Latest news
Carousel content with 6 slides.
![](/images/DSC00271.jpg#joomlaImage://local-images/DSC00271.jpg?width=&height=)
New patient wellbeing programs launched alongside Patient Parliament
![](/images/Karen_Thrussell.png#joomlaImage://local-images/Karen_Thrussell.png?width=776&height=472)
Shedding light on the complexity of sarcoma
![](/images/Sustainability3.png#joomlaImage://local-images/Sustainability3.png?width=909&height=715)
Peter Mac launches Environmental Sustainability Strategy
![](/images/Discovery_no_logo_resize_2.png#joomlaImage://local-images/Discovery_no_logo_resize_2.png?width=800&height=449)
Two clinical researchers awarded 2024 Discovery Partner Fellowships
![](/images/AI_surgery.png#joomlaImage://local-images/AI_surgery.png?width=1110&height=554)
Peter Mac gets $3 million boost for research preventing surgery complications
![](/images/Lev_Katz.jpg#joomlaImage://local-images/Lev_Katz.jpg?width=&height=)
US award for Peter Mac researcher
Dr Clare Slaney and her team are exploring using COVID-19 immunity to treat breast cancer.
They are working on ways to improve chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapy, a type of immunotherapy, with funding support from the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
While CAR T therapy has shown great promise in some blood cancers, to date, it has not proved to be as effective for solid tumours like breast cancer. The opportunity that this research presents is identifying a mechanism capable of generating CAR T cells using COVID-19 viral specific T cells that already exist in most people after the pandemic.
As most of the world now have COVID-19 specific ‘memory T cells’ through exposure to the SARS-COV2 virus or through vaccination, this presents a new opportunity to engineer these immune cells to recognise and fight breast cancers.
Dr Slaney and her team from Peter Mac/University of Melbourne will collect COVID-19 memory T cells from people who have been infected and/or been vaccinated against COVID-19. By re-engineering these cells to recognise specific breast cancer surface proteins, these T cells could be used to fight breast cancers. Because these T cells already recognise the COVID-19 virus spike protein, they can be activated by a COVID-19 vaccine.
“The initial idea came to me as I was sitting at home frustrated in the early stages of the pandemic, unable to access my lab, watching my colleagues in infectious diseases working so hard to fight the SARS-COV2 virus. I suddenly thought can we leverage this virus to do something useful," Dr Slaney said.
"When the COVID-19 vaccines emerged, I had the idea that we just might be able to use COVID-19 immunity and vaccines to fight breast cancer. The early indications have been extremely promising, and I am so grateful that NBCF is supporting novel research like mine.”
Watch the story on 7 News
![](/images/staff/DJ3_8954_MRV2_FS_BrAf-590x620.jpg)
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.
![Image alt text](/images/Peter Mac building and cafes/DJ3_7004_V2_BrAf_FS.jpg)