A Bendigo patient has become one of the first people in the world to receive a promising new cancer treatment, marking a major milestone for Bendigo Health.
The patient is the first person in Australia enrolled in a phase 1 clinical trial of IMD303, a next-generation immunotherapy designed to harness the body's immune system to fight cancer.
With fewer than 10 patients worldwide having received the treatment, Bendigo Health is playing a leading role in research that could help shape the future of cancer care.
IMD303 is designed to improve the way immunotherapy works. Unlike traditional treatments, it remains inactive while travelling through the body and switches on when it reaches cancer cells. Researchers hope this targeted approach will improve effectiveness while reducing side effects.
Dr Sam Harris, Medical Oncologist and Clinical Lead of the Cancer Research Trials Unit at Bendigo Health, said the study could help advance treatment options for future patients worldwide.
"Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment over the past decade, but it doesn't work for everyone and it can cause significant side effects," Sam said.
"This trial is testing a new approach that aims to make treatment more effective while reducing those side effects."
The trial may offer an option for people whose cancer has stopped responding to standard treatments. While phase 1 studies are primarily focused on safety and there are no guarantees of success, they can provide access to promising therapies years before they become widely available.
The milestone also highlights how cancer research has evolved in regional Victoria. A decade ago, patients seeking access to early-stage clinical trials often had to travel to Melbourne or Sydney. Today, internationally significant research is being delivered closer to home.
"Ten years ago, patients wanting access to this type of research often had to travel to Melbourne. Today we're bringing some of the world's most advanced cancer treatments to Bendigo and making them available closer to home," Sam said.
Sam said the achievement reflects the work of a dedicated team, including Narelle McPhee, who leads the Cancer Research Unit, Dr Melissa Garwood, and the many nurses, doctors and research staff supporting patients through clinical trials.
Coinciding with World Cancer Research Day, the announcement demonstrates how regional patients can access world-class cancer research opportunities without leaving their community.
Located inside the Bendigo Hospital on the ground floor for ease of access, the Cancer Centre co-locates cancer services including clinics, oncology and radiotherapy.
https://www.bendigohealth.org.au/bendigocancercentre/