Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
I am an academic medical oncologist with clinical (MBBS, FRACP) and research interests in neuro-oncology and early phase clinical trials. In addition to recently submitting my PhD, I currently hold a consultant oncologist position at the Alfred Hospital as the Head of Molecular Oncology and Rare Cancers. Despite being an early-career researcher, I have already made significant original contributions to my research field (27 peer reviewed papers, ten as first author and two as senior author) including publishing a large series on clinical correlates of PD-L1 immunohistochemistry in non-small cell lung cancer, a Cochrane meta-analysis on anti-angiogenic therapy in glioblastoma, a number of reports demonstrating novel therapeutic approaches in rarer brain tumours, as well as a range of research contributing in the field of early drug development including being first author of a first-in-human study of a novel BET inhibitor, the identification of a number of clinical relevant biomarkers in early phase trials and novel computational approaches to drug repurposing. I have established a number of international collaborations over the course of this research and have ongoing projects related to my PhD which I expect to come to fruition in the near future.
After finishing formal training in 2015, I have completed a two-year fellowship at the Institute of Cancer Research/Royal Marsden Hospital drug development unit under the supervision of Professor Johann de Bono. During this fellowship, in addition to being a sub-investigator on a large number of early phase and first-in-human trials, I was the senior clinical fellow, was primary fellow in charge of the molecular characterisation program and actively participated in the development of clinical trials including concept design, pitching investigator initiated trials, protocol writing and development of risk mitigation plans. Subsequent to completion of this fellowship, I have submitted my PhD in the Shackleton laboratory, having developed bench skills in tissue culture, cloning, lentiviral transduction, CRISPR, working with immunosuppressed mouse models, flow cytometry and other standard molecular biology techniques and statistical techniques. I believe that developing these foundational laboratory skills, in addition to my strong background in early-phase clinical trials, is a unique set of skills that provides a strong platform for developing as a clinician scientist in the translational space. Clinically, I have done a fellowship in neuro-oncology and continue to manage neuro-oncology patients in my clinical practice.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
External positions
Head of Molecular Oncology and Rare Cancers, Alfred Hospital
2022 → …
Medical oncologist, Alfred Hospital
2018 → …
Medical oncologist, Cabrini Health Limited
2018 → …
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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A PHASE I, OPEN-LABEL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE SAFETY, TOLERABILITY, PHARMACOKINETICS, PHARMACODYNAMICS, AND ANTI-TUMOR ACTIVITY OF RO7589831 AS MONOTHERAPY AND IN COMBINATION WITH PEMBROLIZUMAB IN PARTICIPANTS WITH ADVANCED SOLID TUMORS HARBORING MICROSATELLITE INSTABILITY (MSI) AND/OR DEFICIENT MISMATCH REPAIR (DMMR)
15/01/25 → 14/01/27
Project: Research
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A Phase 1, open-label, multicenter clinical trial of S095035 (MAT2A inhibitor) in adult participants with advanced or metastatic solid tumors with homozygous deletion of MTAP
Ameratunga, M. & Kong, J. B.
22/03/24 → 22/03/26
Project: Research
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A Phase 1 Dose Escalation Trial to Determine the Safety, Tolerance, Maximum Tolerated Dose, and Preliminary Antineoplastic Activity of IKS014, a HER2-Targeting Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC), in Participants with Advanced HER2+ Solid Tumors
Ameratunga, M. & Brooks, C.
1/11/23 → 31/10/25
Project: Research
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Dramatic clinical response in the treatment of small cell glioblastoma multiforme
Zaman, F. Y., McLean, C. & Ameratunga, M., Jun 2022, In: Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 47, 6, p. 832-834 3 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Other › peer-review
Open Access -
The Immune Microenvironment, Genome-wide Copy Number Aberrations, and Survival in Mesothelioma
Thapa, B., Salcedo, A., Lin, X., Walkiewicz, M., Murone, C., Ameratunga, M., Asadi, K., Deb, S., Barnett, S. A., Knight, S., Mitchell, P., Watkins, D. N., Boutros, P. C. & John, T., May 2017, In: Journal of Thoracic Oncology. 12, 5, p. 850-859 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile85 Citations (Scopus) -
Fever in melanoma: New drugs or bugs?
Macesic, N., Ameratunga, M., Grayson, M. L. & Johnson, D. F., 1 Oct 2015, In: Clinical Microbiology and Infection. 21, 10, p. e77-e78 2 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › Other › peer-review
Open Access4 Citations (Scopus) -
Globe Salvage and Vision Preservation by Neoadjuvant Darovasertib and Crizotinib in Uveal Melanoma
Hiong, A., O'Day, R., Fog, L. S., McKay, D., McKenzie, J., Ameratunga, M., Joshua, A. M. & Shackleton, M., Apr 2024, In: Ophthalmology Retina. 8, 4, p. 325-330 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
4 Citations (Scopus) -
UHRF1/UBE2L6/UBR4-mediated ubiquitination regulates EZH2 abundance and thereby melanocytic differentiation phenotypes in melanoma
Kuser-Abali, G., Zhang, Y., Szeto, P., Zhao, P., Masoumi-Moghaddam, S., Fedele, C. G., Leece, I., Huang, C., Cheung, J. G., Ameratunga, M., Noguchi, F., Andrews, M. C., Wong, N. C., Schittenhelm, R. B. & Shackleton, M., 21 Apr 2023, In: Oncogene. 42, 17, p. 1360–1373 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access8 Citations (Scopus)
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Science Advances (Journal)
Malaka Ameratunga (Peer reviewer)
2020Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial responsibility
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Frontiers in Digital Health (Journal)
Malaka Ameratunga (Guest editor)
2020 → 2021Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial responsibility
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Mentor, intern mentorship program, Alfred Hospital
Malaka Ameratunga (Mentor)
2020 → 2021Activity: Other Teaching Engagements and non-HDR Supervisions › Mentor/ Internship supervision
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Current Cancer Drug Targets (Journal)
Malaka Ameratunga (Peer reviewer)
2017Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial responsibility
Press/Media
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First in the world melanoma trial to breakthrough barriers
24/02/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature