Melissa Pitman

Research Interests

Cancer Cell Biology Cancer Therapy Drug discovery Enzymes Medical Biochemistry: Lipids Medical Biochemistry: Proteins and Peptides

Dr Melissa Pitman

Senior Lecturer

School of Biological Sciences

College of Sciences

Dr Melissa Pitman is the head of the newly established Ovarian Cancer and Drug Discovery Laboratory at the University of Adelaide. She gained her research training in enzymology, protein biochemistry and in silico-based drug discovery during her PhD at Flinders University. With a keen interest in cancer, Dr Pitman moved to the Centre for Cancer Biology to study the role of the sphingolipid pathway with the Molecular Therapeutics Laboratory. During her post-doctoral work she studied links between sphingolipid regulation and ovarian cancer, identifying key targets for therapeutic intervention. She utilised her skills in drug discovery to identify and validate small-molecule inhibitors that target sphingolipid signalling. Her work has led to the development of a spin-off company, Cincera Therapeutics, that is focussed on the development of anti-fibrotic agents. Dr Pitman’s work is focussed on the identification and testing of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of ovarian cancer and includes the development and use of powerful preclinical models of this disease.

Date Position Institution name
2021 - ongoing Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide
2019 - ongoing Consultant Cincera Therapeutics

Date Institution name Country Title
2005 - 2009 Flinders University Australia Doctor of Philosophy
2004 - 2004 Flinders University Australia Bsc Honours
2001 - 2003 Flinders University Australia Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology

Date Title Institution Country
2021 - 2021 Medical Research Commercialisation Internship Medical Research Commercialisation Fund Australia

Year Citation
2025 Davies, L. T., Ganesen, R., Toubia, J., Hong, S. -H., Kumar, K. C. S., Oehler, M. K., . . . Pitman, M. R. (2025). Plasma-activated media selectively induces apoptotic death via an orchestrated oxidative stress pathway in high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells. Molecular Oncology, 19(4), 1170-1187.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2025 Price, Z. K., Lokman, N. A., Morrison, J., Mhlanga, S. N., Sugiyama, M., Koya, Y., . . . Ricciardelli, C. (2025). Identification of Sphingosine Kinase 1 as a Novel Protein Regulated by High Molecular Weight Hyaluronan in Ovarian Cancer.. J Cell Mol Med, 29(9), e70574.
DOI
2024 Calabrese, C., Nolte, H., Pitman, M. R., Ganesan, R., Lampe, P., Laboy, R., . . . Robinson, N. (2024). Mitochondrial translocation of TFEB regulates complex I and inflammation.. EMBO Reports, 25(2), 704-724.
DOI Scopus9 WoS10 Europe PMC10
2023 Nguyen, T. M., Jambhrunkar, M., Wong, S. S., Ross, D. M., Joyce, P., Finnie, J. W., . . . Prestidge, C. A. (2023). Targeting Acute Myeloid Leukemia Using Sphingosine Kinase 1 Inhibitor-Loaded Liposomes.. Molecular pharmaceutics, 20(8), 3937-3946.
DOI Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC6
2022 Mahabaleshwar, H., Asharani, P. V., Loo, T. Y., Koh, S. Y., Pitman, M. R., Kwok, S., . . . Carney, T. J. (2022). Slit-Robo signalling establishes a Sphingosine-1-phosphate gradient to polarise fin mesenchyme. EMBO reports, 23(8), 1-14.
DOI Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC6
2022 Pitman, M. R., Lewis, A. C., Davies, L. T., Moretti, P. A. B., Anderson, D., Creek, D. J., . . . Pitson, S. M. (2022). The sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2/4 antagonist JTE-013 elicits off-target effects on sphingolipid metabolism. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 454-1-454-12.
DOI Scopus16 WoS15 Europe PMC15
2022 Lewis, A. C., Pope, V. S., Tea, M. N., Li, M., Nwosu, G. O., Nguyen, T. M., . . . Pitson, S. M. (2022). Ceramide-induced integrated stress response overcomes Bcl-2 inhibitor resistance in acute myeloid leukemia.. Blood, 139(26), 3737-3751.
DOI Scopus39 WoS36 Europe PMC40
2021 Mahabaleshwar, H., Asharani, P. V., Yi Jun, T. L., Koh, S. Y., Pitman, M., Kwok, S., . . . Carney, T. (2021). Slit-Robo Signalling Establishes a Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Gradient to Polarise Fin Mesenchyme and Establish Fin Morphology.
DOI Europe PMC1
2021 Pitman, M., Oehler, M. K., & Pitson, S. M. (2021). Sphingolipids as multifaceted mediators in ovarian cancer. Cellular Signalling, 81(109949), 1-18.
DOI Scopus15 WoS15 Europe PMC15
2021 Pham, D. H., Pitman, M. R., Sharma, R., Jolly, L., Schulz, R., Gardner, A., . . . Gecz, J. (2021). Integrated in silico and experimental assessment of disease relevance of PCDH19 missense variants. Hum Mutat, 42(8), 1030-1041.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2021 Bennett, M. K., Li, M., Tea, M. N., Pitman, M. R., Toubia, J., Wang, P. P. -S., . . . Pitson, S. M. (2021). Resensitising proteasome inhibitor-resistant myeloma with sphingosine kinase 2 inhibition.. Neoplasia, 24(1), 1-11.
DOI Scopus16 WoS16 Europe PMC13
2019 Neubauer, H. A., Tea, M. N., Zebol, J. R., Gliddon, B. L., Stefanidis, C., Moretti, P. A. B., . . . Pitson, S. M. (2019). Cytoplasmic dynein regulates the subcellular localization of sphingosine kinase 2 to elicit tumor-suppressive functions in glioblastoma. Oncogene, 38(8), 1151-1165.
DOI Scopus26 WoS25 Europe PMC19
2019 Al-Shujairi, W. H., Clarke, J. N., Davies, L. T., Pitman, M. R., Calvert, J. K., Aloia, A. L., . . . Carr, J. M. (2019). In vitro and in vivo roles of sphingosine kinase 2 during dengue virus infection. Journal of General Virology, 100(4), 629-641.
DOI Scopus13 WoS12 Europe PMC9
2019 Powell, J. A., Pitman, M. R., Zebol, J. R., Moretti, P. A., Neubauer, H. A., Davies, L. T., . . . Pitson, S. M. (2019). Kelch-like protein 5-mediated ubiquitination of lysine 183 promotes proteasomal degradation of sphingosine kinase 1. The Biochemical Journal, 476(21), 3211-3226.
DOI Scopus14 WoS14 Europe PMC12
2017 Zhu, W., Jarman, K., Lokman, N., Neubauer, H., Davies, L., Gliddon, B., . . . Pitson, S. (2017). CIB2 negatively regulates oncogenic signaling in ovarian cancer via sphingosine kinase 1. Cancer Research, 77(18), 4823-4834.
DOI Scopus30 WoS26 Europe PMC26
2017 Tran, H., Jersmann, H., Truong, T., Hamon, R., Roscioli, E., Ween, M., . . . Hodge, S. (2017). Disrupted epithelial/macrophage crosstalk via Spinster homologue 2-mediated S1P signaling may drive defective macrophage phagocytic function in COPD. PLoS ONE, 12(11), e0179577-1-e0179577-14.
DOI Scopus30 WoS28 Europe PMC24
2017 Powell, J., Lewis, A., Zhu, W., Toubia, J., Pitman, M., Wallington-Beddoe, C., . . . Pitson, S. (2017). Targeting sphingosine kinase 1 induces MCL1-dependent cell death in acute myeloid leukemia.. Blood, 129(6), 771-782.
DOI Scopus86 WoS80 Europe PMC74
2017 Zhu, W., Gliddon, B., Jarman, K., Moretti, P., Tin, T., Parise, L., . . . Pitson, S. (2017). CIB1 contributes to oncogenic signalling by Ras via modulating the subcellular localisation of sphingosine kinase 1. Oncogene, 36(18), 2619-2627.
DOI Scopus29 WoS27 Europe PMC19
2017 Wallington-Beddoe, C., Bennett, M., Vandyke, K., Davies, L., Zebol, J., Moretti, P., . . . Pitson, S. (2017). Sphingosine kinase 2 inhibition synergises with bortezomib to target myeloma by enhancing endoplasmic reticulum stress. Oncotarget, 8(27), 43602-43616.
DOI Scopus42 WoS40 Europe PMC36
2016 Neubauer, H. A., Pham, D. H., Zebol, J. R., Moretti, P. A. B., Peterson, A. L., Leclercq, T. M., . . . Pitson, S. M. (2016). An oncogenic role for sphingosine kinase 2. Oncotarget, 7(40), 64886-64899.
DOI Scopus54 WoS50 Europe PMC52
2016 Aurelio, L., Scullino, C. V., Pitman, M. R., Sexton, A., Oliver, V., Davies, L., . . . Flynn, B. L. (2016). From sphingosine kinase to dihydroceramide desaturase: a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of the enzyme inhibitory and anticancer activity of 4-((4-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)amino)phenol (SKI-II). Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 59(3), 965-984.
DOI Scopus58 WoS53 Europe PMC38
2016 McNaughton, M., Pitman, M., Pitson, S. M., Pyne, N. J., & Pyne, S. (2016). Proteasomal degradation of sphingosine kinase 1 and inhibition of dihydroceramide desaturase by the sphingosine kinase inhibitors, SKi or ABC294640, induces growth arrest in androgen-independent LNCaP-AI prostate cancer cells. Oncotarget, 7(13), 16663-16675.
DOI Scopus68 WoS67 Europe PMC61
2016 Sun, W. Y., Dimasi, D. P., Pitman, M. R., Zhuang, Y., Heddle, R., Pitson, S. M., . . . Bonder, C. S. (2016). Topical application of fingolimod perturbs cutaneous inflammation. Journal of Immunology, 196(9), 3854-3864.
DOI Scopus14 WoS13 Europe PMC14
2016 Pitman, M. R., Costabile, M., & Pitson, S. M. (2016). Recent advances in the development of sphingosine kinase inhibitors. Cellular Signalling, 28(9), 1349-1363.
DOI Scopus84 WoS85 Europe PMC69
2015 Pitman, M., Powell, J., Coolen, C., Moretti, P., Zebol, J., Pham, D., . . . Pitson, S. (2015). A selective ATP-competitive sphingosine kinase inhibitor demonstrates anti-cancer properties. Oncotarget, 6(9), 7065-7083.
DOI Scopus65 WoS64 Europe PMC56
2013 Wilson, C. H., Indarto, D., Doucet, A., Pogson, L. D., Pitman, M. R., McNicholas, K., . . . Abbott, C. A. (2013). Identifying natural substrates for dipeptidyl peptidases 8 and 9 using terminal amine isotopic labeling of substrates (TAILS) reveals in vivo roles in cellular homeostasis and energy metabolism. Journal of biological chemistry, 288(20), 13936-13949.
DOI Scopus60 WoS55 Europe PMC54
2012 Pitman, M., Woodcock, J., Lopez, A., & Pitson, S. (2012). Molecular targets of FTY720 (Fingolimod). Current Molecular Medicine, 12(10), 1207-1219.
DOI Scopus62 WoS59 Europe PMC57
2012 Pitman, M., Pham, D., & Pitson, S. (2012). Isoform-selective assays for sphingosine kinase activity. Methods in molecular biology, 874, 21-31.
DOI Scopus32 Europe PMC26
2011 Pitman, M., Barr, R., Gliddon, B., Magarey, A., Moretti, P., & Pitson, S. (2011). A critical role for the protein phosphatase 2A B′α regulatory subunit in dephosphorylation of sphingosine kinase 1. International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 43(3), 342-347.
DOI Scopus23 WoS18 Europe PMC20
2010 Pitman, M., & Pitson, S. (2010). Inhibitors of the sphingosine kinase pathway as potential therapeutics. Current Cancer Drug Targets, 10(4), 354-367.
DOI Scopus71 WoS69 Europe PMC56
2010 Pitman, M. R., Menz, R. I., & Abbott, C. A. (2010). Hydrophilic residues surrounding the S1 and S2 pockets contribute to dimerisation and catalysis in human dipeptidyl peptidase 8 (DP8). Biological Chemistry, 391(8), 959-972.
DOI Scopus12 WoS12 Europe PMC10
2009 Yu, D. M. T., Ajami, K., Gall, M. G., Park, J., Lee, C. S., Evans, K. A., . . . Gorrell, M. D. (2009). The in vivo expression of dipeptidyl peptidases 8 and 9. Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, 57(11), 1025-1040.
DOI Scopus83 WoS79 Europe PMC72
2009 Pitman, M. R., Sulda, M. L., Kuss, B., & Abbott, C. A. (2009). Dipeptidyl peptidase 8 and 9 - Guilty by association?. Frontiers in Bioscience, 14(10), 3619-3633.
DOI Scopus22 WoS21 Europe PMC14
2008 Ajami, K., Pitman, M. R., Wilson, C. H., Park, J., Menz, R. I., Starr, A. E., . . . Gorrell, M. D. (2008). Stromal cell-derived factors 1α and 1β, inflammatory protein-10 and interferon-inducible T cell chemo-attractant are novel substrates of dipeptidyl peptidase 8. FEBS Letters, 582(5), 819-825.
DOI Scopus80 WoS79 Europe PMC64
2008 Ajami, K., Pitman, M., Wilson, C., Park, J. K., Menz, R. I., Starrs, A., . . . Gorrell, M. D. (2008). Stromal cell-derived factors 1? and 1?, inflammatory protein-10 and interferon-inducible T cell chemo-attractant are novel substrates of dipeptidyl peptidase 8. FEBS Letters, 582(7), 1168.
DOI
2006 Pitman, M. R., Menz, R. I., & Abbott, C. A. (2006). Prediction of dipeptidyl peptidase (DP) 8 structure by homology modelling. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 575, 33-42.
DOI Scopus4 WoS3 Europe PMC2

Year Citation
2017 Hodge, S., Tran, H. B., Jersmann, H., Tung, T. T., Hamon, R., Roscioli, E., . . . Reynolds, P. N. (2017). Differential expression of the S1P transporter, Spinster homologue 2 (Spns2), in airway epithelial cells and macrophages may drive defective macrophage function in COPD. Poster session presented at the meeting of EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL. Milan, ITALY: EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY SOC JOURNALS LTD.
DOI

Year Citation
2023 Calabrese, C., Nolte, H., Pitman, M., Ganesan, R., Lampe, P., Laboy, R., . . . Robinson, N. (2023). Mitochondrial translocation of TFEB regulates complex I and inflammation.
DOI

Fellowships:

  • RAH Research Fund 2019 Florey Fellowship

(2019-2022)  

 $348,000
  • RAH Research Fund 2013 Early Career Fellowship

(2013-2017)

 

$252,000

 

 

 

Research Grants:

 
  • Ray and Shirl Norman Trust                                                               

“Assessing novel therapeutics for the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer”

CIA Pitman MR, Oehler MK, Flynn B, Pitson SM

(2021)

 $360,000
  • UniSA RTIS funding                                                    

"Nanomedicine to enhance sphingosine kinase 1 targeting in acute myeloid leukaemia and improve patient outcomes​"

Nguyen T, Prestidge C, CIC Pitman MR, Pitson SM

(2019)

 $40,000
  • Neurosurgical Research Foundation                                                  

“Evaluating the use of FTY720 to permeabilise the blood-brain barrier to anti-neoplastic drugs for brain tumour therapy​"

Gliddon B, CIB Pitman MR, Pitson SM

(2019)

 $30,000
  • RAH Clinical Research Grant                                                              

“Harnessing sphingosine kinase regulation of Mcl-1 to re-sensitise chemoresistant ovarian cancer”

CIA Pitman MR, Oehler M, Pitson SM

(2019)

 $49,966
  • Neurosurgical Research Foundation                                      

“Targeting sphingosine kinases to improve glioblastoma therapy”

Pitson SM, Powell JA, CIC Pitman MR

(2016)

 $68,462
  • RAH Clinical Research Grant                                                 

 “Defining the CIB2/SK1 axis as a prognostic indicator and chemosensitizing agent in ovarian cancer”

Oehler M, Pitson SM, CIC Pitman MR

(2016)

 $50,575
  • RAH Clinical Research Grant

"CIB2 as a potential tumour suppressor with prognostic significance in ovarian cancer”

CIA Pitman MR, Oehler M, Pitson SM

(2015)

 $49, 975
  • Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation                                       

“Targeting sphingosine kinase as a therapy for a childhood leukemia”

Pitson SM, CIB Pitman MR, Powell JA, D’Andrea R

(2012)

 

$75,000

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2025 Co-Supervisor A new therapeutic approach for the childhood brain tumour diffuse midline glioma Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Ca Dat Pham
2025 Principal Supervisor Exploring the cell pathology of Gaucher disease Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Ashleigh Lake
2025 Co-Supervisor Development of lead compounds for therapeutic inhibition of FIH. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms An Cao
2025 Principal Supervisor Validating sphingolipid pathway targets in ovarian cancer for therapeutic intervention Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Thomas Andrew Lymburn
2025 Co-Supervisor A new therapeutic approach for the childhood brain tumour diffuse midline glioma Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Ca Dat Pham
2025 Principal Supervisor Validating sphingolipid pathway targets in ovarian cancer for therapeutic intervention Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Thomas Andrew Lymburn
2025 Co-Supervisor Development of lead compounds for therapeutic inhibition of FIH. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms An Cao
2025 Principal Supervisor Exploring the cell pathology of Gaucher disease Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Ashleigh Lake
2024 Co-Supervisor The design of novel peptide mimetics or small molecule inhibitors of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) for the development of broad-spectrum cancer therapeutics. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Dayna Louise Holroyd
2024 Principal Supervisor Investigating the interactions of Calcium and Intergin binding protein 1 and it’s contribution to cancer progression and chemoresistance Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Katrina Louise Schiller
2024 Principal Supervisor Investigating the role of dihydroceramide desaturase in the brain using zebrafish Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Anqi Wang
2024 Principal Supervisor Investigating the role of dihydroceramide desaturase in the brain using zebrafish Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Anqi Wang
2024 Co-Supervisor The design of novel peptide mimetics or small molecule inhibitors of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) for the development of broad-spectrum cancer therapeutics. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Dayna Louise Holroyd
2024 Principal Supervisor Investigating the interactions of Calcium and Intergin binding protein 1 and its contribution to cancer progression and chemoresistance Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Katrina Louise Schiller
2023 Principal Supervisor Investigation of transcriptional regulators as a novel approach to treat ovarian cancer Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Suet Yee Too
2023 Principal Supervisor Investigation of transcriptional regulators as a novel approach to treat ovarian cancer Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Suet Yee Too

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2022 - 2025 Principal Supervisor Investigating Lipid Metabolism and Gene Expression in High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (HGSOC) Disease Progression and Chemoresistance Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Miss Nicola Sian Louisa Jones
2012 - 2018 External Supervisor Regulation of Sphingosine Kinase 1 Oncogenic Signalling by Calcium and Integrin Binding Proteins Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Wenying Zhu

Date Role Committee Institution Country
2020 - ongoing Representative Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology South Australian Representative Australia

Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country
2019 - ongoing Cincera Therapeutics Mechanism of Action Scientific research Australia

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