SOUTH AUSTRALIAN scientists are hopeful a ground-breaking immune therapy trail will bring them one-step closer to a breakthrough in the fight against cancer.
Adelaide-based researchers are running a new clinical trial using super-powered immune cells to treat solid cancers including some lung cancers, sarcomas and breast cancers.
The phase 1 clinical trial will test the feasibility and safety of CAR-T cells - genetically modified white blood cells harvested from a patient's own blood with the unique ability to directly seek and destroy cancers - to treat advanced solid tumours including small cell lung cancer, sarcomas and triple negative breast cancer.
The new trial is led by the Centre for Cancer Biology - an alliance between University of South Australia, the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) and the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
It will allow researchers to learn more about how CAR-T cells interact with solid tumours in the hope that this therapy may one day treat a wide range of different cancers.
Lead researcher, UniSA's Dr Tessa Gargett said the CAR-T immune therapy shows great potential for developing cancer treatments.
"Essentially, CAR-T cells are super-powered immune cells which work by enlisting and strengthening the power of a patient's immune system to attack tumours," she said.
"They've had astounding results in treating some forms of chemotherapy-resistant blood cancers, but similar breakthroughs are yet to be achieved for solid cancers - that's where this study comes in."
The trial is funded by Cancer Council's Beat Cancer Project and sponsored by Central Adelaide Local Health Netword.
Cancer Council SA chief executive Lincoln Size said the study is a critical element in working towards the next cancer breakthrough.
"Advances in medical research allow us to treat more cancers successfully, with clinical trials providing the vital clues that bring us closer to a cancer free future," he said.
"Partnering with the University of South Australia, the RAH and CALHN on this leading immunotherapy trial is bringing this future just one step closer, and we're proud to be a part of this very important work."
Cancer Council's Beat Cancer Project is a collaboration between Cancer Council SA, the state government, SAHMRI, UniSA, The University of Adelaide and Flinders University.
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