Krzysztof Mrozik

Research Interests

Cancer Cell Biology Cancer Therapy Drug discovery Cancer Biology and Clinical Oncology

Teaching Strengths

Postgraduate Research Supervision

Mr Krzysztof Mrozik

Externally-Funded Research Fellow

School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

College of Health

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Dr Krzysztof Mrozik is a Hospital Research Foundation Myeloma Fellow at Adelaide University and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), and senior post-doctoral researcher within the Myeloma Research Laboratory (MRL). Dr Mrozik (8 years post-PhD) leads an innovative research program focused on the development of novel strategies to improve treatment outcomes in people with cancer including myeloma, with specific interests in novel cancer drug delivery approaches, adjunctive supportive care strategies and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Dr Mrozik is developing state-of-the-art approaches using tumour vasculature-targeting agents and nanomedicines to improve drug access to sites of cancer. These have immense potential to enhance efficacy and decrease toxicity of standard-of-care cancer drugs. Dr Mrozik’s research also deciphers neuro-immune- and microbiome-mediated mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy to develop more effective strategies to mitigate this highly debilitating condition. His multidisciplinary research program encompasses collaborations with field-leading local, national and international researchers. Dr Mrozik currently co-supervises 3 PhD students and has co-supervised another 3 PhD students to completion. CIA-Mrozik has a strong track record of leading collaborative research, with more than AUD$1.9 million in competitive grant and fellowship funding, including a Category 1 grant. He has published 34 peer-reviewed papers in high-impact journals (citations: >2,700, h-index: 24 [Google Scholar]), including Leukemia, Cancer Research, and Journal of Hematology & Oncology.

Current projects include:
  • Developing novel drug delivery strategies including vasculature-modifying agents and nanomedicines to increase cancer drug uptake by tumours and decrease off-target side effects in multiple myeloma and paediatric brain cancer
  • Deciphering the role of the gut microbiota and neuroimmune signalling in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
  • Defining major cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive tumour dissemination in multiple myeloma
  • Identifying novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of multiple myeloma

Date Position Institution name
2024 - ongoing The Hospital Research Foundation Myeloma Fellow University of Adelaide
2020 - 2023 Beat Cancer Project Early Career Cancer Research Fellow University of Adelaide
2018 - 2020 Postdoctoral Researcher The University of Adelaide
2004 - 2012 Senior Research Associate The University of Adelaide
2001 - 2004 Research Associate The University of Adelaide
1999 - 2001 Research Associate Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide

Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
2012 Scholarship Faculty of Health Sciences Divisional PhD Scholarship University of Adelaide Australia -

Language Competency
Polish Can read, write, speak and understand spoken

Date Institution name Country Title
2012 - 2018 The University of Adelaide Australia PhD
1998 - 1998 The University of Adelaide Australia Honours Degree

Year Citation
2026 Scott, J. S., Munir, S., Lynn, M. A., Duggan, J. A., Castro, J., Harrington, A. M., . . . Mrozik, K. M. (2026). Bortezomib-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy and neuroimmune signalling are influenced by the gut microbiota in mice. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 1-55.
DOI
2025 Plakhova, N., Panagopoulos, V., Cantley, M. D., Trainor, L. J., Hewett, D. R., Clark, K. C., . . . Vandyke, K. (2025). Age-related mesenchymal stromal cell senescence is associated with progression from MGUS to multiple myeloma.. Leukemia, 39(6), 1464-1475.
DOI Scopus6 WoS7 Europe PMC4
2025 Clark, J. R., Panagopoulos, V., Noll, J. E., Mrozik, K. M., Bradey, A. L., Croucher, P. I., . . . Hewett, D. R. (2025). Mer receptor expression promotes multiple myeloma disease development via a cell-extrinsic mechanism. Experimental Hematology, 150(ARTN 104842), 1-15.
DOI
2024 Zeissig, M. N., Hewett, D. R., Mrozik, K. M., Panagopoulos, V., Wallington-Gates, C. T., Spencer, A., . . . Zannettino, A. C. W. (2024). Expression of the chemokine receptor CCR1 decreases sensitivity to bortezomib in multiple myeloma cell lines. Leukemia Research, 139, 107469-1-107469-8.
DOI Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC6
2023 Plakhova, N., Panagopoulos, V., Vandyke, K., Zannettino, A. C. W., & Mrozik, K. M. (2023). Mesenchymal stromal cell senescence in haematological malignancies. Cancer and Metastasis Reviews, 42(1), 277-296.
DOI Scopus32 WoS30 Europe PMC24
2023 Williams, C. M. D., Noll, J. E., Bradey, A. L., Duggan, J., Wilczek, V. J., Masavuli, M. G., . . . Panagopoulos, V. (2023). Myeloperoxidase creates a permissive microenvironmental niche for the progression of multiple myeloma. British Journal of Haematology, 203(4), 614-624.
DOI Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC5
2020 Friend, N., Noll, J. E., Opperman, K. S., Clark, K. C., Mrozik, K. M., Vandyke, K., . . . Zannettino, A. C. W. (2020). GLIPR1 expression is reduced in multiple myeloma but is not a tumour suppressor in mice. PLoS One, 15(1), e0228408-1-e0228408-25.
DOI Scopus3 WoS21 Europe PMC3
2020 Cheong, C. M., Mrozik, K. M., Hewett, D. R., Bell, E., Panagopoulos, V., Noll, J. E., . . . Vandyke, K. (2020). Twist-1 is upregulated by NSD2 and contributes to tumour dissemination and an epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like gene expression signature in t(4;14)-positive multiple myeloma. Cancer letters, 475, 99-108.
DOI Scopus30 WoS27 Europe PMC27
2020 Mrozik, K. M., Cheong, C. M., Hewett, D. R., Noll, J. E., Opperman, K. S., Adwal, A., . . . Zannettino, A. C. W. (2020). LCRF-0006, a small molecule mimetic of the N-cadherin antagonist peptide ADH-1, synergistically increases multiple myeloma response to bortezomib.. FASEB Bioadv, 2(6), 339-353.
DOI Scopus5 WoS6 Europe PMC9
2020 Clark, K. C., Hewett, D. R., Panagopoulos, V., Plakhova, N., Opperman, K. S., Bradey, A. L., . . . Zannettino, A. C. W. (2020). Targeted disruption of bone marrow stromal cell-derived Gremlin1 limits multiple myeloma disease progression in vivo. Cancers, 12(8), 2149-1-2149-20.
DOI Scopus11 WoS11 Europe PMC9
2020 Friend, N. L., Hewett, D. R., Panagopoulos, V., Noll, J. E., Vandyke, K., Mrozik, K. M., . . . Zannettino, A. C. W. (2020). Characterization of the role of Samsn1 loss in multiple myeloma development. FASEB BioAdvances, 2(9), 554-572.
DOI Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC9
2020 Zeissig, M. N., Hewett, D. R., Panagopoulos, V., Mrozik, K. M., To, L. B., Croucher, P. I., . . . Vandyke, K. (2020). Expression of the chemokine receptor CCR1 promotes the dissemination of multiple myeloma plasma cells in vivo. Haematologica, 106(12), 3176-3187.
DOI Scopus23 WoS24 Europe PMC19
2019 Opperman, K. S., Vandyke, K., Clark, K. C., Coulter, E. A., Hewett, D. R., Mrozik, K. M., . . . Zannettino, A. C. (2019). Clodronate-liposome mediated macrophage depletion abrogates multiple myeloma tumor establishment in vivo. Neoplasia, 21(8), 777-787.
DOI Scopus68 WoS64 Europe PMC56
2018 Mrozik, K., Blaschuk, O., Cheong, C., Zannettino, A., & Vandyke, K. (2018). N-cadherin in cancer metastasis, its emerging role in haematological malignancies and potential as a therapeutic target in cancer. BMC Cancer, 18(1), 1-16.
DOI Scopus317 WoS302 Europe PMC264
2017 Vandyke, K., Zeissig, M., Hewett, D., Martin, S., Mrozik, K., Cheong, C., . . . Zannettino, A. (2017). HIF-2α promotes dissemination of plasma cells in multiple myeloma by regulating CXCL12/CXCR4 and CCR1. Cancer Research, 77(20), 5452-5463.
DOI Scopus51 WoS48 Europe PMC46
2015 Mrozik, K., Cheong, C., Hewett, D., Chow, A., Blaschuk, O., Zannettino, A., & Vandyke, K. (2015). Therapeutic targeting of N-cadherin is an effective treatment for multiple myeloma. British Journal of Haematology, 171(3), 387-399.
DOI Scopus31 WoS29 Europe PMC28
2015 Noll, J., Vandyke, K., Hewett, D., Mrozik, K., Bala, R., Williams, S., . . . Zannettino, A. (2015). PTTG1 expression is associated with hyperproliferative disease and poor prognosis in multiple myeloma. Journal of Hematology and Oncology, 8(1), 106-1-106-16.
DOI Scopus36 WoS36 Europe PMC33
2014 Hynes, K., Menicanin, D., Mrozik, K., Gronthos, S., & Bartold, P. (2014). Generation of functional mesenchymal stem cells from different induced pluripotent stem cell lines. Stem Cells and Development, 23(10), 1084-1096.
DOI Scopus155 WoS143 Europe PMC135
2014 Menicanin, D., Mrozik, K., Wada, N., Marino, V., Shi, S., Bartold, P., & Gronthos, S. (2014). Periodontal-ligament-derived stem cells exhibit the capacity for long-term survival, self-renewal, and regeneration of multiple tissue types in vivo. Stem Cells and Development, 23(9), 1001-1011.
DOI Scopus128 WoS117 Europe PMC99
2014 Han, J., Menicanin, D., Marino, V., Ge, S., Mrozik, K., Gronthos, S., & Bartold, P. (2014). Assessment of the regenerative potential of allogeneic periodontal ligament stem cells in a rodent periodontal defect model. Journal of Periodontal Research, 49(3), 333-345.
DOI Scopus84 WoS71 Europe PMC66
2013 Mrozik, K., Wada, N., Marino, V., Richter, W., Shi, S., Wheeler, D., . . . Bartold, P. (2013). Regeneration of periodontal tissues using allogeneic periodontal ligament stem cells in an ovine model. Regenerative Medicine, 8(6), 711-723.
DOI Scopus68 WoS56 Europe PMC48
2013 Hynes, K., Menicanin, D., Han, J., Marino, V., Mrozik, K., Gronthos, S., & Bartold, P. (2013). Mesenchymal stem cells from iPS cells facilitate periodontal regeneration. Journal of Dental Research, 92(9), 833-839.
DOI Scopus142 WoS125 Europe PMC113
2012 Ge, S., Mrozik, K., Menicanin, D., Gronthos, S., & Bartold, P. (2012). Isolation and characterization of mesenchymal stem cell-like cells from healthy and inflamed gingival tissue: Potential use for clinical therapy. Regenerative Medicine, 7(6), 819-832.
DOI Scopus93 WoS78 Europe PMC67
2012 Xiong, J., Mrozik, K., Gronthos, S., & Bartold, P. (2012). Epithelial cell rests of Malassez contain unique stem cell populations capable of undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Stem Cells and Development, 21(11), 2012-2025.
DOI Scopus64 WoS60 Europe PMC52
2012 Mrozik, K., Gronthos, S., Menicanin, D., Marino, V., & Bartold, P. (2012). Effect of coating Straumann® Bone Ceramic with Emdogain on mesenchymal stromal cell hard tissue formation. Clinical Oral Investigations, 16(3), 867-878.
DOI Scopus29 WoS31 Europe PMC26
2010 Mrozik, K., Zilm, P., Bagley, C., Hack, S., Hoffmann, P., Gronthos, S., & Bartold, P. (2010). Proteomic characterization of mesenchymal stem cell-like populations derived from ovine periodontal ligament, dental pulp, and bone marrow: Analysis of differentially expressed proteins. Stem Cells and Development, 19(10), 1485-1499.
DOI Scopus65 WoS54 Europe PMC48
2009 Gronthos, S., McCarty, R., Mrozik, K., Fitter, S., Paton, S., Menicanin, D., . . . Zannettino, A. (2009). Heat shock protein-90 beta is expressed at the surface of multipotential mesenchymal precursor cells: Generation of a novel monoclonal antibody, STRO-4, with specificity for mesenchymal precursor cells from human and ovine tissues. Stem Cells and Development, 18(9), 1253-1261.
DOI Scopus74 WoS62 Europe PMC55
2008 Lin, N., Menicanin, D., Mrozik, K., Gronthos, S., & Bartold, P. (2008). Putative stem cells in regenerating human periodontium. Journal of Periodontal Research, 43(5), 514-523.
DOI Scopus54 WoS48 Europe PMC43
2006 Gronthos, S., Mrozik, K., Shi, S., & Bartold, P. (2006). Ovine periodontal ligament stem cells: Isolation, characterization, and differentiation potential. Calcified Tissue International, 79(5), 310-317.
DOI Scopus155 WoS139 Europe PMC133
2005 Pralong, D., Lim, M., Vassiliev, I., Mrozik, K., Wijesundara, N., Rathjen, P., & Verma, P. (2005). Tetraploid embryonic stem cells contribute to the inner cell mass of mouse blastocysts. Cloning and Stem Cells, 7(4), 272-278.
DOI Scopus18 WoS16 Europe PMC16
2005 Pralong, D., Mrozik, K., Occhiodoro, F., Wijesundara, N., Sumer, H., Van Boxtel, A., . . . Verma, P. (2005). A novel method for somatic cell nuclear transfer to mouse embryonic stem cells. Cloning and Stem Cells, 7(4), 265-271.
DOI Scopus40 WoS33 Europe PMC27
2002 Han, P., Story, C., McDonald, T., Mrozik, K., & Snell, L. (2002). Immune escape mechanisms of childhood ALL and a potential countering role for DC-like leukemia cells. Cytotherapy, 4(2), 165-175.
DOI Scopus11 WoS12 Europe PMC11

Year Citation
2017 Mrozik, K., Gronthos, S., Shi, S., & Bartold, P. M. (2017). A method to isolate, purify, and characterize human periodontal ligament stem cells. In G. J. Seymour, M. P. Cullinan, & N. C. K. Heng (Eds.), Methods in Molecular Biology (Vol. 1537, pp. 413-427). SPRINGER.
DOI Scopus33 WoS28 Europe PMC24
2012 Mrozik, K., Xiong, J., Zilm, P., Gronthos, S., & Bartold, P. (2012). Proteomic characterization of mesenchymal stem cell-like populations derived from various tissue types. In M. Hayat (Ed.), Stem cells and cancer stem cells: Therapeutic applications in disease and injury. Volume 4 (pp. 267-284). Springer.
DOI
2012 Mrozik, K., Xiong, J., Zilm, P., Gronthos, S., & Bartold, P. (2012). Proteomic Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Like Populations Derived from Various Tissue Types. In M. Hayat (Ed.), Stem cells and cancer stem cells: Therapeutic applications in disease and injury. Volume 3 (pp. 75-94). New York: Springer.
DOI
2010 Mrozik, K., Gronthos, S., Shi, S., & Bartold, P. (2010). A method to isolate, purify, and characterize human periodontal ligament stem cells. In G. Seymour, M. Cullinan, & N. Heng (Eds.), Oral Biology: Molecular Techniques and Applications (Vol. 666, 1 ed., pp. 269-284). USA: Humana Press.
DOI Scopus49 WoS45 Europe PMC42

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.
2017 Zeissig, M. N., Hewett, D. R., Martin, S., Mrozik, K. M., Cheong, C. M., Diamond, P., . . . Zannettino, A. C. W. (2017). HIF-2α Upregulates CCR1 to Promote Dissemination of Plasma Cells in Multiple Myeloma. In BLOOD Vol. 130 (pp. 2 pages). Atlanta, GA: AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY.
2014 Vandyke, K., Mrozik, K. M., Cheong, C. M., Chow, A. W. S., Kok, C. H., Blaschuk, O., . . . Zannettino, A. C. W. (2014). Identification of an Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)-like Programme in t(4;14)-Positive Multiple Myeloma Reveals Novel Targets for Therapeutic Intervention. In BLOOD Vol. 124 (pp. 3 pages). San Francisco, CA: AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY.
WoS1

Year Citation
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

Year Citation
2025 Emery, A., Blaschuk, O. W., Dinh, D. T., McPhee, T., Becker, R., Abell, A. D., . . . Russell, D. L. (2025). N-cadherin mechanosensing in ovarian follicles controls oocyte maturation and ovulation.
DOI WoS3 Europe PMC5
  • 2023 - The Hospital Research Foundation Myeloma Fellowship. 2024-2026 ($230,000)
  • 2023 - Cancer Australia Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme Grant. 2024-2026 ($595,467). Project title: Priming the blood-brain barrier to improve drug delivery and treatment outcomes in diffuse midline glioma
  • 2023 - Tour de Cure Pioneering Research Grant. 2024 ($50,000). Project title: Innovative Strategies for Optimising Myeloma Therapy: Targeting the Tumour Vasculature to Improve Drug Delivery and Mitigate Treatment Side Effects
  • 2021 - The Hospital Research Foundation Innovations in Pain Management Grant. 2022-2023 ($200,000). Project title: Does the gut microbiota play an important role in mediating the painful side effects of cancer treatment?
  • 2019 - Cancer Council SA Beat Cancer Project Early Career Cancer Research Fellowship 2020-2023 ($480,000)
  • 2019 - Tour de Cure Early Career Research Grant. 2020 ($50,000). Project title: A new drug delivery system to improve the quality of life and survival of patients with the bl ood cancer multiple myeloma  

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2026 Principal Supervisor Optimising nanomedicine-based drug delivery for the treatment of multiple myeloma Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Syeda Komal Fatima
2025 Principal Supervisor Understanding the mechanisms of microbial involvement in the side effects of the anti-myeloma drug, bortezomib. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Suranjana Sikdar
2025 Principal Supervisor Understanding the mechanisms of microbial involvement in the side effects of the anti-myeloma drug, bortezomib. - Doctorate Full Time Ms Suranjana Sikdar
2025 Co-Supervisor Understanding the mechanisms of microbial involvement in the side effects of the anti-myeloma drug, bortezomib. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Suranjana Sikdar
2024 Co-Supervisor Modulating the blood-brain barrier to optimise drug delivery and treatment outcomes in diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Tace Sian Conlin
2024 Co-Supervisor Modulating the blood-brain barrier to optimise drug delivery and treatment outcomes in diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) - Doctorate Full Time Miss Tace Sian Conlin
2024 Co-Supervisor Modulating the blood-brain barrier to optimise drug delivery and treatment outcomes in diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Tace Sian Conlin
2021 Co-Supervisor Mechanisms of bortezomib-induced gut dysfunction and novel strategies to mitigate its impact in people with multiple myeloma. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Jacqui Steele Scott
2021 Co-Supervisor The role of the gut microbiota in gastrointestinal toxicity and peripheral neuropathy caused by the anti-myeloma drug, bortezomib - Doctorate Full Time Miss Jacqui Steele Scott

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2020 - 2025 Co-Supervisor Development of Vasculature-Modifying Strategies to Enhance Bortezomib Efficacy and Reduce Side Effects in Multiple Myeloma Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Sadia Munir
2019 - 2023 Co-Supervisor The Role of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Senescence in Multiple Myeloma Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Natalya Plakhova

Date Event Name Event Type Institution Country
2021 - ongoing 15th Annual Florey Postgraduate Research Conference - Poster Assessor Conference University of Adelaide Australia
2018 - ongoing SAHMRI Research Showcase - 3-Minute Thesis Assessor Conference SAHMRI -
2018 - ongoing Annual Florey Postgraduate Research Conference - Poster Assessor Conference University of Adelaide -

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