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Melanoma

Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer. The disease can be effectively treated if detected early but is dangerous once it spreads throughout the body.

Introduction

Australia has one of the highest incidence rates of melanoma in the world, with the disease being the third most diagnosed cancer in the country. More than 1400 Australians die from the disease each year. 

Melanoma research at WEHI

Our research aims to develop new strategies for treating advanced cases of melanoma. Our researchers are:

  • investigating how specialised immune cells called natural killer cells prevent melanoma from spreading
  • exploring whether natural killer cells could be harnessed to fight melanoma
  • developing treatments that target the proteins keeping melanoma cells alive
  • studying how melanomas evolve and develop resistance to therapies.
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