.1200/jco.2024.42.16_suppl.4148
2024
Conference Publication
Impact on chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy of nadunolimab, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody against IL1RAP, in patients with pancreatic cancer, with supportive mouse model data
Van Cutsem, Eric, Ochsenreither, Sebastian, Collignon, Joelle, Eefsen, Rikke Lovendahl, Ivanauskas, Audrius, Shatunova, Svetlana, Vetter, Irina, Gyllenback, Elin Jaensson, Skoog, Petter, Losic, Nedjad, Tersago, Dominique and Starobova, Hana (2024). Impact on chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy of nadunolimab, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody against IL1RAP, in patients with pancreatic cancer, with supportive mouse model data. 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting Gastrointestinal Cancer—Gastroesophageal, Pancreatic, and Hepatobiliary, Chicago, IL, United States, 31 May - 4 June 2024. Alexandria, VA, United States: American Society of Clinical Oncology.
2022
Journal Article
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in children and adolescent cancer patients
Tay, Nicolette, Laakso, E-Liisa, Schweitzer, Daniel, Endersby, Raelene, Vetter, Irina and Starobova, Hana (2022). Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in children and adolescent cancer patients. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 9 1015746, 1015746. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1015746
2022
Journal Article
A kinase-dead Csf1r mutation associated with adult-onset leukoencephalopathy has a dominant inhibitory impact on CSF1R signalling
Stables, Jennifer, Green, Emma K., Sehgal, Anuj, Patkar, Omkar L., Keshvari, Sahar, Taylor, Isis, Ashcroft, Maisie E., Grabert, Kathleen, Wollscheid-Lengeling, Evi, Szymkowiak, Stefan, McColl, Barry W., Adamson, Antony, Humphreys, Neil E., Mueller, Werner, Starobova, Hana, Vetter, Irina, Shabestari, Sepideh Kiani, Blurton-Jones, Matthew M., Summers, Kim M., Irvine, Katharine M., Pridans, Clare and Hume, David A. (2022). A kinase-dead Csf1r mutation associated with adult-onset leukoencephalopathy has a dominant inhibitory impact on CSF1R signalling. Development, 149 (8) dev200237. doi: 10.1242/dev.200237
2022
Journal Article
A peptide toxin in ant venom mimics vertebrate EGF-like hormones to cause long-lasting hypersensitivity in mammals
Eagles, David A., Saez, Natalie J., Krishnarjuna, Bankala, Bradford, Julia J., Chin, Yanni K.-Y., Starobova, Hana, Mueller, Alexander, Reichelt, Melissa E., Undheim, Eivind A. B., Norton, Raymond S., Thomas, Walter G., Vetter, Irina, King, Glenn F. and Robinson, Samuel D. (2022). A peptide toxin in ant venom mimics vertebrate EGF-like hormones to cause long-lasting hypersensitivity in mammals. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119 (7) e2112630119. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2112630119
2022
Journal Article
Multitarget nociceptor sensitization by a promiscuous peptide from the venom of the King Baboon spider
Finol-Urdaneta, Rocio K., Ziegman, Rebekah, Dekan, Zoltan, McArthur, Jeffrey R., Heitmann, Stewart, Luna-Ramirez, Karen, Tae, Han-Shen, Mueller, Alexander, Starobova, Hana, Chin, Yanni K.-Y., Wingerd, Joshua S., Undheim, Eivind A. B., Cristofori-Armstrong, Ben, Hill, Adam P., Herzig, Volker, King, Glenn F., Vetter, Irina, Rash, Lachlan D., Adams, David J. and Alewood, Paul F. (2022). Multitarget nociceptor sensitization by a promiscuous peptide from the venom of the King Baboon spider. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119 (5) e2110932119. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2110932119
2021
Journal Article
Vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy is driven by canonical NLRP3 activation and IL-1β release
Starobova, Hana, Monteleone, Mercedes, Adolphe, Christelle, Batoon, Lena, Sandrock, Cheyenne J., Tay, Bryan, Deuis, Jennifer R., Smith, Alexandra V., Mueller, Alexander, Nadar, Evelyn Israel, Lawrence, Grace Pamo, Mayor, Amanda, Tolson, Elissa, Levesque, Jean-Pierre, Pettit, Allison R., Wainwright, Brandon J., Schroder, Kate and Vetter, Irina (2021). Vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy is driven by canonical NLRP3 activation and IL-1β release. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 218 (5) e20201452. doi: 10.1084/jem.20201452
2021
Conference Publication
Subcutaneous analgesic actions and mode of action of binding of ω-conotoxins at Cav2.2
Hasan, Mahadhi, Abraham, Nikita, Cardoso, Fernanda C., Ragnarsson, Lotten, Starobova, Hana, Mueller, Alexander, Vetter, Irina and Lewis, Richard J. (2021). Subcutaneous analgesic actions and mode of action of binding of ω-conotoxins at Cav2.2. Venom to Drugs, Daydream Island, QLD Australia, 15 - 19 March 2021.
2021
Journal Article
Subcutaneous ω-conotoxins alleviate mechanical pain in rodent models of acute peripheral neuropathy
Hasan, Md. Mahadhi, Starobova, Hana, Mueller, Alexander, Vetter, Irina and Lewis, Richard J. (2021). Subcutaneous ω-conotoxins alleviate mechanical pain in rodent models of acute peripheral neuropathy. Marine Drugs, 19 (2) 106, 1-15. doi: 10.3390/md19020106
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Hana Starobova is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Mitochondrial and neuroimmune mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy
Chemotherapy can cause persistent pain, numbness and weakness, yet effective treatments to prevent these complications remain limited. Mitochondria provide the energy needed for nerve function and repair, while also regulating inflammatory responses in immune cells. Disruption of mitochondrial function may therefore contribute to neuropathy through both direct effects on sensory neurons and activation of inflammation.
This project will investigate how chemotherapy alters mitochondrial function and transport in sensory neurons and macrophages, and how these changes contribute to nerve dysfunction and pain. A key focus will be determining how mitochondrial disturbances interact with the NLRP3–IL-1 inflammatory pathway and whether targeting these processes can prevent or reverse neuropathy. The project combines pharmacological studies with cell-based assays, live-cell fluorescence microscopy, mitochondrial functional measurements, tissue analysis and behavioural assessments in rodent models.
Supervisors: Dr Hana Starobova, Prof Irina Vetter Animal handling and behavioural assessments in rodents are vital for this project.
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Microtubule–inflammasome interactions in vincristine-induced neuropathy
Vincristine is widely used to treat childhood and adult cancers, but can cause debilitating pain, numbness and muscle weakness. Its anticancer activity involves disrupting microtubules—the cellular structures essential for cell division and transport. Microtubules also regulate immune cell function, raising the possibility that their disruption contributes to neuropathy through inflammatory pathways.
This project will investigate how vincristine-induced microtubule disruption influences activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and release of the inflammatory mediator IL-1β in macrophages. It will examine how changes in microtubule organisation and intracellular transport connect chemotherapy exposure to inflammation, sensory neuron dysfunction and pain. Pharmacological studies will test whether modifying microtubule–inflammasome interactions can prevent or reduce neuropathy. The project combines cell-based assays, fluorescence microscopy, analysis of inflammasome activation and neuron–immune interactions, and behavioural assessments in rodent models.
Supervisors: Dr Hana Starobova, Prof Irina Vetter Animal handling and behavioural assessments in rodents are vital for this project.
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Linking brain activity and behaviour to understand pain in preclinical models
How well do laboratory models capture the experience of pain? Conventional assessments often measure withdrawal responses to a stimulus, but these provide only part of the picture. Changes in spontaneous movement, posture, grooming and social behaviour may reveal additional dimensions of pain and its impact on everyday function.
This project will use artificial intelligence to identify and quantify behavioural changes in mouse models of pain, and compare these with patterns of neural activity in TRAP2/Ai9 mice. These mice allow neurons activated during a defined period to be permanently labelled, providing a window into the circuits recruited during painful experiences. By integrating automated video analysis, conventional sensory assessments and neural activity mapping, the project will investigate whether commonly used models produce consistent behavioural and neural signatures of pain. It will also examine how these signatures differ from those associated with stress, reduced mobility or treatment-related illness, and whether they change following analgesic treatment. The aim is to develop more informative assessments of pain and improve the interpretation of preclinical treatment outcomes.
Supervisors: Dr Hana Starobova, Prof Irina Vetter Animal handling, behavioural assessments in rodents and tissue processing are vital for this project.
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Mechanisms and treatment of chemotherapy-induced motor neuropathy and muscle weakness
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy can cause muscle weakness, impaired coordination and difficulty walking, yet research has largely focused on pain and sensory dysfunction. These motor complications can limit independence and persist after cancer treatment. Understanding whether weakness arises from damage to motor nerves, disrupted communication between nerves and muscles, or changes within muscle itself is essential for developing effective treatments.
This project will investigate the mechanisms underlying motor dysfunction in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, with a particular focus on vincristine. It will examine changes in motor nerves, neuromuscular junctions and skeletal muscle, and determine how these relate to grip strength, gait and coordination. Pharmacological studies will test whether interventions targeting nerve injury or inflammation can preserve motor function, and whether treatments that reduce pain also protect against weakness. The project combines rodent behavioural assessments, functional measurements, microscopy and molecular analysis of nerve and muscle tissues.
Supervisors: Dr Hana Starobova, Prof Irina Vetter Animal handling, behavioural assessments in rodents and tissue processing are vital for this project.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing Models of Cancer Therapy-Induced Late Effects
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Irina Vetter
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Doctor Philosophy
Neuro-immune mechanisms of peripheral neuropathy:a novel target offering new prevention and treatment strategies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Irina Vetter
Completed supervision
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2026
Doctor Philosophy
Reducing the long-term side effects of chemotherapy in cancer survivors
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Hon Assoc Professor Ingrid Winkler, Professor Irina Vetter
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2026
Doctor Philosophy
Delineating the role of E-selectin in vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Hon Assoc Professor Ingrid Winkler, Professor Irina Vetter
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Immune cell regulation by the microenvironment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Kristen Radford, Hon Assoc Professor Ingrid Winkler
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