Philanthropic support gives hope to ovarian cancer patients

Two cutting-edge Hudson Institute ovarian cancer research projects – led by Associate Professor Simon Chu and Dr Nicole Campbell – have received much needed and generous support from the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF).

These two OCRF grants are focused on research that will improve treatment solutions to improve the quality of life and survival for women who have ovarian cancer, including rarer sub-types.

The 2025 OCRF National Research Grants Program will provide A/Prof Chu:

• $724,293 over three years to help his work on the rare subtype adult granulosa cell tumours (aGCTs) and focusing on new treatments.

The Program will also provide Dr Nicole Campbell:

• $892,212 over three years to help her develop the first immune-based treatment for high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

The project is supported by the Mother’s Day Classic Foundation in association with the OCRF.

“Right now, there are no long-term, effective treatments for Granulosa Cell Tumours, and recurrence can happen 10, 20, even 30 years after the first diagnosis. Because it’s a rare ovarian cancer, it has been historically underfunded, leaving patients with limited options beyond surgery.” A/Prof Simon Chu.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer

Investing in high-potential research is the answer to increasing the survival rate of women. A/Prof Chu’s research on a rare type of ovarian cancer, granulosa cell tumours (GCT), has found that nearly all women with this cancer carry a mutation in the FOXL2 gene, which interacts with a key family of proteins to drive tumour growth. He aims to block this interaction using cutting-edge technology, and develop a targeted treatment.

Dr Campbell’s research focusses on a new immunotherapy that targets high-grade serous ovarian cancer by focusing on a naturally produced protein known as interferon epsilon, which can help activate the immune system to protect against the cancer and prevent its spread.

“Immune-based therapies have been really successful in treating other types of cancer, but not so effective against ovarian cancer. Our data shows that interferon epsilon primarily works through activation of the immune system, and it’s most effective against metastatic tumour cells.” Dr Nicole Campbell.

This year’s OCRF grants totalling $3.5 million (raised by the OCRF’s generous community) is granted to eight ovarian cancer researchers in five Australian institutions focussed on treatments and early detection ovarian cancer research and marks the biggest gift distribution in the Foundation’s 25-year history. One of the most challenging aspects of ovarian cancer is the diversity and complexity of the disease, so it’s vital to support research into the rarer subtypes, to ensure better outcomes for all those impacted by ovarian cancer.

“I believe we are on the cusp of change for ovarian cancer. For too long the statistics have been stubborn and progress toward effective methods of early detection, and development of enduring successful treatments, has been too slow,” said Robin Penty, OCRF’s Chief Executive Officer.

These Hudson Institute projects offer enormous hope to the many whose lives are upturned by ovarian cancer, and our researchers are very grateful for the funding. “Thanks to you, we come to work every day knowing there’s an entire community backing us, helping to drive new discoveries in ovarian cancer research. Breakthroughs take a team, and we are incredibly grateful to have the OCRF community’s support for ours. Thank you!” said A/Prof Chu.