Research Interests
Cancer Cell Biology Cancer Therapy Drug discovery Cancer Biology and Clinical OncologyMr 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 with a goal to palpably improve the lives of people with multiple myeloma and other bone-tropic cancers. Dr Mrozik has an exceptional publication record relative to career stage, with 31 peer-review publications (9 as first author and 1 as senior author (2023); 70% in Q1 journals [Scimago]; ~2000 citations (219 in 2022), h-index = 22 [Google Scholar], Field-Weighted Citation Impact [FWCI] = 2.0 [Scopus]), including 12 in the myeloma field. To date, Dr Mrozik has been awarded over $1.9m in competitive funding. He collaborates with multiple researchers across all major South Australian universities, as well as with national and international researchers. Dr Mrozik co-supervises two PhD students, demonstrating his leadership qualities and ability to train future independent researchers.Drug therapy-related side effects and disease relapse represent major challenges in the management of people with myeloma. These issues compromise the physical and emotional well-being of individuals with myeloma, by reducing their quality of life and overall survival. Improving drug access to sites of myeloma tumour represents a promising strategy to improve depth of tumour response to therapy and to reduce off-target side effects. Dr Mrozik is establishing a translational research program developing innovative strategies to selectively increase drug delivery to sites of cancer in bone and improve treatment outcomes in people with myeloma. This includes the development of state-of-the-art (1) tumour vasculature-targeting agents (in conjunction with the artificial intelligence company Atomwise Inc.) and (2) nanomedicine-based formulations of standard-of-care front-line myeloma drugs. He has also co-developed a world-first, clinically relevant pre-clinical model of bortezomib-induced gastrointestinal toxicity and peripheral neuropathy that is integral to proof-of-concept studies assessing the utility of novel drug combinations and formulations to reduce the impact and severity of drug side effects relative to standard therapeutic approaches. His other research interests include the pathological mechanisms of proteasome inhibitor-induced gut dysfunction (including the role of gut microbiota), the role of stromal cell senescence in myeloma progression and the development of strategies to increase the effectiveness of CAR-T cells in cancer treatment.
Dr Mrozik's projects in the Myeloma Research Laboratory, based at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute:
Project 1
Title: The development of novel vasculature-modifying agents approaches to increase efficacy and decrease side effects of myeloma treatments
Description: A major cause of the dose-limiting toxicities associated with many anti-cancer agents is their systemic distribution following administration. Here, we are developing novel agents that modify vasculature within myeloma tumours and selectively increase drug delivery to the cancer. Using pre-clinical models, these agents are assessed for utility to decrease the incidence and severity of drug side effects (e.g. peripheral neuropathy and gastrointestinal toxicity) without compromising treatment of the cancer.
Project 2
Title: The development of optimised nanomedicines for the treatment of myeloma
Description: Nanomedicine offers a promising opportunity to reduce drug side effects compared with standard drug formulations, by improving tumour targeting efficiency and controlling drug release. Using patented technology, we will develop optimised, state-of-the-art nanoparticle formulations that will be comprehensively assessed in established pre-clinical models for utility to reduce drug side effects without compromising treatment of myeloma disease, relative to standard drug formulations. This project is being performed in collaboration with researchers at the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology (The University of Adelaide).
Project 3
Title: Investigating the mechanisms of proteasome inhibitor-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction.
Description: Gastrointestinal pain dysfunction is the most common side effect of proteasome inhibitor use in the treatment of myeloma. Affected individuals face significant psychological distress, chronic morbidity, financial toxicity and worse survival outcomes. This project investigates, for the first time, the fundamental mechanisms of proteasome-inhibitor gastrointestinal toxicity, including visceral nerve damage and the role of the gut microbiota as a central player in this process. This project is being performed in collaboration with other researchers at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (The University of Adelaide), SAHMRI and Flinders University.
Project 4
Title: The role of stromal cell senescence in myeloma disease progression
Description: Ageing represents a significant risk factor for progression from asymptomatic stage of myeloma, MGUS, to overt myeloma disease, suggesting that age-related cellular changes promote myeloma cell proliferation and disease progression. Here, we are investigating the role of stromal cell senescence in the development of myeloma and the utility of selolytic drugs to delay myeloma disease progression.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 - ongoing | 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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Mrozik, K., Gronthos, S., Shi, S., & Bartold, P. M. (2017). A method to isolate, purify, and characterize human periodontal ligament stem cells. In Methods in Molecular Biology (Vol. 1537, pp. 413-427). Springer New York. DOI Scopus33 Europe PMC23 |
| 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 Scopus48 Europe PMC42 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 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 |
2019 Cancer Council SA Beat Cancer Project Early Career Cancer Research Fellowship 2020-2023 ($480,000)
2019 Tour de Cure Annual Grant Program ($50,000)
Title: Cancer Council SA Beat Cancer Project travel grant 2015: Attendance at the 15th International Myeloma Workshop. Funding scheme: ORG112382: SAHMRI Beat Cancer Project Travel Grant (2015). Mrozik K; Zannettino A
Title: Investigation of periodontal ligament stem cell self-renewal, survival and tissue regeneration in vivo. Funding scheme: 900141: ADRF - Grant (2010). Mrozik K; Gronthos S; Bartold P; Zilm P
Title: Proteomic assessment of mesenchymal stem cells within ovine periodontal ligament and dental pulp. Funding scheme: 900141: ADRF - Grant (2007). Mrozik K; Gronthos S; Bartold P; Zilm P
Title: Proteomic assessment of mesenchymal stem cells within ovine periodontal ligament and dental pulp. Funding scheme: 900141: ADRF - Grant (2006). Mrozik K; Bartold P; Gronthos S; Zilm P
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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) | 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 | 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 |
| 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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