Eliza A. Hawkes

MBBS (Hons); FRACP (Medical Oncology), DMedSc

Hematologist-Oncologist

Over 15 years of Experience

Female📍 Melbourne

About of Eliza A. Hawkes

Eliza A. Hawkes is a hematologist-oncologist working in Melbourne, based at 553 St Kilda Rd, VIC 3004. She helps people who have blood cancers and other serious blood-related conditions, along with related immune problems. If you’ve been dealing with ongoing symptoms, unusual blood test results, or a new cancer diagnosis, she looks after patients with a steady, practical approach.

Her work often includes treatment planning for lymphoma types such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma, as well as Hodgkin lymphoma. She also cares for people with leukaemias, including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and other chronic blood disorders. At times, patients are dealing with problems that affect blood cells and counts, like thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, and febrile neutropenia. She also sees people with rarer conditions that sit in the same general area, where a clear plan and close follow-up matter a lot.

Over time, Eliza focuses on making sure treatment fits the person, not just the diagnosis. That can mean discussing options, talking through side effects, and coordinating care so patients know what to expect. In many cases, people need treatment that can be complex, so the goal is to keep things clear and grounded while the team works through the next steps.

Eliza has more than 15 years of experience. She completed her MBBS with Honours at Monash University in 2001. She later earned her FRACP in Medical Oncology in 2009 through The Royal Australasian College of Physicians. She also holds a DMedSc from the University of Melbourne, completed in 2017. This mix of clinical training and deeper study supports how she thinks about care and outcomes for patients.

Research is also part of her work. She has a publication record and is involved with clinical trials, when appropriate. That means some patients may have the chance to consider newer options alongside standard care, depending on their situation and eligibility. The priority stays the same: safe, well-planned treatment with proper monitoring and honest guidance from start to finish.

If you’re in Melbourne and looking for a doctor who manages both the cancer side and the blood side of care, Eliza A. Hawkes is a strong option.

Education

MBBS (Hons) – Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery; Monash University, Australia; 2001
FRACP – Fellowship of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Medical Oncology), 2009
DMedSc – Doctor of Medical Science; University of Melbourne, Australia; 2017

Services & Conditions Treated

B-Cell LymphomaDiffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)Non-Hodgkin LymphomaFollicular LymphomaHodgkin LymphomaMarginal Zone Lymphoma (MZL)AgranulocytosisClassical Hodgkin LymphomaFebrile NeutropeniaMantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL)Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma (NLPHL)Peripheral T-Cell LymphomaPrimary Mediastinal B-Cell Lymphoma (PMBCL)T-Cell LymphomaAnaplastic Large Cell LymphomaCastleman DiseaseChronic B-Cell Leukemia (CBCL)Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)Colorectal CancerGastric LymphomaKaposi SarcomaLeukemiaLymphofollicular HyperplasiaLymphoid HyperplasiaMediastinal TumorNocardiosisRichter SyndromeSezary SyndromeShinglesSmall Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)Thrombocytopenia

Publications

5 total

Predicting bispecific antibody failure in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Hematology. American Society of Hematology. Education Program • December 07, 2024

Allison Barraclough, Eliza Hawkes

A 35-year-old woman with stage III, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who relapsed within 12 months of frontline rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) chemotherapy, received second-line CD19-directed autologous chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy with R-gemcitabine, dexamethasone, and cisplatin bridging. Day 30 post CAR-T positron emission tomography (PET) imaging demonstrated bulky stage IV disease progression. Secondary to tumor burden and prior therapy toxicity, the patient's Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status was 2. She was considered for third-line CD3/CD20-directed bispecific antibody (BsAb) treatment.

Refinement of primary central nervous system lymphoma prognostication and response assessment using 3-dimensional MRI.

Neuro-Oncology Advances • June 27, 2025

Jack O'shaughnessy, Arina Martynchyk, Sze Lee, Geoff Chong, Shivam Agrawal, Maciej Tatarczuch, Nariza Azryn, Gareth Gregory, Leonid Churilov, Michael Wang, Colm Keane, Eliza Hawkes

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an aggressive lymphoma restricted to the CNS in which outcomes cannot be reliably predicted. The International PCNSL Collaborative Group developed standardized response assessment utilizing 2-dimensional (2D) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tumor measurements. Considerable challenges of this approach exist due to many reasons. Recent glioblastoma and PCNSL data demonstrated that radiological assessment of baseline 3-dimensional volume (3DV) as well as 3DV reduction (3DVR) may be a sensitive prognostic parameter. Our multicentre retrospective study evaluated semiautomated 3DV in 74 PNCSL patients undergoing curative-intent chemoimmunotherapy. Baseline tumor 3DV was not associated with survival. Compared to 3DVR < 58% (ROC-determined threshold based on our cohort), both interim and End-of-Treatment (EOT) 3DVR ≥ 58% in responding patients were associated with statistically significant prolonged 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) (interim: 73% (95%CI 57-83) versus 22% (95%CI 3-51), P = 0.005; EOT: 75% (95%CI 59-85) versus 0%, P = 0.002) and 2-year OS (interim: 83% (95%CI 68-91) versus 38% (95%CI 9-67), P = 0.02; EOT: 86% (95%CI 70-93) versus 0%, P = 0.0002). However, no significant differences in PFS or OS were observed in patients achieving standard 2D complete response (CR) compared to partial response (PR). Although PCNSL tumor 3DV at baseline is not associated with survival outcomes, 3DVR of ≥58% in interim and EOT confers superior PFS and OS. Whereas, no difference in survival was observed using standard 2D CR versus PR response assessment at the same time-points. 3DV calculations may offer a sensitive method of response assessment for PCNSL. We are currently validating this in clinical trials.

Secondary central nervous system lymphoma (SCNSL) in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL): Characteristics and risk factors in a Danish nationwide population-based study.

British Journal Of Haematology • June 10, 2025

Trine Trab, Torgerð Ranadóttir, Iman Chanchiri, Ahmed Ludvigsen Al Mashhadi, Emma Berggreen Dall, Stine Rasch, Mette Johansen, Laura Haunstrup, Gabriella Cunsolo, Christian Poulsen, Thomas Larsen, Simon Husby, Peter Brown, Eliza Hawkes, Tarec El Galaly, Kirsten Grønbæk

Secondary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma (SCNSL) in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is associated with dismal outcomes, and risk factors are not well documented. This population-based study reports the incidence of SCNSL, risk factors and survival. All patients diagnosed with MCL in Denmark in 2010-2022 without confirmed CNS involvement at diagnosis were included. Data were retrieved from the Danish National Lymphoma Registry and medical records. In total, 873 patients (median age 70 years) were included. The 10-year cumulative incidence of SCNSL was 3.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4-5.2). Risk factors for SCNSL were blastoid/pleomorphic MCL (hazard ratio [HR] 3.55, 95% CI 2.05-6.14), Ki67 ≥30% (HR 5.47, 95% CI 1.86-16.10) and elevated lactatedehydrogenase (HR 4.35, 95% CI 1.91-9.91). The 5-year cumulative incidence of SCNSL for patients with blastoid/pleomorphic MCL was 9.9% (95% CI 4.0-15.7). Patients with high CNS international prognostic index (CNS-IPI) had a high 1-year incidence of SCNSL of 5.8% (95% CI 1.6-10.0). Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 1.8 months (95% CI 1.3-4.7) and 2.4 months (95% CI 1.3-8.9). In conclusion, SCNSL of MCL is rare and associated with poor survival. Blastoid/pleomorphic subtype and high CNS-IPI identified patients at high risk of SCNSL for whom upfront screening for CNS involvement should be considered.

T-Cell Receptor Repertoires Show Dynamic Variation Between Diagnosis and Relapse of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

EJHaem • January 06, 2025

Joel Wight, Tom Witkowski, Colm Keane, Eliza Hawkes

Tumour infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire is prognostic in newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but evolution has not been evaluated at relapse. We examined the TCR repertoire in nine paired DLBCL samples from diagnosis and relapse. We noted considerable differences, with dominant clones at diagnosis replaced at relapse by new clones that were absent or minor initially. There was low linearity between diagnostic and relapsed samples (r-values 0.01-0.316), with shared clones averaging 8.3% (range 0%-37%). Clonal diversity was reduced in relapsed samples, suggesting an increasingly defunct intratumoural immune response. T-cell diversity is reduced in relapsed/refractory DLBCL, which may have implications for immunotherapy usage.

Emerging biomarkers for CD3×CD20 bispecific antibodies in lymphoma.

Blood • November 27, 2024

Cameron Lewis, Allison Barraclough, Eliza Hawkes

Novel CD3×CD20 bispecific antibody (BsAb) immunotherapies have entered the armamentarium for follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma based on accelerated approvals. The primary challenge in utilizing BsAbs lies in patient selection due to variable responses, unique toxicity, and health economics. To date, no validated biomarkers of therapy response exist, however data demonstrating potential clinical, imaging, and biological markers relating to BsAbs are growing. This review examines current prognostic and potentially predictive biomarkers and explores future directions for nuanced patient selection.

View all 5 publications

Clinical Trials

5 total

A Phase 2/3, Multicenter Randomized Study of Rituximab-Gemcitabine-Dexamethasone-Platinum (R-GDP) with or Without Selinexor in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (RR DLBCL)

RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3

The purpose of this Phase 2/3 study is to evaluate efficacy and safety of the combination of selinexor and R-GDP (SR-GDP) in patients with RR DLBCL who are not intended to receive hematopoetic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy. This study consists of 3 arms each in Phase 2 and 3. Phase 2 portion of the study will assess the two doses of selinexor (40 milligram \[mg\] or 60 mg) in combination with R-GDP, for up to 6 cycles (21-day per cycle), followed by 60 mg selinexor single agent continuous therapy for those who have reached a partial or complete response. Phase 3 portion of the study will evaluate the selected dose of SR-GDP (identified in Phase 2) versus standard R-GDP + matching placebo, for up to 6 cycles (21-day per cycle), followed by placebo or 60 mg selinexor single agent continuous therapy for those who have reached partial or complete response.

Participants: 501

Frontline Treatment of Follicular Lymphoma With AtezolizUmab and Obinutuzumab With and Without RadiOtherapy

Active_not_recruitingPhase 2Obinutuzumab, Atezolizumab

This single-arm phase II interventional study aims to assess disease response to, and toxicity of, a combination of obinutuzumab and atezolizumab, with or without radiotherapy, in treatment naive Follicular Lymphoma. The study will involve an induction phase and a maintenance phase for responding participants, for up to 24 months. Response to treatment will be monitored using medical imaging and clinical assessment.

Participants: 15

A Phase 2, Open-label Study of Zanubrutinib (BGB-3111) in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Marginal Zone Lymphoma

CompletedPhase 2Zanubrutinib

This is a single arm study to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of zanubrutinib (BGB-3111) in participants with relapsed/refractory marginal zone lymphoma (R/R MZL).

Participants: 68

Feasibility Study of Induction and Maintenance Avelumab Plus R-CHOP in Patients With Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL): The AvR-CHOP Study

Active_not_recruitingEarly Phase 1Avelumab

To evaluate the feasibility of adding induction and maintenance Avelumab to the standard combination of R-CHOP in patients with stage II, III and IV diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL)

Participants: 28

Phase I Dose Escalation Study of Radiotherapy and Durvalumab in Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) and Follicular Lymphoma (FL): The RaDD Study

CompletedPhase 1Durvalumab

The primary objective for this study is to determine the safety profile of radiotherapy and durvalumab, a PD-L1 inhibitor. Primary endpoint: Toxicity, drug pharmacokinetics (PK), maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase two dose (RPTD) of simultaneous radiotherapy plus durvalumab in patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL or FL. Secondary endpoints: * ORR * Progression-free survival * Overall survival Exploratory endpoints include description of biological effects of combination radiotherapy plus durvalumab (Imaging results, immune function, PK and PD-see 'research methodologies') and in the PET-Sub-Study, biodistribution of 89Zr Durvalumab and 89Zr-IAB22M2C.

Participants: 34

View all 5 clinical trials

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions does Dr Eliza A. Hawkes treat?

Dr Hawkes specialises in haematology and oncology. She treats a range of lymphomas—including B-cell and T-cell types, such as DLBCL, follicular lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, MZL, NLPHL, mantle cell lymphoma and Richter syndrome—as well as chronic lymphocytic leukemia and other blood cancers.

What services does Dr Hawkes provide?

Her services cover a broad list of haematology-oncology conditions and related disorders, including various lymphomas, leukemia, thrombocytopenia and other blood-related issues. The focus is on diagnosis, treatment planning and ongoing care for these conditions.

Where is the clinic located?

The practice is at 553 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.

How do I book an appointment?

To arrange an appointment with Dr Hawkes in Melbourne, please contact the clinic at the location above. They can help you book a suitable time.

Do you treat both lymphoma and leukemia?

Yes. Dr Hawkes treats a range of lymphomas and related blood cancers, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia and other lymphoid disorders, using her medical oncology and haematology expertise.

What is Dr Hawkes’s experience?

Dr Hawkes has over 15 years of experience and holds MBBS (Hons), FRACP (Medical Oncology), and DMedSc. She trained at Monash University and the University of Melbourne.