ACRF funding enables access to state-of-the-art imaging technology set to improve immunotherapy effectiveness and reduce toxicity currently experienced in up to 30% of patients 

Alfred Health and Monash University awarded $2 million to establish The ACRF Centre of Dynamic Immuno-Oncology

Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) has awarded a $2 million grant to Alfred Health and Monash University to establish the ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology in the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre at The Alfred. This groundbreaking project aims to transform cancer immunotherapy by leveraging advanced imaging technologies to monitor immune responses in real time. 

Immunotherapy approaches, such as immune checkpoint blockade, CAR-T, and BiTE therapies are revolutionising cancer care for many patients. However, their effectiveness is often unpredictable and severe side effects are experienced in up to 30 percent of patients. 

The ACRF Centre aims to address this key challenge and will leverage the state-of-the-art total-body Quadra PET/CT imaging technology for which the Australian Government and Victorian Government announced funding support earlier this year. This class-leading CT imaging will make it possible to monitor immune responses in cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy for research.  

By tracking the migration, proliferation, and interactions of immune cells with tumour cells, researchers will gain critical insights into how these therapies work at the cellular level and help to identify biomarkers that predict treatment outcomes and side effects. 

Essentially, the ACRF Centre will help researchers: 

• Gain insight into how a patient’s immune system is responding to treatment. 

• Predict and manage immune-related toxicities by identifying early signs of side effects or neurotoxicity from CAR-T therapies. 

• Tailor immunotherapy approaches based on an individual’s immune response, potentially improving outcomes and reducing unnecessary side effects. 

Professor Mark Shackleton, Director of Oncology at Alfred Health and Chief Investigator, said this project will place Australia at the forefront of global cancer immunology research.  

“By combining advanced imaging technology with cutting-edge tools to study cancer immunology at a cellular level, we will gain unprecedented insights into how immunotherapies work, ushering innovations and a new era in cancer treatment.” 

“Cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy will benefit from more personalised treatments that are tailored to their unique immune responses. Our real-time monitoring will not only improve the effectiveness of these therapies but also help identify and prevent potentially debilitating side effects before they occur, bringing safer treatments and better outcomes,”  

Australian Cancer Research Foundation CEO, Kerry Strydom, said ACRF is proud to back this impactful research which has the potential to reshape cancer treatment. 

“ACRF supports innovation that leads to better ways to prevent, detect and treat all cancers. With immunotherapy regarded as a way forward for effective cancer treatment, we anticipate a lifesaving impact from the ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology.” 

“I would like to acknowledge the funding received from our collaborators. National Imaging Facility will contribute $0.7 million of operating costs at the ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology, under the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).” 

National Imaging Facility CEO, Prof Wojtek Goscinski, said, “The National Imaging Facility will integrate the cutting-edge total-body PET/CT scanner into Australia’s advanced imaging network. This initiative will create a unique national-scale total body PET/CT network for clinical trials, offering a vital asset for both research and industry to advance the development of new cancer treatments, including new immunotherapies.” 

Read more about the new research facility here.