The University of Western Australia

Professor Anna Nowak

Professor (Medical Oncology)
School of Medicine and Pharmacology Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Unit

Contact details

Address

School of Medicine and Pharmacology Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Unit
The University of Western Australia (M503)
35 Stirling Highway
CRAWLEY WA 6009
Australia

Phone

9346 2432

Fax

9346 2816

Email

anna.nowak@uwa.edu.au

Qualifications

MB BS PhD W.Aust., FRACP

Biography

Prof Anna Nowak is a Medical Oncologist and member of the Perth Mesothelioma Centre and National Research Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases (NCARD) who has participated actively in mesothelioma research over the past 10 years, and has received international recognition in this area. She works closely with other researchers in this field at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and UWA.
Prof Nowak has been active in pre-clinical research in this disease. Her laboratory work in mesothelioma includes a PhD thesis on combination chemo-immunotherapy in a murine model; this work was awarded at local, national, and international level, winning the International Mesothelioma Interest Group New Investigator Award in 2002. She returned to UWA in 2005 to pursue laboratory work and clinical translational work in mesothelioma after a postdoctoral fellowship working in clinical trials research. She has given numerous oral presentations and published abstracts of her work at national and international meetings.
Her clinical research on unidimensional measurement of response in mesothelioma culminated in the development of the Modified RECIST Criteria for tumour response which have been widely accepted for use in clinical trials in this disease. She has been an invited speaker internationally on tumour measurement and clinical trials in mesothelioma. She also performed the first published validation of the use of a quality of life tool in clinical trials in mesothelioma. More recently, she has continued to investigate the role of PET scanning in prognostication and monitoring of treatment response in mesothelioma, and is the principal investigator of an investigator-initiated phase II clinical trial of sunitinib as second line therapy in malignant mesothelioma. Her clinical research work outside of mesothelioma includes active participation in clinical trials, psycho-oncology, and translational research in high grade glioma.

Key research

Mesothelioma

- Radiological Imaging of Response

- PET imaging; FDG and novel agents.

- Clinical trials of novel agents and immunotherapy (Phase I, II).

- Quality of Life research.

- Animal models of chemo-immunotherapy

High Grade Glioma

- AGOG collaboration principal investigator

- Patterns of Care database

- psycho-oncology studies.

Publications

PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS:
1.Van der Most RG, Currie AJ, Cleaver AL, Salmons J, Nowak AK, Mahendran S, Larma I, Prosser A, Robinson BWS, Smyth MJ, Scalzo AA, Degli-Espositi M, Lake RA. Cyclophosphamide chemotherapy sensitizes tumor cells to TRAIL-dependent CD8 T cell-mediated immune attack resulting in suppression of tumor growth. PLoS ONE. September 10 2009.
2.Halkett GKB, Lobb EA, Oldham L, Nowak AK. The information and support needs of patients diagnosed with High Grade Glioma. Manuscript accepted 14/8/09, Patient Education and Counseling.
3.Hasani A, Alvarez JM, Ma Wyatt J, Bydder S, Millward M, Byrne M, Musk AW, Nowak AK. Outcome for Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Referred for Trimodality Therapy in Western Australia. Journal of Thoracic Oncology 4(8):1010-6, 2009.
4.Nowak AK, Jacobs I, Lake F, Jonas-Dwyer D, Ryan G, Carr S. Evidence Based Medicine – teaching with clinical relevance in an undergraduate medical curriculum. Manuscript accepted 4/2/09. Focus on health Professional Education.
5.Hasani A, Nowak AK. Current management of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Asia Pacific Journal of Oncology and Haematology. 1(1): 1-11; 2009.
6.Alvarez JM, Hasani A, Segal A, Sterret G, Millward M, Nowak A, Musk AW, Bydder S. Bilateral thoracoscopy, mediastinoscopy and laparoscopy, in addition to CT, MRI and PET imaging, appears essential to correctly stage and treat patients with mesothelioma prior to trimodality therapy. Australia New Zealand Journal of Surgery. Manuscript accepted December 2008 (for October 2009 issue).
7.van der Most R, Currie A, Mahendran S, Prosser A, Darabi A, Robinson BWA, Nowak AK, Lake RA. Tumor eradication after cyclophosphamide depends on concurrent depletion of regulatory T cells: a role for cycling TNFR2-expressing effector-suppressor T cells in limiting effective chemotherapy. Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy. 58(8):1219-28. 2009
8.Webb S, Thomas M, Metcalf C, Segal A, Ma Wyatt J, Nowak A, Bentel J, Millward M. EGFR Mutation Testing in NSCLC: Patterns of care and outcomes in Western Australia. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology 5; 66-71. 2009
9.Bydder S, Nowak AK, Marion K, Phillips M, Atun R. The impact of case discussion at a multidisciplinary team meeting on the treatment and survival of patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer. Manuscript accepted, Internal Medicine Journal (August 2008).
10.Creaney J, Segal A, Sterrett G, Platten M, Baker E, Murch A, Nowak AK, Robinson BWS, Millward M. Overexpression and altered glycosylation of MUC1 in malignant mesothelioma. British Journal of Cancer 98; 1562-1569. 2008. [5%; IF 4.5, Citations 4].
11.Ferguson T, Wilcken N, Vagg R, Ghersi D, Nowak AK. Taxanes for adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 4. [45%; IF 4.6; Citations 6]
12.Nowak AK, Bydder S. Management of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: a review. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology 2007 (3) 177 – 186. [90%; IF N/A; Citations 1]
13.Nowak AK, Stockler MR, Hargreaves C, Gebski V, Cebon J. Assessment of health-related quality of life and patient benefit as outcome measures for clinical trials in hepatocellular carcinoma. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology 2008 (4); 55-67. [50%; IF N/A; Citations 1]
14.Armato S, Entwistle M, Truong M, Nowak AK, Ceresoli , Zhao B, Misri R, Kindler H. Current state and future directions of pleural mesothelioma imaging. Lung Cancer 2008: 59(3); 411-20. [10%; IF 3.6; Citations 2]
15.Roslyn J Francis, Michael J Byrne, Agatha A van der Schaaf, Jan A Boucek, Anna K Nowak, Michael Phillips, Richard Price, Andrew P Patrikeos, A William Musk, Michael J Millward. Early Prediction of Response to Chemotherapy and Survival in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma using a Novel Semi-automated 3D Volume-Based Analysis of Serial FDG PET scans. Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2007 (48) 1449-58 [15%; IF 5.0; Citations 7]
16.Feeney K, Cain M, Nowak AK. Practical management of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. Australian Family Physician. Australian Family Physician. 36(9):702-6, 2007 Sep. [35%; IF N/A; Citations 1].
17.Martin R. Stockler, Rachel O'Connell, Anna K. Nowak, David Goldstein, Jane Turner, Nicholas R.C. Wilcken, David Wyld, Etasham Abdi, Amanda Glasgow, Phillip J. Beale, Michael Jefford, Haryana Dhillon, Stephane Heritier, Candace Carter, Ian B. Hickie, R. John Simes: The ZEST Trial Group. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Sertraline’s effects on symptoms and survival in advanced cancer: The ZEST Trial (ISRCTN72466475). Lancet Oncology. 8(7):603-12, 2007 Jul [10%; IF 10.2; Citations 13]
18.J Cebon, M Findlay, C Hargreaves, M Stockler, P Thompson, M Boyer, S Roberts, A Poon, AM Scott, V Kalff, G Garas, A Dowling, D Crawford, J Ring, R Basser, A Strickland, G Macdonald, M Green, A Nowak, B Dickman, H Dhillon and V Gebski, Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group (AGITG) AG0001H Investigators. Pilot phase II study of Sandostatin LAR® in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. British Journal of Cancer 2006 (95) 853-861. [3%; IF 4.5; Citations 12]
19.Nowak AK, Stockler M, Findlay M. The use of tamoxifen in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review. Cancer 2005; 103: 1408-1414. [60%; IF 4.6; Citations 15]
20.Nowak A, Stockler M, Findlay M, Vijuk G. Tamoxifen for hepatocellular carcinoma. In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2004. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [60%; IF N/A; Citations 2].
21.Nowak AK, Stockler MR, Byrne MJ: Assessing quality of life during chemotherapy for pleural mesothelioma: feasibility, validity and results of using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and LC13. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2004; 22 (15): 3172-3180. [70%; IF 17.2; Citations 23]
22.Nowak A, Wilcken N, Stockler M, Hamilton A, Ghersi D. Systematic Review of Taxanes for adjuvant and neo-adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer. The Lancet Oncology 2004; 5: 372-80. [50%; IF 10.1; Citations 33].
23.Byrne MJ, Nowak AK. Modified RECIST criteria for assessment of response in malignant mesothelioma. Annals of Oncology. 15: 257-260, 2004. [50%; IF 5.2; Citations 89].
24.Robinson BWS, Creaney J, Lake RL, Nowak AK, Musk AW, De Klerk N, Wintzell P, Scholler N, Hellstrom KE, Hellstrom I. Mesothelin-Family Proteins are Elevated in Sera from Mesothelioma Patients and can Predate Diagnosis. Lancet 2003. 362: 1612-16. [5%; IF 25.8; Citations 81].
25.Nowak AK, Robinson BWS, Lake RA. Synergy between chemotherapy and Immunotherapy in the treatment of established murine solid tumors. Cancer research. 2003 63 (15) ; 4490-4496. [75%; IF 7.7; Citataions 91]
26.Nowak AK, Lake RA,Marzo AL, Scott B, Heath WR, Collins EJ, Frelinger JA, Robinson BWS. Induction of tumor cell apoptosis in vivo increases tumor antigen cross-presentation, cross-priming rather than cross-tolerizing host tumor-specific CD8 T-cells. Journal of Immunology.170 (10): 4905-13. 2003 [60%; IF 6.3; Citations 117].
27.Nowak AK, Lake RA, Kindler HL, Robinson BWS. New Approaches for Mesothelioma: Biologics, Vaccines, Gene Therapy, and Other Novel Agents. Seminars in Oncology 29 (1); 82-96. 2002. [65%; IF 3.1; Citations 59].
28.Nowak AK, Robinson BWS, Lake RA. Gemcitabine exerts a selective effect on the humoral immune response: implications for combination chemo-immunotherapy. Cancer Research. 2002 62: 2353-2358. [75%; IF 7.7; Citations 61].
29.Nowak AK, Byrne MJ, Williamson R, Ryan GL, Segal A, Fielding D, Mitchell P, Musk AW, Robinson BWS. A Multicentre Phase II Study of Cisplatin and Gemcitabine for Malignant Mesothelioma. British Journal of Cancer. 2002;87(5):491-6. [40%; IF 4.5; Citations 58].
30.Nowak AK, Shilkin KB, Jeffrey GP. Darkroom Hepatitis after exposure to Hydroquinone. Lancet 1995; 345: 1187. [30%; IF 25.8; Citations 3].
31.Nowak A, Wilcken N, Ghersi D, Hamilton A, Stockler M. Systematic Review of Taxanes for adjuvant and Neo-adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer. National Breast Cancer Centre 2004. ISBN Print: 1 74127 031 6 Online: 1 74127 037 5. [40%; IF N/A; Citations N/A]

INVITED PUBLICATIONS
1.Nowak AK. Radiographic Measurement of Tumour Load in Pleural Malignancies. International Pleural Newsletter. 2009; 7(3) 12-13.
2.McCoy M, Nowak AK, Lake RA. Chemo-immunotherapy – an emerging strategy for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma. Tissue Antigens 2009: 74(1): 1-10.
3.Nowak AK, Lake RA, Robinson BWS. Combined chemo-immunotherapy of solid tumours: improving vaccines? Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 2006. 58: 975-990. [75%; IF 8.0; Citations 15].
4.Nowak AK. Phase II trials in Mesothelioma: An Increasing Challenge. Lung Cancer 50 (1) 2005. 87-90. [100%; IF 3.6; Citations 2]
5.Nowak AK. CT, RECIST, and malignant pleural mesothelioma. Lung Cancer. 2005. 49S1, S37-40. [100%; IF 3.6; Citations 12]
6.Nowak AK. Clinical trials in malignant pleural mesothelioma in Australasia. Lung Cancer. 2005. 49S1, S113-116. [100%; IF 3.6; Citations 0].
7.Robinson BWS, Creaney J, Lake RL, Nowak AK, Musk AW, De Klerk N, Wintzell P, Hellstrom KE, Hellstrom I. Soluble Mesothelin-Related Protein – A blood test for Mesothelioma. Lung Cancer. 2005. 49S1, S109-111. [5%; IF 3.6; Citations 4].
8.Nowak AK, Findlay M, Chow P. Systemic therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a review. European Journal of Cancer 2004; 40: 1474 - 1484. [95%; IF 4.2; Citations 39].
9.Nowak AK, Byrne MJ, Millward M, Alvarez JA, Robinson BWS. Current treatment modalities in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Expert opinion in pharmacotherapy. 2004; 5(12): 2441-9. [80%; IF 1.7; Citations 3].

BOOK CHAPTERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS:
1.Tsoi, D and Nowak AK. Principles of Modern Chemotherapy and Endocrine Therapy. In: Palliative Medicine. Ed. T. Declan Walsh. Mosby inc. New York. 2008. ISBN: 978-0-323-05674-8
2.Ferguson T, Nowak AK. Her-2 and response to paclitaxel in node positive breast cancer. Clinical Update commentary. Issue 30, 2007. iSource National Breast Cancer Centre. In press.
3.van der Most R, Nowak AK, Lake RA. Immune stimulatory effects of classical chemotherapy. In: Cancer Immunotherapy: Immune Suppression and Tumour Growth. Eds. George C Prendergast and Elizabeth M Jaffee. Academic Press 2007. ISBN 0123725518
4.Nowak AK, Feigen M, Pavlakis N. Clinical trials in Mesothelioma: Australia. In: Malignant Mesothelioma from benchside to the clinic. Ed Alfonso Baldi. In press
5.Nowak AK. Dose dense chemotherapy as adjuvant treatment in early breast cancer. Clinical Update commentary. Issue 14, 2004. iSource National Breast Cancer Centre.
6.Nowak AK, Robinson BWS, Lake RA. Immunotherapeutic approaches and vaccination strategies. Chapter in “Malignant Mesothelioma: Advances in Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Translational Therapies”. Ed H Pass, N Vogelzang, M Carbone. Springer 2005. ISBN: 978-0-387-22949-2
7.Nowak AK, Byrne MJ. Cisplatin and gemcitabine in malignant mesothelioma. Annals of Oncology. 2005 Letter.
8.van der Most RG, Nowak AK, Lake RA. Immune Stimulatory Features of Classical Chemotherapy. Book chapter. In: Jaffee GP, editor. Cancer Immunology: Immune Suppression and Growth. New York: Elsevier; 2007. p. 235-55.

Roles, responsibilities and expertise

Medical Oncologist at SCGH practising in malignant pleural mesothelioma, neuro-oncology, and breast cancer.

Funding received

•2002
1.Lawson M, Nowak AK, Lake RA. Vaccination against mesothelioma using recombinant CMV expressing tumour antigens. $270,000 over 3 years. Granting body: Western Australian Institute of Medical Research.
•2004
1.Simes R, Hugh T, Gebski V, Riordan S, Fink M, Cebon J, Olnyk J, Crawford D, Price T, Zalcberg J, Nowak A. Adjuvant interferon and/or celecoxib for hepatoma. $42 000 (2004); $42 000 (2005). Cancer council of South Australia, Queensland Cancer Fund. Funds returned as study non-viable.
2.Stockler M, Wilcken N, Wyld D, Turner J, Byrne M, Nowak A, Koczwara B, Healey. The ZEST Trial a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Zoloft’s Effects on Symptoms and survival Time in Advanced Cancer. $89 825 (2004); $65 425 (2005). Cancer councils of SA, NSW.
•2005
1.Nowak AK, Taylor M, Joseph DJ, Knuckey N. Development of a multidisciplinary clinical database to evaluate treatment pathways and clinical outcomes in Brain Tumours at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. $36,159. Western Australian Clinical Oncology Group Clinical Service Co-ordination/Audit Grant 2005.
2.Nowak AK, Lake RA. Chemoimmunotherapy with cisplatin, pemetrexed and CD40 activation in a murine model of malignant mesothelioma. 2006:$29 946. UWA Research Grants Scheme.
3.Nowak AK, Lake RA, Robinson BWS. Chemoimmunotherapy – characterising and exploiting the immune response. Raine Priming Grant. 2006: $62,228.96; 2007: $71,374.54. Raine Medical Research Foundation.
4.Byrne MJ, van der Schaaf A, Nowak AK, Musk AW, Francis R, Robinson BWS, Segal A, Price R. Use of FDG PET in the assessment of tumour extent and response in Pleural Mesothelioma. Cancer Council WA. 2006: $59 000; 2007: $59 000.
5.Nowak AK, Lake RA. Developing a model of chemoimmunotherapy with cisplatin, pemetrexed and CD40 activation in a murine model of malignant mesothelioma. 2006: $9840. Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Research Fund.
•2006
1.Nelson D, Nowak AK, Ganss R, Currie A. Australian Lung Foundation/Asbestos Research Group Award. Altering infiltrating immune cells and tumor-associated blood vessels in Malignant Mesothelioma using ‘Angio-immuno’ agents 2006: $160 000.
2.Byrne MJ, Van der Schaaf A, Francis R, Nowak A, Boucek J. Role of FLT PET in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma – Prediction of Response to Chemotherapy. NHMRC Asbestos Research Program. 3%. 2007 $80 000; 2008 $80 000
3.Lake RA, Robinson C, Nowak AK. A National Resource for Mouse Models of Mesothelioma. NHMRC Asbestos Research Program. 3%. 2007 $200 000; 2008 $200 000
4.Robinson BWS, Reynolds P, Currie A, van der Most R, Lake RA, Nowak AK, Scott B. Integrating conventional mesothelioma therapies with immuno- and gener therapies. NHMRC Asbestos Research Program. 3%. 2007 $287 965; 2008 $284 425; 2009 $283 225
5.Nowak AK, Halkett G, Lobb E. Determining the needs of grade III-IV High Grade Glioma patients. Schering Plough Grant-in-aid. 2007 $15,303
6.Robinson BWS, Thompson PJ, Lake RA, Musk AW, Mutsaers S, Nowak AK. Centre of Research Excellence in Pulmonary and Environmental Medicine. NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence Grant. 2007-2011 $610 000 per annum
•2007
1.Nowak AK. Communication Skills Training Grant. National Breast Cancer Centre. 2007. $3478.
2.Oldham L, Halkett G, Nowak AK. Determining and meeting the needs of Grade III-IV High Grade Glioma patients and their carers. 2008. HOTTAH grant. $24,971.72
3.Monterosso L, Aoun S, Joske D, Nowak A, Oliver D. Effect of a complementary therapy program on newly diagnosied patients with breast, brain and colorectal cancer: A randomized, controlled, crossover trial. Edith Cowan University Industry Collaboration Scheme. 2008/2009. $66,186.00
4.Lake RA, van der Most R, Nowak AK, Robinson BWS. NK cells as the missing link between anti-cancer chemotherapy and CD8 T cell responses. National Health and Medical Research Council.2008-10. $310,000.
5.Rosenthal M, Simes J, Hovey E, Drummond K, Nowak A, Walker D, Ryan G, Joseph D, Cher L, Price M, McDonald K. Co-operative Trials Group for Neuro-oncology (COGNO). Cancer Australia National Co-operative Clinical Trials Group funding. 2008. $198,000.
6.Palmer L, Nowak A, Teo C, McDonald K, Wheeler H, Joseph D, Robinson B. Australian Genomics and Clinical Outcomes of High Grade Glioma: AGOG. Cancer Council NSW Strategic Research Partnership (STREP) grant. 2008 $249 998; 2009 $247 029; 2010 $247 029; 2011 $247 029 2012 $247 029

•2008
1.Nowak AK. New Independent Researcher Infrastructure Support Award. Department of Health, Western Australia. 2008 $10,000.
2.Fogarty G, Burmeister B, Drummond K, Nowak AK, Rezo A, Thompson J. Whole Brain Radiotherapy following local treatment of intracranial metastases of melanoma – a randomised phase III trial. Cancer Australia. 2009 $133,350; 2010 $150, 000
3.Nowak AK, Lake RA, Robinson BWS, Millward M, van der Most R. Optimising regulatory T cell depletion in combination with chemotherapy for enhanced anti-tumour immunity. NHMRC project grant. 2009 $154 000; 2010 $154 000; 2011 $154 000.

2009

1.Creaney J, Segal A, Robinson BWS, Nowak AK. Is MUC1 a viable therapeutic target for patients with the asbestos-induced tumour malignant mesothelioma? NHMRC Project Grant 634377. 2010 $147700; 2011 $147700; 2012 $147700.
2.Holman CDJ, Emory J, Saunders CM, Walter FM, Moorin RE, Auret KA, Preen DB, Bulsara M. Nowak AK (AIB). NHMRC Partnership Project 572765. A Partnership Intervention Trial to Redress Treatment Delay and Improve Outcomes in Rural Cancer Patients. 2010-2014 $1 215 262 over 5 years.

Industrial relevance

Partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry for clinical trials in medical oncology, both investigator-initiated and pharma sponsored.

Memberships

American Society of Clinical Oncology.
International Mesothelioma Interest Group.
Medical Oncology Group of Australia.
International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.
Clinical Oncology Society of Australia.

Honours and awards

Raine Research Prize, Raine Foundation, 2005.

International Mesothelioma Interest Group New Investigator Award, 2002.

Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Young Investigators Award 2002

Teaching

Chair, Evidence Based Medicine Working Party, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.

Current external positions

Adjunct Associate Professor, Curtin University.
Honorary Associate, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney
Visting Scholar, Department of Radiology, University of Chicago

Useful links

Mesothelioma clinical trials:
http://www.cancerwa.asn.au/patients/clinicaltrials/wacctr/lung/

Brain tumour clinical trials:
http://www.cancerwa.asn.au/patients/clinicaltrials/wacctr/brain/

Research profile

Research profile and publications