Researcher receives $480,000 funding boost from Cancer Council WA

A leading researcher from the Institute for Respiratory Health has successfully secured a $480,000 Cancer Council WA Research Fellowship that will benefit people with difficult-to-treat cancers like lung cancer and asbestos-induced cancer, mesothelioma.

Professor Jenette Creaney, scientific director at the National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases and researcher at UWA’s School of Biomedical Sciences will lead the four-year research project.

“Lung cancer is Australia’s biggest cancer killer, killing more Australians than breast and bowel cancers combined. And Western Australia (WA) has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, so I’m thrilled that my research has received this vital funding.

“I would like to thank Cancer Council WA for supporting and funding my research,” Professor Creaney said.

“Modern cancer treatments are highly successful in some people, but not the majority of people.

“At present, I am testing the safety and practicality of a personalised vaccine approach by understanding and enhancing the ability of the body’s immune system to recognise and attack tumour cells.

“This funding will enable me to continue the vital laboratory research underpinning the current clinical trial and also help towards expanding to the next phase of clinical trials.

“It’s incredibly exciting to lead essential research like this right here in WA with clinicians and scientists from across Australia,” Professor Creaney said.

Cancer Council WA Cancer Prevention and Research Director, Melissa Ledger, said the Research Fellowships were based on merit, so it was exciting to see the funding being directed into the treatment of lung cancer and mesothelioma.

“These cancers have very poor outcomes with more than 80 per cent of people with lung cancer and 95 per cent of people with mesothelioma dying within five years of diagnosis, so we are thrilled this Fellowship will go towards helping people with these conditions respond to treatment.

“We would like to congratulate Professor Jenette Creaney for being awarded a Cancer Council WA Research Fellowship,” Ms Ledger said.

Photo compliments – University of Western Australia.