24 June 2021
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has announced $1.6 million in funding for a ground-breaking Phase II clinical trial which could help prevent more than 3,100 deaths from prostate cancer every year.
The trial will be led by the Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP) with co-funding from Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA).
Known as EVOLUTION, it will be the first clinical trial of its kind to test the effectiveness of a new generation of radiotherapy treatment with existing forms of immunotherapy, which has previously failed in treating prostate cancers.
PCFA CEO Professor Jeff Dunn AO said the project was leading the world in prostate cancer research.
“The Phase II EVOLUTION Clinical Trial could lead to major advances in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer around the world, helping to prevent the deaths of more than 3,100 Australian men each year from this disease,” Prof Dunn said.
“ANZUP’s world-leading team of researchers, working with treatment centres to recruit patients around the country, will investigate whether immunotherapy, when partnered with Lutetium-177-PSMA (Lu-PSMA), can deliver life-saving results for men.
“Right now, we have no way of defeating aggressive forms of prostate cancer, which impose an incredibly heavy burden on men and their families, who commonly have to endure the fear and distress of not knowing how quickly the cancer will spread.
“The EVOLUTION Clinical Trial will help us to evaluate whether radiotherapy and immunotherapy combined can create a new pathway for combatting prostate cancer once and for all.
“Around 17,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in Australia, and more than 3,100 men will die – it is a disease that takes a tragic toll on our lives.
“We are committed to funding ground-breaking projects that save lives.”
ANZUP Chair Professor Ian Davis urged Australians to support prostate cancer research.
“The Phase II EVOLUTION Clinical Trial simply wouldn’t be possible without funding from organisations such as PCFA,” Prof Davis said.
The EVOLUTION Clinical Trial sites and patient eligibility guidelines will be announced later this year. The project will monitor and compare PSA levels for 12 months in response to the clinical trial treatment, capturing tissue samples to analyse patient responses.
With one Australian man diagnosed every 30 minutes, there are estimated to be 230,000 Australian men alive today who have been impacted by prostate cancer.
If you need support, call us today on 1800 22 00 99.
To make a donation and help us fund the Phase II EVOLUTION Clinical Trial, click here or call 1800 22 00 99.
ENDS
PCFA media contact: Laura McKoy | M. 0435 094 788
