Bill Panagopoulos

Dr Bill Panagopoulos

NHMRC Ext-Funded Rsch Fellow B

School of Biomedicine

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Dr Panagopoulos is a Senior Research Fellow and Group Leader in the Prostate Tumour Microenvironment and Therapeutics Lab at the University of South Australia (UniSA), and previous NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Research Fellow (2019-2022). Additionally, he holds the position of Affiliate Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide (UoA) and am a Faculty Fellow at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). His research focuses on the preclinical studies of the tumour microenvironment and its role in cancer progression, particularly in breast cancer, prostate cancer, osteosarcoma, and multiple myeloma, resulting in high-impact publications.
Currently, he has a lead role in the Prostate Tumour Microenvironment and Therapeutics Lab under the mentorship of Prof David Waugh, where he is working to establish an independent research program aimed at translating his findings into clinical applications. Dr Panagopoulos' accomplishments as an independent researcher are summarised below:
Key Achievements:
Publications: Dr Panagopoulos has authored 27 peer-reviewed articles in high-quality journals such as Leukemia, Cancer Research, Cancer Letters, and Haematologica, cited more than 580 times (Google Scholar). These works have an average impact factor of 6.6, and maintains an h-index of 15. He has published 5 senior/corresponding author articles and 2 patents as a co-inventor demonstrating his capacity to lead and deliver impactful research.
Funding: As the chief investigator, he has secured over $1.8 million in competitive funding. Funding sources include NHMRC, Cancer Australia, the University of Adelaide, and UniSA.
Leadership and Mentorship: He has successfully supervised 3 PhD students (2019, 2023, 2025), 1 Master’s student (2024), and 5 Honours students (2016, 2017, 2020, 2023, 2024) to completion. All my Honours students achieved First-Class Honours.
Awards: Dr Panagopoulos has received several accolades for his research contributions, including the prestigious 2021 Derek Frewin Early-Career Researcher Award for outstanding work in Haematology (NCHF), the 2017 Ross Wishart Memorial Award from the Australian Society for Medical Research and three travel grants (2022, 2023, 2024) from the University of Adelaide to present his research at national conferences.
Conference Presentations: As a result of his published findings and track record, Dr Panagopoulos was invited as a keynote speaker at the 2022 MBSANZ national conference and participated in a Q&A panel at the SAHMRI Student Association Meeting (2022). Over the past five years, his research has been selected for oral and poster presentations at three national conferences, including the 36th Annual Lorne Cancer Conference (2024), the 4th National Myeloma Workshop (2022), and the ANZBMS Annual Scientific Meeting (2022).
Research Impact: Dr Panagopoulos' research has yielded crucial translational discoveries that provided essential proof-of-concept data for drug development targeting microenvironmental factors in myeloma, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. Notably, my work on a novel antibody therapy targeting the stromal factor Grem1 led to his second patent in 2019. In collaboration with Oxford University (UK) and UCB BioPharma (Belgium), this innovative therapy is currently undergoing human clinical trials (NCT04393298). Dr Panagopoulos maintaina active collaborations both nationally (Garvan Institute of Medical Research, NSW) and internationally (AstraZeneca Pty Ltd, UK; Washington University, USA).
Peer Review Contributions: Dr Panagopoulos actively contributes to the scientific community through peer review for national grant schemes, including his role on the Cancer Australia PdCCRs Panel (2020-2023) and serving with Cure Cancer (2024).
Editorial Contributions: Since 2022, he has been a member of the Editorial Board for Frontiers in Oncology (Haematologic Malignancies) and regularly review manuscripts for journals such as Frontiers in Oncology, Inflammopharmacology, and The Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

I am dedicated to advancing our understanding of the tumour microenvironment to identify "druggable" targets for improved patient outcomes. My focus spans between metastatic prostate cancer, breast cancer and multiple myeloma, with particular emphasis on inflammatory processes and immune suppression mechanisms that sustain tumour progression.

Prostate Cancer Research: Metastatic prostate cancer remains challenging due to gaps in knowledge about the immune microenvironment and its regulatory pathways. I focus on the role of inflammation—a phenomenon known as the “inflammatory storm”—which promotes cancer cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis while dampening anti-tumour immune responses. My work investigates the intricate interactions between inflammatory factors and prostate tumour biology, aiming to develop targeted therapies that disrupt this detrimental cycle.

The tumour microenvironment (TME) in advanced prostate cancer is rich in immune cells such as MDSCs, M2 macrophages, and Tregs, all of which suppress effective anti-tumour responses. While targeting individual cytokines has yielded some clinical benefit, challenges such as cytokine redundancy impede durable outcomes. To overcome this, I focus on inhibiting IκB kinase-α (IKKα)—a central molecule involved in multiple cytokine and chemokine signalling pathways, hoping to broadly suppress inflammation and reverse immune suppression within the TME.

Additionally, my research explores the role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and the enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO). I was among the first to identify novel functions of peroxidase enzymes in wound healing and cancer progression, revealing their contribution to immune evasion and tumour growth. These insights highlight MPO as a promising therapeutic target in prostate cancer.

Breast Cancer: My research explores the multifaceted role of vitamin D, particularly its active form calcitriol (1,25(OH)2D), in cancer biology and immune modulation. Reduced activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and increased degradation of active vitamin D in breast cancer cells contribute to tumor progression and resistance.

To overcome the limitations of calcitriol therapy—primarily hypercalcemia—we have developed and characterised novel vitamin D analogues, including VD1-6, which inhibit CYP24A1 to preserve local 1,25(OH)2D activity without causing hypercalcemia. Preliminary studies suggest these compounds could significantly reduce tumor aggression and metastasis. My work aims to translate these findings into new therapeutic strategies for breast cancer, improving patient outcomes and addressing a critical unmet clinical need.

Multiple Myeloma (MM): Multiple myeloma is an aggressive blood cancer characterised by monoclonal plasma cell proliferation within the bone marrow. Despite recent advances, relapse remains common, and five-year survival rates hover around 50%. My research emphasises the role of the bone marrow microenvironment in supporting disease progression and immune evasion. I aim to identify novel factors within this microenvironment that can be targeted alongside existing therapies to enhance treatment durability.

Clinical and Translational Impact: My overarching goal is to generate critical data that catalyse the discovery of new therapeutic targets and facilitate the translation of drug candidates into clinical trials. By elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning tumour immune evasion, my work aims to revolutionise treatment strategies for prostate cancer, breast cancer and multiple myeloma. Ultimately, I seek to contribute to the development of accessible, affordable, and effective therapies that improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Current Projects:

-Targeting the inflammatory and immunosuppressive prostate cancer microenvironment using first-in-class IKKα inhibitors

-Targeting IL-8 and VEGF signalling to eradicate immunosuppression in advanced prostate cancer

-Repurposing Vitamin D Analogues to Treat Aggressive Breast Cancer and Metastases

-Targeted inhibition of myeloperoxidase (MPO): A new therapeutic strategy to prevent multiple myeloma disease progression

https://www.cantoo.org.au/cancer-research-2023

https://www.cantoo.org.au/blog/march--is-myeloma-awareness-month

-Personalised fine-tuned stromal targeting of the fibrotic tumour matrix to improve chemotherapy efficacy in metastatic triple negative breast cancer

-Testing the glucoregulatory properties of novel human-monotreme GLP-1 analogues for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

 

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2019 - 2022 NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Research Fellow The University of Adelaide
    2017 - 2018 THRF Early Career Research Fellow The University of Adelaide
    2011 - 2016 Research Associate The University of Adelaide
    2010 - 2011 Research Assistant SA Pathology
    2009 - 2010 Study Coordinator VivoPharm
    2008 - 2009 Research Assistant VivoPharm
    2006 - 2008 Research Assistant TGR BioSciences
    2004 - 2006 Medical Scientist Gribbles Pathology/Healthscope
    2003 - 2004 Medical Scientist SA Health/Women's and Children's Hospital

  • Language Competencies
    Language Competency
    English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
    Greek, Modern (1453-) Can read, write, speak and understand spoken

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2013 - 2016 The University of Adelaide Australia PhD
    1999 - 2002 The University of South Australia Australia Bachelor of Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechonolgy

  • Certifications
    Date Title Institution name Country
    — Epigeum: Supervising Doctoral Studies The University of Adelaide -

  • Research Interests
    Bone and Bones Cancer Cell Biology Cancer Therapy Cancer Biology and Clinical Oncology

2023, Cancer Australia PdCCRS, 3 years (Role: CIA; $199,207)

2022, Cancer Australia PdCCRS, 3 years (Role: CID; $458,820)

2021, NCHF Derek Frewin Early Career Research Award ($5,000)

2020, Investigator Initiated Research Scheme, NBCF, 3 years (Role: Co-I; $374,989)

2019, NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Fellowship, 4 years (Role: CIA; $327,192.00)

2018, FHMS Emerging Leadership Mentored Development Program, 1 year (Role: CIA; $36,640)

2018, Scott Canner Young Researcher Grant, Chief Investigator-A, (top evaluated proposal), Tour de Cure, 2 years (Role: CIA; $125,000)

2017, Early Career Fellowship, The Hospital Research Foundation, 2 years (Role: CIA; $240,000)

2017,FHMS  Early Career Researcher Mentored Project Development Program, 1 year (Role: CIA; $8,905,95)

2017, Beat Cancer Project Travel Award, Cancer Council SA/SAHMRI ($2,900)

2017, FHMS International Travel Award, The University of Adelaide ($2,930)

2023 - ongoing             BHMS Honours Program Coordinator

2023 - ongoing             Third Year Research Placement Coordinator

2020 - ongoing             Investigative Cell Biology (PATHOL 3104), Affiliate Lecturer and tutor, Semester 2.

2019                             Investigative Cell Biology (PATHOL 3104), Workshop Tutor, Semester 2.

2016 - ongoing             University of Adelaide, Summer Research Scholarships, 4 students.

 

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2021 Co-Supervisor Interventions and Novel Treatments for Obesity-associated Pathologies Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Alanah Loretta Bradey

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Liposomal-Based Delivery of Phosphoantigens as Sensitizers for Gamma Delta T Cell Immunotherapy In Breast Cancer Master of Philosophy (Medical Science) Master Full Time Mr Nikolaos Filippatos
    2021 - 2025 Principal Supervisor Elucidating the pro-tumorigenic role of myeloperoxidase in multiple myeloma and its potential as a novel therapeutic target Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Connor Maxwell Douglas Williams
    2019 - 2023 Co-Supervisor The TAM receptor family in multiple myeloma Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Justine Rachel Clark
    2016 - 2019 Co-Supervisor A New Role for Peroxidases in Bone Repair Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Alexandra Jayne Shoubridge

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Pharmacological ablation of senescent bone marrow stromal cells as a new therapeutic strategy in preventing multiple myeloma progression The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Charlotte Beddoes
    2020 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Investigating the role of inflammatory peroxidases driving multiple myeloma progression The University of Adelaide - Honours - Connor Maxwell Wiiliams
    2017 - 2017 Co-Supervisor The role of the secreted protein Gremlin-1 in breast cancer development, progression and metastasis The University of Adelaide - Honours - Alanah Bradey
    2015 - 2015 Other Peroxidase enzymes as drivers of mammographic density and breast cancer risk The University of Adelaide - Honours - Matthew Iasiello

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2017 - ongoing Representative BHI Strategic Research Directions Group Basil Hetzel Institute Australia
    2017 - ongoing Member Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) State Committee - -
    2017 - 2017 Chair Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Research Seminar Committee Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Research Australia
    2015 - 2016 Representative BHI Management Committee Basil Hetzel Insitute -

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2022 - ongoing Member Australian New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) Australia
    2022 - ongoing Member Matrix Biology Society Australia New Zealand (MBSANZ) Australia
    2021 - ongoing Member European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS) Australia
    2019 - ongoing Member International Myeloma Society (IMS) Australia
    2017 - ongoing Member Metastasis Research Society (MRS) Australia
    2017 - ongoing Member Australian Metastasis Research Society (OzMRS) Australia

  • Offices Held
    Date Office Name Institution Country
    2017 - 2018 ASMR, State Scientific Conference Co-covenor The Australian Society for Medical research (ASMR) Australia
  • Position: NHMRC Ext-Funded Rsch Fellow B
  • Phone: 81284694
  • Email: bill.panagopoulos@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: SAHMRI - South, floor 5
  • Org Unit: Medical Sciences
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