Thanks to the generosity of the donors, these studies will enhance clinical practice, support clinicians to strengthen their research expertise, and deliver benefits for patients living with cancer.
ICF is a not-for-profit independent charity that works with Icon Cancer Centre Australia’s clinicians and researchers to support cancer research and trials.
The first project explores whether artificial intelligence (AI) transcription can collect consenting patients’ information to develop a research ready database.
The project brings clinicians from Icon Cancer Centre Kurralta Park, Windsor Gardens in Adelaide and Hobart, Tasmania together to analyse real-world treatment results, aiming to guide better clinical decisions.
Lead investigator and Icon’s Group Director of Research (Medical Oncology and Haeamtology), Dr Craig Gedye says the pilot attempts to make a small but important shift in how research can be done within everyday practice.
“Every patient encounter becomes a learning opportunity,” Dr Gedye said.
“If we can use AI to collect accurate data it will allow us to understand what’s working, where we can improve, and how care can evolve, just by using the information we already collect.”
By reducing the cost and workload of data collection, the project aims to make research and clinical trials part of standard care.
A successful pilot will lead to being able to share this infrastructure across the Icon network, help clinicians rapidly test new ideas, track patient outcomes and improve treatment pathways.
Another grant was awarded to an Icon Cancer Centre South Brisbane and Wesley-based team who will develop Icon’s first comprehensive database for patients receiving cellular therapies, including autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplants, CAR T-cell therapy and referrals, and therapeutic apheresis.
As cellular therapies continue to advance, the team recognises the need for a single data platform to ensure robust, high-quality research, effective monitoring, and reliable benchmarking.
Project lead and Icon’s Deputy Director of Cellular Therapy, Dr Karthik Nath says the database could be a turning point in how cellular therapy outcomes are understood in private healthcare.
“This will allow us to track real-world results, share findings, and identify potential ways to further improve patient care,” he said.
“Ultimately, it will guide improvements that help patients undergoing cellular therapies to receive the best possible outcomes.”
The system will support clinical studies, operational improvements, and the development of new treatment pathways that evolve as evidence grows.
A third grant has been awarded to Radiation Oncologist, Dr Angela Allen, who will lead the first national study investigating whether more modern breast-conserving surgical techniques impact the ability to deliver a boost to the tumour bed.
For young and higher risk patients with breast cancer, delivering an additional targeted dose to the tumour bed (“a boost”), reduces the risk of recurrence within the breast.
Although newer surgical techniques improve cosmetic outcomes, it can make it harder to identify and deliver a boost to the tumour bed.
“We need to understand if modern breast-conserving surgical techniques are impacting on the ability to deliver a treatment that reduces a patient’s risk of breast cancer recurrence,” Dr Allen said.
The study could help influence clinical practice and ensure that emerging surgical advances continue to work hand-in-hand with the most effective radiation treatment.
Congratulations to everyone on receiving these grants and thank you for your contribution to research and the future of cancer care.
These projects reflect ICF’s and Icon’s commitment to supporting research that helps to reduce the global cancer burden.
Support ICF and learn more about their work at iconcancerfoundation.org.au.
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