
Dr Carmela Ricciardelli
Senior Research Fellow (C)
Adelaide Medical School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
My postdoctoral studies were undertaken in the Department of Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia and Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Hanson Institute, South Australia (1996-2003) and I joined the Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Adelaide in 2005. I have received highly competitive fellowships in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide and Cancer Council SA (2004-2014) which have enabled me to build a Reproductive Cancer research group in the Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide. I was recently awarded the inaugural Lin Huddleston Ovarian Cancer Research Fellowship,Cancer Council SA (2016-2020).
Dr Ricciardelli a cancer cell biologist; joined the Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in April 2005. She was awarded her Ph D in 1996 (Flinders University) and has undertaken postdoctoral studies in the Department of Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia (1996-2001) and Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Hanson Institute, South Australia (2002-2005). In 2005 Dr Ricciardelli was awarded a Tall Poppy Award for outstanding achievement in the field of biomedical and clinical science. In 2007 she was the recipient of the highly competitive Hilda Farmer Fellowship in Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide which has enabled her to build a Reproductive cancer research group in the Discipline of O&G, University of Adelaide. In 2012 Dr Ricciardelli was awarded a senior fellowship funded by SAHMRI and Cancer Council SA. In 2015 Dr Ricciardelli was awarded the Lin Huddleston Ovarian Cancer Fellowship funded by Cancer Council SA & Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide
Dr Ricciardelli's research program has focused on hormone-regulated proteins and prognostic markers in breast and prostate cancer. Using a novel approach in her postdoctoral studies by examining the non-cancer stromal cells which surround the cancer cells, Dr Ricciardelli was the first researcher to identify that the expression of the extracellular matrix protein, versican correlated with cancer spread in prostate and breast cancer. This was an exciting and unique discovery that has lead to versican expression being examined in many different cancer types. Versican is a molecule known to regulate cellular movement at critical periods in the developing embryo, and control the movement of normal smooth muscle cells, nerves and fibroblasts. Dr Ricciardelli's recent studies suggest that cancer cells can utilize stromally derived versican to aid their movement.
Dr Ricciardelli current research focuses on further understanding the cross-talk between breast and ovarian cancer cells and the tumour microevironment.The Reproductive Cancer Group seeks to understand the mechanisms involved in ovarian cancer spread, resistance to chemotherapy and the identification of novel biomarkers for early detection.
Project 1
Title: Extracellular vesicles: Identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for serous ovarian cancer
Description: Extracellular versicles (EVs) are nano-sized membrane-bound particles produced by virtually all cells in the body. They are found in all bodily fluids including the blood of ovarian cancer patients. EVs provide a major route of communication between different cell types throughout the body as they contain DNA, protein, RNA and lipid cargo characteristic of their cells of origin, which can be transferred to distant cells and affect their function. Extracellualr vesicles (EVs) are found in increasing numbers in the blood circulation under certain conditions, e.g. during normal pregnancy, and in cancer. The RNA and protein content of EVs have been characterised in studies of various commercially available cancer cell lines, including ovarian cancer cells; but few studies to date have focussed on ovarian cancer patient blood samples. This study will examine the proteomic profile in EVs isolated from patients with diagnosed late stage serous ovarian cancer, compared to benign serous cystadenomas and healthy controls. Candidate proteins that are differentially expressed will be validated and further characterized in ovarian cancer patient cohorts and using functional assays (adhesion, migration and invasion assays).
Location: Adelaide Health and Medical Science Building , North Terrace
Research project start: Semester 1 & 2
Project 2
Title: Novel mechanisms of acquired chemotherapy resistance in serous ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer and ranks as the fifth most common cause of cancer-related death in women in the Western world. Each year over 1,500 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and approximately 1,000 women die from this disease in Australia. The standard treatment for advanced ovarian cancer is surgery followed by chemotherapy. Although patients initially respond to this treatment, most patients relapse and develop resistance to chemotherapy and eventually die from the disease. Development of chemoresistance is the main factor contributing to ovarian cancer death. The molecular pathways associated with acquired carboplatin resistant in serous ovarian cancer cells are poorly understood. Links have been demonstrated between chemoresistance and the activation of cancer stem cells, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and non-coding RNA pathways. A greater understanding of these pathways and mechanisms in a 3D model systems will lead to the identification of novel treatment strategies that can overcome chemotherapy resistance. This study will identify molecules associated with chemotherapy resistance that may be used to predict patient prognosis or as novel therapeutic targets.
Location: Adelaide Health and Medical Science Building , North Terrace
Research project start: Semester 1 & 2
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2016 - 2020 Lin Huddleston Ovarian Cancer Fellow University of Adelaide 2015 - 2015 Lloyd Cox Senior Research Fellow University of Adelaide 2012 - 2014 Cancer Council South Australia Senior Fellow University of Adelaide -
Awards and Achievements
Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount 2010 Award Most Outstanding Contribution to the Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology - - - 2008 Award Travel award Cancer Council SA - - - 2006 Fellowship Hilda Farmer University Fellowship, University of Adelaide - - - 2005 Award Tall Poppy award, Australian Institute of Political Science for outstanding achievement in the field of biomedical and clinical science - - - 2003 Fellowship Cancer Research Fellowship, Cancer Council South Australia - - - 1992 Scholarship Flinders University Scholarship (Postgraduate) - - - 1986 Award Martin Hansen Award for Dux of Class in B App Science in Medical Laboratory Science (Australian Institute of Medical Laboratory Science) - - - -
Language Competencies
Language Competency Italian Can read, write, speak and understand spoken -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 1996 Flinders University Australia Ph D 1986 University of South Australia Australia B Appl Science -
Research Interests
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Journals
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Book Chapters
Year Citation 2020 Lokman, N. A., Ricciardelli, C., & Oehler, M. K. (2020). Chick chorioallantoic membrane assay: a 3D animal model for cancer invasion and metastasis. In A. S. VERMA, & A. SINGH (Eds.), Animal Biotechnology Models in Discovery and Translation (2nd ed., pp. 221-231). London, United Kingdom: Academic Press.
Scopus32009 Ricciardelli, C., Sakko, A., Ween, M., Russell, D., & Horsfall, D. (2009). The proteoglycan versican: an important regulator of cell locomotion in development and disease. In T. Abreu, & G. Silva (Eds.), Cell movement : new research trends (pp. 1-19). Nova Science Publishers. -
Conference Papers
Year Citation 2023 Thompson, E. J., Bandara, V., Gundsambuu, B., Napoli, S., Mills, S., Foeng, J., . . . Bonder, C. S. (2023). Assessing LGR5 expression levels on colorectal cancer tissue samples for use in LGR5-targeting CAR-T cell therapy clinical trial. In CANCER RESEARCH Vol. 83 (pp. 2 pages). Orlando, FL: AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH.
2019 Lokman, N., Ho, R., Gunasegaran, K., Bonner, W., Oehler, M., & Ricciardelli, C. (2019). All trans retinoic acid promotes apoptosis and inhibits serous ovarian cancer invasion. In CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL METASTASIS Vol. 36 (pp. 152). SPRINGER. 2011 Ricciardelli, C., Lokman, N. A., Ween, M. P., Hoffman, P., & Oehler, M. K. (2011). Role of annexin A2 in ovarian cancer metastasis. In CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL METASTASIS Vol. 28 (pp. 215). SPRINGER. 2011 Patterson, K., Sakko, A., Ricciardelli, C., Proudman, S., & Hissaria, P. (2011). EVALUATION OF ANGIOGENIC AND FIBROGENIC CYTOKINES AS BIOMARKERS IN SUBGROUPS OF SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS. In INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL Vol. 41 (pp. 9-10). WILEY-BLACKWELL. 2009 Ricciardelli, C., Frewin, K., Ingman, W., & Russell, D. L. (2009). Role of Adamts1 in mammary cancer growth and metastasis. In CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL METASTASIS Vol. 26 (pp. 922). SPRINGER. 2006 Murphy, N., Bianco-Miotto, T., Ricciardelli, C., Ruiz, A., Segara, D., McNeil, C., . . . Tilley, W. (2006). Expression of the androgen receptor and its association with disease outcome in breast cancer. In Breast Cancer Research and Treatment Vol. 100 (pp. S262-S263). San Antonio, Texas: Springer. -
Conference Items
Year Citation 2021 Khan, S., Ricciardelli, C., & Yool, A. (2021). EPV114/# 325 Expression of aquaporins in human endometrial cancer: identification and regulation by ovarian hormones in carcinogenesis of endometrial cancer. Poster session presented at the meeting of International gynaecological cancer society. 2021 Khan, S., Ricciardelli, C., & Yool, A. (2021). Fuling inhibits invasion in endometrial cancer cells.. Poster session presented at the meeting of EMBL Australia. 2021 Khan, S., Ricciardelli, C., & Yool, A. (2021). Fuling inhibits invasion in endometrial cancer cells. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian Metastasis Research Society (OzMRS). 2021 Khan, S., Ricciardelli, C., & Yool, A. (2021). Fuling inhibits invasion in endometrial cancer cells. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian Physiological society (AuPS) (oral presentation). 2021 Khan, S., Ricciardelli, C., & Yool, A. (2021). Identification of Aquaporins in human endometrial cancer and regulation by ovarian hormones in carcinogenesis.. Poster session presented at the meeting of The Australian Society for Medical Research National Scientific Conference, Adelaide, Australia.. 2019 Lokman, N. A., Ho, R., Gunasegaran, K., Bonner, W. M., Oehler, M. K., & Ricciardelli, C. (2019). ANTI-TUMOUR EFFECTS OF ALL-TRANS RETINOID ACID, AN ANNEXIN A2-S100A10 PATHWAY INHIBITOR ON SEROUS OVARIAN CANCER. Poster session presented at the meeting of CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH. Seattle, WA: AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH. 2018 Zhang, A., Chiam, K., Haupt, Y., Fox, S., Birch, S., Tilley, W., . . . Kench, J. (2018). An analysis of multiple biomarkers to better predict prostate cancer metastasis after radical prostatectomy. Poster session presented at the meeting of Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology. Adelaide: Wiley. 2015 Lokman, N. A., Elder, A. S. F., Ween, M. P., Pyragius, C. E., Hoffmann, P., Ruszkiewicz, A., . . . Ricciardelli, C. (2015). Annexin A2 a potential prognostic marker for serous ovarian cancer promotes ovarian cancer metastasis. Poster session presented at the meeting of CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL METASTASIS. SPRINGER.
WoS12015 Ricciardelli, C., Cheruvu, S., Lokman, N. A., Ween, M. P., Tan, I. A., Pyragius, C. E., . . . Oehler, M. K. (2015). Transketolase a protein regulated by ovarian cancer-peritoneal interactions is elevated in omental metastases and regulates serous ovarian cancer proliferation. Poster session presented at the meeting of CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL METASTASIS. SPRINGER. 2014 Lokman, N. A., Elder, A. S. F., Ween, M. P., Pyragius, C. E., Hoffmann, P., Ruszkiewicz, A., . . . Oehler, M. K. (2014). ANNEXIN A2 A POTENTIAL PROGNOSTIC MARKER FOR SEROUS OVARIAN CANCER PROMOTES OVARIAN CANCER METATASIS. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2008 Hickey, T., Butler, M., Ricciardelli, C., Norman, R., & Tilley, W. (2008). Expression of small glutamine-rich tetratricopeptide repeat-containing protein alpha (alpha SGT), a novel regulator of androgen receptor (AR) activity, in the human ovary and fallopian tube. Poster session presented at the meeting of Biology of Reproduction. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii: Oxford University Press.
WoS12006 Buchanan, G., Ricciardelli, C., Prescott, J., Harris, J. M., Yu, Z. C. -L., Jia, L., . . . Tilley, W. D. (2006). αSGT: A critical determinant of androgen receptor function in prostate cancer. Poster session presented at the meeting of Cancer Research. Washington, DC: American Association for Cancer Research.
Date |
Project/ No. | Investigators | Funding Body | Amount |
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2011 | Extracellular matrix-macrophage cross talk in the mammary gland |
Ingman WV, Ricciardelli C, Sharkey D, Russell DL |
Robinson Institute (Collaborative Funding scheme) |
$12,000 |
2011 | Infrared fluorescence imager for protein quantitation and cultured cell or whole animal imaging |
Russell DL, Robertson S, Thompson J, Rodgers RJ, Roberts C, Norman R, Gilchrist R, Kennaway D, Ingman WV, M ottershead D, Lane M, Robker RL, Ricciardelli C, Oehler MK |
NHMRC equipment grant | $35000 |
2011-2012 | Control of breast cancer density and cancer risk by epithelial-stromal interactions |
WV Ingman, M Pike, Ricciardelli C *, Russell DL *, Sharkey D *, Tilley WD*, Wu A* |
National Breast Cancer Foundation (Novel concept award) |
$199,772 |
2012 |
Hyaluronan: a marker of ovarian cancer chemoresistance |
Ricciardelli C, Oehler MK |
RAH Clinical Research Fund |
$23,000 |
2012 | High throughput image analysis system for histoquantification of histology images |
Ricciardelli C, Owens J, Wittert G, Roberts CT, Tilley WD, Callen D, Russell DL, Ingman WV, Rodgers RJ, Keefe D, Findlay D |
NHMRC equipment grant (GNT 1038556) Faculty of Health Sciences Robinson Institute |
$60,000
$15,000
$20,200 |
2012 |
Annexin A2: a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for ovarian cancer |
Ricciardelli C, Oehler MK, Rodgers RJ |
Cancer Council SA/SAHMRI |
$93,723 |
2012-2013 | Targeting the cancer peritoneal interaction |
Ricciardelli C, Oehler MK, Hoffmann P |
SAHMRI/OCRF | $50,000 |
2013 |
Hyaluronan: a marker and therapeutic target to overcome ovarian cancer chemoresistance |
Ricciardelli C, Oehler MK, Heinzelmann-Schwarz V, Stephens A * |
Cancer Council SA/SAHMRI |
$93,891 |
2013-2014 |
Targeting the interaction between breast cancer and Toll-like receptors of the immune system to prevent metastasis |
Russell DL, Ricciardelli C, Hutchinson M |
SAHMRI | $40,000 |
2013 |
Targeting the annexin A2 signalling pathway to block ovarian cancer metastasis |
Ricciardelli C, Oehler MK |
Robinson Institute | $13,700 |
2014 | The annexin A2 signalling pathway: Novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for serous ovarian cancer |
Ricciardelli C, Oehler MK, Rodgers RJ |
Robinson Research Institute | $22,700 |
2015 | Ricciardelli C |
Lloyd Cox Fellowship, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health |
$132,367 |
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2015 | Annexin A2 as a novel diagnostic marker for ovarian cancer |
Ricciardelli C, Oehler MK |
Commercial Accelerator Scheme Development grant, Adelaide Research Innovation |
$25,000 |
2016-2020 | Tumour-host signalling pathways: Identification of novel ovarian cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets | Ricciardelli C | Lin Huddleston Ovarian Cancer Fellowship, Cancer Council SA & School of Medicine, University of Adelaide | $750,000 |
2018-2020 |
Evaluating CAR-T cells on ovarian cancer using ex vivo and in vivo models |
Oehler MK Ricciardelli C |
CTM@CRC Limited and Carina Biotech | $136,000 |
Dr. Ricciardelli has been actively teaching undergraduates in the 3rd Year unit Human reproduction III of the Bachelor of Health Science degree (lecturing and workshops) since 2007.
- Problem based learning (PBL) tutor in School of Medicine, Flinders University of SA, Endocrinology, 1999
- Human Reproduction III course, University of Adelaide Lecture “Cancer: Incidence, Development and Treatment” 2007-present
- Human Reproduction III course, University of Adelaide Workshop “Fertility preservation in patients diagnosed with cancer” 2007-present
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2021 Principal Supervisor Mechanism of Metastasis in Ovarian Cancer Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Mr Hiroki Fujimoto 2020 Principal Supervisor Development of novel ovarian cancer treatment using CAR-T cells targeting LGR5 Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Wanqi Wang 2020 Co-Supervisor Analysing the role of Aquaporin channels in the progression of endometrial carcinoma Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Sidra Nawaz Khan 2018 Principal Supervisor Role of Hyaluronan in Ovarian Cancer Signalling Pathways and Chemoresistance Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Miss Zoe Kathleen Price -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2017 - 2021 Co-Supervisor The Role of piRNA Pathway Genes in Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Progression Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Eunice Hsiu Yee Lee 2016 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Clinical and Basic Research for Ovarian Cancer Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Mr Masato Yoshihara 2011 - 2014 Principal Supervisor Role of Annexin A2 in Ovarian Cancer Metastasis Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Noor Alia Lokman 2010 - 2016 Co-Supervisor The Role of Estrogen Receptor and the Androgen Receptor in Human Breast Cancer Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mrs Shalini Jindal 2010 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Utilising Quantitative Immunoproteomics To Reveal Differential Autoantibody Biomarker Panels In Serous Ovarian Cancer Patients Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Karina Martin 2009 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Adamts1 is a promoter of metastatic cell behaviour in mammary cancer cells Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Izza Maria Doreen De Arao Tan 2009 - 2010 Principal Supervisor The Biological Role of Extracellular Matrix in Ovarian Cancer Metastasis Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Miranda Ween 2009 - 2012 Co-Supervisor The Role of Small Glutamine-Rich Tetratricopeptide Repeat Containing Protein Alpha in Female Reproductive Tissues Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Miriam Simone Butler 2007 - 2010 Co-Supervisor The Role of Epigenetic Modifications in Prostate Tumourigenesis Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Karen Huiqin Chiam 2004 - 2009 Co-Supervisor Functional Analysis of CBFA2T3: A Breast Cancer Tumour Suppressor from Chromosome Band 16q24.3 Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Zarqa Saif 2002 - 2004 Co-Supervisor Versican: regulation, purification, and biological properties of a candidate prognostic indicator for breast cancer Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Supaporn Suwiwat
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