Dr Maree Bilandzic is a member of the Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers Research group in the Centre for Cancer Research.

Learn more about my group's research

Dr Maree Bilandzic from the Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers Research Group at Hudson Institute investigates the deadliest ovarian cancer cells

Areas of interest

Ovarian cancer

Research group

Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers

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