Timothy Price

Timothy Price

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

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


Professor Tim Price MBBS FRACP DHlthSc (Med)
Professor Tim Price trained in Medical oncology at the RAH and completed a Gastrointestinal Fellowship at The Royal Marsden Hospital and Institute of Cancer Research, London. He is currently Head of Clinical Oncology Research at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville. He is also the Clinical Director of the BRAGG Comprehensive Cancer Centre of SA/NT. He has also positions as Visiting Medical Oncologist at Calvary Hospital North Adelaide, Western Hospital Henley Beach and Lyell McEwin Health Service. He is a Clinical Professor within the Faculty of Medicine, at the University of Adelaide.

"I am a fulltime Clinician / Translational Researcher and have been an active contributor in the field of Clinical, Epidemiological and Translational Science at National and International levels. My research focus has primarily related to Clinical Trial activity, but has subsequently evolved to assessing both the impact of Clinical Trial data and its translation into standard practice as reflected by changes in practice and evidence for improved outcomes, together with more basic translational research by improving the understanding of the molecular pathways currently relevant in colorectal cancer (in particular the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway and the epithelial growth factor path way)". My main Clinical Research focus is in the area of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Neuroendocrine Tumours and Phase 1 trials.

My research focus over the last five years has been primarily investigating the relevance of the EGFR and VEGF pathways in advanced colorectal cancer. Via a collaboration with investigators of the MAX trail, a large International Randomised Phase 3 study of anti-VEGF therapy and chemotherapy, and the Basil Hetzel Institute my team investigated the proposed cross talk between the EGFR and VEGF pathways and the potential of KRAS/RAS, BRAF, PTEN and PIC3CA as predictors of anti-VEGF therapy. Furthermore our laboratory also assessed novel predictors of resistance to anti-EGFR therapy. As part of the AGITG collaboration I was a member of the Clinical Trial Management Team that produced and presented the evidence to support KRAS mutation as a predictor of non-response to anit-EGFR therapy and the subsequent NEJM paper. This data has led to changes in clinical practice internationally. It is now well recognised that KRAS and RAS mutation testing should be an integral part of standard clinical practice in advanced colorectal care and this is now mandated prior to prescribing anti-EGFR therapy. These findings have led to significant improvements in patient care preventing access to these agents in patients who will be resistant to them and therefore reducing the impact on quality of life of an ineffective therapy. This also has obviously implications for the Health Care System in terms of cost savings. Ongoing investigation of alternate pathways and markers continue to be a focus of our laboratory and this will lead to further honour’s projects. 

Basic/Translational Science

Beyond the ongoing work around the EGFR pathway, the recent focus of our laboratory has been also to look at novel therapies and currently we are investigating the role of aquaporin in the development of metastatic disease in advanced colorectal cancer. As part of this research focus I will supervise a PhD student (Dr Yoko Tomita) to further assess the potential for this novel targeted agent in preventing metastatic potential using a number of preclinical models with a view to early phase Clinical Trials in man to follow. The link with my Clinical Research unit at TQEH and experience in Phase I trials will allow this to progress in a timely fashion.

Clinical Research/Science

As is supported by the recent publications on anti-EGFR therapy my clinical trial program has led to significant roles in this area of practice. As a member of the international steering committee for the Panitumumab 181 study, we have confirmed the activity of a combination regimen of chemotherapy and panitumumab (anti-EGFR agent) in second line colorectal cancer. Furthermore we have also provided additional literature on extended RAS mutation status, the first such evidence in the second line setting, which has reinforced the international trend away from purely KRAS exon 2 mutation testing to an all RAS mutation testing platform for advanced colorectal cancer. As the co-chair of the International Randomised Study (ASPECTT trial) comparing the two available anti-EGFR agents (Cetuximab and Panitumumab), our work has led to the first evidence of non-inferiority of both agents and therefore because of differing toxicity and delivery scheduling, this has allowed clinicians and funders to assess the optimal agent to be used in their own clinical settings based on logistics rather than efficacy. 

Translational and Epidemiological/Population Health Colorectal Research. 

As part of my membership of the Adelaide Colorectal Tumour Group and the Scientific Advisory committee that oversees the South Australian metastatic colorectal registry, there have been a number of areas of population research undertaken (see CV).  Firstly there has been the epidemiological or population health based analysis relating to changes in clinical practice and outcomes for metastatic colorectal cancer resulting from the new agents available, and the evolution of surgical care and radiological technology over time. Our group has led reviews of the impact of late recurrence, primary site of colorectal cancer and outcome for advanced disease,  improved survival with new systemic therapies in standard care and care and outcome patterns in the geriatric colorectal cancer space, to name a few. The breadth of this research can be evidenced by my attached publication list, which highlights a number of areas of research that I have both led and designed or collaborated in. Over site of the Registry for metastatic colorectal cancer and the subsequent projects is an important component of my role as a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the registry. 

In keeping with my international profile I have been a member of the ESMO Colorectal Guidelines Group, initially publishing in 2012. The guidelines are currently being reviewed and are due to be published in an updated form later in 2016. Furthermore, as part of the Adelaide Colorectal Tumour Group and together with international collaborators we have published three Australian consensus documents on clinical care for advanced colorectal cancer which I have lead, together with a gastric cancer consensus document. This ongoing collaboration will lead to a further consensus meeting and updated guidelines in Vienna this year.  In addition because of my National profile I have been recently asked to chair the NHMRC/Cancer Council Colorectal Guidelines and this will be a two year project overseeing the review of data and updating of guidelines for all aspects of colorectal cancer including prevention, screening and management of localised and advanced colorectal cancer.

Date Project Title Investigators Funding Body Amount
2015-17 SCOT Study – Short Course Oncology Therapy – a study of adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer A Haydon, J Zalcberg, E Walpole, D Yip, TJ Price et al. Cancer Australia 150,000
2014-2017 Individualised Risk Assessment and Therapeutic Intervention for Colorectal Cancer in the South Australian Population G Maddern, J Young, TJ Price et al. SAHMRI BEAT Cancer Hospital Research grant 1,500,000
  Innovative Cancer Imaging and Therapeutics Facility C Mulligan, T Hughes, A Zannettino, S Grothos, D White, D Keefe, T Monro, D Roder, W Tilley, TJ Price, P MacKenzie Australian Cancer Research Founda 1,800,000
2013 PETACC-6: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy and postoperative chemotherapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin vs. capecitabine alone in locally advanced rectal cancer TJ Price Cancer Australia + Cancer Council NSW 123,331 + 19,624
2012 Impact of the activated EGFR-AKT-mTOR signalling pathway on prognosis and tumour resistance to anti-angiogenic targeted therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer A Townsend, JE Hardingham, TJ Price, N Tebbutt Cancer Council of South Australia 92,678
2009 - 2011 SCOT Study – Short Course Oncology Therapy – a study of adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer A Haydon, J Zalcberg, E Walpole, D Yip, TJ Price, M Jefford, K Howard Cancer Australia 599,000
2009 A new prognostic multi-marker assay for early stage bowel cancer J Hardingham, P Hewett, T Price, T Chataway Cancer Council SA 89,750
2009 - 2011 PETACC 6 trial, neoadjuvant chemotherapy for T3/T4 rectal carcinoma TJ Price, J Harvey, N Tebbutt, J Zalcberg, J Simes, G Hururby Cancer Australia 477,800

I am involved in the cancer curriculum initially overseeing the curriculum for 4th year Medical Students and involvement in 5th year Medical Student lecturing. As the cancer curriculum evolved over time my involvement with Medical Student Teaching has primarily been clinical based on the Oncology placements. This includes direct patient teaching together with tutorial style teaching at the time of clinics and during ward rounds. 

I am actively involved in the Physician Training Program having been involved in the pre-written exam tutorial program and I have been part of the National Examining Panel (NEP) for the College of Physicians for over ten years and continue to be part of the panel. This of course involves ongoing involvement in the long case program within the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and previously also at the Lyell McEwin Health Service. I am also involved in the Medical Oncology Advanced Training Tutorial Program lecturing on gastrointestinal cancer and in particular colorectal cancer. 

As part of my University of Adelaide teaching duties I have established the TQEH campus Nurse Practitioner Candidate (NPC) clinical course, facilitating clinical placements as well as direct supervision of the NPC. This training program consists of direct clinical skill training, supervision of patient clinic practice as well as tutorial program. I have also had involvement in teaching of the Rural NPC via as part of my clinical attachment both with direct patient skill training and additional instruction in telemedicine skill training. In addition to NPC teaching, I also have Flinders University Medical student placements in Mount Gambier.

 

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2022 Co-Supervisor Over-expression of SFRP5 in hepatocytes: a novel treatment strategy for colorectal cancer liver metastases Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Runhao Li
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Towards an Understanding of the Growing Incidence of Colorectal Cancer and Appendiceal Neoplasms in Young Adults Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Reger Romi Mikaeel
    2016 - 2020 Co-Supervisor The effect of menstrual cycling on genomic predictive biomarkers in premenopausal breast cancer Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Sarah Margaret Bernhardt
    2015 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Evaluation of Anti-Cancer Effect of Synthetic and Plant-based Inhibitors of Aquaporin 1 in Colon Cancer Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Yoko Tomita
    2011 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Biomarkers of resistance to anti-EGFR in wild type KRAS/BRAF colorectal cancer cell lines Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Shalini Sree Kumar
  • Board Memberships

    Date Role Board name Institution name Country
    2015 - ongoing Member Executive committee Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) Australia
    2015 - ongoing Chair Colorectal Guidelines Management Committee NHMRC/Cancer Council Austra Australia
    2014 - ongoing Board Member Gastrointestinal Cancer Institute New Zealand - New Zealand
    2014 - ongoing Chair Australasian Gastrointestinal Trials Group - Australia
  • Memberships

    Date Role Membership Country
    2002 - ongoing Member European Society of Medical Oncology Sweden
    2000 - ongoing Member American Society of Clinical Oncology United States

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