Congratulations to Professor John Rasko and his team, who have recently been recognised for their excellent in research and clinical work with funding from the Li Ka Shing Foundation, for a world-first immunotherapy trial for patients with mesothelioma and pancreatic cancer.
The Li Ka Shing Foundation has funded the newly established Li Ka Shing Cell and Gene Therapy Initiative at the University of Sydney to the tune of $4.5 million over 4 years.
The funding will enable clinical trials on both patients with mesothelioma and pancreatic cancer. The trials will involve the reprogramming of CAR T cells, healthy immune cells, which will be reproduced and re injected into to patients to fight and destroy cancer cells. The impact of this technology is profound on participants in the clinical trials.
About CAR T Research
Early clinical data from leading research centres around the World highlights the promise of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells for the targeted treatment of cancers such as pancreatic cancer, muscle cancer, ovarian cancer, some breast cancers and asbestos-related lung cancer.
A collaboration of international researchers agree it is the best possible promise of a cure we have seen – so they have got together to do clinical trials of this treatment. Australia’s team, led by Professor John Rasko, Australia’s leading Cell & Molecular Therapies specialist, will leverage the existing cell manufacturing infrastructure and expertise at the Cell & Molecular Therapies department at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
International collaborators will work together to develop these CAR-T cells – and initiate Phase I clinical trials to treat each of these cancer conditions.
In Australia, the initial focus will be on the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. This treatment option will be a first for Australian patients – and cellular immunotherapy of the type proposed here may revolutionise outcomes for patients and their families living with many types of cancer.
Our “CAR-T mesothelin” cancer immunotherapy is potentially capable of targeting pancreatic, ovarian, synovial and mesothelioma (a subset of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos) and well as other lung cancer & breast cancer subsets.
Watch the video to learn more about Car T Research
About Cure the Future
Cure The Future’s mission is to support and enhance the research and clinical work of Professor John Rasko and his team. We are proud support the promotion this initiative.