PETER MACCALLUM CANCER CENTRE
Research Field: Immunotherapy
In the last 10 years immune-based therapies have revolutionised the treatment of cancer, being
awarded Science’s “Breakthrough of the Year” in 2013 and two of its pioneers James Allison and
Tasuku Honjo receiving the Nobel Prize in 2018.
Dr. Paul Beavis’ research focusses upon an alternative form of personalised immune-based therapy
for use in patients where the immune system is unable to recognise the cancer cells, and thus
conventional immune-based therapies are ineffective. This approach involves genetically
engineering a patient’s immune cells to express a protein, known as a chimeric antigen receptor,
which enables these immune cells to recognise cancer cells.
Dr. Beavis’ public outreach includes consumer engagement with philanthropic organisations such as
National Breast Cancer Foundation and Tour De Cure where he has given multiple talks at
fundraising events. Through his work for the Melbourne Immunotherapy Network, he has also
organised multiple public engagement events, connecting researchers and the general public. Dr.
Beavis completed his PhD at Imperial College London in 2010 and he is a Group Leader at the Peter
MacCallum Cancer Centre.In the last 10 years immune-based therapies have revolutionised the treatment of cancer, being
awarded Science’s “Breakthrough of the Year” in 2013 and two of its pioneers James Allison and
Tasuku Honjo receiving the Nobel Prize in 2018.
Dr. Paul Beavis’ research focusses upon an alternative form of personalised immune-based therapy
for use in patients where the immune system is unable to recognise the cancer cells, and thus
conventional immune-based therapies are ineffective. This approach involves genetically
engineering a patient’s immune cells to express a protein, known as a chimeric antigen receptor,
which enables these immune cells to recognise cancer cells.
Dr. Beavis’ public outreach includes consumer engagement with philanthropic organisations such as
National Breast Cancer Foundation and Tour De Cure where he has given multiple talks at
fundraising events. Through his work for the Melbourne Immunotherapy Network, he has also
organised multiple public engagement events, connecting researchers and the general public. Dr.
Beavis completed his PhD at Imperial College London in 2010 and he is a Group Leader at the Peter
MacCallum Cancer Centre.