Episode Summary
In this Podcast, we talk with Prof Anna Nowak and A/Prof Steven Kao about emerging treatments for mesothelioma patients and the DREAM3R trial. Australia has one of the highest incidence rates of mesothelioma in the world. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that most often affects the thin linings of the organs in the chest (pleura) and abdomen (peritoneum). Mesothelioma is closely linked with asbestos exposure either at work or among family members of workers and people living in neighbourhoods near asbestos factories and mines. The risk is lifelong.
TOGA, the Thoracic Oncology Group of Australasia, is working to positively change the outcome for patients with mesothelioma through an innovative clinical trials program and by providing medical education & awareness.
In a successful partnership spanning US, Australia and New Zealand, TOGA investigators are collaborating with PrECOG and NHMRC CTC and have opened a Phase III trial called DREAM3R investigating the addition of immunotherapy to chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed malignant pleural mesothelioma. Australia has one of the highest incidence rates of mesothelioma in the world, and new promising therapies are desperately needed. The DREAM3R trial follows on from the exciting Phase II clinical trial results in PrECOG’s PrE0505 trial and the Australian DREAM trial that both showed early promising results with the chemotherapy and durvalumab combination.
More information on the DREAM3R trial can be found here and here.
Further trial information available here and here.
Show Hosts
This episode’s host are:
- Prof Anna Nowak, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), University of Western Australia; Director, National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases; Medical Oncologist
- A/Prof Steven Kao, Medical Oncologist, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse
