Mater success with breast cancer clinical trials

A Queensland mum diagnosed with aggressive triple negative breast cancer now has no evidence of the disease following a groundbreaking trial.

A Queensland mum diagnosed with an aggressive cancer and facing frightening odds now has no evidence of disease following a clinical trial.

Monique Perry, 43, says Queenslanders should not be afraid of joining a clinical trial as they can save lives and offer hope. She took part in an early-phase trial of a new cancer drug, run by Mater Research.

Mrs Perry, who carries the breast cancer (BRCA1) genetic variant, was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2021. It is an aggressive, fast growing cancer with a high risk of metastasis and recurrence.

Mrs Perry, who works on her family’s farm three hours west of Brisbane, believes she would not be alive today without the team at the Mater Cancer Care Centre (MCCC) in South Brisbane.

“They saved my life,” she said.

Monique Perry is cancer free after taking part in a clinical trial at the Mater Hospital for aggressive triple negative breast cancer.

Mrs Perry was initially treated at another hospital, before being referred to the MCCC as a Mater Research clinical trial participant.

“When my original oncologist told me about the clinical trial, I was interested in helping advance research. We need better cancer drugs for the future. I wouldn’t want my own daughters relying on old treatments if they ever get breast cancer,” Mrs Perry said.

“I always say to people, ‘don’t fear being on a clinical trial’. Cancer treatment isn’t an easy path, but when your treatment options are limited, like they were for me, giving yourself the best chance you can to recover by trying out new drugs is the best thing you can do.”

Mrs Perry was enrolled into the trial, went through six gruelling months of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and then a full mastectomy. She has continued to have follow up appointments after completing treatment.

MCCC Medical Oncologist and cancer researcher Dr Kathryn Middleton said that clinical trial enrolment can enable patients to access novel therapeutic treatment options that may be subsequently shown to improve survival.

“Clinical trials are designed to assess the potential effectiveness and side effects of newer treatments,” Dr Middleton said.

“Mater Research currently has numerous clinical trials open and enrols patients with different types of breast cancer at different points in their treatment journey.”