Dr Maree Bilandzic is a member of the Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers Research group in the Centre for Cancer Research.
Areas of interest
Research group
Biography
There is currently no effective treatment for ovarian cancer that achieves long-term patient survival. Dr Maree Bilandzic’s research program has a strong focus on addressing the unmet needs faced by women battling ovarian cancer: the lack of effective treatments and ways to monitor disease.
Dr Bilandzic is particularly focused on a specialised subset of ovarian cancer cells called “Leader Cells”. Leader cells are fundamental to metastasis, tumour progression and chemo resistance, yet not much is known about them in an ovarian cancer context.
Dr Bilandzic has been fortunate to receive support from philanthropic organisations such as the CASS Foundation, Fielding Foundation and the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. Her studies are facilitated by strong clinical collaborations within the Monash Health Translation Precinct.
Dr Bilandzic believes that understanding the molecules and pathways controlling critical stages of metastasis is essential to enable the development of treatments that specifically counter the dual problems associated with chemoresistance and tumour spread.
Publication highlights
