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New patient wellbeing programs launched alongside Patient Parliament
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Shedding light on the complexity of sarcoma
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Peter Mac launches Environmental Sustainability Strategy
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Two clinical researchers awarded 2024 Discovery Partner Fellowships
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Peter Mac gets $3 million boost for research preventing surgery complications
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US award for Peter Mac researcher
The Australian newspaper has described Peter Mac's research into stopping the spread of prostate cancer as a chase for the 'holy grail’
Dr Katie Owen is part of the Parker Laboratory team who have identified an immune signalling pathway that is suppressed when prostate cancer spreads to the bone and makes the cancer cells invisible to the body’s immune response.
"One of the things we've found is that prostate cancer cells seem to acquire and lose certain features when they move to bone, particularly features that allow them to be detected and killed by good immune cells under normal circumstances," Katie said.
"The flow-on effects that this has in an already immune privileged site (anatomical regions that are less subject to immune responses) which includes bone, is to encourage the expansion of bad or pro-tumour immune cells.
"This exacerbates pro-tumour conditions in bone and unfortunately, the changes that we're seeing occur in bone metastases also promote therapeutic resistance, particularly against immune-based therapies, including checkpoint inhibitors, which have shown promise in other cancer types,” she said.
The team’s work has shown that immune signalling pathways can be switched back on in cancer cells to make the cells visible again in certain circumstances, bolstering the body’s immune response.
The research has been funded by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and is soon be published.
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First steps to navigating Peter Mac
Getting started Peter Mac locations Visitor information Accessing telehealth Important contacts Patient and carer support![Image alt text](/images/Peter Mac building and cafes/DJ3_7004_V2_BrAf_FS.jpg)
We offer care that goes beyond treatment
Peter Mac has a wellbeing approach to care. We base this on a fundamental belief that the best cancer care treats the person and the disease. The Wellbeing Centre is a sanctuary for patients, their families and carers. It is a gathering place that is open, accepting and welcoming for all.
Cancer can be hard to deal with and we know that getting treatment is only part of it. You might have other challenges and need help with them. We offer many kinds of help for you, your loved ones, and your carers. Each resource can help you deal with how cancer affects your body, emotions and money.
The Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service is a team of health and other professionals who specialise in the care of young people aged 15 to 25. We work with you and your healthcare team to support you at all stages of the cancer journey, anywhere in Victoria.
You are a carer if you’re taking care of someone with cancer. You might be a family member, friend or neighbour. Our wonderful volunteer service is here to help to make things a little easier for you and the person you’re caring for. They offer a range of support, resources, and items to help you.
The Psychosocial Oncology Program is a multidisciplinary team. This includes clinical psychologists, social workers, PCLNs, and psychiatrists/psychiatric registrars. They assess patients at risk of mental health problems. They will also assess and treat those with current mental health problems.
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