- WA-led clinical trial pioneering a chemotherapy-free approach to treating follicular lymphoma
- Promising results for patients with a common, currently incurable blood cancer
- Western Australian research translating innovative treatment concepts directly into patient care
- Cook Labor Government's ClinicalTrialsWA election commitment helping Western Australians access breakthrough research and care
A Western Australian-led clinical trial has produced promising results from a new chemotherapy-free approach to treating follicular lymphoma, demonstrating the State's growing capability to lead innovative cancer research.
LEVERAGE is a Western Australian investigator-led clinical trial testing a new chemotherapy-free treatment approach for people newly diagnosed with advanced follicular lymphoma, the most common type of slow-growing lymphoma in the Western world.
The trial, led by Professor Chan Cheah of Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH), investigated a combination of three medicines - obinutuzumab, venetoclax, and lenalidomide - which work in different ways to target lymphoma and harness the body's immune system.
This phase of the trial involved 50 patients with previously untreated, advanced-stage follicular lymphoma. The results were highly encouraging, with 92 per cent of patients responding to treatment and 86 per cent achieving a complete response, meaning there was no detectable evidence of their lymphoma following treatment.
After a median follow-up of just over 18 months, 92 per cent of patients remained free from disease progression at two years, and overall survival of 100 per cent.
Clinical trials such as LEVERAGE give Western Australian patients access to innovative treatments close to home while allowing WA researchers to generate evidence with national and international relevance. Professor Cheah and the SCGH haematology team lead a growing program of investigator-initiated clinical trials aimed at developing and evaluating new treatments for people with blood cancers.
The Cook Labor Government is investing in growing Western Australia's clinical trials sector through ClinicalTrialsWA. This election commitment is working to strengthen a co-ordinated and networked clinical trials environment across the WA health system to ensure people can access world-class clinical trials and the latest medical advances closer to home.
As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
"LEVERAGE demonstrates the strength of Western Australia's clinical research capability and our ability to lead investigator-initiated research with national and international relevance.
"WA is not simply providing access to clinical trials. Our clinicians and researchers are developing the ideas, designing the studies, and leading research that could help shape the future of blood cancer treatment.
"For Western Australian patients, this means opportunities to access innovative treatments here at home while contributing to research that could benefit patients around the world.
"Follicular lymphoma is the most common type of slow-growing lymphoma in the Western world, with hundreds of Western Australians diagnosed each year and thousands more living with the disease.
"These are highly encouraging results from a WA-led study exploring whether this lymphoma can be treated effectively without conventional chemotherapy.
"The Cook Labor Government is working to boost the amount of this type of groundbreaking research happening here in WA through our ClinicalTrialsWA election commitment. Together we are building WA's reputation as a destination for world-class medical research and innovation."
