Effective. Tolerable. Accessible.
The future of cancer research.
The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute’s Impact Strategy 2025–2029 sets a bold and focused direction for delivering measurable, patient-centred outcomes through innovative science, equity-driven initiatives, and strategic collaboration. It reflects our commitment to advancing research that not only discovers but delivers, creating meaningful change in cancer care.
At the core of our strategy is a research focus on Translational Precision Immuno-Oncology (TPI-O), an integrated approach that combines the power of precision medicine with the promise of immuno-oncology. Rather than concentrating on individual cancer types, we adopt a tumour-agnostic model, targeting shared biological mechanisms across cancers to accelerate the development of therapies with broad, scalable impact.
By closing the loop between laboratory discovery and clinical care, we are reshaping how cancer treatments are developed and delivered, ensuring that innovation moves swiftly and meaningfully from bench to bedside and back again.
Strategic Pillars
Advancing Scientific Research
Research Translation & Commercialisation
Operational Excellence
Ethical and Regulatory Conduct
Sustainability
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Patient experience inspires our research
Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014
“My hope is that once one drug stops working, there is another one available to access to help prolong my life."
In 2014, Lisa was pregnant with her second child and excited to grow her family. But trouble breathing led to months of tests, coughing up blood, and an Emergency Department visit. After giving birth, she was diagnosed with ALK+ lung cancer. The disease had already spread to eight parts of her body.
Faced with high treatment costs, Lisa enrolled in a clinical trial, gaining access to life-prolonging therapy. Since then, she’s followed a strict treatment protocol and attends regular check-ups to monitor for spread.
Lisa is a passionate advocate for cancer research. She credits advancements in the field with giving patients like her hope, quality of life, and time.
“Without research, there’s no opportunity for a cure, for good quality of life, for anything.”
As her cancer develops resistance to treatments, Lisa continues seeking new options. She reflects on ONJCRI’s focus on tolerability:
“Tolerability is extremely important for me because I want to be present for my kids, to nurture them as a mum, and to be their role model.”
⸻ Lisa Briggs
Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in 2013
“The easier and better we can make treatment, the more people’s lives will be improved."
In 2013, George Kiossoglou began feeling unwell -aches, fatigue, and trouble sleeping. After multiple visits to doctors and the Emergency Department, a blood test finally led to a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
George was told he’d need several rounds of chemotherapy, but remarkably went into remission after the first. He then required a stem cell transplant. Fortunately, his brother was a near-perfect donor match.
The transplant worked – but it wasn’t without complications. George experienced multiple cases of graft versus host disease and ongoing health challenges.
Now doing well, George is a dedicated supporter of cancer research and the progress that made his recovery possible.
“In my case, the progress and improvements in treatment have occurred over a long time and involved a great deal of research, for which I am eternally grateful. Their work is so important to us all.”
⸻ George Kiossoglou
Diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma in 2011
“As a patient advocate, I hope my contribution will make cancer treatment much more effective, tolerable and accessible for future generations."
Graeme Sissing, an avid cyclist, was stunned when he was diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma—a common form of bladder cancer. “I had so many questions and no answers,” he recalls.
He began treatment with BCG immunotherapy, administered directly to the bladder. The process was physically and mentally exhausting. “I’d just recover from one treatment, and it would be time for the next.”
In 2023, Graeme underwent a major surgery to remove his bladder. Despite the challenges, he is grateful for how far cancer treatment has come.
“Research into the cancer that I had has given me the confidence that cancer is manageable and even curable. A generation or two ago my diagnosis would have been a death sentence.
All progress and improvements in treatments can be attributed to research. Modern treatment, through research, is becoming more tolerable and is more effective. Without research, cancer will remain a dominant and deadly disease.”
⸻ Graeme Sissing