Between 1980 and 1987 the lab led research investigating an enzyme called galactosyltransferase as a prognostic biomarker for advanced solid cancers.

In 1987, the lab published an assay to detect multidrug resistance in the blood of patients with acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia.

As part of its research into multidrug resistance, the lab established an assay to measure the viability of cells in response to chemotherapy that is now used around the world.

The inevitable development of chemotherapy resistance in patients with leukemia clarified the importance of understanding and overcoming drug resistance to improve patient outcomes.

Using the models and assays previously developed, the lab discovered that the cells made resistant to two chemotherapies also became resistant to other agents.

In 2000, research expanded to breast cancer to predict toxicity to chemotherapy according to a combination of body mass and body protein composition called the Nitrogen Index.

In 2001, research into brain cancer began in the lab with the publication of promising findings of the first Phase II clinical trial of thalidomide in recurrent glioblastoma.

In 2002, the lab expanded to research small cell lung cancer and discovered that treatment with radiation led to the cancer cells becoming resistant to both radiation and chemotherapy.

In 2010, the lab celebrated its 30th birthday with members of the lab and the Walsh family.

In 2010, the lab began research into mesothelioma and identified a factor, termed NLR or neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio that robustly predicted survival in patients undergoing treatment for mesothelioma.

In August 2012 molecular geneticist Associate Professor Viive Howell was appointed as the Research Director of the Bill Walsh Lab.

In 2012, the lab found that in two Phase II clinical trials, thalidomide (an anti-angiogenic) treatment delayed the progression of mesothelioma.

In 2013, colorectal cancer became a research focus of the lab with the aim of identifying robust prognostic biomarkers to assist in patient management.

In 2013, the lab discovered that a genetic molecule called microRNA-132 was a strong prognostic factor for glioblastoma able to accurately predict survival.

In 2014, the lab published a method for making a vaccine from an individual’s tumour, showing long term efficacy in a pre-clinical model of brain cancer.

In 2016, the lab identified that within the same patient’s glioblastoma, heterogeneity was present not only at the microscopic level but also at the molecular level.

In 2016, the laboratory established international guidelines for the use of breath analysis in lung cancer.

A focus for our lung cancer research is overcoming treatment resistance to targeted therapies.

In 2017 the lab reported that the levels of certain genetic molecules were able to distinguish cancer associated from normal structural cells called fibroblasts.

In 2018 the lab reported the exceptionally high incidence of clotting events in patients with ROS1-rearranged lung cancer.

In 2018, the lab showed that when glioblastoma tumours recur and progress the inflammatory cells become more aggressive.