Immunotherapy research receives funding boost
Victorian cancer patients receiving immunotherapy are set to benefit from new research which has potential to improve treatment outcomes while at the same time reducing unwanted side effects.
The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology will be established at the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre, placing Victoria at the forefront of global immunology research, thanks to a $2 million grant awarded to The Alfred and Monash University.
Director of Oncology at Alfred Health, Professor Mark Shackleton said the centre will support advancements in immunotherapy as a leading form of cancer treatment by being able to understand a patient’s unique immune response as it happens.
“By combining advanced imaging technology with cutting-edge tools to study cancer immunology at a cellular level, we will gain unprecedented insights into how immunotherapies work, ushering innovations and a new era in cancer treatment,” Prof Shackleton said.
“Our real-time monitoring will not only improve the effectiveness of these therapies but also help identify and prevent potentially debilitating side effects before they occur.”
Current immunotherapy approaches, while effective, can cause side effects in up to 30 percent of patients.
“By tracking the interactions of immune cells with tumour cells, we will get a deeper insight into how therapies work at the cellular level, which will help us predict outcomes and side effects.”
This research will leverage the state-of-the-art full body Quadra PET/CT scanner - part of a $24million funding package announced by the Australian Government and Victorian Government earlier this year.
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