Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) and the Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP) have agreed to a landmark three-year research partnership aimed at accelerating clinical trials and advancements in prostate cancer treatment.
The announcement was made at the Parliamentary Big Aussie Barbie in Canberra today (October 10, 2024), with Minister for Health The Hon. Mark Butler MP, Minister for Education The Hon. Jason Clare MP, and Opposition Leader The Hon. Peter Dutton MP among the guests in attendance.
Four-time Logie winner and PCFA Ambassador, Hugh Sheridan, also joined the announcement. Sheridan lost his father Denis to prostate cancer in 2021.
The research collaboration will build on a long-standing relationship between PCFA and ANZUP, who have co-funded clinical trials since 2015. The new partnership underscores PCFA's commitment to innovative research, supported by the PCFA Prostate Cancer Future Fund, which was established in 2022 to drive national investment in prostate cancer research.
ANZUP, formed in 2008, has spearheaded groundbreaking clinical trials including the proPSMA, TheraP, ENZAMET and #UpFrontPSMA projects, transforming prostate cancer treatment in Australia and internationally.
"This new partnership will see ongoing expansion of clinical trials focused on improving survival rates among Australians, particularly for those with advanced and aggressive forms of prostate cancer," said ANZUP CEO, Associate Professor Samantha Oakes.
The announcement comes as new data from the AIHW has revealed prostate cancer now accounts for 16% of all cancers diagnosed in Australia.
"This is a game-changing partnership that will significantly improve survival prospects for Australian men diagnosed with prostate cancer, while continuing our work to ensure that those impacted by the disease do not have their lives destroyed by treatment," said Adjunct Associate Professor Steve Callister AM, Chairman of PCFA.
"With more than 26,000 men expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, this research has never been more important - we are paving the way for breakthroughs that will save lives."
The first tranche of funding under the agreement will involve $1.2m for clinical trials to try and improve survival outcomes for men with the deadliest forms of prostate cancer.
"I wish my dad could be here today to celebrate this announcement," said Hugh Sheridan, who has just released an album of songs recorded with his late father Denis, titled 'Something Big'.
"We never thought we'd lose my dad to prostate cancer. As an ambassador for PCFA I want men and families to know that we can't afford to be complacent about this disease, that our efforts to raise awareness do make a difference, and that research and clinical trials can save lives.
"This collaboration between PCFA and ANZUP is a brilliant duet and I'm very proud to play a part in making sure Australians support it."
ANZUP's portfolio of prostate cancer clinical trials is world leading and has helped to establish new standards of care locally and internationally, including the Medicare listing of PSMA PET/CT scanning for men with prostate cancer.
"Research is our most powerful tool in the fight against prostate cancer, and this partnership will fuel the advancements needed to change lives," said Associate Professor Oakes.
The research collaboration will commence in 2025, bringing fresh hope to the 250,000 Australian men who have survived prostate cancer and to many more who are still fighting the disease.
