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Research Scholarship - 2019

Tumour-derived extracellular vesicles (EV) as a novel biomarker in head and neck cancer patients.
Bella Nguyen

Project Description

Head and neck cancer is the 7th most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, and it is estimated that by 2017, there would be 4,956 new cases of head and neck cancer diagnosed in Australia. Despite progress in cancer research, fiveyear survival rates in head and neck cancer remain unchanged at less than 50% with treatment and when recurrent or metastatic disease occurs, median survival is only 6-12 months with conventional chemotherapy. The current diagnostic and disease monitoring standard remains invasive tumoural biopsy and serial imaging. Currently, there are no routine blood-based test available in clinical practice. Our research project aims to investigate the role of extracellular vesicles as a novel bloodbased test that can be used to diagnose and monitor disease response in head and neck cancer. This project has the potential to change the way we diagnose and monitor disease response cancer through routine blood tests.

This Scholarship has since been rescinded.

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