Research Interests
Bone and Bones Cancer Cell Biology Cancer Therapy Cancer Biology and Clinical OncologyDr Bill Panagopoulos
Senior Research Fellow
Centre for Cancer Biology
College of Health
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
| 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 | Competency |
|---|---|
| English | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Greek, Modern (1453-) | Can read, write, speak and understand spoken |
| 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 |
| Date | Title | Institution name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | Epigeum: Supervising Doctoral Studies | The University of Adelaide | - |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Vandyke, K., Plakhova, N., Panagopoulos, V., Cantley, M., Trainor, L., Clark, K., . . . Mrozik, K. (2025). Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Senescence is Associated with Progression from MGUS to Multiple Myeloma. In CLINICAL LYMPHOMA MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA Vol. 25 (pp. 2 pages). CIG MEDIA GROUP, LP. |
| 2023 | Williams, C., Noll, J., Harnas, D., Parkinson, H., Hewett, D., Wyllie, K., . . . Panagopoulos, V. (2023). Targeted Inhibition of Myeloperoxidase (MPO): A New Therapeutic Strategy for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma. In BLOOD Vol. 142 (pp. 3 pages). CA, San Diego: AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY. DOI WoS3 |
| 2018 | DiFelice, C., Zinonos, I., DeNichilo, M. O., Evdokiou, A., & Panagopoulos, V. (2018). A Causative Role for Inflammatory Peroxidase Enzymes in Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis. In AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Vol. 197 (pp. 1 page). San Diego, CA: AMER THORACIC SOC. |
| 2017 | Liapis, V., Labrinidis, A., Zinonos, I., Hay, S., Ponomarev, V., Panagopoulos, V., . . . Evdokiou, A. (2017). Hypoxia-activated pro-drug Evofosfamide exhibits potent tumor suppressive activity and cooperates with chemotherapy against osteosarcoma. In CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL METASTASIS Vol. 34 (pp. 222-223). SPRINGER. |
| 2017 | Liapis, V., Zinonos, I., Labrinidis, A., Hay, S., Ponomarev, V., Panagopoulos, V., . . . Evdokiou, A. (2017). Anticancer efficacy of the hypoxia-activated prodrug evofosfamide (TH-302) in osteolytic breast cancer murine models. In CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL METASTASIS Vol. 34 (pp. 222). SPRINGER. |
| 2015 | Panagopoulos, V., Zinonos, I., Liapis, V., Hay, S., Ingman, W., Iasiello, M. P., . . . Evdokiou, A. (2015). Uncovering a new role for peroxidases in breast cancer development and metastasis. In CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL METASTASIS Vol. 32 (pp. 227-228). SPRINGER. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Parkinson, H., Breen, J., Hin, N., Panagopoulos, V., Zannettino, A., Vandyke, K., & Hewett, D. (2023). A Functional Genomic Screen to Identify Novel Genes Involved in Multiple Myeloma Tumour Development. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstracts of the 65th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), as published in Blood. CA, San Diego: American Society of Hematology. DOI |
| 2019 | Clark, K., Hewett, D., Panagopoulos, V., Davies, G., & Zannettino, A. (2019). Targeting stromal-derived Gremlin1 to control Multiple Myeloma disease development. Poster session presented at the meeting of CLINICAL LYMPHOMA MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA. CIG MEDIA GROUP, LP. DOI |
| 2019 | Zeissig, M. N., Hewett, D. R., Mrozik, K. M., Panagopoulos, V., Engelhardt, M., To, L. B., . . . Vandyke, K. (2019). Therapeutic Targeting of CCR1 to Prevent Dissemination of Multiple Myeloma Plasma Cells. Poster session presented at the meeting of BLOOD. FL, Orlando: ELSEVIER. DOI |
| 2017 | Liapis, V., Labrinidis, A., Zinonos, I., Hay, S., Ponomarev, V., Panagopoulos, V., . . . Evdokiou, A. (2017). Anticancer efficacy of the hypoxia-activated pro-drug evofosfamide in prcelinIcal osteosarcoma murine models. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE. SPANDIDOS PUBL LTD. |
| 2017 | Liapis, V., Zinonos, I., Labrinidis, A., Hay, S., Ponomarev, V., Panagopoulos, V., . . . Evdokiou, A. (2017). The hypoxia activated pro-drug evofosfamide exhibits tumour suppressive activity and synergy with chemotherapy against primary and metastatic breast cancers. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE. SPANDIDOS PUBL LTD. |
| 2017 | Shoubridge, A., Panagopoulos, V., Anderson, P., Field, J., Saifzadeh, S., Steck, R., . . . Evdokiou, A. (2017). Soybean Peroxidase Possesses Osteogenic Activity to Accelerate Bone Regeneration <i>In Vivo</i>. Poster session presented at the meeting of JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH. Denver, CO: WILEY. |
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.
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Co-Supervisor | - | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Anna-Maria Luchowski |
| 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 | Co-Supervisor | Calorie Restriction and GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Targeting Obesity-Driven Disease Through Dietary and Pharmacological Interventions | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Alanah Loretta Bradey |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | - |
| 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 |
| Date | Office Name | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 - 2018 | ASMR, State Scientific Conference Co-covenor | The Australian Society for Medical research (ASMR) | Australia |
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