Oncology clinical trials offer patients access to cutting-edge treatments and leading experts in cancer care

Cabrini is dedicated to providing oncology clinical trial options to as many people as possible.

While some may still think that a clinical trial provides less than optimal care than what they would normally receive, or it puts them at risk of missing out on the best option for life saving care, it is quite the opposite. Participating in an oncology trial means you will receive equal, if not more valuable, care. There are no placebos in oncology trials, you will always receive treatment, either the new trial drug, or the currently approved therapy for a patient’s cancer type.

The new advances in oncology therapeutics means treatments are being designed to be more targeted to cancer cells, and cause less off-target damage (less damage to normal cells). They are being developed to have greater effects on cancer cells at lower doses, to harness a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer cells, to be more targeted to specific tumour cell types, and cause less side effects providing a better quality of life for patients. All of these advanced qualities are rigorously examined in clinical trials.

Being a part of a clinical trial is usually the only way to gain early access to newly advanced therapeutics that are not yet available to the general public. This becomes absolutely critical when all other options for a patient have been exhausted. The latest advances in therapies are often not available as part of normal care for many years. Early access provided through clinical trials can be life-saving in many cases, and allows patients to access new drugs when they need it the most in their journey. Being a part of a clinical trial also allows patients to play an active role in their health and treatment. An oncologist will discuss all the benefits and risks of being involved.

Being part of a clinical trial at Cabrini also means being looked after by leading experts in cancer care. An integral part of this team of experts is the clinical trial study coordinator team. Working side-by-side with the lead oncologists, they are a source of expert knowledge on the trial and are responsible for running the trial according to the study protocol. They also play an important role in the patients experience on clinical trial, being a constant support and point of contact for patients during their trial journey.

Micheleine Uhe joined the clinical trial study coordinator team in March 2022 as the new Team Manager. Micheleine comes to us with a wealth of experience in leading clinical trial teams, having led the highly active haematology trials unit at Monash Health through significant growth over five years, along with a further five years as a senior clinical trial study coordinator. She understands what it takes to run a successful trials unit and what is needed to be able to offer more trials to patients.

Micheleine truly believes that patient knowledge is powerful, and says that more patients would probably ask about joining trials if they understood the benefits.

“Patient knowledge and having the courage to start a conversation with their doctor or oncologist about whether a clinical trial is an option for them is going to be a very important part of growth in clinical trials. There are so many benefits to being on clinical trial, and we want to ensure every patient is aware of their options.” Micheleine says.

“In oncology research we are a busy, thriving clinical trials unit, offering a broad range of studies for our patients. We want to continue to grow and be able to offer more trials to more patients. We are constantly striving to improve our service in order to maintain our high standards of patient care.”

Rochelle Woods has been with the clinical trial study coordinator team since 2019 and took on the role of Business Manager in November 2021. This is an integral role that ensures the financial viability of Cabrini’s connections with pharmaceutical companies who provide access to the latest therapeutics. Her role is also paramount in ensuring our patients are provided with financial support to enter a trial, in most cases eliminating out-of-pocket costs and providing support for travel costs. With extensive experience in leading clinical trials as a senior study coordinator for the past four years, Rochelle also coordinates higher profile clinical trials that require a greater level of study coordinator oversight for patient safety.

Rochelle says people’s cancer experiences, their personal stories and journeys really inspire her to give everything she can to her role.

“I have an incredibly deep respect for our patients, they go through so much in their cancer journey, and yet stay so strong. It is really inspiring, and it drives us to want to provide the best possible treatment options for them in a safe, caring and compassionate environment,” says Rochelle.

Rochelle feels privileged that her role also allows her to work with another key stakeholder in clinical trials, the pharmaceutical companies.

“Relationship management is everything. We aim to establish strong connections with pharma companies, their expertise in drug development and willingness to work with us is absolutely critical. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to run the clinical trials that gives our patients access to the latest cutting-edge therapeutics.

“Clinical trials are most successful when there is engagement, collaboration and understanding between everyone involved. From the patients, the trials team, the clinicians, hospital services, research services and pharma companies, everyone plays a key role. By working together we can be extremely successful and offer more patients more options.”

More trials to offer more patients more options

The oncology clinical trials unit has been incredibly busy over the past year. Thirty-one new trials have opened to patient recruitment in the past 12 months, offering patients a range of new targeted therapies and immunotherapy options. The phase I program, representing trials in the earliest stages of testing new therapeutics, many for the first time in humans, has significantly expanded and now represents about 45 per cent of the trials portfolio. While only in early stages of testing, phase

I trials are incredibly safe, being conducted under the highest level of scrutiny and involving a much greater level of clinical review to ensure the safety of all patients. As early stage trials examining newly designed therapeutics, all patients receive the new therapy, and the trials are often open to a large range of tumour types, providing opportunities for a greater number of patients.

The goal is to continue to expand the trials portfolio to ensure Cabrini can offer early access to new cutting-edge therapeutics for more patients. Being able to give patients more choices in their cancer treatment, especially for those who have exhausted all options, or those who have rare tumours with limited options available, is our priority. The Cabrini clinical trial study coordinator team is well structured to accommodate this future growth. Mentorship and training, specialised support roles and streamlined methods are key elements that will ensure they continue to be successful in the incredibly important role they play in clinical trials at Cabrini.