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Ovarian cancer trials begin

25 March 2009

A team of Monash researchers is part of a new ovarian cancer treatment trial that uses a daily chemo-therapy treatment to boost patients' immune systems.

Professor Magdalena Plebanski is leading the Monash research team that will be part of the Melbourne-based trial of a new treatment on 20 ovarian cancer patients.

The oral chemotherapy treatment has the potential to kill off the cells that prevent a patient's immune system from attacking the cancer itself.

Recent research indicates that particular groups of different cells may be active in 10 to 14 day cycles and that if the chemotherapy pill is administered in the right dose at the right time, it may be effective in removing the "interfering" cells.

Blood samples will be taken from patients on alternate days to measure indications that the cells are susceptible to being removed by treatment.

When levels rise in the cycle, tablets of a low-dose chemotherapy drug will be taken for the next three days.

"We will test blood samples from patients to ensure the cells that need to be eliminated with chemotherapy are being targeted effectively," Professor Plebanski said.

"We also test that the cells that we want to remain unaffected by the chemotherapy are doing well. It's very important to strike balance between the cells."

The research teams believe that if this alternative scheduling of chemotherapy proves effective, it may also be translated to other forms of cancer including bowel, lung and soft-tissue cancers.

Women's Cancer Foundation board member Professor Michael Quinn, who is leading the clinical trial team, said more will be known about the effectiveness of this alternative drug scheduling in 18-months time.

The researchers are also hoping to raise $150,000 to secure the final stage of the trial.