About us
Who we are
Discovery, Translation, Connection: Transforming Cancer Care
The Department of Cancer Medicine is a powerful research and clinical partnership embedded in two hospitals: The Alfred and Cabrini Malvern.
Its research spans a variety of tumour types, cancer exercise research, translational tumour immunology and genomics, experimental therapeutics, and fundamental discovery.
Researchers in the department are leading clinicians and scientists specialising in clinical trials, imaging, pathology, immunology, genomics, cell development, therapeutics, molecular signalling, and health service and patient experience research.
As the newest department in the School of Translational Medicine at Monash University’s Alfred campus, the Department of Cancer Medicine’s focus on solid cancer research is propelled by:
- exceptional biobanking facilities in the Alfred Cancer Biobank & Cabrini Cancer Institute;
- major investments in world-leading technologies;
- cancer registries tracking incidence, treatment outcomes and survival rates; and
- clinical trials infrastructure.
The Department’s first flagship research program, the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology (see overleaf), leverages world-leading scanning technology in the Quadra PET/CT to better understand immune mechanisms that influence tumor responses and treatment toxicity.
Collaborations and partnerships
Our health services partnerships are our strength, and the proximity of patients to world-class clinicians and researchers represents a major opportunity to directly benefit outcomes for some 1.2 million people resident in Melbourne’s south-east corridor, as well as regional Victorians. Many of our researchers have senior clinical appointments, a dual role that drives innovation in cancer care through translation of bedside observations, such as diagnostic challenges and into research that generates new evidence.
Our extensive collaborations include groups with in Monash University (including the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine), and medical research institutes and hospitals across Australia and globally, including: Peninsula Care Group (part of Bayside Health), WEHI, Olivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Peter Mac and Harvard University.
The Alfred is one of Newsweek’s top 100 hospitals worldwide, Australia’s largest clinical trials site. The Alfred delivers comprehensive cancer care across Bayside Health for patients affected by cancer, blood disorders and at the end of life. Its cancer program provides quality clinical care for the local catchment, and to all Victorians through statewide melanoma, haematology and haemophilia services.
Alfred Cancer comprises service units providing clinical and research excellence in medical oncology, radiation oncology, haematology, bone marrow transplant, haemophilia, melanoma and palliative care.
Alfred Cancer also partners with rural and regional centres to deliver clinical trials and research activity across Victoria.
The Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre (PFMCC), opened in 2024, is the newest, purpose built facility for cancer research and cancer care in Australia, and is home to the Department of Cancer Medicine.
Cabrini Health is Australia’s largest private provider of comprehensive cancer care, delivering an integrated model that spans prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and supportive care. Through Cabrini Research and the Cabrini Cancer Institute, we are shaping the future of medical oncology by embedding precision medicine, translational research, and clinical trials into everyday practice.
Cabrini’s clinician researchers contribute expertise across medical oncology, cancer genomics, supportive care, and health services research, ensuring that innovations developed within the School of Translational Medicine are rapidly translated to benefit patients across Bayside Health, Cabrini Health, and the broader community.
National Imaging Facility
Australia is a world leader in applying advanced imaging and radiopharmaceutical technology to support health discoveries, clinical trials and development of new medical products.
As Australia’s advanced imaging network, the National Imaging Facility (NIF) has been at the forefront of implementing new Total Body PET scanning technologies in Australia, integrating radiopharmaceutical, molecular imaging, digital health /informatics and data science capabilities to support new cancer treatments.
Our vision
To transform cancer care by turning scientific discovery into real-world impact.
Our mission
To unite world-class researchers, clinicians, data scientists and community partners in a single, integrated ecosystem that accelerates progress across all stages of cancer research.