Three Peter Mac-led research projects awarded MRFF grants
4 min read 22 March 2023
Nearly $4 million in grants have been awarded to three Peter Mac-led research projects through the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
The MRFF supports a range of research initiatives to discover new ways to diagnose, treat and care for people with a variety of health conditions.
The three successful Peter Mac-led projects involve an evidence-based approach to pharmacogenomic medicines optimisation in adult and paediatric cancer cohorts, implementing universal tele-prehabilitation into cancer care pathways, and improving optimal pain and symptom management for Australians affected by pancreatic cancer.
Executive Director Cancer Research, Professor Ricky Johnstone, said the MRFF grants are a wonderful outcome for Peter Mac research and our partner organisations.
“It’s incredible to see such strong support for research at Peter Mac from the MRFF,” he said.
“This research will help us to look at ways to improve outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients, and highlights the innovative work being done by researchers at Peter Mac and the quality of our research faculty.
“We thank the MRFF for their support and congratulate to Marliese, Linda and Mei on their grants.”
Read more about each project below.
Dr Marliese Alexander - PhaRmacogEnomiC medIcines optimiSatIon for peOple with caNcer
PRECISION is a multi-trial, multi-centre, mixed-methods program that will discover, translate, implement and evaluate an evidence-based approach to pharmacogenomic (PGx) medicines optimisation in adult and paediatric cancer cohorts.
Conducting two clinical trials and using implementation science methods, this research will assess feasibility, acceptability, needs, cost effectiveness and scalability of PGx-guided medicines optimisation to enable safer and more effective use of medicines for people with cancer.
Three program streams of clinical trials, implementation, and discovery will simultaneously investigate multiple clinical and research questions while focussing on confirming the feasibility of PGx in cancer care.
The project is in collaboration with Bendigo Health, Border Medical Oncology, Regional Trials Network Victoria (RTN-Vic), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, University of Melbourne, University of Adelaide, University of Newcastle, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Monash University, MyDNATM and Illumina©.
Professor Linda Denehy - Implementing univerSal Tele-prehabiliTation into cAnceR caRe pathwayS trial (STTARRS)
A large number of major surgical procedures happen each year in Australia, predominately for treatment of cancer. Individuals with increased surgical risk are expected to grow three-fold over the next 30 years, adversely impacting both patient outcomes and healthcare budgets if this problem is not addressed.
The physiological challenge of major surgery has been likened to running a marathon. In both cases, preparation is critical. Yet, many patients embark on major surgery without understanding the potential consequences. Complications after surgery are strongly associated with poor patient recovery and increased healthcare costs.
STTARRS is a randomised multicentre clinical trial measuring the effects of delivering teleprehabilitation education by allied health and nursing clinicians for patients before major cancer surgery at several Australian hospitals. We call this intervention “Surgery School”. We will measure complication rates, length of hospital stay, as well as implementability and economic outcomes. If effective, STTARRS is readily scalable nationwide.
Professor Mei Krishnasamy - Overcoming inequity of opportunity for optimal pain and symptom management for Australians affected by pancreatic cancer
Patients with cancer have better quality of life and health outcomes when a specialist nurse is involved in their care. In Australia, there is considerable variation in access to specialist cancer nurses, especially for regional and rural patients and those diagnosed with less common cancers. This randomised clinical trial will test a centralised and consumer-informed model of nurse-led telehealth care to improve patient outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer.
The centralised model of care will be based at Peter Mac and tested through collaboration with two regional sites. The intervention builds on foundational evidence generated by our team multidisciplinary cancer clinicians, health services researchers and critically, our consumer partners.
The study will generate evidence that supports translation of more effective nurse-led approaches to improve patient outcomes (pain and symptoms) through collaboration between consumers and clinicians.
The project is in collaboration with Bendigo Health, Border Medical Oncology, Western Health, The Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation – Pankind, Burnet Institute, VCCC Alliance, University of Melbourne, Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology (Sydney), Queensland Institute of Medical Research and University of Queensland.
Other collaborations:
Peter Mac is also collaborating on a further three projects awarded MRFF grants:
- Professor Michael Jefford is working with Deakin University on an interactive online portal (iCare) to improve health and wellbeing for people living with complex cancers
- Professor Simon Harrison and Associate Professor Jane Oliaro are partnering with WEHI on a novel stem cell-derived manufacturing platform for next-generation dendritic cell vaccines
- Mark Xiang Li is teaming up with St Vincent’s Institute (SVI) to explore repurposing approved drugs for Friedreich’s ataxia heart disease.
Peter Mac is proud to receive these MRFF grants and look forward to advancing our management of cancer with this vital funding.