Greater Springfield patients will soon have access to groundbreaking clinical research trials of new therapies and drugs for cancer and other serious health conditions.
A clinical trials service is set to be established at the new Mater Hospital Springfield, due to open next year, to provide patients with additional and alternative treatment.
The service will be managed by Mater Research and is being launched thanks to a $975,000 Mater Foundation grant.
For Ipswich grandmother Jan Mundt, participation in a Mater Research clinical trial at Mater Hospital Brisbane was life-changing.
Diagnosed in 2018 with stage 4 metastatic lung cancer and given less than a year to live, Ms Mundt was offered a place on a clinical trial by her specialist and Mater Director of Medical Oncology, Dr Vikram Jain.
“A trial of double immunotherapy had recently become available and Jan thought it would be a good opportunity,” Dr Jain said.
“In 2018, the average survival rate of a lung cancer patient with chemotherapy alone was 12 months – and Jan is still here more than seven years later.
“The treatment that Jan underwent has since become a standard treatment on the PBS.”
Ms Mundt said her initial goal when starting the clinical trial was to see her grandson, then aged two months, start primary school.
“Not only did I walk him into school on his very first day, but I’ve also seen the arrival of another grandson who is now aged four,” she said.
“The trial was worthwhile because it could give me a longer life, but even if it didn’t, it could give researchers information that could help a lot of people in the future.
“On reflection, I think my ‘why’ - my journey, my reason – is to help others and the future of medicine so that others maybe won’t have to go through what I did.”
Mater Research Director of Clinical Research Associate Professor Lucy Burr said the new hospital provided an ideal opportunity to develop new clinical trial services and offer these to patients closer to home.
“Clinical trials are really about giving hope to people, knowing we can impact patient lives,” she said.
“Establishing a strong clinical trials model at Mater Hospital Springfield expands the current standard of care available for patients in Brisbane’s western corridor.
“We aim to replicate a similar model to that of other Mater hospitals, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence in medical research.”
While initially focusing on cancer services in partnership with Mater Cancer Care Centre Springfield, the trials will expand in line with the phased opening of Mater Hospital Springfield to include maternity, acute and chronic care.
Mater Hospital Springfield General Manager Suzanne Hawksley said the project would build on Greater Springfield’s reputation as a hub for health, education and innovation.
