A new initiative has been launched to ensure that Australians with sarcoma gain access to innovative anti-cancer treatments. Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer originating in bones and soft tissues, is expected to see around 2,650 new cases annually. According to Professor David Thomas from UNSW, the survival rate for sarcoma is about 65%, highlighting the urgent need for better treatment options.
Thanks to $185 million in funding, Omico provides free genomic profiling to tailor therapies for patients. The new project aims to expand these efforts by analysing biological samples to uncover the reasons behind varying treatment results. Researchers will also explore promising proteins like B7-H3 as potential aids for sarcoma patients.
This project is inspired by the legacies of young individuals who succumbed to the disease, with support from the Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation and others. Kaela Graham-Bowman, a 29-year-old mother of two diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, has been undergoing intensive treatments for four years. After molecular testing, she has been matched with a targeted therapy and is about to participate in a drug trial.
Kaela expresses immense gratitude towards those working for improved awareness and funding for sarcoma research, proclaiming her commitment to fighting for her future and that of her children.