Federal funding to make available precision treatment for rare cancers in South Australia
FEDERAL funding will make precision, targeted treatment for rare cancers available in South Australia saving patients the stress of travelling to Sydney for clinical trials based on their DNA.
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ADELAIDE mother-of-three Melanie Salvemini, 32, travelled to Sydney weekly for almost three months to receive complex DNA-tailored treatment for her rare genetic form of bowel cancer.
But the Federal Government’s $50 million commitment to expand the program nationally now means hundreds of patients will soon get the potentially life-saving treatment at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
“It is absolutely awesome to know this treatment will be available here,” Ms Salvemini, who still travels to Sydney once every three weeks, said.
“I have three children under five to think about, and the trips to Sydney are very tiring.”
Ms Salvemini has had two surgeries and chemotherapy since being diagnosed in 2015.
She went on a clinical trial in Sydney when the disease returned last November, and is set to have a scan next month to assess the success of the targeted treatment.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt will on Wednesday announce that the trials at Sydney’s Garvan Institute will be expanded nationally, meaning 437 South Australians with late stage rare cancers are expected to benefit from 2019.
The Garvan’s clinical trials examine the genome of each cancer patient. Doctors then use patients’ entire DNA to understand the genetic cause of their cancer and come up with a treatment plan using new and repurposed drugs.
It has enrolled more than 1000 patients nationally who travel to Sydney for treatment.
The new Australian Genomic Cancer Medicine Program will treat more than 5000 patients from every state and territory.
It will be open for patients with rare and advanced cancers who have little or no treatment options left.
Each patient will have their cancer individually tested through genomic sequencing, looking deep into the cancerous cells and analysing their DNA to work out how to destroy the disease.
Mr Hunt said the program delivered tailored treatment based on the individual circumstances of the patient.
“This world-leading treatment means South Australian patients can access life-saving support without needing to travel interstate,” Mr Hunt said. “This will help some of our sickest South Australian patients in their battle against cancer.”
There are 180 rare cancers which account for one-third of all cancers and half of all cancer deaths in Australia. About 52,000 people are diagnosed with such diseases each year.
Centre Alliance Senator Stirling Griff, who lobbied for the program’s expansion, welcomed the decision to bring the treatment to Adelaide.
“Australians with rare and life-threatening cancers already have a lot on their shoulders,” he said. “Every Australian diagnosed with a difficult cancer deserves a shot at the best treatment option that can help them, irrespective of where they live.”