Medicus April 2016

N E W S

NEW CANCER TREATMENT RECEIVES PROOF OF CONCEPT FUNDING

A NEW APPROACH to treating tumours, developed at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, has received funding to explore its commercial potential. Dr Juliana Hamzah and her team developed a targeted drug to ‘soften up’ tumours, making them more vulnerable to immune cells and other anti-cancer treatments. A major hurdle for many cancer treatments is that cancerous tissue is stiffer than normal tissue, making it difficult for drugs to infiltrate tumours. Dr Hamzah said solid tumours are known to be firm and rigid, which can present a significant barrier for drug delivery. “In the case of breast cancer, for example, diseased tissue can be 10 times stiffer than normal breast, this makes it difficult to give an effective dose precisely where it is

needed,” Dr Hamzah said. She explained her new approach was significant because by softening the stiffened tumour tissue, anti‐ -cancer drugs could be delivered more effectively inside the tumour to kill cancer cells. The project has received UWA Pathfinder funding, which supports the team in demonstrating the effectiveness of the drug in pre-clinical cancer models before they partner with a pharmaceutical company to provisional patent for the drug which will protect the concept while she completes the investigation. She hopes to have the work completed by early 2017. In other news from the Perkins, Linear Clinical Research, the clinical trials arm of the Institute, has appointed a new CEO. develop the treatment further. Dr Hamzah has already filed a

Breakthrough: Dr Juliana Hamzah (extreme right) with her team (from L-R) Meenu Chopra, Yen Ling Yehow and Jenny Wang.

New Linear Clinical Research CEO, Dr Michael Winlo.

Originally from Perth, Dr Michael Winlo has spent the last six years between Silicon Valley and New York growing the health practice of the highly regarded analysis firm Palantir Technologies. He has now returned to Perth to start his new position as CEO from 4 April. ■

Making a Difference Dr Michael Gannon Continued from page 11

for prostheses are essential. Bundled payments where surgeons, Anaesthetists and assistants would have to fight over a single fee would damage collegiality and quality practice. We need to find novel ways to fund the health system. If government does not talk to the AMA and the AMA does not talk to government, we are both poorer, and it is our patients who will suffer. I am excited by the challenge of trying to win office, to make a difference in the way health is run in Australia, and the way in which the AMA relates to and negotiates with the Federal Minister. I believe I can provide high standards of leadership of the profession. I have had a successful time as Chairman of the Federal Ethics and Medicolegal Committee over the past two years. I want to see medical ethics and professionalism back at the very top of the AMA agenda. The votes will be cast by the 150 or so delegates to the AMA National Conference in May. I hope that my colleagues in WA will wish me luck. ■

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