New facility to aid cancer research

07-May-2002

A more effective cancer treatment could be developed by University of Wollongong researchers in a new facility being launched tomorrow, Wednesday 8 May.

A new alpha radiation facility, installed in the Department of Biological Sciences, will be used for preclinical trials on breast and prostate cancer therapy.

"Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignant cancer in women and prostate cancer is the most common non-lifestyle related cancer in men," said Dr Marie Ranson from the Department of Biological Sciences.

"In spite of the most aggressive therapy, a significant percentage of men and women die of secondary disease. Currently therapy is limited to chemotherapy and hormone therapy, both of which show clinical improvement but long term survival is uncertain."

Dr Ranson said the facility would be used to carry out research into targeted alpha therapy as an alternative to these traditional cancer therapies. A multidisciplinary team covering expertise in all aspects of this project including; cancer cell biology (Dr Marie Ranson, UOW), radiation biology and clinical trials (Professor Barry Allen and Dr Matthew Links, St George Hospital Cancer Care Centre) and commercial development (Pi2 Limited) will work on the project.

Based on their research so far, the project group has secured a NHMRC Development Grant with matching funding from their industry collaborator (Pi2 Limited) to perform safety evaluation studies on mice. The aim of this project, according to Dr Ranson, is to establish a safe and effective dose schedule that could be trialled in humans in future studies.

Media please note: Journalists and film crews are invited to attend a tour of the new research facility at 10.30am tomorrow, Wednesday 8 May. Please meet at Room 104, Building 35 (Biological Sciences) at 10.15am. Dr Ranson will be available for interview.

For more information: contact Dr Ranson on 4221 3291.