Cancer Council awards Melanoma Institute Australia researchers funding for ground-breaking cancer research projects
19 March 2019
Almost $9 million of new funding was awarded to 13 ground-breaking cancer research projects at the 2019 Cancer Council NSW Research Awards. The chosen world-class research teams are leading the charge towards a cancer free future by investigating new ways to diagnose and treat the disease.
Melanoma Institute Australia researchers, including Co-Medical Directors Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer, Associate Professor Matteo Carlino and Dr James Wilmott, have been awarded Cancer Council NSW Funding of $425,095 over the 2019-2021 funding period. Dr Wilmott attended the Gala Dinner on Thursday, March 14 to formally accept the grant on behalf of Melanoma Institute Australia.
Melanoma of the skin is the fourth most common cancer in Australia, with over 15,000 people expected to be diagnosed with the disease in 2019. Unlike other cancers of the skin, melanoma can spread throughout the body if not treated early. Termed ‘metastatic melanoma’ this advanced form of the disease kills one Australian every 5 hours.
Once melanoma has spread, the most effective treatment is immunotherapy. These immunotherapies release the brakes on the immune system to attack tumour cells. However, more than 40% of metastatic melanoma patients are not cured with these therapies, more for the other cancers. Therefore doctors need to be able to identify who is or isn’t likely to have benefit from the treatment. This means precious time is lost before alternative treatments are offered to those patients for whom immunotherapy won’t be effective.
Dr Wilmott is part of a team of researchers focused on finding treatments for the more than 40% of patients that are not cured with our best current therapies. In another study funded by Cancer Council NSW early career fellowship, the team of oncologists, pathologists, scientists and statisticians identified a set of immune related genes that are critical for a melanoma patient’s response to immunotherapies. The team have initially used these genes to successfully predict the effectiveness of immunotherapy in 105 patients with advanced melanoma.
In this project, the team aim to translate this information from the laboratory into the clinics of their oncology team, giving them the opportunity to test their methods in over 400 patients. They hope to verify their test can accurately identify patients who will respond to standard immunotherapies and the patients for who should be offered alternative treatment options.
This study could lead to the introduction of a simple test in the earliest stages of treatment planning for patients who are diagnosed with advanced melanoma. This would provide critical information for decision-making and ensure patients are offered the treatments most likely to be effective against their cancer.
This was adapted from the article originally published on Cancer Council NSW.
Team Melanoma smashes City2Surf
We want to thank every member of Team Melanoma and everyone who donated to them. With your help, we are moving closer to our goal of zero deaths from melanoma!
Ready to run over melanoma at City2Surf 2019
Lauren O'Brien tells us why she's running for a cause close to her heart
Community Fundraising July Wrap-Up
MIA could not do what we do without the incredible support and effort of our community fundraisers. We’d like to highlight some of the wonderful events organised by our community in
Breast cancer drug may hold key to tackling most deadly type of melanoma
An international study, led by researchers from Melanoma Institute Australia, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and The University of Sydney as part of the Australian Melanoma Genome Project, has discovered that a drug traditionally used to treat a
MIA takes centre stage at leading cancer conference
Researchers from Melanoma Institute Australia took centre stage at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago. Results presented by MIA’s contingent have the potential to create better patient outcomes and change the way advanced melanoma
International Clinical Trials Day 2019
Today is International Clinical Trials Day – a day to recognise and thank the amazing people who conduct, organise, and coordinate clinical trials.
Emma Betts' legacy will live on
“I’m the age Emma was when she passed away. It almost feels
Support PBS listing for three adjuvant treatments of resected Stage III melanoma
As always, part of the PBAC process invites clinicians, patients and other stakeholders in the cancer community to make submissions
Support PBS listing for pembrolizumab
As always, part of the PBAC process invites clinicians, patients and other stakeholders in the cancer community to make submissions in support of the PBS listing.
How are the Premier's Awards helping cancer researchers?
MIA had four winners in the 2017 Premiers Awards. Find out how winning has influenced their work over the past year.
Cancer Council awards Melanoma Institute Australia researchers funding for ground-breaking cancer research projects
Almost $9 million of new funding was awarded to 13 ground-breaking cancer research projects at the 2019 Cancer Council NSW Research Awards.
Making a difference to many
Georgina V. Long is co-medical director of Melanoma Institute Australia and Chair of Melanoma Medical Oncology and Translational Research. She is the first woman president of the Society for Melanoma Research.
Aussie icon Sophie Monk calls on Australians to get behind Melanoma March
Quintessential Aussie girl and media personality Sophie Monk has been announced as a National Ambassador for Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) and its national awareness and fundraising campaign, Melanoma March.
Melanoma breakthrough paves way for personalised treatment for all cancer patients
Australian researchers have for the first time identified specific cells and receptors in the immune system which predict how a patient will respond to treatment with immunotherapies, potentially paving the way for the development of personalised therapy for all cancer patients.
Melanoma March announces 2019 Principal Partner
Melanoma March is thrilled to introduce Ricky as our official Principal Partner for 2019!
Swimming champion Cate Campbell spearheads national campaign to save lives from melanoma
World record holder, Olympian and Australian swimming champion Cate Campbell has been announced as National Ambassador for Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) and its national awareness and fundraising campaign, Melanoma March.
MIA experts collaborate on groundbreaking research
MIA's expertise was essential to a recent Nature publication spearheaded by Perth’s Telethon Kids Institute and The University of Melbourne.
World-leading pathologist Associate Professor Michael Tetzlaff visits MIA
MIA is delighted to be hosting the MD Anderson pathologist on his first ever trip to Australia.
Possible PBS listing for dabrafenib and trametinib
Clinicians, patients and other stakeholders in the cancer community are invited to make submissions in support of the PBS listing for dabrafenib and trametinib.
Arden Anglican School wins SunSafe Ambassador competition
Three students from Arden Anglican School in Epping have won Melanoma Institute Australia’s (MIA) inaugural SunSafe Student Ambassador Award.