Monash Health is providing renewed hope to cancer patients who do not respond well to chemotherapy.
The Monash Health Haematology team has recently developed clinical trial capabilities for studies utilising a form of immunotherapy called CAR-T cells (chimeric antigen receptor T-cells).
This type of treatment enlists and strengthens the power of a patient’s immune system to attack tumours.
Clinical Director of Monash Health Haematology Professor Jake Shortt explains that a patient’s own T-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) are harvested and transported to the US, where they are genetically modified, enabling them to recognise and kill lymphoma cells.
The ‘living drug’ is frozen and sent back to Monash Health, where it is thawed and infused into patients with blood cancers.
‘This technology is very advanced and logistically complex and offers a cure to around half of patients who would otherwise not respond to chemotherapy.
‘We have performed CAR-T trials in lymphoma (cancer in the lymph system) and the autoimmune disease, lupus. New CAR-T studies will also enrol myeloma patients (a type of blood cancer).
‘It is vital for us to have these trials at Monash Health as access to CAR-T treatments outside of clinical trials is currently restricted by the government to specifically approved indications and designated sites. Whereas we have an established pathway for referral of our patients to Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre for ‘standard-of-care’ CAR-T, it is always preferable to be able to treat our own patients at Monash and closer to their homes’ says Professor Shortt, who is also the Head of Haematology Research at Monash University.
He adds that there are 4 CAR-T active trials, and 2 are in the recruitment phase.
Swiss multinational pharmaceutical corporation Novartis has identified Monash Health as a qualified site for its Translational Clinical Oncology (TCO) studies in Haematology, CAR-T, and solid tumours.
Monash Health is one of only two sites in Australia that have achieved the Novartis TCO accreditation in all three categories following a rigorous qualification process.
‘This will now see Monash being offered early-phase Novartis studies in Haematology, CAR-T and solid tumours for assessment and participation. With an average of 37 early phase studies per year conducted by Novartis in Australia since 2016, growth and opportunities for Monash Health’s involvement are expected to be impactful through this achievement,’ Professor Shortt says.
The TCO designation is important as it provides our patients with the newest possible treatments.
This also cements Monash Health’s reputation as a leading cancer and clinical trial centre.
Congratulations on the achievement and for bringing renewed hope to our cancer patients, Professor Shortt and team!