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Developing a novel approach that combines beneficial immunotherapy with anti-cancer natural products.

We relentlessly explore every avenue to achieve our mission of improving patient outcomes, uncovering new treatments and ultimately finding a cure for mesothelioma. Postdoctoral Researcher Dr Huaikai (Peter) Shi is currently focusing his research on developing a novel approach that combines beneficial immunotherapy with anti-cancer natural products. He is now working on Phase 1 of a Clinical Trial examining the impact and benefits of the Manuka compound (Study of Leptospermum polygalifolium extract (QV0 in mesothelioma or ‘The Honey Project’.) If successful, this will provide a natural option for the treatment of the currently incurable cancer malignant mesothelioma.

“We anticipate that a successful outcome would be rapidly translated into clinical practice and will significantly improve patient quality and quantity of life.”– Dr Huaikai (Peter) Shi, Postdoctoral Researcher – The Honey Project.

The Honey Project: Quick Facts

Demonstrated evidence of growth suppression in mesothelioma cells.

Anti-tumour activity present in the mesothelioma animal model, with no clinical, biochemical or anatomical evidence of hepatotoxicity (liver-damage).

Study published in research publisher and open science platform Frontiers.

Given evidence of anti-tumour activity with minimal toxicity, study will move into the first Phase 1 Clinical trial of QV0.

Patient recruitment to commence mid-January 2024.

About the researcher…

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Dr Peter (Huaikai) Shi

Post-Doc Fellow

Dr Shi joined ADDRI after being awarded a PhD in Jan 2021, where he can utilise his expertise in immunology and animal modelling in thoracic cancer research. Dr Shi established preclinical cell and animal models to develop a novel approach that combines beneficial immunotherapy with anti-cancer natural products to improve the treatment outcome of the current incurable cancer malignant mesothelioma. His work is now translated into a Phase 1 clinical trial to investigate Leptospermum extract (QV0) as a novel anti-drug for mesothelioma. If successful, this will provide a natural option for combinational treatment in pleural mesothelioma. In the meantime, Dr Shi discovered that tumour cells grown in a 3D dimension produced a hypoxic core that led to alterations in gene and microRNA expression. Dr. Shi has published in prestigious peer-reviewed papers that testify his contributions to the field of thoracic cancer research where he designed and carried out experiments, analysed the data and wrote manuscripts. His current research interests investigate the microbiome in mesothelioma and its links to the efficacy of immunotherapy.

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Publications

publications icon Leptospermum extract (QV0) suppresses pleural mesothelioma tumor growth in vitro and in vivo by mitochondrial dysfunction associated apoptosis
publications icon The contradictory role of androgens in cutaneous and major burn wound healing
publications icon Exploring MicroRNA and exosome involvement in malignant pleural mesothelioma drug response
publications icon Controlled dual release of dihydrotestosterone and flutamide from polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun scaffold accelerates burn wound healing
publications icon Skin 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 enzyme expression regulates burn wound healing and can be targeted to modify scar characteristics
publications icon Advanced pathophysiology mimicking lung models for accelerated drug discovery
publications icon 3-Dimensional mesothelioma spheroids provide closer to natural pathphysiological tumour microenvironment for drug response studies

Our Research Projects

We conduct biomedical (preclinical), clinical and public health research into asbestos-related diseases with findings enabling improved methods of prevention, diagnostic, therapeutic procedures, and treatments.

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