New treatment for Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia approved by the TGA and offered free of charge to patients

Zanubrutinib is a new small molecule inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) that has been compared to ibrutinib in clinical trials.  The ASPEN trial compared zanubrutinib to ibrutinib for the treatment of patient with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) and demonstrated a higher very good partial response rate as well as improvements in safety and tolerability.  The … Continued

New treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

From December 1st 2021 Australians with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) will be able to access venetoclax treatment via the pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS).  This will reduce the cost of treatment from $88,800 to $41.30 or $6.30 for concession card holders. Approximately 1,100 Australians are diagnosed with AML each year.  AML is a result of an … Continued

Targeting DCAF as a novel treatment strategy for therapy resistant multiple myeloma

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2021/22 Leukemia Lymphoma Society – Snowdome Foundation – Leukaemia Foundation (LLS-SF-LF) Translational Research Program grant winners.  This year the grant is awarded to a multidisciplinary research team including, Dr Lev Kats at University of Melbourne, Prof Jake Shortt at Monash University, Prof Philip Thompson at Monash University and Assistant … Continued

WA Blood Sweat and Tears of Joy

On November 26th, 2021, Snowdome Foundation held the Western Australian (WA) educational event Blood Sweat and Tears of Joy.  It was very pleasing to hear about the clinical research talent and depth of clinical trials now on offer in WA.  Most of all we were filled with hope and inspiration from the incredible patient stories. … Continued

The blood cancer groups most vulnerable to COVID-19

Australia has been in an enviable position when it comes to COVID-19. We have been able to watch and learn from the Northern Hemisphere. Prof Miles Prince used this knowledge to indicate which blood cancer patient groups are most vulnerable to COVID-19. There are three main groups: 1. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients who are … Continued

Prof Miles Prince AM provides an update on COVID-19

With Australia opening up the risk of contracting COVID-19 rises.  Cancer patients feel especially concerned.  Prof Prince provides some advice on how to stay protected and what to do if you do get COVID-19.

Two times lucky

For every haematologist at Epworth HealthCare requesting genomic tests for their cancer patients is standard of care.  The tests are carried out at the Wilson Centre for Blood Cancer Genomics, established in 2017 and housed at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.  The results of the genomic tests guide clinicians in choosing the most effective treatment … Continued

Outstanding Research into T-cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia

Dr Charles De Bock is the very worthy recipient of the HSANZ/ Snowdome Foundation Mid-Career Award for outstanding research into T-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL). Charles is incredibly animated and excited when he begins to talk about finding better treatments for childhood leukaemia through research and his enthusiasm is infectious. The award-winning research conducted by … Continued