Our ‘bench to bedside’ research is saving lives

No sooner is one clinical question answered by our research, than
another arises. And so the ‘bench to bedside’ research cycle continues.

We are proud that our research and clinical teams have been at the forefront of global melanoma advances which have made the once incurable, curable.

Critical to this is our ‘bench to bedside’ research model.

Challenging clinical cases are discussed by expert clinicians at our weekly Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meeting.

These clinical challenges inform our research priorities, which in turn lead to the design and development of innovative and ground-breaking clinical trials.

Breakthrough new treatments, developed as a result of these clinical trials, then become standard practice and benefit patients across Australia and the world.

Little more than a decade ago, advanced melanoma, where disease had spread around the body, was an almost certain death sentence. Patients often passed away within months of diagnosis. Only 5% survived 5 years.

Now, thanks to our research and new treatments, including immunotherapy, more than 55% of advanced melanoma patients are effectively cured. Many thousands of lives have been saved as a result.

Our focus is now on the remaining 45% of advanced melanoma patients who either don’t respond to, or develop resistance to, the same treatments that prove life saving for others.

Melanoma Institute Australia remains a world leader in clinical trials, particularly those using immunotherapy. Immunotherapy was pioneered in melanoma first, and is now also being successfully used in other cancers like lung, kidney and a subset of breast cancers.

But why do some melanoma patients still not respond to these treatments, or why do some initially respond only to then have their cancer rapidly progress?

These are research questions, arising in our clinics, that we are desperately working to answer.

Please donate this tax time so we can continue our world-leading ‘bench to bedside’ research and ultimately save ALL lives from melanoma. Please donate using the button below, or call us on 02 9911 7266.