The Cancer Institute NSW has awarded three of four Clinical Trials Fellowship grants worth almost $200,000 each to researchers working in clinical cancer trials specifically aimed at increasing access to trials in the regions, with the fourth grant for a Sydney-based program.
“The Clinical Trials Fellowships are key to ensuring equitable access to cancer clinical trials across the state, particularly in our regions and in under-represented populations and I look forward to seeing the outcomes of this research,” said Minister for Medical Research, David Harris.
“Our researchers strive every day to improve the lives of people in NSW and we’re proud to invest in them to continue their work and help improve cancer outcomes for all.”
One grant recipient is North West Cancer Centre’s Oncology Clinical Trials and Research Unit manager, Dr Alexandra Smith, to build a framework for delivering clinical trial services remotely across the New England-North West area.
The funding will build capacity and capability of the clinical trials unit, including developing local resources, recruiting a research professional and educating staff to better support patients to participate in trials.
“We want to ensure as many patients as possible have access to cancer clinical trials, which could mean a treatment that might not have been available to them otherwise, or an opportunity to be part of research that will help other patients down the track,” said Dr Smith.
“In the New England-North West of NSW we have a different socio-demographic profile to bigger metro sites – so it’s hugely significant for us to be able to harness and build on our local capacity to better include patients from more rural and remote areas in clinical trials.”
Hunter New England Local Health District clinical trial participant, Kate Jones, has experienced the benefit of accessing trials close to home.
A Tamworth resident, Ms Jones was offered a place on a clinical trial after she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014 and said the post-treatment support the trial offered provided an important physical and emotional safety net.
“I was so happy to be offered a place in a clinical trial after my bowel cancer diagnosis in 2014. The trial, which focused on my physical wellbeing, was my safety net. The network of people who are involved in trials, and their support are really important in regional communities,” said Ms Jones.
“The trials give people who have finished their treatment and may not necessarily be looked at for months or years, extra support and that’s so important, even if it’s not physically, just emotionally.”
Another $200,000 grant was awarded to Eleanore Romney of the Sydney Local Health District to establish teletrials to improve access for patients from rural and regional areas.
A third $200,000 grant to Acting Professor Daniel Steffens of the Sydney Local Health District, looks to improve engagement with under-represented populations including Aboriginal, culturally and linguistically diverse and rural and remote communities in clinical trials.
In addition to the regional grants, Liza Nery of Royal North Shore Hospital was awarded $200,000 to support the ACTIvate (Anaplastic Cancer of the Thyroid Immunotherapy) study which builds on the latest global evidence to address the unique challenges of anaplastic thyroid cancer.
The fellowships are part of the Cancer Institute NSW’s annual $5 million investment into cancer clinical trials for children and adults as part of its commitment to providing options to people with cancer, through funding and strong partnerships with research professionals and communities.
“Strengthening research capacity and making cancer clinical trials accessible to everyone, no matter where they live, is key to improving cancer outcomes across NSW,” said NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO Cancer Institute NSW Professor Tracey O’Brien AM.
“Clinical trials don’t just benefit individual patients; they serve entire communities and can be a lifeline for those facing cancer. Every person diagnosed with cancer deserves to be informed of their options, and these grants are helping to ensure that happens.”
