MRFF grant awarded to study pioneering treatment
11 April 2025
Peter Mac’s Dr Jacqui Frowen has been awarded a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Clinical Trials Activity Grant to explore a pioneering treatment for a common and debilitating side effect of radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients.
Radiation-associated dysphagia (RAD), or difficulty swallowing, occurs when radiotherapy causes scarring - known as fibrosis - in the tissues of the throat. This can make swallowing difficult or painful and often leads to complications such as pneumonia, malnutrition and dependence on feeding tubes.
The condition also significantly impacts a patient’s quality of life and can lead to emotional distress, including anxiety and depression. Long-term RAD, which can occur many years after treatment, remains particularly challenging for patients as there are currently no effective treatments to address the issue.
Dr Frowen’s research will focus on testing whether a common drug typically prescribed to lower cholesterol can help reduce the scarring in the throat caused by radiation, and subsequently, improve swallowing function.
“We know that radiotherapy is incredibly effective for treating head and neck cancers, but it often comes with long-lasting side-effects,” she said.
“This research aims to explore a potential treatment that could prevent or reduce these side effects, improving quality of life for survivors.”
Dr Frowen’s study will be the first time a speech pathologist has led a drug trial for survivors of head and neck cancer. If successful, it could lead to a new treatment option for patients suffering from RAD, providing them with an inexpensive, safe and widely available treatment to recover and maintain their ability to swallow. The multidisciplinary team working with Dr Frowen includes A/Prof Karla Gough, Prof Danny Rischin, Prof Sandro Porceddu and A/Prof Marliese Alexander.
“This grant is an exciting opportunity to push forward with innovative research that could have a real impact on the lives of cancer survivors,” Dr Frowen added.
“If this treatment proves to be effective in reducing internal scarring, it could offer a simple, accessible treatment for people affected by RAD.”
The Australian Government’s MRFF is a $22 billion long-term investment supporting Australian health and medical research. The MRFF aims to transform health and medical research and innovation to improve lives, build the economy and contribute to health system sustainability.