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From world-first cancer trials to video-game therapy for Parkinson’s, 91ɫ��Ƭ researchers will lead three major clinical trials aimed at some of Australia’s most urgent health challenges.

91ɫ��Ƭ Sydney researchers have been awarded $8.79 million in Federal Government funding to drive three new clinical trials addressing critical gaps in healthcare.

Awarded through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), the funding will support trials targeting a highly resistant form of leukaemia, test novel falls-prevention therapy using interactive video games and explore an innovative pancreatic cancer treatment.

“Congratulations to our exceptional researchers whose work is addressing some of the most pressing health challenges facing Australians today,” said Dean of 91ɫ��Ƭ Medicine & Health, Professor Cheryl Jones.

“These grants will support vital projects in cancer treatment and falls prevention, and they highlight the strength, impact and life-changing potential of 91ɫ��Ƭ’s health and medical research.”

World-first trial to test new ways to treat leukaemia

Professor John Pimanda from 91ɫ��Ƭ Medicine & Health and the Lowy Cancer Research Centre secured $2.99 million to conduct a first-of-its-kind clinical trial for an aggressive form of blood cancer.

TP53-mutant acute myeloid leukaemia (TML) is highly resistant to standard treatments, and patients have a poor prognosis and survival rates.

“The current treatment recommendation for patients with this type of blood cancer is that they are enrolled into a clinical trial, but there are currently no trial options available to them. Our ASTRA trial aims to fill this gap,” Prof. Pimanda said.

Built on years of laboratory research at the Lowy Cancer Research Centre, the ASTRA trial will test a new drug combination to exploit weaknesses in leukaemic cells carrying this genetic mutation.

“We hope to establish the safety and efficacy of a new drug combination in patients with TP53-mutant acute myeloid leukaemia,” Prof. Pimanda said.

“If the combination proves safe and effective, it will pave the way for the next trial aimed at registering this drug combination as a safe and effective therapy.

“We hope it brings us one step closer to providing a treatment option for these patients who desperately need it.”

Targeting pancreatic cancer’s protective shield

Conjoint Professor Marina Pajic from The Garvan Institute was awarded $2.9 million to lead a trial which will explore a radically different approach to treating pancreatic cancer.

Rather than targeting tumour cells directly, the trial will focus on breaking down the dense, fibrous tissue surrounding pancreatic tumours. The aim is to make one of Australia's deadliest cancers more responsive to treatment.

“Pancreatic cancer builds a fortress of scar-like tissue around itself that acts like armour, blocking drugs and immune cells from reaching the tumour cells,” Prof. Pajic said.

“We’ve identified ways to weaken this protective barrier that have shown remarkable results in laboratory models, and now we’re ready to test these approaches in patients with advanced disease.”

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma - the most common form of pancreatic cancer - remains one of modern medicine’s toughest challenges, with five-year survival rates below 13 per cent. The fibrous tissue, or stroma, that characterises these tumours not only blocks drug delivery but also promotes tumour growth and spread, while also preventing the immune system from attacking and removing the cancerous cells.

The early phase trial will test two different approaches to dismantling these defences, marking the first time these specific stromal-targeting strategies will be tested in the clinic for pancreatic cancer.

In-depth analysis of patient samples will also be conducted to understand exactly how these drugs work and who they work best for.

“By analysing how different patients’ tumours respond to these treatments at the molecular level, we can then identify so-called ‘signatures’ that predict therapy success,” Prof. Pajic said. “In future, this knowledge will help us personalise the treatment strategy based on each tumour’s unique characteristics.”

The approach could also inform strategies for other cancers characterised by fibrous barriers, including certain breast, liver and lung cancers.

Using video games to reduce falls in people with Parkinson’s

Conjoint Associate Professor Jasmine Menant from NeuRA has received $2.81 million to trial an innovative approach to falls prevention for people living with Parkinson’s disease, using exercise-based video games or ‘exergames’.

More than 200,000 Australians live with Parkinson’s, and over half experience a fall each year. These falls often leading to serious injuries and hospitalisations and cost an estimated $45 million annually.

Research from A/Prof. Menant’s team has demonstrated that using interactive exergames that concurrently train balance and cognition can significantly reduce falls in older adults.

“We anticipate StepSafe will reduce falls by at least 35%, improve quality of life and offer a cost-effective solution to a growing health challenge,” said A/Prof. Menant. “The StepSafe trial is a falls prevention project for people with Parkinson’s disease that is using exergames in a cognitive-motor step training intervention. It builds on previous research that has demonstrated the benefits of training balance and cognition concurrently with home-based interactive games for fall prevention.”

The randomised controlled trial will involve 380 people with Parkinson’s across Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Perth. The program will deliver a six-month, home-based cognitive-motor step training intervention using exergames for 80–120 minutes per week.

Researchers will measure falls, mobility, balance and cognitive function, while evaluating cost-effectiveness.

The project is a collaboration between researchers and clinicians in fall prevention and Parkinson’s, people with lived experience of Parkinson’s, along with organisations including Parkinson’s Australia, Parkinson’s NSW and Fight Parkinson’s.

“In people with Parkinson’s, we have found that this type of training can be undertaken safely at home and leads to improvement in proxy measures of fall risk,” A/Prof. Menant said.��

“This project has the potential to transform fall prevention in people with Parkinson’s, reducing personal, family and healthcare burdens nationwide.”��