In 2010 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T-cell) therapy was very experimental. It had only been tested in mice but two gentlemen who had nothing to lose opted for the experimental treatment. Remarkably the treatment worked and proved to be their cure from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). A study that followed the two CLL patients … Continued
The results of ELARA, a large international trial investigating the treatment of relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) with chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CART-cell) tisagenlecleucel have been published. A remarkable 69.1 per cent of patients treated with tisagenlecleucel had a complete response (no detectable disease) to treatment. Overall, 86.2 per cent of treated patients … Continued
The Wilson family has extended their generous philanthropic donation to the Snowdome Foundation, providing an additional $3.5 million for the Wilson Centre for Blood Cancer Genomics housed at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. This is the philanthropic family’s second major gift. In 2017, The Wilsons announced a major gift of $5.5 million to establish the Centre. The Wilson family have now donated more than $9 million to the Snowdome … Continued
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
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
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
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
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
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.