By harnessing a new type of immunotherapy, Melbourne-based researcher Doctor Bonnita Werner is hoping to improve the survival outcome for people diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
An early-career researcher from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the University of Melbourne, Dr Werner is one of the first recipients of Cancer Research Fellowships Victoria program. In a joint announcement with the Victorian Government, she has been awarded a three-year $450,000 fellowship to support her work exploring the therapeutic potential of antibody-producing immune cells in treating ovarian cancer.
(L-R) Peter Mac CEO Professor Jason Payne, Doctor Bonnita Werner, Peter Mac Board Chair Professor Rosemary McKenzie, Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas, Cancer Council Victoria CEO Todd Harper, Peter Mac Executive Director of Cancer Research Professor Ricky Johnston
Dr Werner says that grants like the Cancer Research Fellowships Victoria are crucial for supporting early- and mid- career researchers to establish themselves as future cancer research leaders.
“I’ve seen people’s careers stopped before they can even start because of a lack of funding,” she says. “And we’re missing out on potential progress because of the lack of job security.”
Cancer Research Fellowships Victoria
Cancer Council Victoria together with the Victorian Government, through the Department of Health, has invested more than $41 million into the newly created Cancer Research Fellowships Victoria grants program.
These grants support high-quality research focused on discovering and improving the prevention, detection, treatment and care for people affected by cancer.
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While immunotherapy has revolutionised cancer care, it’s shown limited success for ovarian cancer. Dr Werner is studying long-term survivors to understand how their immune systems, particularly antibody-producing plasma cella and B-cells, may hold the key to more effective future treatments.
“Rather than focusing on those who sadly don’t survive ovarian cancer, we’re flipping the narrative and studying people who do well long-term to understand why and using that knowledge to improve outcomes for everyone.”
The five-year survival rate for Victorians with ovarian cancer is only about 50 per cent, well below the overall cancer survival average of 73 per cent. Learn more
With the funding, Dr Werner will have the opportunity to study a library of antibodies collected from long-term survivors of ovarian cancer as part of a research collaboration bridging across Canada and throughout Australia.
“My colleagues have found long-term survivors often have antibody-producing immune cells at the cancer site,” Dr Werner says.
“The research I’ve been funded to do aims to work out how we can leverage those antibodies to create a therapeutic tool in the future.”
Doctor Bonnita Werner
Dr Werner looks forward to continuing the legacy of her team, who are world leaders in ovarian cancer research, and making a positive impact on the lives of people affected by cancer.
“Meeting people living with ovarian cancer motivates me to keep pushing forward. My hope is that this research will one day make a real difference in people’s lives,” Dr Werner said.
Learn more about ovarian cancer, or call 13 11 20 for support and information.