Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Projects

Traceback: Finding BRCA1 and BRCA2

The TRACEBACK research program aims to reduce the number of breast related cancers in Australia by identifying undiagnosed germline BRCA1/2 BRCA1 mutations in ovarian cancer patients who missed the opportunity for testing.

BRCA1/2 BRCA1 are inherited human genes that produce tumour suppressor proteins, and 14 per cent of ovarian cancer patients have these gene mutations.

UWA researchers hope to be able to detect these mutations in unaffected relatives for whom effective risk-reducing strategies, including preventative surgery, could be an option to reduce their chance of being effected by the cancer later in life.

Find out more. 

Blood-based biomarkers to predict recurrence in ovarian cancer

Recent evidence suggests that ovarian cancer survival is closely related to our immune systems. A declining anti-tumour immune response is associated with ovarian cancer recurrence following completion of initial treatment. There is currently a lack of ‘markers’ to predict recurrence and this study is focused on proteins called ‘tumour-antigen associated autoantibodies’ (TAAbs) and ‘cytokines’ that are produced by our immune systems to fight ovarian cancer.

We are investigating alterations in TAABs and cytokines from blood samples of patients with matched primary and recurrent ovarian cancers to better understand the role of the immune system in ovarian cancer recurrence and to find ways to develop new treatments.

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feMMe Trial

Our research came about when hospitals across Australia reported individual young women who, desperate to retain their fertility, were treated for uterine cancer with high doses of the hormone progesterone with great success.

Now, 180 women across Australia are getting involved in the feMMe Trial, to see whether this success can continue to be replicated in other women.

Women involved in the study are either young enough to still have children and want to retain fertility or have one or more other severe medical conditions, in addition to the endometrial cancer, that put them at high risk of undergoing surgery.

Find out more. 

Artificial wombs for premature babies

We are developing an artificial environment for preterm babies to continuing growing within. It will replicate the mother’s womb environment and we are currently testing the process on lambs. If successful, this research has the chance to save many babies’ lives.

Infection, inflammation and pregnancy outcomes

Our research involves developing better ways to identify women at risk of preterm births, and researching the use of Cytokine suppressive anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce chances of inflammation that can bring on preterm labour. We have also identified a new antibiotic, called solithromycin, to treat perinatal infections.

Optimising steroid use in pregnancy

Together with Cincinnati Children's Hospital in the United States and Tohoku University Hospital in Japan, we have shown that in preterm lambs, high-peak drug exposures do not contribute to the effectiveness of antennal steroids. Instead, the duration of low-concentration steroid exposure produces the best results in preterm lung maturation.

The Western Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Initiative

As part of an outreach program to visit 500 healthcare workers and implement a public health campaign known as The Whole Nine Months, this program has worked to develop a dedicated Preterm Birth Prevention Clinic at King Edward Memorial Hospital. Through the campaign and the clinic, we are working to provide a space for further investigation and management of women at the highest risk of preterm deliveries.

The Western Australian Pregnancy Biobank

The Western Australian Pregnancy Biobank (WAPB) project was created to form a repository of biological samples and associated clinical data from high-risk pregnancies. The database will be used to assist researchers to grow their knowledge and understanding of the causes of preterm birth, how to predict it, and effective treatment.