About us

The Cancer Cachexia Mechanisms Research Group (CCMRG) is a research group within IIR with a specific interest in understanding the role of inflammatory mediators in contributing to musculoskeletal wasting that underlies cancer cachexia. The ultimate goal of our research is to identify molecular markers of muscle and bone loss for the purposes of therapeutic targeting. Hence, preventing this debilitating condition and improving cancer patients’ quality of life.


The research theme of this group is cancer mediated inflammation and its role in causing cachexia or body wasting. Our studies particularly focus on characterising regulatory molecules that play a role in the pathogenesis of muscle wasting, bone loss, fatigue and weakness. Molecular mechanisms that underlie muscle and bone loss and compromised contractile function and mobility are being examined in both mouse and cell culture models.

Team

Professor, Scientia Education Fellow, SFHEA Patsie Polly
Professor, Scientia Education Fellow, SFHEA

T:  +61 2 9385 2924
E:  patsie.polly@unsw.edu.au

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Adjunct Associate Professor

T:  02 98372818
E:  ttan1@gmp.usyd.edu.au

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Projects

  • Functional variants of RUNX2 related to bone density
  • MEF2C and RXRg : Regulators of muscle wasting in cachexia?

Students

  • Munawwar Abdulla (PhD)
  • Nicholas Bentley (PhD)
  • Derek Williamson (PhD)