Of the ~1,500 women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Australia every year, less than half are likely to be alive five years after their diagnosis. Research over the last decade has taught us that ovarian cancer is not a single disease. There are many different subtypes, each of which is likely to require a different treatment approach. Our research aims to understand why some ovarian cancer patients respond well to treatment while others are more resistant. Through understanding the molecular drivers of treatment response in each ovarian cancer subtype, we aim to better target treatment to individual patients.
Recent Achievements
- Completed recruitment to the INOVATe study (Individualised Ovarian Cancer Treatment through Integration of Genomic Pathology into Multidisciplinary Care), with 894 participants consented since 2016. This research program has developed strategies to better define ovarian cancer patient subsets, based on tumour genomic profiling in conjunction with conventional histological subtyping, in an effort to optimise the selection of patients for novel molecularly-targeted clinical trials and ultimately to individualise treatment.
- The GynBiobank at Westmead collects and processes biospecimens for research and clinical trials. To December 2024, over 1,750 participants have been recruited, and more than 80 local, national and international projects and clinical trials have been supported, contributing to over 90 publications addressing key questions in gynaecological cancer care.
- Molecular characterization of rare ovarian cancer histotypes. We are using a range of techniques including next-generation DNA sequencing and RNAseq to characterize the molecular alterations in low-grade serous and clear-cell ovarian cancers to identify new treatment targets and markers of response to targeted therapies.
Recent publications

The genomic and immune landscape of long-term survivors of high-grade serous ovarian cancer. NATURE GENETICS

Homologous Recombination DNA Repair Pathway Disruption and Retinoblastoma Protein Loss Are Associated with Exceptional Survival in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH.

Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes. NATURE.

New therapeutic opportunities for women with low-grade serous ovarian cancer. ENDOCR RELAT CANCER.

Response rates to second-line platinum-based therapy in ovarian cancer patients challenge the clinical definition of platinum resistance. GYNECOL ONCOL.
Group Members
NAME | ROLE |
Professor Anna DeFazio AM | Group Leader, Gynaecological Oncology Research Group
Director, Centre for Cancer Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research Sydney West Chair of Translational Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney Western Sydney (Baludarri) Precinct Director, Sydney Cancer Partners Convenor, University of Sydney Cancer Research Network |
Clinical Professor Rosemary Balleine | Principal Research Scientist and Clinical & Strategic Partnership Lead, Sydney Cancer Partners |
Dr Cristina Mapagu | Clinician Researcher |
Dr Tania Moujaber | Clinician Researcher |
Dr Natalie Bouantoun | Postdoctoral Research Scientist |
Ms Pamela Provan | Program Manager |
Ms Catherine Kennedy | Biobank Manager |
Ms Sivatharsny Srirangan | Research Officer |
Ms Jessica Boros | Research Officer |
Ms Nikilyn Nevins | PhD Student, Research Officer |
Dr Won-Hee Yoon | PhD Student |
Dr Alexander Murphy | PhD Student |
Dr Seema Kumari | PhD Student |
Ms Sarah Ho | PhD Student |
Dr Bronwyn Robertson | Operations Manager & Academic Lead, Sydney Cancer Partners |
Dr Karin Lyon | Senior Research Support Specialist |
Mr Leo Raudonikis | Senior Database Consultant |