Glenda Arnall has lived with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for over 40 years and maintains her independence using an electric buggy. Her husband Professor Rodney Scott researches the genetics of MS at Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) alongside Jeannette Lechner-Scott. The couple are participating in the PrevANZ clinical trial to determine if vitamin D supplements can prevent or delay the onset of MS. Glenda has also held fundraising events to support MS research and hopes research will lead to a cure.

1. summer 2012
searcher
Solving the
MS mysteries
Trawlers, tugs, ships, silos –
everything has something to “say”,
declares Glenda Arnall as she drinks
in the eye-watering view from her
Newcastle Harbour penthouse.
Having lived in the stunning
home for four years – and lived with
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for 40-plus
years – Glenda takes every day as a
blessing.
She zips around the balcony, and MS patient Glenda Arnall has lived with the disease for more than 40 years.
the Honeysuckle precinct for that BELOW: Researchers Rodney Scott and Jeannette Lechner-Scott.
matter, on an electric buggy as she
fiercely maintains her independence. clinical coalface. Her husband The pair are intrigued by
“I’ve been in a buggy for five Professor Rodney Scott, meanwhile, the complexity of a disease
years because it’s easier. I can walk works at the cutting edge of genetics that combines neurology and
with the aid of two sticks but I’m as co-leader of HMRI’s Information immunology.
impatient,” Glenda says. Based Medicine Program. “Studies have now identified 123
The penthouse suits her lifestyle genes predisposing to MS – Now
perfectly, and also inspired Glenda we need to find out how we can
to hold a fundraising evening called influence them,” Jeannette says.
“View for a Cause” in late November. Rodney adds: “All of us have a
“I have five granddaughters and risk but some cross a threshold and
I want them to visit all the time,” develop the disease.”
Glenda says. “The girls are also The HMRI team is now
one of the incentives for doing the participating in a world-first clinical
fundraiser – the money might be the trial, known as PrevANZ, which will
catalyst for finding a cure. determine if Vitamin D supplements
“They’re all perfectly healthy and Their research paths merge can prevent or delay the early
beautiful but you just don’t know. I because genetic and molecular onset of MS. Jeannette says it’s
was 22 when I was first diagnosed profiling is vital to unravelling the an important step to proving that a
back in the late 1960s.” mysteries surrounding MS. As a major risk factor can be modified.
Since 2007, Glenda has been married couple, it consumes their “Although a cure might not yet
a patient and trial participant for thoughts long after office hours. be in our grasp, we can now define
Associate Professor Jeannette “When you’re as involved in your so many treatment pathways and
Lechner-Scott, Senior Staff work as Rodney and I am, you don’t interventions that my aim is to see
Specialist in Neurology at John leave anything behind,” Jeannette MS patients going about their daily
Hunter Hospital. says. “You think about it when you life without the disease being a major
Jeannette is tackling MS at the walk the dog or go for a bike ride.” burden on them,” she said.
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2. community
RADAR on target
A
w
H ds
ar
M N
R ig
I h
t
Top honour for ‘all-rounder’
A Hunter prostate cancer trial using hormone
therapy to reduce testosterone levels – in
conjunction with radiotherapy – has yielded
The Hunter Region’s most ABOVE: Richard Anicich from
promising clinical results, according to chief Sparke Helmore, John Attia,
prestigious medical research
investigator Professor Jim Denham. and NBN’s Deborah Wright.
award has been won by a
The initial findings of the RADAR
multidisciplinary epidemiologist duties and a contribution rate of
(Randomised Androgen Deprivation and
working in fields as diverse as almost one medical publication
Radiotherapy) Trial were published recently
asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart per week; five of his most
in The Lancet Oncology.
disease, mental health, public recent papers appeared in the
Quality-of-life effects were studied in
health and stroke. respected international journal
a cohort of 1000 men across 23 cancer
Professor John Attia accepted Nature Genetics.
centres in Australia and New Zealand.
the coveted Sparke Helmore/ He currently serves as Chief
“We’re aiming to see whether 18 months of
NBN Television Triathlon Award Investigator for the Hunter
hormone therapy is superior to the standard
for Research Excellence in a Community Study, a cohort of
six months of treatment,” Jim said.
ceremony at the HMRI Building 3,000 men and women aged
“The study is also testing whether use of
in late November. 55-85 years that has ongoing
the drug Zometa can prevent losses in bone
As a member of HMRI’s research value in the areas of
mineral density and also prevent the spread
Information Based Medicine genetics and ageing.
of secondary cancers into the skeleton.
and Public Health Programs, In addition to his research,
“We obviously want better treatment
John’s expertise in research John runs an advanced training
outcomes but not at the price of severe
methodology, analysis and program in General Medicine at
side effects. I am highly encouraged by the
molecular genetics is widely John Hunter Hospital.
quality-of-life findings.”
sought by researchers around “John is a thoroughly deserving
Cancer-related outcomes of the RADAR
Australia and the world. winner and joins a very
trial won’t be known until 2014, however
“Studies must be designed impressive HMRI honour board
Jim said that androgen deprivation had
in such a way that they get that dates back to 1999,” HMRI
previously been shown to destroy millions of
accurate results,” John said. Director Michael Nilsson said.
cancer cells which otherwise would thrive on
“To give a classic example, “His work has direct benefit to
testosterone.
there was a study looking at public health outcomes across
The downside was that men experienced
the link between smoking and our communities, and building
temporary symptoms similar to menopause.
Alzheimers Disease, which capacity in our health services.”
“In around one quarter of men, side effects
initially found that smoking was HMRI Chairman Bob Kennedy
from androgen deprivation can be quite
protective. praised the variety and quality
severe, with hot sweats, swelling of breasts,
“What the study didn’t factor in, of work being undertaken by
a reduction in libido and erectile dysfunction,”
though, was that many smokers researchers.
he said. “But we found that the additional
had died earlier, before they had “In addition to the major
12 months of hormone therapy had little
a chance to develop Alzheimers. awards, we were able to present
long-term impact compared to the standard
When the epidemiology was a further ten travel prizes funded
treatment. The majority of men returned to
done correctly, the finding was by HMRI, PULSE and the Hunter
normal once the therapy ceased.”
actually reversed.” Children’s Research Foundation
RADAR was kick-started by a donation
John juggles an extraordinary to help our younger researchers
from HMRI supporters, the Gusse family.
work load with teaching advance their careers,” he said.

3. news in brief
Four new gene
regions linked to
endometriosis have
been discovered
in an international
study involving HMRI
researchers.
The study of 5648
Australian, Japanese
and European women with endometriosis
gives a clearer picture of the causes of this
gynaecological condition, which affects up to
Luke Wolfenden, left, Rebecca 10 per cent of Australian women and causes
Wilson from PULSE, and travel about half of all female infertility.
award winner Morgan James. The condition can also induce pelvic pain,
menstrual disturbance, and tissue damage.
Newcastle researchers Professor Rodney
Good for life ... fruit and vegetable consumption
among children.
Scott, Dr Elizabeth Holliday, Professor John
Attia and Dr Mark McEvoy assisted the
good for Luke Another current trial aims to
encourage greater physical
Queensland Institute of Medical Research.
“This is a major genetic discovery for
activity among children in such a complex disease, which will help in
Also at the HMRI Awards Night, childcare. building risk profiles,” Rodney Scott said.
Public Health research fellow Dr A computer-based smoking
intervention continues to operate A drug widely used to
Luke Wolfenden was named the
at John Hunter Hospital five treat pain and epilepsy
PULSE Early Career Researcher
years after his research ended. can substantially reduce
of the Year. the severity of long-
Luke, 32, works with Hunter Another first was the trial of
term chronic coughing,
New England Population Health a sporting club intervention according to a new
at the Wallsend campus and is to reduce at-risk alcohol study conducted by Dr
a conjoint senior lecturer at the consumption. Through the Nicole Ryan.
University of Newcastle. Australian Drug Foundation it has Her findings are
His far-reaching research reached 5000 clubs nationwide. the first to show that the drug Gabapentin
has significant public health “Receiving the award has been suppresses a nerve-related trigger
relevance as it delves into humbling,” Luke said. “It has responsible for stimulating persistent
smoking cessation, alchohol brought a sense of achievement coughing. “The results are very promising
and renewed determination to and raise hope for many people with
abuse and obesity prevention.
refractory chronic cough,” Nicole said.
He successfully managed conduct innovative research to
“The condition can be both
Australia’s largest child obesity improve community health.”
psychologically and physically disabling,
prevention program, “Good For PULSE also presented travel and there have been no effective drugs
Kids, Good For Life”, and also awards to Morgan James and available. Sufferers now have a potential
conducted the first trial of a Kirsty Pringle, allowing them to new treatment option.”
telephone program to promote attend overseas conferences.
Dr Kenneth Moss
State awards for scientists AM, a foundation board
member of the Hunter
Two past HMRI Award for Research Excellence winners have Medical Research
been acknowledged in the 2012 NSW Science and Engineering Institute from 1998 to
awards announced in Sydney. 2002, passed away
Laureate Professor John Aitken was named NSW Scientist of suddenly in October,
the Year for his world-leading work in reproductive biology. just months after being
“Each year the reproductive needs of some 120 million couples appointed the University
worldwide go unmet. Finding more effective ways to control of Newcastle’s 6th Chancellor.
fertility is a critical global issue while, at an individual level, we Dr Moss headed a Capital Campaign
should never forget the large number of couples seeking safe, that yielded significant funding for the HMRI
effective solutions to their infertility,” Professor Aitken said. Building. He was deeply committed to the
Fellow University of Newcastle researcher Laureate Professor University, having graduated with a Bachelor
Paul Foster won the Excellence in Biological Sciences (Human of Engineering degree (Hons) in 1968 and a
and Animal Health) award for his work in respiratory disease. PhD in mechanical engineering in 1974.

4. events
U t
C et
P
I n
R in
M M
H rd
O
Extra-Ord-inary finish to race
Eight yachts crewed by
HMRI supporters enjoyed a
Fensom’s Long Time Dead,
while third across the line was
Dungog bike ride
magnificent day’s sailing on Wizzard owned by Mic Hinchey. Member for Newcastle, Tim Owen AM MP,
Newcastle Harbour, contesting “The HMRI Cup is a great way went along for the ride when the third annual
the Ord Minnett HMRI Cup. for NCYC to partner with Hunter Newcastle to Dungog Charity Bike Ride
With sponsor Ord Minnett’s Medical Research Institute and began on October 27.
crew aboard, the 43-footer help raise funds for the great After flagging away the lead riders
Anger Management came from work they do across a variety from Nobbys Beach at 6.30am, the State
last place in a handicap start to of research fields,” NCYC parliamentarian hopped on a borrowed
clinch victory by a nose. Chief Executive Officer Richard bicycle and rode the first section of the
It was the closest finish in Howard said. picturesque 90km course.
the club’s history, according to “This year the weather gods “It has been quite a few years since I last
winning skipper Phil Arnall, the were kind, allowing for some hopped on a pushbike but I enjoyed taking
Club Commodore. great racing and a fabulous after part,” Mr Owen said.
Second place went to Matt party back at NCYC.” “I like the idea of a healthy activity like
cycling helping to fund medical research
through HMRI, so I take my hat off to all the
riders who competed.”
The event raised around $15,000 as some
220 riders – ranging from elite racers through
to the so-called “charleys” – formed an
impressive peloton.
The route takes in four local government
areas – Newcastle, Port Stephens, Great
Lakes and Dungog – as it wends its way to
the foothills of Barrington.
“It’s a unique event in the Hunter, being
slightly longer than the Loop The Lake
and following a course through beautiful
countryside that riders don’t often see,” event
spokesman Ian Bourne said.
Rotary members served as marshals and
also greeted the riders upon crossing the
Coming in 2013! finish line at Dungog’s Jubilee Park.
See www.hmri.com.au for more details.
Dec-Jan 20 Maitland Regional Art Gallery is hosting the HMRI
artist in residence Judith White.
Jan 26 PULSE Australia Day party Lot 1, Kookaburra Cct
New Lambton
Feb 22 HMRI Golf Day
Newcastle Golf Course Locked Bag 1000
New Lambton
Mar 17 20th Sparke Helmore/NBN Television triathlon NSW 2305
incorporating the Greater Foreshore 5 (Mar 15) T 02 4042 0000
and Tri-junior triathlon (Mar 16) F 02 4042 0001
E info@hmri.com.au
SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS ABN 27 081 436 919

5. Your support helps
fund life-changing
research!
You can make a real difference
Having spent his working life dispensing good
medicine and good advice, pharmacist Vic Carroll
had a healthy respect for his own wellbeing when
he reached retirement. Just as well …
His regular PSA checks began showing a steady
increase and when the reading reached 6.6, Vic’s
GP referred him to a urologist. A biopsy confirmed
that further treatment was warranted.
“The ‘ray’ treatment went for seven weeks, five
days a week, but I’d drive to Waratah, have my
treatment and be home in an hour,” the Merewether
resident said.
In addition to radiotherapy
Vic received an androgen
deprivation (AD) drug in the
RADAR trial (see page 2).
Now aged 74, Vic has
annual appointments with
Professor Jim Denham and
just received his five-year
all-clear.
“In the Hunter we found
that testing rates had
soared after the ‘Little Prick’ campaign
and, as a result, our detection rate became the
highest in the State according to the NSW Cancer
registry,” Jim Denham said, before adding that early
diagnosis by itself won’t save lives.
Close to 3,300 Australian men succumb to prostate
cancer each year but through research they have a
fighting chance. Jim Denham reported that the use
of six months of AD had reduced prostate cancer
death rates 10 years after treatment from 22% to
11.4% in the trial’s predecessor (TROG 96.01).
As part of the RADAR trial, Vic also took the drug
Zometa but he stopped the medication after it flared
up his gout. Today, he plays tennis three times a
week, walks and gardens.
“Thanks to more effective treatments, that have
been ‘road tested’ in our trials program, we hope
to see the Hunter’s mortality rate, which has been
the highest in NSW for many years, dropping in the
next three or four years,” Jim said.
You can help make life better for cancer
patients like Vic. Please donate today by
completing the form overleaf, or online.
www.hmri.com.au

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