1 AUGUST 2012

Researchers discover way to prevent surgery and reduce pain for osteoarthritis sufferers

Anne Ashford has been plagued by osteoarthritis for many years, suffering crippling pain in her knees. After taking part in a study at the Kolling Institute involving intensive diet and exercise, she has found her pain significantly reduced and she has avoided surgery.

Osteoarthritis affects three million Australians. Within the next 10 years this will increase to six million due to three risk factors; an increase in obesity, joint injury and an ageing population.

The majority of patients with osteoarthritis don’t want to have surgery. Kolling researchers focus on preventing surgery and reducing pain by developing medical therapies that can meaningfully intervene and change the course of this disease.

For Anne Ashford, this intervention came at a time when she needed it most. She was becoming increasingly immobilised by her condition, “The pain in my knee rapidly got worse and I needed a stick. I couldn’t stand for even five minutes without it hurting and I couldn’t do short walks. I was always looking around for seats. My knees ached all through the night and I couldn’t sleep,” she said.

After seeing several orthopaedic surgeons she had an arthroscopy booked for one knee and expected possible replacement of the other. She was then referred to Rheumatologist, Prof David Hunter, who prescribed a weight loss goal of 10 per cent of her bodyweight and an exercise regime that involved knee-focused exercise in hydrotherapy, as part of a research study.

Within six months on the new diet and exercise plan Anne saw marked improvements and she is very pleased with the results, “My knee pain is very much reduced, my general activity levels and fitness have increased significantly and I can manage my arthritis much better without medication. This is a very good result for me and I wish I had done it 10 years earlier. Everyone should know about this,” she said.

The study, led by Prof David Hunter, shows that patients who undertook diet and exercise to lose 10% of their bodyweight reduced their pain, on average, by 50%. The average pain reduction with an anti-inflammatory medication is 20 – 30%.

This medication-free approach to reduce pain and avoid surgery for osteoarthritis sufferers is just one of the many studies Kolling Bone & Joint experts are conducting to make a difference in the lives of those enduring this agonising disease.

We still need your help. To make a donation and help people like Anne please visit www.kolling.com.au

KOLLING FOUNDATION | ABN 83 128 360 174 | Registered Charity Number 15752Level 12 Kolling Building, Royal North Shore Hospital, Reserve Rd, St Leonards NSW 2065Ph 1300 KOLLING (1300 565 546) | Fax 02 9926 5928 | foundation@kolling.com.au | www.kolling.com.au

Newsletter | August 2012

KOLLING CONNECTION

KOLLING BONE & JOINT

Research for Better Health

Anne Ashford was able to avoid surgery and is experiencing less pain after taking part in a Kolling research study.

2 AUGUST 2012

Welcome to the August issue of Kolling Connection.Knowledge is what we’re about at the Kolling. Searching for causes, prevention and cures requires intelligence, good direction and patience. Knowing how to use that knowledge is vital in our path to improving healthcare for everyone in the community.

The Minister for Health and Medical Research, Jillian Skinner, was an honorary guest at the Improving Cancer Care Kolling Knowledge Health Forum, the second event in the new series of health forums the Kolling Foundation launched in May.

Minister Skinner said these events were important to engage the community and to highlight the relevance of Kolling’s research to the community as well as a forum for sharing the outcomes being achieved by the Kolling Institute.

This health forum shared insights about the future direction of cancer research and informed on how today’s treatments will be used to improve patient care and quality of life.

Renowned physician and Kolling Knowledge ambassador, Dr John D’Arcy, lead a panel of Kolling cancer experts, Prof Robert Baxter, Prof Stephen Clarke and Assoc Prof Nick Pavlakis, who explained how their vision for more personalised cancer treatments and a holistic approach to cancer care is put into practice by doctors.

The Kolling Knowledge (KK) series of free health forums has been a great success so far and we look forward to engaging more of the community in our work in the future. Thanks to our MC Dr John D’Arcy and the Hon Jillian Skinner, Minister for Health and Medical Research, for attending our KK Cancer Forum and to our KK supporters Westfield, North Shore Private Hospital, PwC and Willoughby City Council.

We are grateful to all our supporters for your ongoing commitment and welcome the ASX Thomson Reuters Charity Foundation as our new partner.

As the funding arm of the Kolling Institute we are keen to engage new supporters so please don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like to help us in our vision to improve healthcare now and in the future.

Helen ConnealyCEO, Kolling Foundation h.connealy@kolling.com.au

From the CEO

Health Minister Attends Kolling Knowledge

The next Kolling Knowledge cancer event is Breast and Ovarian Cancer on Tuesday 9 October. This is a free event and everyone is welcome. Places are limited so please register online at www.kolling.com.au or phone 9926 4904.

Minister Skinner with Prof Stephen Clarke.

3 AUGUST 2012

KOLLING KNOWLEDGE HEALTH FORUMS

2012

Hear from experts on a range of important health topics as they provide insight into new treatments and highlight future research at the Kolling.

Registration is FREE but essential as places are limited.

Register online at www.kolling.com.auor phone 9926 4904

Registration & refreshments: 5:30pm - 6:00pmEvent time: 6:00pm - 7:30pmVenue: Level 5 Kolling Building, Reserve Road Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITISTuesday 16th October

BREAST & OVARIAN CANCER Tuesday 9th October

LIFE AFTER BIRTHTuesday 4th September

STROKE PREVENTIONWednesday 22nd August

Follow Kolling’s news and events on Facebook and Twitter

www.facebook.com/KollingResearch

www.twitter.com/KollingResearch

Moderated by Dr John D’Arcy

4 AUGUST 2012

Kolling researchers focus on cancer vaccine

Researchers at the Kolling Institute are currently focusing on a cancer vaccine that has the potential to improve the life expectancy and survival rates of patients suffering from a brain tumour.

Each year about 1,400 cases of malignant brain cancer are diagnosed in Australia and about 1,100 people die from the disease every year. The most common malignant brain cancer, high grade glioma (HGG), is almost 100% fatal.

Over the past five years Kolling researchers have been working on ways to make a vaccine that will stop a tumour from recurring. Using animal models researchers are looking at treating brain tumours with vaccines made from the individual brain tumour. The tumour proteins are linked directly to a bacterial protein which makes the individual’s immune system see the tumour as foreign.

Study results are promising, showing up to 60% complete remission with extended survival times in the remaining 40%.

Researchers are planning to progress this research into human trials, with the aim of decreasing recurrent brain tumours and improving healthcare for a group of patients that currently have limited hope.

“If a patient is having surgery to remove a tumour or even if we can get a biopsy of the tumour, we can make a personalised vaccine”, says Kolling researcher, Dr Chris Weir, who is leading the project.

Although the vaccine can work in conjunction with chemotherapy, researchers believe the optimal time to administer the vaccine will be after chemotherapy, once the patient’s immune system has sufficiently recovered.

“This vaccine could be another weapon in the arsenal against cancer,” says Dr Weir.

If you’d like to support Kolling Cancer research that can make a difference, please make a donation at www.kolling.com.au

Tumour Bank Officer Ussha Pillai

How important is the Tumour Bank to cancer research?The Tumour Bank is a vital part of cancer research. It gives researchers opportunities to study changes in cancer cells, which will help them develop new ways of diagnosing and treating cancer.

Best part of your job?The best part of my job is that each day is different. Each person that gives consent for tumour banking has a different story to tell and I get to work with amazing and talented researchers in a state of the art research facility.

Most challenging part of your job?The most challenging part of my job is keeping up with the high volume of work and variety of tasks involved with tumour banking, such as getting consent from patients, collecting samples, preparing samples for researchers to use and maintaining the tumour bank databases.

What inspires you?Giving people the opportunity to be part of tumour banking, as this is something positive coming out of situations that are often difficult and distressing.

Best piece of advice you’ve been given?“Whatever job you end up doing, make it good science,” from my final lecture at university.

KOLLING CANCER 60 SECONDS WITH

Dr Chris Weir leads cancer research into a vaccine that will one day give hope to patients suffering from a brain tumour.

5 AUGUST 2012

KOLLING MOTHER & BABYPopulation health researcher, Dr Jane Ford, is helping women achieve better outcomes in childbirth

What are you currently researching?I’m involved in mother and baby research that looks at state-wide data to identify trends and outcomes of particular aspects of childbirth. My area of research is focused on mothers and their outcomes, in particular postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), which is excessive bleeding after birth.

How common is PPH?PPH occurs in 10% of births worldwide and is one of the three leading causes of maternal death. In Australia there has been an increase in PPH. From 1994 to 2009 there was an increase from 5% to 8% of women giving birth. After travelling overseas to a conference I discovered this was also happening in other developed countries, such as Canada and the US. One focus of our research is to find what’s driving this increase. At this stage we’ve ruled out factors such as increase in maternal age and caesareans, however we still don’t have the answers.

Can you determine if PPH will occur in subsequent pregnancies?We’ve been able to follow up women who’ve had PPH and determine their risk in subsequent pregnancies. Our research has indicated that 1 in 3 women who had a previous PPH will have another one.

How will your research impact on patient outcomes?A lot of our research is tailored to counselling women,

particularly about the risks in subsequent pregnancies. We also let clinicians know our findings so they can ensure their patients who are at risk will attend a hospital where there is 24 hour access to blood supply. We’re also looking at variation across hospitals in treatments offered, for example transfusions following PPH. If we can identify practices associated with low transfusion rates we may be able to prevent some women having to have a transfusion, which in itself can be associated with adverse outcomes.

Does your research impact on other areas of mother and baby research?We’re starting to take a similar approach to other conditions such as pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy). We’re looking at what’s happening across time - is there an increase or decrease in the incidence, what might be driving the increase or decrease, what are the risks in subsequent pregnancies. We have access to a large amount of data that allows us to follow women’s pregnancy outcomes over time, which is quite unique – there aren’t many countries in that position. We’re lucky to be able to use this rich data source to explore other rare conditions.

What do you see as the greatest advances in your area of population health research in the last 5-10 years?The capability and advances in technology that have increased capacity to examine state-wide data sources on births and hospital admissions is transforming the way we can generate new knowledge, and my team at the Kolling are at the forefront of this work both here in Australia and internationally.

You can help improve the health of mothers and their babies by donating to Kolling Mother & Baby at www.kolling.com.au or phone 02 9926 4904.

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) occurs in 10% of births worldwide and is one of the three leading causes of maternal death.

We’ve been able to follow up women who’ve had PPH and determine their risk in subsequent pregnancies.

6 AUGUST 2012

Cure Cancer Australia has been supporting early career researchers at the Kolling Institute for many years. This year Dr Viive Howell received a two year research grant from Cure Cancer Australia.

To share the important cancer work that Kolling researchers conduct, a group of Cure Cancer and Can Too supporters visited the Kolling for an early morning tour and breakfast on 5th June.

Led by Dr Howell, guests were taken through the cancer laboratories and given insights into the daily routine of researchers. In particular they were shown the Kolling Tumour Bank, the largest and most comprehensive tumour bank in NSW, housing a range of different tumours stored in high tech refrigeration and cooling systems.

The Kolling is grateful to Cure Cancer for its support as Dr Howell has a successful research career with recognition through numerous awards, publications, grants and presentations. In recognition of her

achievements she has also recently been appointed as Laboratory Research Director of the Bill Walsh Cancer Research Laboratory at the Kolling Institute.

For information about tours of the Kolling email foundation@kolling.com.au or call 02 9926 4904.

Thank You to Cure Cancer and Can Too

The Kolling welcomed Cure Cancer & Can Too supporters for a breakfast tour of the Kolling building.

Pub2Pub Charity Fun Run and Walk - Sunday 26 August

In its 20th year, the Pub2Pub Charity Fun Run and Walk aims to be bigger, better and more fun than ever before and hopes to raise $150,000.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Brookvale in conjunction with the Newport Arms Hotel, the 13km course starts on the sand at Dee Why Surf Club and winds its way along the picturesque northern beaches, ending at iconic pub, The Newport Arms Hotel, and providing participants with spectacular scenery along the way.

Entrants always look forward to grabbing their favourite refreshment and a bite to eat at the Newport Arms as a reward for their efforts and to celebrate

with family and friends.

If you’d like to get involved and raise much-needed funds for medical research simply follow these quick and easy steps:

1. Register online at www.pub2pub.com.au

2. Build your own web page where family and friends can sponsor you online at www.everydayhero.com.au/event/pub2pub2012

3. Nominate the Kolling Foundation as the charity you’d like to support.

7 AUGUST 2012

New Partnership with ASX Thomson Reuters Charity

The Entertainment Book is a local restaurant and activity guide

providing hundreds of 25% to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers from fine

restaurants, cafes, attractions, activities and accommodation.

The Kolling Foundation is delighted to offer Entertainment Books

online and your purchase of this great value book will ensure

that 20% of the cost of each book is donated back to research

at Kolling.

To purchase your book visit :

www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/2091w31

The Kolling Foundation is delighted to be one of the 22 chosen charities to be supported by the ASX Thomson Reuters Charity Foundation which organises fundraising events in conjunction with the Financial Markets.

In particular the Charity Sailing Regatta at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, the annual golf day and charity dinner and a wonderful art union raffle contributed to a 2011 fundraising total of $1.1 million.

The Kolling Foundation will have art union raffle tickets with great prizes to sell later this year. If you are interested in volunteering to help us sell the tickets please contact the foundation office on 02 9926 4904 or email foundation@kolling.com.au

The Charity Sailing Regatta organised by ASX Thomson Reuters Charity Foundation.

Kolling Researchers Receive Pursuit of Excellence Award

Kolling researchers were recognised by the Rotary Club of Lane Cove on 22nd May for their outstanding research at the Kolling Institute.

Congratulations to Professor Lyn March, Associate Professor Deborah Marsh, Associate Professor Christine Roberts and Professor Carolyn Sue who each received a Pursuit of Excellence Award.

We’d like to thank the Rotary Club of Lane Cove for their generous donation which will go towards the continued work of Kolling research. The Kolling team were on hand to celebrate at the awards

presentation.

8 AUGUST 2012

“thank you” TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS

Kolling Knowledge Partners

OrganisationsRotary Club of Lane CoveNorth Shore Private HospitalWestfield

Donations in memory of the following people:Amelie Antoinette CharlesRuth WearnePeter Nam Joe GritchingLech PazdziorRobert Luscombe

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Research for Better Health

For privacy reasons we are not listing names of individual major donors but thank each and every one for their great generosity in supporting our research.

Donations in celebration:Drs Keith & Eileen Ong’s 25th wedding anniversary

Edwards Group Pty LtdSapphire Bioscience Pty LtdPOCD ScientificDKSH Australia Pty LtdHD ScientificThermo Fisher Scientific AustraliaLife TechnologiesSarstedt AustraliaGenesearch

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Kolling Institute Seminar Sponsors

A special thanks to Amy Nadaskay, Kat Clarke and the wonderful team at Monogram who have made our new website look amazing - www.kolling.com.au