Research

Clincal Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation trials involve collaboration with industry, national cooperative groups and innovative projects initiated by investigators at Melbourne Health.

The transplant unit provides a service to much of the Melbourne metropolitan area and many regional and rural areas, and an allograft service to Tasmania.

Current research

• Velcade as part of induction and post transplant in myeloma.

• Velcade/doxil or velcade alone for relapsed myeloma.

• High dose ara-C in core binding factor AML (ALLG M13).

• Adding arsenic to ATRA and idarubicin for induction and to ATRA for consolidation in untreated acute promyelocytic leukaemia.

• BMS-354825 in accelerated phase chronic myeloid leukaemia refractory to glivec.

• Burkitt's lymphoma: assessing cytogenetic and molecular markers to determine the presence of cytogenetic and molecular changes.

• Randomised study of ICE + rituximab (R-ICE) versus DHAP + rituximab (R-DHAP) in previously treated CD 20+ diffuse large cell lymphoma, eligible for transplantation followed by randomised maintenance treatment with rituximab.

• Randomised, open-label, phase III study of subcutaneous azacitadine plus best supportive care versus conventional care/best supportive care in high-risk myselodysplastic syndrome.

• Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of eculizumab versus placebo in haemolytic paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria requiring blood transfusion in the last three months.

• Glivec alone or in combination with interferon in early recovery phase post-autologous blood or marrow transplant for advanced phase chronic myeloid leukaemia and Ph+ve acute lymphocytic leukaemia.

• Prospective study examining the role of immunogenetic polymorphisms on the incidence and severity of infection and graft versus host disease in allogeneic BMT.

• Pentostatin: in steroid refractory acute graft versus host disease.

• Zoledronic acid: treatment algorithm for reducing bone loss post allogeneic BMT.

• Cyclosporin: pharmacokinetics after allogeneic BMT.

• Randomised study of 400mg versus 800mg imatinib in newly diagnosed CML.

• Varicella Zoster vaccine study post autograft.

• ASPID study evaluating the role of aspergillus PCR in patients at high risk of fungal infection.

Research staff

Clinical Haematology and Medical Oncology
Ms Edith Cinc - Research Nurse
Ms Gillian Hoogeveen - Research Nurse
Mrs Marian Lieschke - Research Nurse
Ms Lisa Magee - Research Nurse
Ms Heike Raunow - Research Nurse
Mrs Kylie Shackelton - Research Nurse
Ms Shannon Uren - Research Nurse
Ms Anne-Marie Woods - Research Nurse
Mr Peter Sherman - Research Nurse
Ms Maureen Stanley - Data Manager

Bone Marrow Transplantation
Dr David Curtis - RD Wright Fellow, Clinical Haematologist
Mrs Janis Boyd - Scientist
Ms Elizabeth O'Flaherty - Scientist
Ms Angela Georgiou - Scientist
Mr Michael Brown - Research Nurse
Ms Rosie Hoyt - Research Nurse
Mr Peter Shuttleworth - Research Nurse

Funding Sources

Department of Education, Science and Training