Monash Health and Monash University have reached a significant milestone in their innovative brain tumour research initiative.
The Monash Live Bio-Banking (MoLBi) study, launched in November 2024, has successfully enrolled 25 patients, marking the full operationalisation of state-of-the-art infrastructure for collecting, preserving, and analysing live brain tumour biospecimens.
This achievement builds upon the ‘Brain on MoLBi’ platform launched in September 2024, which aims to enhance understanding of brain tumour biology and develop precision cancer immunotherapies.
‘This platform represents a significant leap forward in our fight against brain cancer,’ said Dr Gwo Yaw Ho, Principal Investigator in the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health.
‘We are committed to building a comprehensively characterised cohort of pre-clinical brain tumour models to enhance our efforts in combating these devastating diseases. This resource will be made accessible to all researchers working in this field.’
The MoLBi study has collected a diverse cohort of tumour samples, including nine glioblastomas (GBM), six benign tumours (five meningiomas and one schwannoma), five metastatic tumours (two breast, two melanomas, and one lung), three rare tumours (two ependymomas and one chondrosarcoma), as well as a glioma and a pituitary neuroendocrine tumour. Nine tumours have been successfully transplanted into pre-clinical models, facilitating advanced therapeutic investigations.
Professor Justin Moore, Director of the Neurosurgical Department at Monash Health, emphasised the impact and importance of this research.
‘Brain tumours are devastating to patients and their families, and treatments remain very limited. Monash Health, as a major neuro-oncology centre partnered with Monash University, is uniquely positioned to develop the basic science and translate it into the innovative treatments needed to produce a step change in care and quality of life,’ said Prof Moore.
A/Professor Zee Wan Wong, Director of Oncology at Monash Health, highlighted the collaboration of the research.
‘This initiative, supported by Monash Health Oncology Research Support Program (RSP) Grant funding, exemplifies the importance of collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams and paves the way for future efforts in pan-tumour bio-banking towards personalised medicine for every cancer patient,’ said A/Prof Wong.
The progress made through the MoLBi study represents a significant step toward understanding complex tumour biology and developing personalised, effective immunotherapy strategies to benefit patients directly. This aligns with broader efforts in brain cancer research across Australia, contributing to the momentum in powering brain cancer research nationwide.
Dr Adrian Praeger, Head of Neuro-oncology at Monash Health, recognised the generosity and commitment of each and every person who had made this project possible.
‘All the investigators are deeply grateful of the patients who have generously donated their excess brain tissue to this remarkable project,’ said Dr Praeger.
‘Furthermore, it is incredibly inspiring to witness the commitment of the team, spanning various disciplines, working closely together to conduct research that aims to ultimately conquer brain cancer and other tumors.’
The team express their gratitude to the Dalton family for their generous donation, which has been instrumental in advancing this program.
