Few medical conditions evoke such fear and dread as cancer.
Its many forms continue to account for a frightening number of deaths around the world, and treatment typically remains an arduous test for sufferers and their families.
We are constantly seeking new hope in the battle against this fierce disease, and in 2011, the University of Adelaide provided such hope with the launch of two new world standard specialist research facilities.
The Dean Bowman Brain Tumour Laboratory (DBBTL) was opened in May 2011, and the Centre for Personalised Cancer Medicine (CPCM) seven months later in December. Both facilities are equipped with the most advanced technology available and will pursue cutting-edge treatment and prevention approaches, reinforcing the University’s 5-star world rating in clinical health research.
Funded by generous donations from Santos and South Australia Police, the DBBTL will be used by the University’s NeuroSurgical Research Foundation to primarily investigate the causes of brain tumours, an extremely aggressive form of cancer responsible for the death of one Australian every six hours.
According to Foundation Chair and Head of the University’s School of Medical Sciences Professor Bob Vink, it’s a vital step forward.
“Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in people aged under 40,” he said.
“Survival rates haven’t improved in two decades, but this research laboratory will allow us to really focus on how brain tumours gain a foothold. By preventing cancer cells from other parts of the body entering the brain, we hope to reduce the impact of brain cancer and save lives in the process.”
With a slightly broader mandate, the CPCM aims to improve outcomes for cancer patients at all levels – prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care – by exploring innovative approaches tailored to the individual, taking into account their unique DNA, genetic variations and personal reaction to specific drugs.
“The big thrust at the moment is DNA sequencing,” said Professor David Callen, who heads the Centre’s world-leading research team. “But we’re also using tumour profiling and animal and cellular models to develop new drugs that target particular molecular changes in individual cancer patients.”
Professor Callen said the Centre was already making headway in some areas, most notably in the treatment of sarcomas, rare malignant tumours that disproportionately affect young people and have a high mortality rate.
“Dr Paul Neilsen, who oversees our Sarcoma Research Group, is collaborating with Royal Adelaide Hospital surgeon Associate Professor Susan Neuhaus to trial new drugs on individual patient’s tumours in a laboratory setting.
“They’ve identified weak points in the tumours and are targeting them with new agents. The next step is to support preclinical trials in Australia.”