Development of Covid vaccines could be the blueprint for ending breast cancer deaths

The unique collaboration that led to the development of Covid vaccines could be the blueprint for breast cancer researchers in their bold bid to eradicate deaths from the disease.

The unique scientific collaboration that led to the development of Covid vaccines could be a blueprint for researchers to achieve zero deaths from breast cancer.

That’s the belief of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) which will reveal on Wednesday that funding this “collective focus” of researchers across the country will be key to its future investments.

CEO Associate Professor Cleola Anderiesz says during Covid the world’s best researchers showed how quickly outcomes could be achieved when they worked together.

Releasing its 2024 Impact Report to coincide with its 30th anniversary, the NBCF says it has, in that time, invested $232 million in 642 research projects. That money was raised with the support of more than one million donors.

NBCF CEO Associate Professor Cleola Anderiesz says teamwork is key to breast cancer research. Image: Supplied

Professor Anderiesz said since the not-for-profit was launched the death rate from breast cancer had reduced by over 40 per cent and the five-year relative survival rate improved to 92 per cent.

This latest report highlights the focus will be on research that can help prevent, detect, stop and treat breast cancer, the leading killer of Australian women.

Prof Anderiesz says it is a strategy that will save lives, adding nine people die of breast cancer every day in Australia and 20,000 a year are diagnosed with the disease.

These figures have shaped the NBCF’s core objectives that are outlined in the report including:

• Earlier detection, as most deaths are in patients who present with a breast symptom

• Stopping progression and recurrence, because one in three people will have a recurrence of breast cancer

• Finding a treatment for metastatic breast cancer, an invasive and life-threatening breast cancer that spreads to other parts of the body

Monash University’s Professor Melissa Southey and Associate Professor Tu Nguyen-Dumont. Image: Supplied.

In the last 30 years the NBCF has funded more than 1800 Australian researchers, the majority women, from 120 institutes to make discoveries that have help reduce deaths from breast cancer.

It reports these include Monash University’s Professor Melissa Southey and Associate Professor Tu Nguyen-Dumont who have helped advance the understanding of genes associated with breast cancer risk.

Their research has influenced genetic testing, with national guidelines now recommending the inclusion of three genes they identified in genetic testing and cancer risk management.

Professor Sherene Loi discusses her research with now President of the United States Joe Biden when he visited Melbourne in 2016. Picture: Mark Stewart

The NBCF also helped to fund the research of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre oncologist Professor Sherene Loi.

Professor Loi took part in an international clinical trial that treated the first Australian with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab.

The positive outcomes of this trial and her continued contribution to clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of the drug in TNBC led to it being listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in 2023.

As reported in the Herald Sun in November, the NBCF has pledged to back its vision of zero deaths in breast cancer in Australia with an investment of $125 million over the next five years.

“We want to ensure that a diagnosis of breast cancer doesn’t lead to a death and research is key to achieving this,” Prof Anderiesz said.

At a glance:

• The NBCF has invested $232 million into 642 research projects

• It has been supported by over one million donors

• In 30 years it has supported more than 1800 researchers in 120 institutions across Australia