Anne Ashford was able to avoid knee surgery and significantly reduce her osteoarthritis pain after participating in a Kolling Institute research study that involved losing 10% of her body weight through diet and exercise. The study led by Professor David Hunter found that patients who undertook weight loss through diet and exercise reduced their osteoarthritis pain by an average of 50% on completion of the program. Researchers at the Kolling Institute are conducting numerous studies to develop non-surgical interventions for osteoarthritis aimed at reducing pain and the need for joint replacement surgery.

1. Research for Better Health
KOLLING CONNECTION
Newsletter | August 2012
KOLLING BONE & JOINT
The majority of patients with osteoarthritis don’t want
to have surgery. Kolling researchers focus on preventing
surgery and reducing pain by developing medical
therapies that can meaningfully intervene and change
the course of this disease.
For Anne Ashford, this intervention came at a time when
she needed it most. She was becoming increasingly
immobilised by her condition, “The pain in my knee
rapidly got worse and I needed a stick. I couldn’t stand
for even five minutes without it hurting and I couldn’t do
short walks. I was always looking around for seats. My
knees ached all through the night and I couldn’t sleep,”
she said.
After seeing several orthopaedic surgeons she had an
arthroscopy booked for one knee and expected possible
replacement of the other. She was then referred to
Rheumatologist, Prof David Hunter, who prescribed a
weight loss goal of 10 per cent of her bodyweight and an
exercise regime that involved knee-focused exercise in
hydrotherapy, as part of a research study.
Within six months on the new diet and exercise plan
Anne saw marked improvements and she is very pleased
with the results, “My knee pain is very much reduced,
my general activity levels and fitness have increased
significantly and I can manage my arthritis much better
Anne Ashford was able to avoid surgery and is experiencing without medication. This is a very good result for me
less pain after taking part in a Kolling research study.
and I wish I had done it 10 years earlier. Everyone should
know about this,” she said.
Researchers discover way to
prevent surgery and The study, led by Prof David Hunter, shows that patients
who undertook diet and exercise to lose 10% of their
reduce pain for bodyweight reduced their pain, on average, by 50%.
osteoarthritis sufferers The average pain reduction with an anti-inflammatory
medication is 20 – 30%.
Anne Ashford has been plagued by osteoarthritis for
many years, suffering crippling pain in her knees. After This medication-free approach to reduce pain and avoid
taking part in a study at the Kolling Institute involving surgery for osteoarthritis sufferers is just one of the many
intensive diet and exercise, she has found her pain studies Kolling Bone & Joint experts are conducting
significantly reduced and she has avoided surgery. to make a difference in the lives of those enduring this
agonising disease.
Osteoarthritis affects three million Australians. Within
the next 10 years this will increase to six million due We still need your help. To make a donation and help
to three risk factors; an increase in obesity, joint injury people like Anne please visit www.kolling.com.au
and an ageing population.
KOLLING FOUNDATION | ABN 83 128 360 174 | Registered Charity Number 15752
1 AUGUST 2012
Level 12 Kolling Building, Royal North Shore Hospital, Reserve Rd, St Leonards NSW 2065
Ph 1300 KOLLING (1300 565 546) | Fax 02 9926 5928 | foundation@kolling.com.au | www.kolling.com.au

2. From the CEO
The Kolling Knowledge (KK) series of free health forums
has been a great success so far and we look forward
to engaging more of the community in our work in
the future. Thanks to our MC Dr John D’Arcy and the
Hon Jillian Skinner, Minister for Health and Medical
Research, for attending our KK Cancer Forum and
to our KK supporters Westfield, North Shore Private
Hospital, PwC and Willoughby City Council.
We are grateful to all our supporters for your ongoing
commitment and welcome the ASX Thomson Reuters
Charity Foundation as our new partner.
As the funding arm of the Kolling Institute we are keen
to engage new supporters so please don’t hesitate to
contact me if you would like to help us in our vision to
improve healthcare now and in the future.
Welcome to the August issue of Kolling Connection.
Knowledge is what we’re about at the Kolling. Helen Connealy
Searching for causes, prevention and cures requires CEO, Kolling Foundation
intelligence, good direction and patience. Knowing h.connealy@kolling.com.au
how to use that knowledge is vital in our path to
improving healthcare for everyone in the community.
Health Minister Attends Kolling Knowledge
The Minister for Health and Medical Research, Jillian The next Kolling Knowledge cancer event is Breast
Skinner, was an honorary guest at the Improving and Ovarian Cancer on Tuesday 9 October. This is
Cancer Care Kolling Knowledge Health Forum, the a free event and everyone is welcome. Places are
second event in the new series of health forums the limited so please register online at
Kolling Foundation launched in May. www.kolling.com.au or phone 9926 4904.
Minister Skinner said these events were important to
engage the community and to highlight the relevance
of Kolling’s research to the community as well as a
forum for sharing the outcomes being achieved by
the Kolling Institute.
This health forum shared insights about the future
direction of cancer research and informed on how
today’s treatments will be used to improve patient
care and quality of life.
Renowned physician and Kolling Knowledge
ambassador, Dr John D’Arcy, lead a panel of Kolling
cancer experts, Prof Robert Baxter, Prof Stephen
Clarke and Assoc Prof Nick Pavlakis, who explained
how their vision for more personalised cancer
treatments and a holistic approach to cancer care is
put into practice by doctors.
Minister Skinner with Prof Stephen Clarke.
2 AUGUST 2012

3. KOLLING KNOWLEDGE HEALTH FORUMS
Moderated by Dr John D’Arcy
STROKE PREVENTION LIFE AFTER BIRTH
Wednesday 22nd August Tuesday 4th September
BREAST & OVARIAN CANCER RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Tuesday 9th October Tuesday 16th October
Hear from experts on a range of important
health topics as they provide insight into
new treatments and highlight future
research at the Kolling.
Registration is FREE but essential
as places are limited.
Register online at www.kolling.com.au
or phone 9926 4904
Registration & refreshments: 5:30pm - 6:00pm
Event time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
2012
Venue: Level 5 Kolling Building, Reserve Road
Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards
Follow Kolling’s news and events on Facebook and Twitter
www.facebook.com/KollingResearch
www.twitter.com/KollingResearch
3 AUGUST 2012

4. KOLLING CANCER 60 SECONDS WITH
Kolling researchers focus on cancer vaccine Tumour Bank Officer
Ussha Pillai
Researchers at the Kolling Institute are currently focusing on a cancer vaccine
that has the potential to improve the life expectancy and survival rates of patients
suffering from a brain tumour.
Each year about 1,400 cases of malignant brain cancer are diagnosed in Australia
and about 1,100 people die from the disease every year. The most common
malignant brain cancer, high grade glioma (HGG), is almost 100% fatal.
Over the past five years Kolling researchers have been working on ways to
make a vaccine that will stop a tumour from recurring. Using animal models
researchers are looking at treating brain tumours with vaccines made from the
individual brain tumour. The tumour proteins are linked directly to a bacterial
protein which makes the individual’s immune system see the tumour as foreign.
Study results are promising, showing up to 60% complete remission with
extended survival times in the remaining 40%.
How important is the Tumour Bank
Researchers are planning to progress this research into human trials, with the aim to cancer research?
of decreasing recurrent brain tumours and improving healthcare for a group of The Tumour Bank is a vital part of
patients that currently have limited hope. cancer research. It gives researchers
opportunities to study changes in
“If a patient is having surgery to remove a tumour or even if we can get a biopsy cancer cells, which will help them
of the tumour, we can make a personalised vaccine”, says Kolling researcher, Dr develop new ways of diagnosing
Chris Weir, who is leading the project. and treating cancer.
Although the vaccine can work in conjunction with chemotherapy, researchers Best part of your job?
The best part of my job is that each
believe the optimal time to administer the vaccine will be after chemotherapy,
day is different. Each person that
once the patient’s immune system has sufficiently recovered. gives consent for tumour banking
has a different story to tell and I get
“This vaccine could be another weapon in the arsenal against cancer,” says Dr to work with amazing and talented
Weir. researchers in a state of the art
research facility.
If you’d like to support Kolling Cancer research that can make a difference,
please make a donation at www.kolling.com.au Most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of my
job is keeping up with the high
volume of work and variety of tasks
involved with tumour banking, such
as getting consent from patients,
collecting samples, preparing
samples for researchers to use
and maintaining the tumour bank
databases.
What inspires you?
Giving people the opportunity to
be part of tumour banking, as this is
something positive coming out of
situations that are often difficult and
distressing.
Best piece of advice you’ve
been given?
“Whatever job you end up doing,
make it good science,” from my final
Dr Chris Weir leads cancer research into a vaccine that will one day give hope to lecture at university.
patients suffering from a brain tumour.
4 AUGUST 2012

5. KOLLING MOTHER & BABY
Population health researcher, Dr particularly about the risks in subsequent pregnancies.
We also let clinicians know our findings so they
Jane Ford, is helping women achieve can ensure their patients who are at risk will attend
better outcomes in childbirth a hospital where there is 24 hour access to blood
supply. We’re also looking at variation across hospitals
in treatments offered, for example transfusions
Postpartum following PPH. If we can identify practices associated
haemorrhage with low transfusion rates we may be able to prevent
some women having to have a transfusion, which in
(PPH) occurs
itself can be associated with adverse outcomes.
in 10%
of births Does your research impact on other areas of mother
worldwide and baby research?
and is one We’re starting to take a similar approach to other
conditions such as pre-eclampsia (high blood
of the three pressure in pregnancy). We’re looking at what’s
leading causes happening across time - is there an increase or
of maternal decrease in the incidence, what might be driving the
death. increase or decrease, what are the risks in subsequent
pregnancies. We have access to a large amount of
data that allows us to follow women’s pregnancy
outcomes over time, which is quite unique – there
What are you currently researching? aren’t many countries in that position. We’re lucky to
I’m involved in mother and baby research that looks be able to use this rich data source to explore other
at state-wide data to identify trends and outcomes of rare conditions.
particular aspects of childbirth. My area of research is
focused on mothers and their outcomes, in particular What do you see as the greatest advances in your
postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), which is excessive area of population health research in the last 5-10
bleeding after birth. years?
The capability and advances in technology that
How common is PPH? have increased capacity to examine state-wide
PPH occurs in 10% of births worldwide and is one data sources on births and hospital admissions
of the three leading causes of maternal death. In is transforming the way we can generate new
Australia there has been an increase in PPH. From knowledge, and my team at the Kolling are at the
1994 to 2009 there was an increase from 5% to 8% forefront of this work both here in Australia and
of women giving birth. After travelling overseas to a internationally.
conference I discovered this was also happening in
other developed countries, such as Canada and the
US. One focus of our research is to find what’s driving
this increase. At this stage we’ve ruled out factors
such as increase in maternal age and caesareans, We’ve been able to follow
however we still don’t have the answers. up women who’ve had PPH
and determine their risk in
Can you determine if PPH will occur in subsequent
subsequent pregnancies.
pregnancies?
We’ve been able to follow up women who’ve had PPH
and determine their risk in subsequent pregnancies. You can help improve the health of mothers and
Our research has indicated that 1 in 3 women who their babies by donating to Kolling Mother & Baby at
had a previous PPH will have another one. www.kolling.com.au or phone 02 9926 4904.
How will your research impact on patient outcomes?
A lot of our research is tailored to counselling women,
5 AUGUST 2012

6. Pub2Pub Charity Fun Run and Walk - Sunday 26 August
In its 20th year, the Pub2Pub Charity Fun Run and with family and friends.
Walk aims to be bigger, better and more fun than ever
before and hopes to raise $150,000. If you’d like to get involved and raise much-needed
funds for medical research simply follow these quick
Organised by the Rotary Club of Brookvale in and easy steps:
conjunction with the Newport Arms Hotel, the 13km
course starts on the sand at Dee Why Surf Club and 1. Register online at www.pub2pub.com.au
winds its way along the picturesque northern beaches,
ending at iconic pub, The Newport Arms Hotel, and 2. Build your own web page where family and friends
providing participants with spectacular scenery along can sponsor you online at
the way. www.everydayhero.com.au/event/pub2pub2012
Entrants always look forward to grabbing their 3. Nominate the Kolling Foundation as the charity
favourite refreshment and a bite to eat at the Newport you’d like to support.
Arms as a reward for their efforts and to celebrate
Thank You to Cure Cancer and Can Too
Cure Cancer Australia has been supporting early achievements she has also recently been appointed as
career researchers at the Kolling Institute for many Laboratory Research Director of the Bill Walsh Cancer
years. This year Dr Viive Howell received a two year Research Laboratory at the Kolling Institute.
research grant from Cure Cancer Australia.
For information about tours of the Kolling email
To share the important cancer work that Kolling foundation@kolling.com.au or call 02 9926 4904.
researchers conduct, a group of Cure Cancer and Can
Too supporters visited the Kolling for an early morning
The Kolling welcomed Cure Cancer & Can Too supporters for
tour and breakfast on 5th June.
a breakfast tour of the Kolling building.
Led by Dr Howell, guests were taken through the
cancer laboratories and given insights into the daily
routine of researchers. In particular they were shown
the Kolling Tumour Bank, the largest and most
comprehensive tumour bank in NSW, housing a range
of different tumours stored in high tech refrigeration
and cooling systems.
The Kolling is grateful to Cure Cancer for its support
as Dr Howell has a successful research career with
recognition through numerous awards, publications,
grants and presentations. In recognition of her
6 AUGUST 2012

7. New Partnership with ASX Thomson Reuters Charity
The Kolling Foundation is delighted to be one of
the 22 chosen charities to be supported by the ASX
Thomson Reuters Charity Foundation which organises
fundraising events in conjunction with the Financial
Markets.
In particular the Charity Sailing Regatta at Middle
Harbour Yacht Club, the annual golf day and charity
dinner and a wonderful art union raffle contributed to
a 2011 fundraising total of $1.1 million.
The Kolling Foundation will have art union raffle
tickets with great prizes to sell later this year. If you are
interested in volunteering to help us sell the tickets
please contact the foundation office on 02 9926 4904 The Charity Sailing Regatta organised by ASX Thomson
or email foundation@kolling.com.au Reuters Charity Foundation.
Kolling Researchers Receive Pursuit of Excellence Award
Kolling researchers were recognised by the Rotary
Club of Lane Cove on 22nd May for their outstanding
research at the Kolling Institute.
Congratulations to Professor Lyn March, Associate
Professor Deborah Marsh, Associate Professor
Christine Roberts and Professor Carolyn Sue who
each received a Pursuit of Excellence Award.
We’d like to thank the Rotary Club of Lane Cove for
their generous donation which will go towards the
continued work of Kolling research. The Kolling team were on hand to celebrate at the awards
presentation.
The Entertainment Book is a local restaurant and activity guide
providing hundreds of 25% to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers from fine
restaurants, cafes, attractions, activities and accommodation.
The Kolling Foundation is delighted to offer Entertainment Books
online and your purchase of this great value book will ensure
that 20% of the cost of each book is donated back to research
at Kolling.
To purchase your book visit :
www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/2091w31
7 AUGUST 2012

8. “thank you”
TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS
Kolling Foundation donations over $1,000 Kolling Institute Seminar Sponsors
For privacy reasons we are not listing names of individual Edwards Group Pty Ltd
major donors but thank each and every one for their great Sapphire Bioscience Pty Ltd
generosity in supporting our research. POCD Scientific
DKSH Australia Pty Ltd
Organisations
HD Scientific
Rotary Club of Lane Cove
Thermo Fisher Scientific Australia
North Shore Private Hospital
Life Technologies
Westfield
Sarstedt Australia
Donations in memory of the following people: Genesearch
Amelie Antoinette Charles Sigma Aldrich
Ruth Wearne
Peter Nam
A special thanks to Amy Nadaskay,
Joe Gritching
Kat Clarke and the wonderful team at
Lech Pazdzior
Monogram who have made our new
Robert Luscombe website look amazing - www.kolling.com.au
Donations in celebration:
Drs Keith & Eileen Ong’s 25th
wedding anniversary
Kolling Knowledge Partners
I’d like to support Kolling’s vital medical research.
My contact details My area(s) of interest
Title: First name: Kolling Mother & Baby Kolling Diabetes
Kolling Cancer Kolling Heart
Last Name: Kolling Bone & Joint
Address: All medical research at Kolling
Email:
Phone:
My donation details Donations of $2 and above are tax deductible.
Thank you for your support.
Donation amount $
My cheque/money order made payable to Kolling Please complete this coupon and mail it to:
Foundation is enclosed Kolling Foundation
Level 12 Kolling Building
OR Please deduct the above amount once monthly Royal North Shore Hospital
Reserve Road
from my Visa Mastercard Amex St Leonards NSW 2065
ph: 1300 KOLLING (1300 565 546)
Card number
e: foundation@kolling.com.au
www.kolling.com.au
Expiry date CCV No.
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Signature
Research for Better Health
8 AUGUST 2012