ACRF together with the Centenary Cancer Research Centre provide hope for sarcoma patients
On the 30th May, I had the pleasure of attending an Australian Cancer Research Foundation function, where key speaker, was Professor Phillip Hogg, Director, Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Centenary Cancer Research Centre, Centenary Institute, spoke at length about PENAO, which is an experimental anti-cancer drug which he invented.After searching the globe for experimental treatments for our son Cooper, which showed signs of efficacy for rare cancers such as sarcoma, it was indeed a relief to finally hear there has been headway made in this crucial and much needed area of research.
PENAO has recently completed a Phase I clinical trial in patients with solid tumours at three hospitals in Australia. It inhibits an enzyme central to sugar metabolism in tumour cells called mTOR, and combines very well with another mTOR inhibitor, everolimus. Everolimus is an approved cancer drug. Together, these drugs deplete cancer cells of mTOR.
A Phase I/II trial of PENAO in youths and adults with sarcomas that have an activated mTOR pathway based on mutation analysis is being planned.
mTOR pathway aberrations include PIK3CA mutation, biallelic PTEN loss, TSC2 mutation, Akt mutation, etc. The Phase I component is 2 x IV PENAO dosing per week to define the Phase II dose. The Phase II component is PENAO + oral everolimus.
ACRF funding helped establish a world class Centre for Basic and Translational Cancer Research on the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital site. This state-of-the-art facility houses the basic and translational research components of a Comprehensive Cancer Centre (only the second in Australia). The new centre extended the reach of basic biological research on cancer and its translation into cancer prevention and control.
The Centre was officially opened in March 2016.
Grant applications - ACRF this year will include:
- 2018 $10M Major grant
- 2018 Annual grant
The Cooper Rice-Brading are proud to provide our continued support the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.