How We Create Change through Research
Our leading priority is to design and conduct clinical trials in lung cancer and to facilitate to lung cancer research and education for healthcare professionals.
Progress in healthcare is only made by investing in research. Research provides sound evidence upon which practitioners can base treatment decisions in future patients, and introduces new treatments. diagnostics and healthcare processes that improve the lives and survival of people living with lung cancer and mesothelioma.
TOGA’s research has provided a transformative journey for Australians diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Commencing with the ALKTERNATE and ILLUMINATE clinical trials, the successful ASPiRATION program enabled 1000 newly diagnosed metastatic NSCLC patients to access next generation sequencing (NGS) to identify actionable genomic alterations. If identified, the patient had the option to enroll on a clinical trial to provide access to a relevant, newly developed targeted therapy. The study was led by TOGA, in collaboration with Omico (Australian Genomic Cancer Medicine Centre) and the Sydney Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney.
ASPiRATION ensured equitable access to tests capable of identifying life-saving treatments for patients with rare forms of NSCLC. As well as a major advancement in research, the ASPiRATION study contributed to the feasibility of the MSAC item number for NGS in non-squamous NSCLC. Lung cancer is the first cancer to have genomic testing reimbursed by Medicare.
Inspirational Research Grant
While lung cancer remains the deadliest cancer, less than 6% of research funding goes towards thoracic cancers. To bridge this gap, TOGA’s Inspirational Research Grant creates more opportunities for tumor-specific funding and successful clinical trials.
TOGA’s Inspirational Research Grant has been created from philanthropic donations and has supported 8 research projects since its inception.
From microbiome research to resistance to immunotherapy, the Inspirational Research Grant has awarded grants to deserving and high-quality research projects.
While these grants are small, it paves the way to something bigger hoping to give lung cancer and mesothelioma patients access to life-saving treatments and world-class care.
As the leading authority in Australia and New Zealand for the study of thoracic cancers, the Thoracic Oncology Group Australasia represents the full range of professional disciplines involved in caring for patients with thoracic cancer and is dedicated to discovering better ways to diagnose, treat and support people with thoracic cancer. TOGA works collaboratively across Australia and New Zealand to inform best practice care and treatment, all with the aim to prevent and ultimately find a cure for thoracic cancer.
