Queensland Prostate Cancer News

16 Pages·2016·0.72 MB·English

Queensland Prostate
Cancer News
This magazine is a publication of the Queensland
Chapter, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
February 2016
The 2015 Max Gardner Award recipients
In December, the Queensland Chapter
of PCFA presented Max Gardner In this issue
Awards to two Chapter members,
Jim Hope and Fred Travis. Both men 2 Calendar of Events 2016
were acknowledged for their enduring 3 Psychological Distress of Advanced
efforts and dedication that have helped Prostate Cancer
many men and their families deal with 5 Targeted Imaging & Therapy for
Prostate Cancer
prostate cancer, while raising community
awareness of this disease. 7 Prostatectomy & Post-operative
Issues
PCFA established the Max Gardner Award 9 Stopping the Spread of Prostate
to ensure that the dedicated work of Cancer
former PCFA Chair, the late Max Gardner 10 What Is a Man?
AM, is remembered. The award honours 11 Intermittent ADT
Max by acknowledging men who, like 12 Hypofractionated EBRT for Low Risk
him, are committed to raising prostate Tumours
cancer awareness, promoting research 13 Family History & Prostate Cancer
Jim Hope
and supporting both men and their Penile Curvature: Correction
families affected by prostate cancer. radiotherapy patients, who often need 14 Genetic Discovery – How Prostate
up to eight weeks of daily treatment. Cancer Spreads
A presentation function was held at
Victoria Park Golf Club with National Jim was a Queensland Chapter Councillor 15 News Round-up
PCFA Chairman Jim Hughes on hand to
for three years, regularly travelling to
present Jim and Fred with their awards.
Brisbane for Chapter Council meetings.
Jim Hope, together with his late wife Val He was a prime mover in establishing Fred Travis
a Northern Tablelands Prostate Cancer
and two fellow prostate cancer patients,
Support Group at Innisfail, and he
formed the Far North Queensland
continues to mentor both the Cairns and
(Cairns) Prostate Cancer Support Group
in August 2001. Over the past 14 years, Innisfail support groups.
Jim guided this increasingly popular
He was involved in appointing Far North
support group, serving as convenor for
Queensland’s first dedicated prostate
13 years.
cancer nurse, and played a pivotal role
Jim’s tireless lobbying and fundraising organising Queensland’s first regional
on behalf of prostate cancer victims conference in Cairns – a successful
has forged a strong relationship with benchmark for all ensuing Queensland
local urology and oncology specialists, meetings.
as well as visiting specialists. He played
a vital role in establishing the Liz Fred Travis was diagnosed with prostate
Plumber Cancer Centre in Cairns, which cancer about 13 years ago. Successful
enabled cancer patients to receive surgery led to a complete recovery with
treatment locally, rather than travelling no sign of recurrence. Fred has spoken
to Townsville or Brisbane for treatment. about the importance of early detection
This has been of enormous benefit for on many occasions.
Continued on page 3...
CONTRIBUTIONS from all Support Group members to the quarterly Queensland Prostate Cancer Newsletter are most welcome.
Please email items and images to [email protected]
pcfa.org.au [email protected]
The Queensland Chapter of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is grateful for the generous support of Cancer Council
Queensland in the printing of this magazine. The content of this magazine is selected by the Queensland Chapter of the PCFA.
Cancer Council Queensland does not necessarily endorse, or otherwise, any content contained within this publication.
QPCN | February 2016
Calendar of Events 2016
February 4 World Cancer Day
February Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
February Heart Research Month
March 12-15 World’s Greatest Shave fundraiser
April 7 World Health Day
Anytime BBQ for Prostate Cancer pcfa.org.au
May 26 Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea cancerqld.org.au
Anytime C-vivor (free sessions) cancerqld.org.au
Prostate Cancer Support Groups in the Queensland Chapter
There are 30 PCSGs in the Chapter with a total membership of approximately 3,700 men.
Peer Support Group Contact Phone Peer Support Group Contact Phone
Advanced (all areas) Jim Marshall 07 3878 4567 Hervey Bay Ros Male 0407 157 590
Biloela Trevor Douglas 0409 235 891 Innisfail Peter Coxen 07 4065 5070
Brisbane Peter Dornan 07 3371 9155 Ipswich Len Lamprecht 07 3281 3656
Bundaberg Rob McCulloch 07 4159 9419 Lockyer Valley Bob Stewart 0404 399 570
Capricorn Coast (Yeppoon) Jack Dallachy 07 4933 6466 Mackay Evelyn and 07 4942 0132
John Clinton
Central Queensland Gary Osmond 07 4938 4509 Maryborough Leoll Barron 07 4123 1190
(Rockhampton)
Far North Queensland Mal Fraser 0409 677 007 Moreton Bay Regional Fred Travis 07 3840 5904
(Cairns)
Far North Queensland Margaret Rolfe 07 4045 1031 North Burnett Russell Tyler 07 4161 1306
Partners
Gay/Bi/Trans David Wells 0411 081 653 North Queensland Clarke Berglin 07 4773 3303
(Townsville)
Glass House Country Bob McLean 07 5496 9601 Northern Rivers (Evening) Ray Chilton 02 6621 2053
Granite Belt Ian Robbins 0416 169 032 Northern Tablelands Peter Martin 07 4096 6315
Gold Coast Central Jeff Crane 07 5562 2578 North West Qld (Mt Isa) Greg 0477 666 108
Humphrey
Gold Coast North John Caldwell 07 5594 7317 Sunshine Coast Rob Tonge 07 5664 1318
Gold Coast Partners Kerri Caldwell 07 5594 7317 Toowoomba Doug 07 4634 4006
Meiklejohn
Gympie Keith Young 07 5484 5229 Twin Towns and Ross Davis 07 5599 7576
Tweed Coast
Associated Support Groups
Group Contact Phone Group Contact Phone
Kingaroy Robert Horn 07 4690 5800 Redcliffe Fred Travis 07 3480 5904
2
QPCN | February 2016
The 2015 Max Gardner Award recipients
(continued)
Following his diagnosis, Fred became with the Urology Department at
Remembering
a regular member of the Brisbane Redcliffe Hospital, which provides
Prostate Cancer Support Network. facilities to conduct meetings. The
In 2006, he joined PCFA Queensland group helps men and their families the life of
Chapter Council and was elected throughout the Moreton Bay
Council Secretary, a position that region, from Caboolture and Bribie
Max Gardner
he retains. His business acumen and Island to Redcliffe and Petrie.
knowledge has helped guide Council Moreton Bay Regional Council has
through substantial growth of its since come on board to assist the
Queensland Support Groups network, group and contribute to its growth. Max Gardner AM died in October
and he has established the protocols Monthly meeting are well attended 2004, aged 71. He was diagnosed with
necessary for maintaining them. by men and their partners. prostate cancer in 1995 and firmly
As a resident in Brisbane’s northern Fred is one of the longest serving believed that if the cancer had been
suburbs, Fred recognised the need active members of the Prostate diagnosed earlier he might still be
for a support group in that area, Cancer Support Network in alive. He became a tireless advocate
to help men unable to travel to Queensland, which is an incredible for early diagnosis, raising community
Brisbane for meetings. In 2012, he was effort as he has also run his own awareness about prostate cancer and
instrumental in forming the Redcliffe business during this time. promoting research into this disease.
Support Group, after negotiations He established and ran support groups,
published a newsletter and served on
Assessing the psychological numerous educational and scientific
committees.
distress of advanced
In 1996, Max founded the St Vincent’s
Prostate Cancer Support Group in
prostate cancer Sydney. In 2001, he was chairman
of PCFA’s Support and Advocacy
Committee, and in 2002 was appointed
Leah Zajdlewicz works in Cancer and assess the day-to-day a Member of the Order of Australia.
Council Queensland’s Community emotional and physical impact Cancer Council NSW awarded him
Engagement Research Team, and in of post-cancer treatments within Advocate of the Year in 2002 for his
November she spoke to the Brisbane communities. work in establishing Cancer Voices. In
Support Group about her projects 2003, Max became PCFA Chairman. In
and ongoing research – particularly the following year, he was re-appointed
the impact on men after being to the Management Committee
diagnosed with advanced prostate of the Australian Prostate Cancer
cancer. Collaboration. In 2004, he joined the
National Advisory Council on Suicide
Leah joined Cancer Council Prevention.
Queensland in 2010 and as a
registered psychologist she looks at
ways to understand and assist with
the impact of cancer. She manages
psycho-oncology research projects
about the effects of cancer on an
individual’s psychological health,
and the social and behavioral factors
affecting the disease’s progression.
Leah is coordinating a community-
based research project on
survivorship to identify and address
disparities in cancer control Leah Zajdlewicz
Continued on page 4...
3
QPCN | February 2016
In Australia, about 120,000 men study and research aims to define prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment
have prostate cancer, and while the long-term QoL and psychological or post-treatment problems, the
most are diagnosed with localised outcomes after advanced prostate Cancer Council’s support and
prostate cancer, between 20-30 per cancer is diagnosed. Areas being information service is available by
cent progress to locally advanced or measured include psychological phoning 13 11 20 or by visiting the
metastatic disease. distress, treatment distress and website cancerqld.org.au
QoL. The methodology includes
A locally advanced tumour has spread analysis of data obtained as part The following four slides chart the
beyond the prostatic capsule but is of a larger longitudinal study. The progress of the participants during
still confined to the prostate region. participants were 81 men with the study.
In advanced disease, the cancer has self-reported locally advanced
extended into surrounding tissue or or advanced prostate cancer
organs, or into more distant parts living in Queensland. Wellbeing
of the body. This is referred to as assessments were obtained via a
metastatic prostate cancer. questionnaire at 2, 6, 12, 24 and
36 months.
Advanced prostate cancer treatment
can consist of any or all of androgen The diagnoses were from men aged
deprivation therapy (ADT, often between 50 and 87 years, with an
referred to as hormone therapy), average of 68.4 years. At diagnosis,
immunotherapy, chemotherapy, PSA readings were between 0.3
radiotherapy, or the use of other and 630.0, with an average of 44.6;
drugs to slow or curtail tumour 5 per cent had a Gleason Score of
growth. Treatment side effects are 6 or less, while 41 per cent had a
well documented but are outlined in Gleason 7 and 54 per cent were in
the following slide. the 8-10 range; 95 per cent had ADT
as part or all of their treatment,
59 per cent external beam
radiotherapy and 20 per cent
brachytherapy; 37 per cent
had only mono-therapy, 36 per
cent had two types of therapy
and 27 per cent had three. In
personal records, 80 per cent
of the men were in a
relationship, 52 per cent had
trade or tertiary qualifications,
68 per cent were retired and
62 per cent had either private
health insurance or DVA.
Many studies comparing men with
localised prostate cancer to those with The study was limited by a small
advanced disease show that the last sample size and participants were
group experiences a reduced quality generally Caucasian, well educated
of life (QoL). Apart from treatment and in heterosexual relationships.
side effects, men often experience However, results showed that a
considerable psychological distress substantial proportion of men
stemming from uncertainty and lack of were still classified as distressed
input about treatment decisions. Many at 36 months and experienced
feel confused about their future, and a sustained decrease in their
would have preferred more information QoL, indicating the need for
and guidance at the time of diagnosis psychological service delivery for
about their path ahead. Treatment men in this situation. The study
regrets were reported by 23 per cent also showed that at the time of
of men, and their poor QoL scores diagnosis, patients would benefit
showed greater levels of distress, from better education about their
worse self-image ratings and negative disease, possible treatment choices
feelings about their masculinity. and medical management.
The Cancer Council Queensland For any men concerned with their
4
QPCN | February 2016
Explaining targeted imaging and therapy
for prostate cancer
Professor Pamela Russell has made a by PCFA in 2010, she received New therapies for
significant contribution to Australian the inaugural Prostate Cancer
and international medical research, advanced prostate
Researcher of the Year Award. In
particularly in the field of oncology
2015, she became a Fellow of the
– and in December she gave a cancer continue
presentation to the Brisbane Support Australian Academy of Health and
Group summarising current imaging Medical Sciences. to target androgen
and therapy for prostate cancer.
In her presentation to the Brisbane signalling pathways
support group, Professor Russell
emphasised that prostate cancer is
the most common, non-preventable (CRPC). Studies by Professor Colleen
cancer in Australian men, but in Nelson at the Prostate Cancer
spite of aggressive therapy, more Research Institute (Queensland)
than 3000 Australian men die of the have shown that these cancers
disease each year. are capable of producing their
own androgens, which occur from
Early prostate cancer, which is
hypersensitivity to androgen-
confined to the gland, is treatable
resistant gene amplification, and
by surgery or radiation with a high
mutations that permit activation by
rate of cure, although in some cases
other androgens/steroid hormones
the cancer can progress to more
to increase tumour growth and
aggressive disease or recur after
survival.
treatment.
Professor Pamela Russell AM This mechanism has been the
Prostate tumour cells require
target for new CRPC treatments, as
Professor Russell was one of the the male hormone androgen illustrated in the following slide.
founders of the Urological Cancer (testosterone) to grow and function.
Research Centre at Royal Prince Treatments causing a reduction in
Alfred Hospital, and was director androgen levels (through hormone
from 1992 to 2009 while also chair or androgen
in medicine at the University of New deprivation
South Wales. therapies)
can be
She is currently Head of Biomedical successful
Imaging and Prostate Cancer in halting
Models at the Australian Prostate or slowing
Cancer Research Centre, housed tumour
within the Institute of Health and growth, but
Biomedical Innovation, which is part in some
of the Queensland University of cases the
Technology. cancer can
recur and
Professor Russell has written more
possibly
than 200 papers for international
spread.
journals, numerous books and
These are
conference presentations, and
referred to
holds two international and several
as castrate-
provisional patents. In 2005, she
resistant
became a Member of the Order of
prostate
Australia, and at the International
cancers
Prostate Cancer Conference hosted
Continued on page 5...
5
QPCN | February 2016

This strategy has produced several Abiraterone Acetate is FDA Dovitinib (TK1258) An inhibitor
new therapies for treating CRPC. approved and produces an of FGFR in Phase II trials in men
Only a decade ago, chemotherapy irreversible inhibition of the after the failure of docetaxel
(docetaxel) was a man’s last tumour’s ability to synthesise chemotherapy. Not approved for
line of defense if his advanced androgen. Approved for use in Australian use.
prostate cancer became castrate Australia.
Cabozantinib (XL184) An inhibitor
resistant. If chemotherapy failed,
palliative care was the next MDV3100 (enzalutamide) FDA of c-MET currently in Phase II/III
option. approved for post-docetaxel use, clinical trials in men with CRPC
it is an AR antagonist preventing and who have been previously
There are now more options if nuclear translocation and treated with chemo, abiraterone
chemotherapy is unsuccessful or binding to chromatin. Available acetate or MDV3100. Clinical trials
unable to be used – with some in Australia but PBS Authority
underway in Australia.
being approved and others still in required.
Details of clinical trials can be
obtained by visiting
www.australianclinicaltrials.gov.au
Along with new and emerging
therapies, a new imaging method
with improved tumour specificity
and sensitivity is needed to give
a more accurate diagnosis and
better assessment of possible
response to therapy.
At present, Transrectal Ultrasound
Guided Prostate Biopsy (TRUS
Biopsy) has limited sensitivity.
While transperineal biopsies may
show a slight improvement over
TRUS, both can miss cancer foci
and anterior tumours. Following
a radical prostatectomy, men
with insignificant prostate cancer
clinical trials.
at biopsy can often show a worse
Docetaxel is an FDA approved BAZ235 is in Phase I/II clinical disease.
chemotherapy agent which shows trials in combination with
Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance
an overall survival benefit and abiraterone acetate to inhibit
Imaging (mpMRI) can improve
palliation of cancer-associated P13K. Results are pending. Not
diagnosis and define areas where
symptoms. Approved for use is available in Australia.
Australia for CRPC. biopsies should be taken, including
RAD001 (everolimus) is in Phase anterior tumours, but still have low
Cabazitaxel, also a chemo agent II clinical trials in combination tumour specificity and sensitivity.
is FDA approved for use after the with bicalutamide as an inhibitor
failure of docetaxel with similar of mTOR. PBS Authority required Newly developed biocompatible
out comes. Approved for use after in Australia. iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles
failure of docetaxel. (MNPs), together with J591 (an
Alpharadin (Radium 223) is an
antibody to an extracellular epitope
Sipuleucel-T (Provenge) is an alpha emitter which selectively
of Prostate Specific Membrane
immunotherapy drug used to targets bone metastases.
Antigen), are being investigated at
enhance a man’s immune system Phase III clinical trials are being
QUT to enhance MRI of preclinical
to recognize and induce cytotoxic conducted in men who were not
prostate cancer. The MNPs are
response against prostate cancer eligible to receive, or declined
readily taken up by the tumour cells
cells. It is FDA approved. Not to have, docetaxel. Clinical trials
and the superparamagnetism causes
approved in Australia. underway in Australia.
a darkening effect on the magnetic
Continued on page 7...
6
QPCN | February 2016

resonance images, which improves with a recurrence or undetected
visualisation. metastases.
The MNPs are non-toxic to These imaging techniques can
prostate cancer cells, and after be verified in dogs with late-
MNP-J591 treatment there is a stage prostate cancer, allowing
high iron accumulation in human more advanced toxicology,
PSMA+prostate cancer cells. Work pharmacokinetic and imaging
carried out with mice models studies to help gain
shows improved MRI detection of TGA approval and The Brisbane Prostate Cancer Support
human prostate cancers grown subsequent translation Group has organised several significant guest
in mice. As the MNPs are safe to the clinic. speakers for 2016:
on normal prostate and prostate
For a video of • February 10 at 7pm: Dr Sally-Anne
cancer cells, and because of
Professor Russell’s talk Stephenson, from the School of Biomedical
the J591-MNP increased iron
and full slide show Sciences’ IHBI and TRI, speaking on
uptake by the cancer cells, PSMA-
presentation go to “EPHective targeting of prostate cancer”.
targeting MNPs have the potential
www.jimjimjimjim.
to enhance MRI diagnoses of • March 9 at 9.30am: Dr Jane Turner,
com/videoresearch-
primary lesions as well as psychiatrist from the University of
report-dec-2015.html
metastases. Queensland, speaking on “Coping with a
diagnosis of Prostate Cancer”.
Other research being carried
out uses PSMA-targeting • May 11 at 9.30am: Dr Bryan Burmeister,
hyperbranched polymers (HBPs), radiation oncologist at PAH and Wide Bay,
and comparing the PSMA- speaking on “Updates in Radiation Oncology”.
targeting efficacy of three HBPs
to image prostate cancer. In
vitro studies show that HPB- Prostatectomy and
peptide and HPB-J591 can image
PSMA+prostate cancer cells; in
post-operative issues
vivo work shows that HBP-peptide
imaged pre-formed human
PSMA+prostate cancers grown in
Urologist Dr Greg
mice.
Dr Greg Malone (R) with Brisbane
Malone, who is well
Support Group Member Ian Smith
Therefore, HBP-peptide has the known to many
potential to enhance prostate Queensland Support
cancer detection and localisation, Group members,
improving patient management offers this practical
and, importantly, the addition of advice about post-
drugs to HBP-peptide would allow operative issues that
prostate cancer-targeting therapy. may occur after a
prostatectomy.
PSMA-PET (positron emission
tomography) imaging in prostate Dr Malone is an
cancer patients has shown a authoritative voice
promising ability to detect on such matters,
metastatic lesions in men with as he has a special
biochemical recurrence, even interest in prostate
with low PSA levels (58.3 per cent cancer and pelvic
and 85.9 per cent for detection uro-oncology, laparoscopy and
centers, and in 2002 undertook post-
rate for PSA 0.5-1.0 and 2.1-5.0 prosthetic surgery.
fellowship training at the prestigious
ng/ml respectively) and lymph
Institute for Urology and Nephrology
After graduating from the University
node involvement. These results
in London. He commenced
of Queensland in 1992, Dr Malone
may enable early changes in
consultant urological practice with
continued further medical training in
disease management for men
the Brisbane Urology Clinic in 2003.
Brisbane and regional Queensland
Continued on page 8...
7
QPCN | February 2016
Other than active surveillance, may include pills, vacuum pumps or considered. This device is surgically-
treatment for localised prostate penile injections. implanted while the patient is
cancer is predominantly done under a general anaesthetic, and
Continence problems immediately
surgically, with a radical comprises a cuff placed around the
after a prostatectomy are also
prostatectomy. Robot-assisted urethra/bladder neck, a reservoir
normal. Many men will be dry
prostatectomies are now more implanted in the lower pelvic area
within two to three months, but
common that open surgery, ensuring and a pump in the scrotum. In
if a problem still exists at 12
faster recovery times and usually normal mode, the cuff closes tightly
months, medical intervention may
earlier catheter removal. However, around the urethra, preventing any
be needed.
while robotic surgery is now well urine leakage. When urination is
established and has impressive required, the pump is activated and
Incontinence can be easily measured
long-term results, the post-operative liquid moves from the cuff to the
and classified. Sanitary pads can be
problems of continence and erectile reservoir, releasing pressure on the
weighed when dry and then after
function issues still remain. urethra and allowing the bladder to
use to calculate the amount of urine
empty. Once empty, liquid flows in
leakage. If at 12 months the figure is
Erectile dysfunction immediately
the opposite direction and closes
100g/day or less, your incontinence
after a prostatectomy is normal,
the cuff. These hydraulic units are
is rated as low or negligible.
but while some men regain
reliable and worth considering if
Between 100-400g per day shows
erections relatively soon, others
other methods do not succeed.
intermediate incontinence and
do not and intervention may be
400g-plus is regarded as severe
required. For those involved in Regular pelvic floor exercises are
incontinence.
an intimate relationship before extremely important to help regain
surgery, the loss of erectile normal urinary continence. They
For those with low/negligible
function can cause distress and should begin as soon as a patient
incontinence (one pad per day), men
psychological problems. While the decides to have a prostatectomy
may prefer to keep using pads, or
man has the disease, the couple – as long as possible before the
use an Urodome, a condom-like tube
must cope with outcome together. surgery – and continue after
that fits over the penis and allows
catheter removal.
urine to drain into a leg bag.
Queensland Prostate Cancer News
has covered penile rehabilitation Men have two sphincter muscles
Those men with an intermediate-
in several editions during 2015: that control urine flow but they lose
to-severe rating may benefit from
February – Dr Michael Gillman one during a prostatectomy, so it’s
medical intervention. Urethral
on Erectile Dysfunction and important to keep the remaining
bulking agents can help to bulk
Rehabilitation; May – Preserving muscle and pelvic floor muscles in
up a sphincter that is leaking
Intimacy After Prostate Cancer; good working order.
due to damage during surgery or
August – Dr Bashir-Elahi on
weaknesses. Macroplastique (also
If you are uncertain about
Understanding Post-Surgical Penile
known as collagen) can be injected
the correct way to do pelvic
Problems, and a story titled Life
into the sphincter, and good
floor exercises, consult a
Goes On: The Importance of
results have been recorded. The
physiotherapist who specialises
Sexual Health.
process may need to be repeated
in this area. Cancer Council
in time, but it’s a minimally
To reinforce the facts, it’s Queensland and PCFA have
invasive procedure.
important to remember the use- excellent publications available
it-or-lose-it message, and consider on the subject (find contact
Slings offer another way to prevent
intervention so that things get details in the Resources section
leakage. The bladder drops after
back on track as soon as possible. of this publication), or read
the prostate is removed and
This can begin immediately after Peter Dornan’s book, Conquering
an implanted sling bolsters the
catheter removal. Incontenence: A New and Physical
bladder neck, giving effective
Approach to a Freer Lifestyle.
results. Sling technology has
It’s worth discussing penile
improved and modern slings
rehabilitation with a medical • For further information,
elevate the pelvic floor to support
professional knowledgeable in contact Dr Malone at the
the sphincter muscle.
men’s health issues or with one of Brisbane Urology Clinic (phone
the growing number of specialist 07 3830 3330), or its offices in
For more severe incontinence, an
prostate cancer nurses. Therapy Bundaberg and Rockhampton.
artificial urinary sphincter can be
8
QPCN | August 2015
Collaborators work to stop spread of
prostate cancer
Understanding the spread of cancer has developed 3D models of tissue- PCFA and Toowoomba’s It’s a Bloke
and how to best treat patients engineered bone to accurately Thing Foundation in April.
requires teams of researchers with mimic how cancer cells invade
Professor Clements has been
specialist knowledge and state-of- bones. The models enable the
recognised for her work, receiving a
the-art facilities. Award-winning study of various cells to determine
Companion of the Order of Australia
Institute of Health and Biomedical their potential roles in cancer
for her outstanding contribution to
Innovation researcher Distinguished development, progression, diagnosis
biomedical research and success
Professor Judith Clements has and treatment.
generating funds to establish vital
access to both, and part of her
Ultimately, the team aims to find national medical research facilities.
current focus is on metastasis – the
a way to block proteins that may
spread of cancer within the body.
trigger bone metastasis, which is the About the Australian
Professor Clements heads a secondary form of prostate cancer
Prostate Cancer
multidisciplinary team based at the that most commonly proves fatal.
Australian Prostate Cancer Research
Research Centre –
Bone metastasis is the typical
outcome of advanced prostate
Queensland
cancer but Professor Clements says
little is known of the underlying
mechanisms. “Our research aims Established in 2008 as a joint-
to determine the roles of prostate- initiative of IHBI and the Princess
specific antigen (PSA), a protein Alexandra Hospital, the Australian
produced by prostate cells, and Prostate Cancer Research Centre
Kallikrein proteases, enzymes that – Queensland is led by Professor
break down protein,” she says. “We Colleen Nelson. The centre
are investigating if there are genetic is modeled on the successful
changes in the Kallikrein genes that Vancouver Prostate Center at
may be predictors of prostate or Vancouver General Hospital, and
ovarian cancer.” researchers focus exclusively on
prostate cancer in a multidisciplinary
PSA and other members of the
framework that integrates research
Kallikrein protease family are known
activities from discovery through to
to be present as biomarkers, pointing
clinical trials.
to the presence of cancer and
making them a potential target for
About the
diagnosis and therapeutic treatment.
Translational
Professor Judith Clements The team is examining substrates
on which the enzyme acts. This Reseach Institute
Centre – Queensland, which is part work involves collaborations with
of Institute of Health and Biomedical colleagues in the US, Canada, UK
Innovation at the Translational and Europe. Professor Clements The Translational Research Institute
Research Institute in Princess plays a key leadership role, being is an Australian initiative of bench-
Alexandra Hospital. The team is chair of the Australian Prostate to-bedside medical research. The
studying the spread of prostate Cancer Bioresource, which is the institute combines clinical and
cancer to the bone and the role that national prostate cancer tissue translational research to help
proteins play in both progressing and bank that collects, interprets the progress from laboratory
potentially blocking the cancer. and distributes prostate cancer discovery to application in the
tissues and other clinical samples
community. The founding partners
Drawing on the expertise of
for research use in Australia and
are Queensland University of
geneticists, molecular biologists and
overseas. The bioresource received
Technology, The University
mechanical engineers, the team
a $200,000 combined donation from
of Queensland, the Mater
Continued on page 10...
9
QPCN | August 2015
Medical Research Institute and obesity, with the aim of enhancing The Quest:
Queensland Health. Incorporating prevention and treatment.
biopharmaceutical manufacturing at
What is a
• This article first appeared in
the institute enables the discovery,
the OCT15 issue of Advances: the
production, clinical testing and
QUTihbi Newsletter Man?
manufacture of new treatments and
vaccines in one location.
The institute’s collective expertise
These thoughts about
will work on both common and
serious diseases, including cancer, masculinity are offered
diabetes, inflammatory disease, HIV, by physiotherapist Peter
malaria, bone and joint disease and
Dornan AM, founder and
convener of the Brisbane
International medical
Prostate Cancer Support
Group.
conferences come to
Brisbane Peter Dornan
AM
Two major international medical advanced prostate cancer in certain
conferences were held in Brisbane circumstances.
during November – Immunotherapy@
The Prostate Cancer Research 2015
Brisbane and the Prostate Cancer
Symposium, held at the Translational
Collaborative Research 2015
Research Institute in Wooloongabba,
Symposium.
addressed a wide range of innovative
Immunotherapy@Brisbane, held prostate cancer treatments, plus
at the Brisbane Convention & the research and development of
At a recent scientific symposium
Exhibition Centre, focused on the therapies targeting advanced and
in Brisbane highlighting research
emerging and clinical applications metastatic disease.
into men’s health and prostate
of immunotherapy for cancer,
cancer, some universal questions
Held over four days, the symposium
infectious diseases, autoimmune
were asked: "Why don't men look
covered the progress and future
disorders, transplantation,
after their health better?" "Why
direction of many treatment options,
inflammation, immune deficiency
must men appear to be invincible,
with possible new biomarkers, drugs
and infectious diseases.
invulnerable, stoic, never wrong and
and therapies hoping to tame
always-in-charge?" "Why do men give
Immunotherapy (sometimes called prostate cancer.
the impression they have their heads
immunotherapy vaccines) involves
Professor Colleen Nelson hosted an in the sand concerning questions
taking blood and other samples
open prostate cancer research forum related to their health?"
from patients whose immune
on the final day of the symposium,
system cannot recognise or deal
These questions are relevant even
addressing contemporary issues
with a paticular disease. Samples
for younger men: more than 40 per
and advanced prostate cancer
are modified in the laboratory and
cent of men aged over 40 suffer
management. The forum also covered
taught to deal with the offending
serious health problems, including
the role of exercise and nutrition, the
disease, then re-injected back
heart disease, stroke and cancer.
use of complementary therapies and
into the patient to boost their
natural health products, and nursing
immune system and help fight the However, understanding the basis
and palliative care.
offending cells. for these questions isn’t easy. It’s
necessary to go back about two
Presentations from Movember and
This cutting-edge technology
million years.
TrueNth explained their support for
is of particular interest to
research, awareness and individual
prostate cancer patients after Early in the Pleistocene era, our
patient assistance relating to men’s
USFDA approval of Provenge, an ancestors (homo erectus) formed
health issues.
immunotherapy vaccine for treating nomadic hunter-gatherer tribes in
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