Research Interests
Bone and Bones Haematology Cancer Biology and Clinical Oncology Musculoskeletal HealthDr Melissa Cantley
NHMRC Ext-Funded Rsch Fellow B
School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science
College of Health
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
In 2006, Melissa completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences at the University of Adelaide followed by Honours (First Class) in Pathology in 2007. To expand on her knowledge in the area of localized pathological bone loss she worked as an NHMRC funded Research Assistant for two years. During this time Melissa helped establish a number of animal models of pathogenic bone loss, including periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis and peri-implant osteolysis. Additional to this she optimized quantitative methods to assess bone loss using live micro CT scanning.Melissa completed her PhD (October 2013) within the Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences at the University of Adelaide with the support of an Australian Postgraduate Award. Her research was undertaken in the Bone and Joint Laboratory with the supervision of Associate Professor David Haynes and Professor Mark Bartold. The overall aim of her PhD project was to investigate novel treatments of localized bone loss in chronic inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis and prosthetic osteolysis.In 2013 and 2014 Melissa worked as the Research Projects Coordintor, and Learning and Teaching Support Officer in the School of Medical Sciences. Melissa commenced her NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Fellowship in June 2014 under the supervision and mentorship of Professor Andrew Zannettino.Dr Cantley is currently a Cancer Council Beat Cancer Early Career Fellow in the Myeloma Research Laboratory, The University of Adelaide and a Faculty Research Fellow, Precision Cancer Medicine Theme at SAHMRI in Adelaide, Australia. Dr Cantley’s research interests revolve around bone cell biology and role of the complex bone microenvironment in disease including the blood cancer multiple myeloma. This involves using patient samples to unravel the role of the bone marrow microenvironment in progression from pre-cancerous stages (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smouldering myeloma) to cancerous myeloma. She is also leading projects focused on discovering biomarkers of progression including a national Australian prospective study to discover blood-based markers that can be used to indicate risk of progression in smouldering myeloma.
Understanding the role of the bone microenvironment in the progression of pre-malignancies monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smouldering myeloma to active myeloma and identifying bone biomarkers of those patients at high risk of progression to myeloma.
Up to 80% of patients who have myeloma are affected by myeloma bone disease, which leads to holes in the bone and associated bone pain and risk of fractures. This occurs as a result of complex interactions and communications between the myeloma plasma cells and the cells in their surrounding environment of the bone marrow, referred to as the microenvironment. In almost all cases of multiple myeloma, patients have the presence of a pre-cancerous stage known as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and/or smoldering myeloma (SMM). Some patients with smouldering myeloma have stable disease long-term whilst one quarter of patients will rapidly progress to develop myeloma within 2 years of diagnosis. These pre-cancerous stages are recognized as being symptom free and hence patients are closely monitored but do not receive treatment. The presence of bone lesions is not commonly seen in MGUS and smouldering myeloma patients but some research suggests that there is abnormal bone changes that make a patient more susceptible to bone fractures. My research interests focus around understanding these bone changes in pre-cancerous stages and how they may contribute to the progression of malignant myeloma.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 - 2027 | Cancer Council Beat Cancer Research Fellow | University of Adelaide |
| 2020 - 2027 | Faculty Fellow | SAHMRI |
| 2014 - 2021 | NHMRC Early Career Researcher | University of Adelaide |
| 2013 - 2014 | Research Projects Coordinator | The University of Adelaide |
| 2013 - 2014 | Learning & Teaching Support Officer | The University of Adelaide |
| 2010 - 2014 | Part time tutor | The University of Adelaide |
| 2010 - 2013 | Part time tutor | The University of Adelaide |
| 2010 - 2013 | Research Assistant (part time) | The University of Adelaide |
| 2008 - 2010 | NHMRC grant funded Research Assistant | The University of Adelaide |
| Date | Type | Title | Institution Name | Country | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Award | South Australian 2015 Young Tall Poppy Winner | The University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2014 | Achievement | Australian Society for Medical Research Ross Wishart Finalist | The University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2014 | Award | Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Domestic Research Award | The University of Adelaide | Australia | $2000 |
| 2013 | Award | Dean’s commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence | The University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2012 | Award | SA Branch ARA Philip Alpers Award for Best Basic Science Presentation | The University of adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2012 | Award | ANZBMS Best of the best poster as part of (AHMRC) | The University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2011 | Award | SA Branch ARA Philip Alpers Award for Best Basic Science Presentation | The University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2011 | Achievement | Australian Society for Medical Research Ross Wishart Finalist | The University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 - 2013 | The University of Adelaide | Australia | Doctor of Philsophy |
| 2007 - 2007 | The University of Adelaide | Australia | Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) |
| 2004 - 2006 | The University of Adelaide | Australia | Bachelor of Health Sciences |
| 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. |
| 2011 | Dharmapatni, A., Fitzpatrick, D., Cantley, M. D., & Haynes, D. R. (2011). INCREASED SOFAT MRNA EXPRESSION DURING OSTEOCLAST DEVELOPMENT, EVIDENCE THAT SOFAT IS NOT ONLY ASSOCIATED WITH T CELLS. In OSTEOPOROSIS INTERNATIONAL Vol. 22 (pp. S604). Gold Coast, AUSTRALIA: SPRINGER LONDON LTD. |
| 2011 | Crotti, T. N., Zawawi, M. S., Dharmapatni, A. A., Cantley, M. D., & Haynes, D. R. (2011). INHIBITION OF ITAM ADAPTOR MOLECULES AND THEIR RECEPTORS BY INHIBITION OF CALCINEURIN-NFAT SIGNALLING DURING LATE STAGE HUMAN OSTEOCLAST DIFFERENTIATION. In OSTEOPOROSIS INTERNATIONAL Vol. 22 (pp. S603). Gold Coast, AUSTRALIA: SPRINGER LONDON LTD. |
| 2011 | Cantley, M. D., Fairlie, D. P., Bartold, P., Marino, V., & Haynes, D. R. (2011). INHIBITING HISTONE DEACETYLASES EXPRESSED IN HUMAN PERIODONTAL TISSUES PREVENTS BONE LOSS IN AN ANIMAL MODEL OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE. In OSTEOPOROSIS INTERNATIONAL Vol. 22 (pp. S613). Gold Coast, AUSTRALIA: SPRINGER LONDON LTD. |
| 2010 | Cantley, M., Haynes, D. R., & Rainsford, K. D. (2010). EFFECTS OF RIBONUCLEINATE COMPONENTS OF OSTEOCHONDRIN<SUP>R</SUP> S OSTEOARTHRITIS THERAPY ON FORMATION AND ACTIVITY OF HUMAN OSTEOCLASTS <i>IN VITRO</i>. In OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE Vol. 18 (pp. S254-S255). Brussels, BELGIUM: W B SAUNDERS CO LTD. DOI WoS1 |
| 2009 | Cantley, M. D., Fairlie, D. P., Bartold, M. P., Rainsford, K. D., & Haynes, D. R. (2009). Inhibition of both class I and class II histone deacetylases is required to effectively inhibit osteoclast bone resorption in vivo and in vitro. In BONE Vol. 44 (pp. S133-S134). Sydney, AUSTRALIA: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. DOI WoS1 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Trainor, L. J., Cantley, M. D., King, C., Plakhova, N., Skinner, M., Chai, R., . . . Zannettino, A. (2023). Profiling of patient bone marrow adipocytes in the myeloma microenvironment. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstracts of the 20th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the International Myeloma Society (IMS 2023), as published in Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia. Athens, Greece: Elsevier. DOI |
| 2014 | Dharmapatni, A., Cantley, M., Marino, V., Perilli, E., Crotti, T., Smith, M., & Haynes, D. (2014). THE X-LINKED INHIBITORY OF APOPTOSIS PROTEIN INHIBITOR, EMBELIN SUPPRESSES INFLAMMATION AND BONE EROSION IN COLLAGEN ANTIBODY INDUCED ARTHRITIS (CAIA) MICE. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL. WILEY-BLACKWELL. |
Fellowships and Scholarships
Cantley MD Cancer Council Beat Cancer Early Career Research Fellowship. Title: Multi-omic approaches to understand and predict development of multiple myeloma ($480,000) (2022-2027)
Cantley MD Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences 2018 Emerging Leadership Mentored Development Program. ($38,885) (2018-2019)
Cantley MD NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Fellowship. The effect of histone deacetylase inhibitors on the bone environment in multiple myeloma. ($304,596) (2014-2021).
Cantley MD School of Medical Sciences ‘Kick Start’ Grant Funding $24,950 (2014)
Cantley MD. Group of Eight (G08) supported Fellowship to attend the 64th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting June/July $6000 (2014)
Cantley MD. University of Adelaide Fellowship to attend Science in the Dome Event May $500 (2014)
Cantley MD Australian Postgraduate Award ($67,500) (2010-2012)
Grants
Wardill H., Cantley MD., Iasiello M., van Agteren J., Beer H., Fassnacht D., Ali K., Ramsey I., Edney L., Saleh Moussa. R., Grundy L., Linedale E. 2023 MRFF Consumer-Led Research. The MyWELL study: empowering people with myeloma to not just live, but live well. ($471,648) (2024-2026)
Zannettino A, Cantley MD. NHMRC Ideas Grant. Leveraging innovative multi-omic approaches to understand and predict myeloma disease development. ($943,075) (2022-2025)
Cantley MD, Quirk N, Arthur A, Kaur S, Algate K, Breen J. Australian Dental Research Foundation Grant (ADRF). A pilot study to utilise single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) to define the bone remodelling microenvironment human periodontitis gingival and bone tissues ($13,500) (2021).
Cantley MD. Bone Health Foundation Seed Grant – Early Career Investigator: Title: Serum CTX-1 levels to predict smouldering myeloma patients at high risk of progression to multiple myeloma: a prospective clinical trial ($21,695.85) (2021-2022).
Cantley MD, Trainor L, Vandyke K, Zannettino A. NanoString Spatial Biology Grant Award. Title: Understanding the bone marrow microenvironment in progression to multiple myeloma (2020).
Cantley MD. Cancer Australia - Priority-Driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (PdCCRS) Grant – funded by Cancer Australia, Cure Cancer, and Leukaemia Foundation. Title: Using novel high-precision proteomic analysis to discover biomarkers that identify smouldering myeloma patients at high-risk of progression to active multiple myeloma ($199,720) (2020-2022).
Arthur A, Cantley MD. Adelaide Medical School Small Item of Equipment Funding Award. ($1,859) (2019).
Cantley, MD, Arthur A, Zannettino ACW, Gronthos S. Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Research Infrastructure Funding Award, The University of Adelaide. ($23,840) (2019)
Algate KA, Cantley MD, Haynes DR. Australian Dental Research Foundation Grant. Title: Localized topical histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor treatment as a novel method for treating periodontal disease ($10,651) (2019).
Cantley MD, Haynes DR, Bartold PM, Marino V. Australian Dental Research Foundation Grant, The role of acetylation and Histone Deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) in the relationship between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis ($12,762) (2015)
Algate K, Cantley MD, Haynes DR, Bartold PM, Australian Dental Research Foundation Grant, The Effects of Resolvins and Lipoxins on Inflammation Associated Human Osteoclast and Osteoblast activity in vitro ($10,000) (2015)
Haynes DR, Bartold PM, Cantley MD (CIC), NHMRC Project Grant, HDAC 1 and HDAC 5 in periodontitis, ($518,901) (2014-2017).
Cantley MD, Haynes DR, Bartold PM, Marino V, Australian Dental Research Foundation Grant, Targeting HDAC 1 to suppress bone loss in vitro and in a mouse model of periodontitis. $11,813 (2012)
Haynes DR, Bartold PM, Marino V, Cantley MD. Australian Dental Research Foundation Grant, Establishing a mouse model to investigate the relationship between PD and RA $11,637 (2010)
Undergraduate Teaching and Lecturing
Lecturing
2024, 2025 Dental Science and Practice 1 Semester 1 3x cartilage and bone lectures.
2021, 2022, 2023, Dental Science and Practice 1 Semester 1 3x cartilage and bone lectures.
2020, 2019, 2018 Dental Science and Practice 1 Semester 1: 1x connective tissue lecture Semester 2: 3x cartilage and bone lectures.
2016 Dental Science and Practice 1 (3x guest lectures, Bone and cartilage structure, function and growth)
Biology of Disease (1x guest lecture, multiple myeloma)
2015 Dental Science and Practice 1 (1x guest lectures, connective tissues)
2014 Dental Science and Practice 1 (3x guest lectures, Bone and cartilage structure, function and growth)
2014 Bachelor of Health Sciences - Biology of Disease (Bone and Joint Diseases)
2013 Bachelor of Health Sciences - Biology of Disease (Bone and Joint Diseases)
2013 Bachelor of Health Sciences - Human Biology IB (Research and Science Promotion)
2011 Bachelor of Health Sciences - Biology Bridging Course
2008 Bachelor of Dental Surgery Biochemistry course
Small group and Tutorials
2022, 2023 Dental Science and Practice 1, workshop bone growth and formation
2021 Dental Science and Practice 1 and Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH), Zoom based Q&A sessions on bone and cartilage.
2020 Dental Science and Practice 1, workshop bone growth and formation
2019, 2021 The University of Adelaide MBBS 3-year research project supervision
2018 Small Group Discovery Projects (Bachelor of Health Sciences), Semester 1, Group Leader
2018 Integrated Learning Activities (ILA) Review session - Dental Science and Practice 1
2016 Small Group Discovery Projects (Biology of Disease), Group Leader
2016 Integrated Learning Activities (ILA) Review session - Dental Science and Practice 1
2015 Supervision of 3rd year Physiology in Action students – laboratory-based research project
2014 Small Group Discovery Projects (Human Biology IB), Group Leader
2014 Small Group Discovery Projects (Health Sciences - Biology of Disease), Group Leader
2013 Small Group Discovery Projects (Health Sciences - Human Biology IB), Group Leader
2012 Supervised small group research projects (Health Sciences - Structural Cell Biology)
2010-2014 Undergraduate tutor in School of Dentistry - Integrated learning activities (ILA) for first year Bachelor of Dental Surgery 1 research review sessions and large group sessions, 2010
2010-2014 School of Medical Sciences (Human Biology IA and IB, Cells, Tissues and Development (second year), Cells and Tissues (second year), Cells and Tissues (second year).
2010 Bachelor of Dental Surgery 2 - Biochemistry, Problem based learning (PBL) sessions.
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Co-Supervisor | Dietary interventions for protection from chemotherapy-induced bone loss | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Linjie Zhang |
| 2024 | Co-Supervisor | Building the mental health and wellbeing of patients diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma - an incurable cancer | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mrs Natalie Tuckey |
| 2022 | Principal Supervisor | Lipidomic and metabolomic profiling of the bone marrow microenvironment to understand multiple myeloma disease development | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Part Time | Miss Mackenzie Rose Skinner |
| 2022 | Co-Supervisor | Genetic and biochemical characterisation of the SIK3 mutation, R393H: A causal mutation that helps define a new family of human monogenetic disorders | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Eliana Gloria Stanziano |
| 2020 | Co-Supervisor | Changes in the bone marrow microenvironment with progression to multiple myeloma | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Part Time | Miss Laura Joy Trainor |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 - 2018 | Co-Supervisor | Epigenetic Regulation of Cells Involved in Periodontal Bone Destruction Through Targeted Histone Deacetylase Inhibition | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Kent Algate |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Location | Program | Supervision Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 - 2015 | Co-Supervisor | Low Dose CAPE Treatment in a Collagen-antibody Induced Arthritis Model of Inflammatory Arthritis | The University of Adelaide | - | Honours | Full Time | Bonnie Williams |
| 2015 - 2015 | Principal Supervisor | Investigating effects of novel Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors on the relationship between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis | The University of Adelaide | Honours | Honours | Full Time | Ornella Romeo |
| 2014 - 2015 | Principal Supervisor | Inflammation and bone loss in periodontitis | The University of Adelaide | - | Other | Full Time | Anne Duong |
| 2014 - 2014 | Co-Supervisor | HISTONE DEACETYLASE 1 REGULATION IN PERI-PROSTHETIC OSTEOLYSIS | The University of adelaide | - | Honours | Full Time | Emma Murison |
| 2013 - 2013 | Co-Supervisor | Regulation of bone loss by targeting histone deacetylase enzymes | The University of Adelaide | - | Honours | Full Time | Mr Kent Algate |
| Date | Role | Board name | Institution name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 - ongoing | Board Member | Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Board of Directors | Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) | Australia |
| 2015 - ongoing | Member | Inflammopharmacology Editorial Board | Springer | Australia |
| Date | Role | Committee | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 - ongoing | Co-Chair | Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) Early Career Investigator Committee (ECIC) | Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) | Australia |
| 2020 - ongoing | Member | Member of the Australian New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) Early Career Investigator Committee (ECIC) - Events Subcommittee | Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) | Australia |
| 2020 - ongoing | Member | International Federation of Musculoskeletal Societies (IFMRS) HubLE Snippets | International Federation of Musculoskeletal Societies (IFMRS) HubLE | Germany |
| 2018 - ongoing | Member | Member of the Australian New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) Early Career Investigator Committee | Garvan Institute for Medical Research | Australia |
| 2018 - ongoing | Member | SAHMRI E/MCR Working Group | SAHMRI | Australia |
| 2015 - 2015 | Secretary | Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) SA Committee | The University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2013 - 2013 | Chair | Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) SA Committee - Media Convener | The University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2012 - 2012 | Member | Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) SA Committee - public outreach | The University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2011 - 2013 | Co-Founder | Health Sciences Postgraduate Student Representative groups | The University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2011 - 2012 | Member | Faculty of Health Sciences Higher Degree by Research Committee - Domestic Student Representative | The University of Adelade | Australia |
| 2011 - 2012 | Member | School of Medical Sciences - Higher Degree by Research Student Representative | The University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2011 - 2013 | Member | School of Medical Sciences Health and Safety Committee - student representative | The University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2011 - 2012 | Member | Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology - Postgraduate Student Representative | The University of adelaide | Australia |
| 2009 - 2009 | Member | Organising Committee, Australian and New Zealand Orthopaedic research Society (ANZORS) Scientific Meeting | The University of Adelaide | Australia |
| Date | Role | Membership | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 - ongoing | Member | American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) | United States |
| 2008 - ongoing | Member | Australian Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) | Australia |
| 2008 - ongoing | Member | Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) | Australia |
| Date | Role | Editorial Board Name | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 - ongoing | Member | Inflammopharmacology | The University of Adelaide | Australia |