Medical Oncology and Early Phase Clinical Trials

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Medical Oncology and Early Phase Clinical Trials - Research at Peter Mac

The Department of Medical Oncology runs a large clinical research program that includes clinical trials of cancer therapeutics from early phase trials to definitive phase III trials, studies exploring the clinical relevance of new biologic findings, supportive care research and familial cancer research.

Research focus

New drug development and early phase clinical trials focused on targeted therapies. Establishing benefit of new therapies in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials including investigator initiated cooperative group trials. Supportive care research including survivorship. Familial cancer including risk management and chemoprevention.

Research overview

A major component of Medical Oncology Research is the clinical trial program which focuses on the development of new cancer therapeutics. The spectrum of clinical trials extends from ‘first in man’ phase I trials to definitive phase III trials. Joint appointments with the Research Division help facilitate early drug development research, with close cooperation with the Translational Research Laboratory permitting bench to bedside research as well as the opportunity to go back to the laboratory to explore observations made in the clinic. The early phase trials involve predominantly targeted therapies, frequently requiring complex biomarker and imaging ancillary studies. Phase I trials are often conducted in collaboration with other members of The Cancer Trials Australia Phase I group working closely with pharmaceutical and biotechnology collaborators. Another area of clinical trial expertise is the study of novel therapeutics with radiation. Members of the department have key leadership and investigator roles in most of the national cooperative clinical trial groups (e.g., ANZBCTG, AGITG, ANZGOG, ASSG, ANZUP, ALTG, TROG). Several independent phase III trials run under the auspices of the cooperative groups are being led by Peter Mac medical oncologists. Members of the department also lead significant clinical research programs in the areas of familial cancer including risk management and chemoprevention, supportive care including psycho-social interventions, survivorship, and adolescent and young adult oncology.