Centre for Women's Health Research

Reproductive medicine & uterine biology

Laboratory head: Professor Peter Rogers

Gynaecological cancers such as endometrial, breast and uterine cancer are among the most common cancers in women, but ongoing research is needed if mortality rates are to continue to decline.

While not life-threatening, common gynaecological conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids and interstital cystitis are still poorly understood and continue to cause women worldwide pain, loss of quality of life and fertility problems.

Endometriosis
Scientists are working in partnership with the Queensland Institute of Medical Research and Oxford University in the United Kingdom to test and survey 10,000 women as part of an endometriosis study.  The study has shown a linkage of genes on Chromosome 10 may be a precursor to endometriosis. Scientists hope these findings will soon lead to further research to identify a genetic marker for endometriosis.

Uterine fibroids
There is very little known about what cause uterine fibroids, despite the condition affecting up to 50 percent of women. Molecular profiling and development of models to study uterine fibroids have shown scientists fibroid growth may be due to genetic changes in the myometrium, or lining of the uterus.

Endometrial cancer
Endometrial cancer is the most-commonly occurring gynaecological cancer. Scientists are investigating the role endometrial lymphatics may play in the spread of endometrial carcinoma.

Breast cancer
In collaboration with the clinical breast oncology team, we are working to identify prognostic markers for response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in women with established breast cancer. This research involves molecular profiling of tumour biopsies taken prior to treatment, as well as investigating a number of known prognostic markers for breast cancer outcomes.

Interstitial cystitis
Interstitial cystitis is a chronic, painful bladder disease that currently has very few treatment options. Scientists are undertaking molecular profiling of bladder cells from women with interstitial cystitis, with the goal of gaining a better understanding of this debilitating disease.

Further research
In other related studies scientists working in the Centre for Women’s Health Reproductive Medicine and Biology team are also investigating synchrotron-generated micro-radiation therapy effects on the microvasculature in normal and tumour tissues. These projects are supported by access to a tissue bank and a network that allows collection of well-characterised human tissues from a range of surgeons and doctors. These networks support a range of projects investigating primary cell cultures and molecular and protein investigation of diseased and normal tissues.