Colorectal Cancer Research Group

Our research aims to improve survival and quality of life for patients with colorectal cancer.

We integrate benchtop and clinical research activities, providing a unique opportunity for clinicians, scientists and laboratory staff to work closely together to maximise patient care.

More than 1,500 people are diagnosed with colorectal (bowel) cancer in Australia every year.

Despite continual improvements in diagnosis and treatment, almost one in three people still sadly die from the disease*. Of those who survive, many experience long-term side-effects from the treatment they receive.

Clinicians, scientists and laboratory staff work closely together on our research projects, with the common goal of continuing to improve outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer.

*Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Improving survival and quality of life for patients with colorectal cancer.
Biomarkers of prognosis and treatment response.
Harnessing the immune system to fight colorectal cancer.
Finding ways to better predict the risk of disease recurrence and metastases.

Dr Mel McCoy
Dr Jen Ryan
Tracey Lee-Pullen
Dr Ryan Cohen
Naressa Yeo

Cohen R, Lee-Pullen T, Miller TJ, Meehan K, Fuller K, McCoy MJ. Optimising multiplex immunofluorescence staining for characterising the tumour immune micro-environment. Methods 2023, 219, 48-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymeth.2023.09.004

Cohen R, Beasley A, McCoy M, Platell C, Meehan K, Gray E, Fuller K. Locally performed postoperative circulating tumour DNA testing performed during routine clinical care to predict recurrence of colorectal cancer. ANZ J Surg 2023, 93 2473-2480. https://doi.org/10.1111/ans.18385

Fernando D, Hanna J, Cohen R, Ryan J. Adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival amongst octogenarians following resection of colorectal adenocarcinoma. ANZ J Surg 2024 Feb;94(1-2):181-186, https://doi.org/10.1111/ans.18715

Cohen R, Platell CF. Metachronous colorectal cancer metastasis: Who, what, when and what to do about it. J Surg Oncol 2024, 129(1): 71-77. https://doi.org/10.1002/jso.27400

Cohen R, Platell CF, McCoy MJ, Meehan K, Fuller K. Circulating tumour DNA in colorectal cancer management. Br J Surg 2023. 110(7), 773-783. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjs/znad126

To YH, Degeling K, McCoy M, Wong R, Jones I, Dunn C, Hong W, Loft M, Gibbs P, Tie J. Real-world adjuvant chemotherapy treatment patterns and outcomes over time for resected stage II and III colorectal cancer. Asia Pac J of Clin Oncol 2023, 19(3):392-402. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajco.13885