Dr Andre Van der Westhuizen

Dr Andre Van der Westhuizen is a highly qualified Medical Oncologist and Medical Geneticist with over 15 years of clinical experience. He conducts his research at the Department of Medical Oncology at Calvary Mater Newcastle in Australia and serves as a full-time Medical Oncologist at the Calvary Mater Hospital. In addition, he offers consultations at his private practice at Lake Macquarie Private Hospital.

Dr Van der Westhuizen has extensive experience in immuno-oncology clinical and pre-clinical research, particularly in the field of melanoma, immunotherapy, gastrointestinal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and cancer genetics. He has served as the principal investigator for over 20 medical oncology clinical trials, including investigator-initiated studies and immunotherapy-oncology trials such as the KEYNOTE-001 trial, which evaluated the efficacy of anti-PD1 therapy in metastatic melanoma and lung cancer.

He is an active member of the Hunter Medical Research Institute and has been part of the HMRI/University of Newcastle DNA repair group since 2013, focusing on translational research. Dr Van der Westhuizen has initiated his own investigator-led clinical trials and has a particular interest in studying the response/exposure relationship of anti-PD1 antibodies, including anti-PD1 trough levels and blood profile markers in patients receiving immunotherapy.

Besides his expertise in medical oncology, Dr Van der Westhuizen is also a qualified medical geneticist, holding a Master's degree in Genetic Counselling. He has led clinical trials focusing on genetic testing for inherited mutations and genetic counseling in cancer management.

Dr Van der Westhuizen's contributions to the medical field extend beyond his clinical practice and research. He is an Advanced Trainee Supervisor at Calvary Mater Hospital and serves as a Conjoint Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle, where he shares his knowledge and expertise with aspiring medical professionals.

Throughout his career, Dr Van der Westhuizen has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and has presented his work at distinguished conferences worldwide. His academic achievements, publications, and presentations can be found on his ORCID profile.

With his vast experience, Dr Andre Van der Westhuizen continues to provide exceptional care to his patients, advancing the field of oncology through his pioneering research and dedication to improving cancer treatment and genetic counseling.