Access to the very latest cancer therapies, including treatments for some of the most aggressive forms of the disease, has been expanded across NSW with the official opening of the early phase clinical trials unit at Royal North Shore Hospital this week.
The early phase unit of the NORTH STAR VNP Cancer Trials Centre, provides a dedicated facility to meet the needs of patients and their carers, and the specific requirements of early phase clinical trials.
The new unit marks an exciting development in cancer care in NSW, and follows broad consultation with clinicians, researchers, pharmaceutical companies and the community.
Initial clinical trials are underway, providing opportunities for patients with lung and brain cancer to receive specialised treatment close to home. Further trials will open for a broader range of cancers.
The unit was made possible following a transformative $20 million gift from the late Kay Van Norton Poche AO and her husband Greg Poche AO. The pair also donated $20 million to the leading Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Centre in New York to realise their vision of offering life-changing new treatments to a larger share of the community.
NSW Health has provided the ward space and infrastructure for the unit.
Investigators from Royal North Shore Hospital and the cancer centre in New York are partnering on international clinical trials, giving patients in Australia access to the latest breakthrough medications, and providing crucial multi-centre data for the trials.
The new unit marks an exciting development in cancer care in NSW, and follows broad consultation with clinicians, researchers, pharmaceutical companies and the community.
Minister for Medical Research David Harris said:
"The early phase unit will help progress vital cancer research and accelerate the development of improved treatments for cancer by extending our understanding of the complex disease and the most effective therapies.
"This specialised facility is also expected to help patients across New South Wales, with a focus on fostering partnerships with hospitals in rural and regional communities.
"I acknowledge the continued generosity of the Poche family in making this facility possible."
NSW Health Deputy Secretary Clinical Innovation and Research Dr Jean-Frédéric Levesque said:
"This early phase clinical trials unit is an important step towards broadening access for patients and removing the need to travel long distances for care.
"By accelerating clinical trials in NSW and connecting researchers to the world- renowned Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Centre in New York, this facility will make a meaningful difference to cancer research."
Northern Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Anthony Schembri said:
"Northern Sydney Local Health District has been at the forefront of research and clinical care for more than a century, dedicated to diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases and improving community health.
"This exciting new early phase clinical trials unit will build on that expertise, increasing our capacity to deliver the very latest therapies, and broadening our knowledge and experience in this rapidly changing field."
NORTH STAR Medical Director and Royal North Shore Hospital oncologist Professor Stephen Clarke said:
"Encouragingly, the facility will not only strengthen our clinical trial expertise, but will provide valuable training and career development for the health workforce in northern Sydney.
"The early phase unit will be an integral part of the broader NORTH STAR Van Norton Poche Cancer Trials Centre which is offering valuable clinical trial opportunities across the local health district."
