World-first Aussie trial helps immune system detect dormant cancer cells

A world-first clinical trial in Queensland is hoping a successful brain cancer drug can help people fighting one of the deadliest forms of breast cancer.

Researchers found combining immunotherapy with the existing drug, called Paxalisib, helped to rewire dormant cancer cells, making them visible to the immune system to help it fight the disease.

Queensland Institute of Medical Research professor Sudha Rao said the drug provided hope for people with metastatic triple negative breast cancer, which is the most aggressive form of breast cancer.

“Unfortunately it impacts mainly the younger women … [but] what we have uncovered for the first time is this novel combination therapy that we believe will give real hope to these patients where there’s minimal treatment options available,” she said.

Breast cancer survivor Tricia Mahoney has been in remission for more than a decade but still fears the disease could return.

“It’s always there, its always in the back of your mind,” she said.

Kazia Therapeutics chief executive John Friend said if successful, the trial could be a turning point in treatment for aggressive cancers.

“The design of Paxalisib was to focus on its inherent ability to cross the blood-brain barrier,” Friend said.

In another first, researchers will be able to track the results in real time using a groundbreaking non-invasive liquid biopsy developed by researchers in the Queensland lab.

“You want to be able to know whether your treatment is working in real time rather than wait for a scan three to six months later,” Rao said.

To join the clinical trial, patients are urged to speak with their oncologist.