A study looking to find a new treatment approach for rare ovarian cancer is among eight projects to receive funding from Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) in its largest-ever funding distribution of $3.5 million.
The grant recipients include three female Australian researchers who are among the few in the world leading research programs dedicated to studying rare ovarian cancer subtypes.
Ovarian cancer remains the most lethal female cancer and one of the most poorly understood cancers affecting women, girls and people with ovaries. In 2025, roughly 1,800 Australians will be diagnosed with the cancer, but only 49 per cent will still be alive in five years.
The five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer today is the same as the five-year survival rate for all cancers in 1975, when the modern cancer research era began. For reference, the average five year survival for all cancers today is above 70 per cent.
Robin Penty, OCRF’s Chief Executive Officer, said the latest funding announcement indicates 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,” she said.
“Momentum, however, is building. This new funding is critical, and these funded projects hold great promise. There’s still a long way to go, but, combined with strong advocacy to government and vital research collaborations in Australia, and overseas, there is reason for renewed hope in the effort to overcome this feared disease.”
Awardees receiving funding from the OCRF’s 2025 National Research Grants Program hail from five institutions including the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, QUT, Griffith University and QIMR Berghofer.
Biochemist Dr Emma Bolderson from QUT has received $460,552 over two years to test whether targeting a process in DNA damage repair involving lactate can provide the foundations of an effective treatment approach for rare ovarian cancer clear-cell carcinoma.
Associate Professor Simon Chu at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Monash University received $724,293 over three years to investigate specific mutation present in adult granulosa cell ovarian tumours and its interaction with a family of proteins. His aim to develop a new treatment for this rare subtype.
Dr Dale Garsed from The University of Melbourne and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre has received $299,584 over three years to study the immune response to cancer in long-term survivors of high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Dr Garsed and his team are hoping to determine how antibody-producing immune cells promote survival, and whether this information can be leveraged to develop new treatments.
Last year, the Mother’s Day Classic Foundation donated $1.2 million to the OCRF, allowing further research projects led by Dr Nicole Campbell and Associate Professor Kylie Gorringe to continue.
Over the next three years, Associate Professor Kylie Gorringe will be examining the proteins present in mucinous ovarian cancer to identify ways to therapeutically target the disease, and screen drugs to find new treatment approaches.
Over that time, Dr Nicole Campbell from Hudson Institute of Medical Research will be investigating 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.
Meanwhile, the OCRF will continue to support three ongoing projects, including a $100,000 collaborative grant to support ovarian cancer research at the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Centre for Optimised Cancer Therapy at QIMR and the ACRF Centre of Advanced Image-Guided Cancer Therapeutics at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
“I’m genuinely in awe of the collaborative and generous spirit at the heart of the OCRF community. From our incredible partners and corporate donors to every fundraiser and community member who puts their time, precious dollars and passion into this cause,” Penty said.
“To be awarding our largest ever grant distribution illustrates that the entire ovarian cancer community is behind the dedicated researchers working in the lab. The OCRF is proud to be entrusted with investing in the best and most promising research projects possible.”