Dedicated to translational research of rare and less common cancers.
The Rare Disease Oncogenomics (RADIO) laboratory is dedicated to translational research of rare and less common cancers. The lab's research encompasses neuroendocrine tumours (NET), including phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma, gastro-entero-pancreatic NETs and Merkel cell carcinoma. We also have a research program focussing on cancers of unknown primary (CUP).
We use advanced genomic and histology (cell-based) methods to comprehensively analyse tissues and blood samples taken from cancer patients. We are also developing cell line cultures and patient-derived organoids (three-dimensional cultures) from rare cancers to establish working tumour models. We are using these tools to better understand the underlying biology of rare cancers, develop better diagnostic and prognostic tests for the clinic, identify precise cancer treatments in individual patients and find predictive markers of therapeutic response.
Contact and more information
Associate Professor Richard Tothill
Department of Clinical Pathology
rtothill@unimelb.edu.au
Flagship project | SUPER-NEXT: Solving Unknown Primary Cancer
SUPER-NEXT brings together a multidisciplinary team of Australia’s leading cancer experts to improve the diagnosis, care and treatment of people with Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP).
SUPER-NEXT uses state-of-the-art genomics approaches to interrogate the molecular landscape of CUPs. These studies aim to help resolve the cancer tissues of origin, as well as identify potential targeted treatment approaches, providing valuable new information to clinicians to help guide the best cancer care.