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Research in action

All the latest research news and breakthroughs.

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Research news – August 2024

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a revolutionary new type of treatment that ‘trains’ a patient’s own immune cells to seek out and kill cancer.

  • Research
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Unlocking the Mysteries of Blood Cancer

In the ever-evolving landscape of blood cancer research, the quest to combat blood cancer continues to push boundaries. The New Directions in Leukaemia Research (NDLR) event in Adelaide last month brought together leading minds in the field to discuss breakthroughs, challenges, and the future of leukaemia treatment. From cutting-edge advancements in therapies to the promise of personalised medicine, the conference, sponsored by the Leukaemia Foundation, shed light on the latest discoveries and strategies shaping the fight against leukaemia.

  • Research
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Rare brain lymphoma needs more research and clinical trials

Access to clinical trials of novel treatments, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T-cell therapy, could be a game changer for these patients, according to Dr Colm Keane. He is a clinical haematologist at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane and a brain lymphoma researcher at the University of Queensland's Frazer Institute.  

  • Clinical trials
  • Research
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Dr Colm Keane

Improving outcomes for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and cutaneous graft-versus-host disease

Haematologist, Dr Jessica Elliott’s interest is researching T-cell mediated skin disorders, in particular, two clinically similar but biologically divergent conditions – cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) (a subtype of skin lymphoma) and cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

  • Research
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Dr Jessica Elliott

Expert Series: Dr Sun Loo on measurable residual disease in remission and relapse

For Dr Sun Loo, being part of an innovative clinical trial is a perfect fit. It furthers research into her field of interest – measurable residual disease (MRD), and the blood cancer she is passionate about – acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

  • Interviews with experts
  • Research
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Clinical haematologist and researcher, Dr Sun Loo

Expert Series: Professor Tenen on his lifelong search for a cure for cancer

Professor Daniel Tenen, who has devoted his research career to searching for a cure for cancer, has found an “ideal target”. It’s a gene called SALL4.

  • Interviews with experts
  • Research
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Professor Dan Tenen

Expert Series: Associate Professor Nada Hamad on the importance of clinical trials

When talking to her patients, clinical haematologist and researcher Associate Professor Nada Hamad always considers their eligibility for a clinical trial. 

  • Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
  • Interviews with experts
  • Research
  • Treatments and side-effects
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Associate Professor Nada Hamad - clinical haematologist and researcher

Clinical trial for high-risk MDS tests new drug combination 

A Phase I investigator-driven clinical trial, which is ready to recruit its first participant, gives Australian patients with high-risk MDS access to two new oral drugs. 

  • Clinical trials
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Research
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Supporting the advancement of science for Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia

Research to further scientific knowledge of the cause and treatment of the uncommon type of blood cancer, Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia (WM), is being co-funded by the Leukaemia Foundation. 

  • Other blood cancers
  • Research
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Targeting DCAF as a novel treatment strategy for therapy-resistant myeloma 

Meet the research team developing a myeloma treatment with maximum efficacy and minimal side effects

  • Myeloma
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Expert Series: Dr Michael Osborn discusses all aspects of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

More than 80% of children newly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) are successfully treated today – an achievement deemed by Dr Michael Osborn as “one of the true success stories of modern medicine”. 

  • Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
  • Interviews with experts
  • Research
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Planned clinical trial offers access to new therapy for rare acute leukaemia

Professor David Curtis has focused his research on searching for new ways to treat early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ETP-ALL) which he describes as “a nasty type of leukaemia”. 

  • Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
  • Clinical trials
  • Research
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Expert Series: with Professor David Curtis

The ability to use haploidentical donors, or half matched donors, is the most important recent development in stem cell transplantation, says world leader in transplant research, Professor David Curtis. 

  • Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
  • Interviews with experts
  • Research
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AL amyloidosis Expert Series interview with Dr Hasib Sidiqi

We spoke to Dr Sidiqi about his specialising field of amyloidosis.

  • Amyloidosis
  • Interviews with experts
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PBAC recommends daratumumab for newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis

Daratumumab (Darzalex®) could be the first ever therapy to be approved in Australia for AL amyloidosis.

  • Amyloidosis
  • Treatments and side-effects
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Daratumumab

Expert Series: Prof. Wendy Erber – a tool predicting the potential progression of MPNs coming soon

Professor Wendy Erber and her research team in Western Australia are developing a monitoring tool they hope will identify MPN patients who will go on to develop leukaemia.

  • Interviews with experts
  • Myeloproliferative neoplasms
  • Research
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Wendy Erber

Expert series interview: Dr Naranie Shanmuganathan on CML

The greatest unmet need in CML is the ability to predict outcomes at the time of diagnosis according to Dr Naranie Shanmuganathan, a consultant haematologist at Royal Adelaide Hospital and SA Pathology.

  • Chronic myeloid leukaemia
  • Interviews with experts
  • Research
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Dr Naranie Shanmuganathan

Expert Series: Dr Cameron Curley on transplantation and CAR-T therapy

Dr Cameron Curley describes CAR T-cell therapy as “arguably the biggest breakthrough in the treatment of many blood cancers in the last decade”. 

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
  • Interviews with experts
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Dr Cameron Curley

Innovative new international trial for relapsed paediatric ALL opens soon

A clinical trial, due to open in mid-2022, will give young people access to two promising new ALL drugs.

  • Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
  • Clinical trials
  • Research
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Illustration of a microscope, test tubes, and clipboard

Expert Series: Professor John Seymour

Find out why the clinical haematologist is dedicating his life to CLL.

  • Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
  • Interviews with experts
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John Seymour

Support for submission to MSAC for MRD testing reimbursement in ALL

Last updated on February 22nd, 2022Developed by the Leukaemia Foundation in consultation with people living with a blood cancer, Leukaemia Foundation support staff, haematology nursing staff and/or Australian clinical haematologists. This content is provided for information purposes only and we urge you to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis, treatment […]

  • Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
  • Treatments and side-effects
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Dr Peter Diamond

MSAC advising on cilta-cel CAR T-cell therapy for myeloma

Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), is being appraised by the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) for listing on the Medicare Benefits Schedule. 

  • Myeloma
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Venetoclax moves us closer towards zero lives lost to blood cancer

Last updated on February 22nd, 2022 Developed by the Leukaemia Foundation in consultation with people living with a blood cancer, Leukaemia Foundation support staff, haematology nursing staff and/or Australian clinical haematologists. This content is provided for information purposes only and we urge you to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis, […]

  • Advocacy and policy
  • Research
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Treatment

Expert Series: Professor Andrew Perkins on MPN

It’s emerging in all cancers, but particularly in the MPNs, that “genomics is everything” according to Professor Andrew Perkins, an expert in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN).

  • Interviews with experts
  • Myeloproliferative neoplasms
  • Research
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Andrew Perkins and grandson Harry

New international trial for amyloidosis

In a first-ever Australian-French collaboration, an exciting new clinical trial, due to open before Christmas, will give Australians with relapsed or refractory AL amyloidosis access to a new drug combination. 

  • Amyloidosis
  • Clinical trials
  • Research
  • Treatments and side-effects
Read more
Illustration of various treatments, pills, medicines

Expert Series: Dr Ilaria Pagani talks treatment-free remission in CML

Dr Pagani has a vision for a personalised approach to treatment-free remission in CML

  • Chronic myeloid leukaemia
  • Interviews with experts
  • Research
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Dr Ilaria Pagani in the lab

Revised AML, DLBCL and HL Optimal Care Pathways released

Newly revised optimal care pathways (OCPs) provide best practice information for the treatment and care of people living with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). 

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
  • Chronic myeloid leukaemia
  • Hodgkin lymphoma
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Blood-cancer-research

Expert Series: Dr Chun Fong on finding the keys to unlock AML

Dr Chun Fong believes that testing for minimal residual disease (MRD) is part of the answer.

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
  • Interviews with experts
  • Research
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Dr Chun Fong at the pub

New trial aimed at keeping people with AML in remission

A new platform trial, a world first, could have transformative implications for people with resistant AML. 

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
  • Clinical trials
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Associate Professor Andrew Wei in the lab

Expert Series: Dr Piers Blombery on genomic testing

Dr Piers Blombery explains the basics of molecular testing which informs the treatment of blood cancer.   

  • Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Interviews with experts
  • Myeloma
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Research
  • Treatments and side-effects
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Dr Piers Blombery

Last updated on January 30th, 2023

Developed by the Leukaemia Foundation in consultation with people living with a blood cancer, Leukaemia Foundation support staff, haematology nursing staff and/or Australian clinical haematologists. This content is provided for information purposes only and we urge you to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis, treatment and answers to your medical questions, including the suitability of a particular therapy, service, product or treatment in your circumstances. The Leukaemia Foundation shall not bear any liability for any person relying on the materials contained on this website.