Enhancing venetoclax and other pro-apoptotic agents to improve outcomes for patients with haematological malignancies

Blood cancers kill >4,500 Australians per year. A novel drug, venetoclax, has significantly improved outcomes for patients with several types of blood cancer, but relapses frequently occur. This PhD will analyse cancer cells at the single cell level to identify and specifically target the resistant populations that cause relapse. We will also study how another novel compound may synergise with venetoclax through targeting cancer cell metabolism. If successful, these projects may take critical steps towards new treatments for patients with blood cancers, and potentially curative novel drug combinations.