Monash haematologist recognised for leading myeloma research

Associate Professor Shortt

Monash haematologist and researcher Associate Professor Jake Shortt was awarded the prestigious Myeloma Australia prize for the top preclinical myeloma research presentation at the Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand (HAA) meeting in Adelaide last week.

Associate Professor Shortt is clinical lead for leukaemia and myelodysplasia at Monash Health and Head of Haematology Research at the Monash Health Translation Precinct (MHTP).

At the HAA annual meeting, Associate Professor Shortt presented his new research findings in the Presidential Symposium. 

“My research group has discovered a new epigenetic mechanism of action for thalidomide analogues, which are used widely in the clinic to treat myeloma,” said Associate Professor Shortt.

“Despite many years of clinical use, and the infamous causation of birth defects over half a century ago, the way thalidomide worked at a molecular level was unknown for many years.”

By looking at the way certain genes change in myeloma cells after thalidomide treatment, Associate Professor Shortt’s group identified that the thalidomide analogues target a key epigenetic ‘reader protein’ for destruction.   This impairs the ability of a myeloma cell to access critical regions of DNA.

“MHTP through the Department of Haematology was very well represented at the HAA meeting, with seven oral and 18 poster presentations,” added Associate Professor Shortt.

Also an acknowledgement of the research strength at the precinct, Unit Head of Clinical Haematology at Monash Health, Associate Professor Stephen Opat was appointed President of the Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand (HSANZ).