Banking on cancer cure
Queensland researchers are now better equipped to make discoveries that could lead to the next big breakthrough in the fight against cancer.
The Wesley Research Institute’s new Clinical Trials Centre and Tissue Bank have opened, providing cancer patients and researchers with improved opportunities to find cures.
Institute director Professor Julie Campbell (pictured) said the world-class facilities, located in the grounds of the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane, were a huge boost to cancer research.
“The Tissue Bank is the largest facility of its kind in Queensland,” Professor Campbell said.
“Its state-of-the-art technology will provide state and national researchers with a greater understanding of all types of cancer and assist in the quest to unravel their cause.”
The Tissue Bank provides researchers with quality biospecimens obtained ethically from consenting patients and surgeons. Queensland is well placed as a source of such material due to its diverse population from many ethnic backgrounds.
“By providing researchers with tissue, matching blood samples and full clinical data, valuable funds will be saved, which can then be applied to further their research,” Professor Campbell said.
Dr John Lumley, a surgeon from The Wesley Hospital, said these specimens would be donated by consenting patients during the course of their normal treatment.
“I encourage patients and surgeons to support the important work of the tissue bank because everybody can play a part in the cure. Every cell contains a clue that can make a difference to tomorrow’s cancer patients,” he said.
The Clinical Trials Centre will provide resources to develop and evaluate new medical treatments and innovative clinical treatments and procedures.
Breast cancer survivor Loretta Marron has already lent her support.
“I wanted my cancer to mean something. When I heard about a clinical trial testing a new treatment for breast cancer that offered better chances of survival with less of the debilitating side effects of surgery, I knew I had to take part,” she said.
The Queensland Government contributed $1.42 million towards the construction of the Tissue Bank and $800,000 toward the Clinical Trials Centre through the Smart State Research Facilities Fund.
Website: http://www.wesleyresearch.org.au
Last reviewed 24 July 2007
