A world without cancer is possible

By supporting ACRF you are Backing Brilliant research to help reach a world without cancer.

ACRF Accelerate banner ? ACRF Accelerate banner :

By supporting ACRF you are Backing Brilliant research to help reach a world without cancer.

We value your support

We are extremely thankful for the generosity of our philanthropic supporters. We are some of the way towards funding our current projects, but we need your help to reach our target.

We invite you to back brilliant cancer research with ACRF.

We value your support

We are extremely thankful for the generosity of our philanthropic supporters. We are some of the way towards funding our current projects, but we need your help to reach our target.

We invite you to back brilliant cancer research with ACRF.

What is Accelerate Why ACRF Accelerate Our projects Chat with us

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What is ACRF Accelerate?

ACRF Accelerate is our structured philanthropic initiative. ACRF Accelerate uses the generous support from people like yourself, willing to make a contribution of at least $5,000, guided by a dedicated relationship manager to back significant life-saving cancer research projects within Australia.

Why Philanthropic giving?

Philanthropic contributions are essential to accelerate progress and improve outcomes for those diagnosed with cancer. By backing brilliant cancer research through ACRF Accelerate, you are funding entire programs of pioneering cancer research.

“We know from cancer researchers that access to better technology and equipment is the key to significantly shifting the dial to improve the prevention, detection and treatment of all cancers. We look forward to working with you to secure a better future. ”

– KERRY STRYDOM, ACRF CEO

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Why ACRF Accelerate

What we fund Our unique impact model Your involvement

Researchers tell us that it’s the technology that drives the innovations and breakthroughs in cancer research. Since 1984 we have provided $184 million to 86 projects within 44 organisations through the generosity of all our supporters working together towards a world without cancer.

The ACRF Medical Research Advisory Committee comprises world-renowned scientists and clinicians who ensure only the most deserving of projects are funded. Ultimately this gives you comfort that your donation will result in real, measurable benefits for those diagnosed with or at risk of cancer.

With input from health economics specialists, we have developed a model to articulate the impact of our supported projects. This will help you understand the value of your support and how it contributes socially, scientifically and economically.

HUMAN

Those directly impacted as a result of a cancer diagnosis.

SOCIETAL

Those impacted as a result of the cancer diagnosis of a loved one or someone within their network and, more broadly, society in general.

LEVERAGE

Additional benefits from other organisations as a result of ACRF’s financial involvement.

INTELLECTUAL

New research, creation of jobs in the medical and scientific fields, and contribution to the broader economy.

HUMAN

Those directly impacted as a result of a cancer diagnosis.

SOCIETAL

Those impacted as a result of the cancer diagnosis of a loved one or someone within their network and, more broadly, society in general.

LEVERAGE

Additional benefits from other organisations as a result of ACRF’s financial involvement.

INTELLECTUAL

New research, creation of jobs in the medical and scientific fields, and contribution to the broader economy.

Customised experience and involvement

With a minimum contribution of $5,000 you can select which program to pledge your support to, or you can share your contribution across all projects through ‘untied funding’, in a bespoke approach that best aligns with your wishes.

We’ll keep you informed of progress, but you may want to go a little deeper in your understanding of the research by attending special events and tours. Your dedicated relationship manager will tailor your preferences in line with your wishes.

HUMAN

Those directly impacted as a result of a cancer diagnosis.

SOCIETAL

Those impacted as a result of the cancer diagnosis of a loved one or someone within their network and, more broadly, society in general.

LEVERAGE

Additional benefits from other organisations as a result of ACRF’s financial involvement.

INTELLECTUAL

New research, creation of jobs in the medical and scientific fields, and contribution to the broader economy.

Customised experience and involvement

Our philanthropic projects for 2025

Childhood Cancer Total Body PET/CT Improved Immunotherapy Cellular Imaging

The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment Program

Reducing childhood cancer deaths through better understanding of predisposition

$ 0

of $4,999,999 raised

The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment (ACCEPT) program will build on the success of the existing Zero Childhood Cancer Program (ZERO) by providing the infrastructure to translate new data into clinical impact and patient benefit. It will target previously untreatable cancers and better identifying children at risk of getting cancer.

Help fund the program

Overview

The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment (ACCEPT) program

The ACCEPT Program will revolutionise childhood cancer care by advancing early detection, prevention, and treatment. It will improve understanding of child cancer predisposition and risk, enhance precision medicine through cutting-edge models, and develop targeted therapies for previously untreatable cancers, ultimately aiming to prevent childhood cancer deaths and improve patient outcomes.

CCIA Laboratories, Lowy Institute

Download project details
Projected impact
Human
There has been significant progress in the treatment of paediatric cancers with more than 80% of children expected to survive into adulthood. Despite this, at least 60% of survivors develop chronic health conditions and up to 80% experience severe or life-threatening complications. The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment Program has the potential to transform the long-term outlook for childhood cancer survivors.

Australian children with cancer now have access to a national precision medicine program (ZERO). The samples, tools and expertise from ZERO alongside locally developed novel technologies will be leveraged by The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment Program to improve diagnostic tests, guide treatments and develop new drugs and provide a unique opportunity for all children diagnosed with cancer in Australia.
Leverage
Over the last five years the research team have secured over $135M in competitive grant funding. The investment in The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention, and Treatment Program would significantly strengthen future grant applications and secure additional funding.

Of the $78Bn net present gains generated by medical research from 1990 to 2004, $52B was in the form of health gains and $26B in wider economic gains

Extrapolating these figures, the $5M invested by The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention, and Treatment Program has a potential return of $19.5M – $13M in the form of health gains and $6.5M in the form of wider economic gains.

Additional funding totalling $2.8M will be provided by the University of New South Wales ($2.5M) and Cancer Institute NSW ($500,000) to support the development of The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention, and Treatment Program.
Societal
Adult survivors of childhood cancers are more likely to be in poorer health, need assistance with personal care and routine needs, have work limitations, be unable to work because of health, miss more days of work, and have greater household productivity. The annual productivity loss for adult survivors of childhood cancer is estimated to be $12,000 per person compared with $4,800 per person for individuals without a history of cancer.

The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment Program has the potential to greatly enhance the long-term outcomes for childhood cancer survivors thereby reducing productivity losses.

The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment Program has the potential to reduce the burden on caregivers who, when considering time spent caregiving for loved ones, work absenteeism and presenteeism, experience a 23% work productivity loss because of caregiving. Based on the average Australian wage, and taking into consideration the labour force participation and unemployment rate, this accounts for an annual productivity loss of $14,467 per caregiver annually.
Intellectual
Jobs in medical research are high value and knowledge-based jobs that contribute substantially to the economy. The core team alone (excluding the CI’s) has the potential to generate $375,200 in value added gain.

One of the most important outputs of The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention, and Treatment Program will be publications to inform future research. The $5M invested by ACRF alone has a potential return of 58 publications.
“The exciting thing about this program is its integration with ZERO – this makes it more than just a research program to understand cancer. It means that whatever we find can really quickly be applied to every child with cancer in the country. And so that turnaround means that this is not just research, but this is actually making a difference.”

– Professor Michelle Haber AM, Chief Investigator

ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics

Early detection to prevent lung cancer deaths throughout the wider community.

$ 0

of $10,000,000 raised

This world-first, next-generation Total Body PET/CT scanning technology will transform the way we detect and treat cancer by enabling accelerated development of cancer imaging and therapeutics to support prevention, early detection and advanced cancer research programs.

Help fund better detection

Overview

ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics

The Centre will leverage and accelerate several existing and integrated research programs, developing first-in-class radiolabeled molecules pinpointing a range of targets, utilising new technologies that will enable rapid translation from laboratory to patients. With clear focus, this will enable development of radiotracers in areas of unmet need, including tumour-specific binding, new predictive biomarkers with a focus on imaging immune response, novel paediatric indications, specific infection imaging and tracking of cell therapies. The team will also develop next generation radionuclide therapy with Auger, alpha and beta emitters for a variety of cancers.

Download project details
Projected impact
Human
In 2024, it is estimated 169,500 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer and 53,000 will die. Total body imaging using PET/CT provides superior sensitivity and resolution when combined with theranostics and is set to revolutionise cancer treatment and improve the outcomes for people with cancer. The equipment available in the ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics will ensure that Australia is at the forefront of these advances.

Theranostics has proven to be an effective approach for the treatment of solid tumours such as breast and prostate. In the case of prostate cancer even better outcomes have resulted using whole body scanning to select those patients mostly likely to benefit. Research undertaken in the ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics will accelerate and expand the application of theranostics and whole-body scanning to other cancers so that a greater number of people can benefit.
Leverage
Over the last five years the research team have secured over $100M in competitive grant funding. The investment in the ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics would significantly strengthen future grant applications and secure additional funding.

Of the $78B net present gains generated by medical research from 1990 to 2004, $52B was in the form of health gains and $26B in wider economic gains. Extrapolating these figures, the $10M invested by ACRF has a potential
return of $39M – $26M in the form of health gains and $13M in the form of wider economic gains.

Additional funding totalling $9M will be provided by collaborating organisations including the National Imaging Facility and GE. A further $1.8M will be provided through ACRF’s funding partners further including Cancer Institute NSW and Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.
Societal
The ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics has the potential to reduce the burden on caregivers who, when considering time spent caregiving for loved ones, work absenteeism and presenteeism, experience a 23% work productivity loss because of caregiving. Based on the average Australian wage, and taking into consideration the labour force participation and unemployment rate, this accounts for an annual productivity loss of $14,467 per caregiver annually.

Almost half of Australian adults of working age with cancer are not in the workforce – resulting in a reduction of GDP of around $1.7B. Improved disease management and more effective treatments that will be developed in the ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics has the potential to improve the quality of life for people with cancer including their employment potential.
Intellectual
Jobs in medical research are high value and knowledge-based jobs that contribute substantially to the economy. The core team alone has the potential to generate significant value added gain.

One of the most important outputs of the ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics will be publications to inform future research. The $10M invested by ACRF alone has a potential return of 116 publications.
“The ACRF Centre will be at the forefront of developing next generation cancer scans and treatments, with real potential for global adoption in less than 10 years, seeking cures and significantly improving the lives of people with cancer.”

Corporate Headshot

– Professor Michael Hofman, Chief Investigator

ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology

Personalising immunotherapy so it works consistently, safely, and more effectively

$ 0

of $2,000,000 raised

In collaboration with leading experts in immunology, oncology, radiology, and artificial intelligence, the ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology (CDIO) will substantially bypass the need for surrogate models, generating data directly from cancer patients to pioneer new ways of optimising immunotherapy. This approach will reshape cancer treatment by making it more effective and adaptable to the unique biology and immune ecosystem of each patient.

Help fund the laboratory

Overview

ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology (CDIO).

The vision is that ACRF CDIO will be a globally leading programme of dynamic immune monitoring to augment the anti-cancer benefits and minimise the toxicity of immunotherapy.

The CDIO will be based at the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre within The Alfred in Melbourne, and it will be equipped with the highest sensitivity PET scanner available – the Quadra PET-CT – which offers unprecedented scanning speeds and body scanning capabilities.

Monitoring immune and cancer responses in cancer patients receiving immunotherapy will provide an insight into the nature of immune responses and patterns that indicate anti-cancer benefits or toxicity. This is possible because of advances in the sensitivity of scanning systems and radiotracers.

To realise the full research potential of Quadra, safely, the Centre will deploy cutting-edge technology with existing and new radiotracers that will enable immune monitoring in patients and correlate this with various biomarkers.

Download project details
Projected impact
Human
In 2024, it is estimated 169,500 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer and 53,000 will die

The application of imaging technology to predict and monitor responses to immunotherapy is expected to rapidly increase over the next decade and will pave the way to improve outcomes for people with cancer

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, the most widely used immunotherapy, is now an option for over 40% of people with cancer but may only be effective in around 12.5% of cancer patients. Research conducted in the ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology will develop a rapid and efficient way to identify who is likely to respond to immunotherapy and increase the potential of this treatment.
Leverage
This research team have previously secured
over $57 million in competitive grant funding. The investment in the ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology would significantly strengthen future grant applications and secure additional funding.

Of the $78B net present gains generated by medical research from 1990 to 2004, $52B was in the form of health gains and $26B in wider economic gains. Extrapolating these figures, the $4.5M invested by the ACRF has a potential return of $17.5M – $11.7M in the form of health gains and $5.8M in the form of wider economic gains.

Additional funding totalling $21.5 million to support the development of the ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology has been secured. This includes $19 million from the Commonwealth and Victorian State Government.
Societal
The ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno Oncology has the potential to reduce the burden on caregivers who, when considering time spent caregiving for loved ones, work absenteeism and presenteeism, experience a 23% work productivity loss because of caregiving. Based on the average Australian wage, and taking into consideration the labour force participation and unemployment rate, this accounts for an annual productivity loss of $14,467 per caregiver annually.

Immunotherapy has been an effective treatment for certain cancers, but it is not effective for everyone and can result in toxicity and complications – the increased use of immunotherapies has seen an increase in hospitalisations because of the adverse effects.

Research undertaken in the ACRF Centre For Dynamic Immuno-Oncology to predict which people will respond thereby reducing harmful side effects and hospitalisations.
Intellectual
Jobs in medical research are high value and knowledge-based jobs that contribute substantially to the economy. The core team alone (excluding the CI’s) has the potential to generate $375,200 in value added gain.

One of the most important outputs of the ACRF Centre For Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy will be publications to inform future research. The $4.5M invested by ACRF alone has a potential return of 52 publications.
“The ACRF CDIO will place Australia at the forefront of global cancer immunology research. By combining advanced imaging technology with cutting-edge tools to study cancer immunology, we will gain unprecedented insights into how immunotherapies work, ushering innovations and a new era in cancer treatment.”

– Professor Mark Shackleton, Chief Investigator

ACRF Centre for Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy

Understanding and improving outcomes for patients receiving immunotherapy

$ 0

of $2,999,999 raised

The Centre will provide the ability to image cancer at multiple scales – from single molecules to single cells and tissues – and will generate a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy.

Fund answers for immunotherapy

ACRF Centre for Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy

Despite many spectacular successes that result in durable and “curative” patient responses, and for reasons that are currently unknown, immunotherapy fails to deliver a significant therapeutic benefit to a high proportion of patients (as high as 80%), who instead show an incomplete or poor treatment response. The ACRF Centre for Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy will address this problem by enabling the study
of immunotherapy of cancer at multiple scales – from single molecules to single cells and various tissue preparations, from biospecimens derived from the 1000s of cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy at Peter Mac per year. Through tightly entwined discovery and clinical research programs, they will generate a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy.

Download project details
Projected Impact
Human
In 2024, it is estimated 169,500 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer and 53,000 will die

Immunotherapy has revolutionised cancer treatment and has already changed the management of certain cancers including melanoma, lung and breast. The predictive approach that will be developed in the ACRF Centre For Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy will lead to better outcomes for those who will respond to
immunotherapy and avoid severe side effects for those people who don’t.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, the most widely used immunotherapy, is now an option for over 40% of people with cancer but may only be effective in around 12.5% of cancer patients. Research conducted in the ACRF Centre For Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy will develop a
rapid and efficient way to identify who is likely to respond to immunotherapy and increase the potential of this treatment.
Leverage
Over the last five years, the research team have secured over $75 million in competitive
grant funding. The investment in the ACRF Centre For Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy would significantly strengthen future grant applications and secure additional funding.

Of the $78B net present gains generated by medical research from 1990 to 2004, $52B was in the form of health gains and $26B in wider economic gains

Extrapolating these figures, the $4.5M invested by the ACRF has a potential return of $17.5M – $11.7M in the form of health gains and $5.8M in the form of wider economic gains.

Close to $4 M of in-kind funding is being provided by PMCC for technical and operational support, data storage and research infrastructure.
Societal
The ACRF Centre For Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy has the potential to reduce the burden on caregivers who, on average, experience a 23% work productivity loss because of caregiving. Based on the average Australian wage, and taking into consideration the labour force participation and unemployment rate, this accounts for an annual productivity loss of $14,467 per caregiver annually.

Immunotherapy often incurs great financial costs and potentially leading to severe side-effects in. Understanding mechanisms of response and resistance will allow informed and individualised design of combination therapeutic strategies to expand the proportion of patients that respond to immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy has been an effective treatment for certain cancers; however, it is not effective for everyone and can result in toxicity and complications – the increased
use of immunotherapies has seen an increase
in hospitalisations because of the severe
side effects.

Research undertaken in the Centre to predict which people will respond thereby reducing harmful side effects and hospitalisations.
Intellectual
Jobs in medical research are high value and knowledge-based jobs that contribute substantially to the economy. The core team alone (excluding the CI’s) has the potential to generate $1.27M in value added gain.

One of the most important outputs of the ACRF Centre For Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy will be publications to inform future research. The $4.5M invested by ACRF alone has a potential return of 52 publications.
“The problem is immunotherapy only works for some patients. We don’t know why, we don’t know who. So, what we’re hoping with this Centre is that we can actually change that and look deeper
into cancers and see why this is happening. The potential impact is huge.”

– Professor Belinda Parker, Chief Investigator

The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment Program

Reducing childhood cancer deaths through better understanding of predisposition

$ 0

of $4,999,999 raised

Help fund the program

Overview

The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment (ACCEPT) program

The ACCEPT Program will revolutionise childhood cancer care by advancing early detection, prevention, and treatment. It will improve understanding of child cancer predisposition and risk, enhance precision medicine through cutting-edge models, and develop targeted therapies for previously untreatable cancers, ultimately aiming to prevent childhood cancer deaths and improve patient outcomes.

CCIA Laboratories, Lowy Institute

Download project details
Projected impact
Human
There has been significant progress in the treatment of paediatric cancers with more than 80% of children expected to survive into adulthood. Despite this, at least 60% of survivors develop chronic health conditions and up to 80% experience severe or life-threatening complications. The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment Program has the potential to transform the long-term outlook for childhood cancer survivors.

Australian children with cancer now have access to a national precision medicine program (ZERO). The samples, tools and expertise from ZERO alongside locally developed novel technologies will be leveraged by The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment Program to improve diagnostic tests, guide treatments and develop new drugs and provide a unique opportunity for all children diagnosed with cancer in Australia.
Leverage
Over the last five years the research team have secured over $135M in competitive grant funding. The investment in The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention, and Treatment Program would significantly strengthen future grant applications and secure additional funding.

Of the $78Bn net present gains generated by medical research from 1990 to 2004, $52B was in the form of health gains and $26B in wider economic gains

Extrapolating these figures, the $5M invested by The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention, and Treatment Program has a potential return of $19.5M – $13M in the form of health gains and $6.5M in the form of wider economic gains.

Additional funding totalling $2.8M will be provided by the University of New South Wales ($2.5M) and Cancer Institute NSW ($500,000) to support the development of The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention, and Treatment Program.
Societal
Adult survivors of childhood cancers are more likely to be in poorer health, need assistance with personal care and routine needs, have work limitations, be unable to work because of health, miss more days of work, and have greater household productivity. The annual productivity loss for adult survivors of childhood cancer is estimated to be $12,000 per person compared with $4,800 per person for individuals without a history of cancer.

The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment Program has the potential to greatly enhance the long-term outcomes for childhood cancer survivors thereby reducing productivity losses.

The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment Program has the potential to reduce the burden on caregivers who, when considering time spent caregiving for loved ones, work absenteeism and presenteeism, experience a 23% work productivity loss because of caregiving. Based on the average Australian wage, and taking into consideration the labour force participation and unemployment rate, this accounts for an annual productivity loss of $14,467 per caregiver annually.
Intellectual
Jobs in medical research are high value and knowledge-based jobs that contribute substantially to the economy. The core team alone (excluding the CI’s) has the potential to generate $375,200 in value added gain.

One of the most important outputs of The ACRF Childhood Cancer Early Detection, Prevention, and Treatment Program will be publications to inform future research. The $5M invested by ACRF alone has a potential return of 58 publications.
“The exciting thing about this program is its integration with ZERO – this makes it more than just a research program to understand cancer. It means that whatever we find can really quickly be applied to every child with cancer in the country. And so that turnaround means that this is not just research, but this is actually making a difference.”

– Professor Michelle Haber AM, Chief Investigator

ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics

Early detection to prevent lung cancer deaths throughout the wider community.

$ 0

of $10,000,000 raised

Help fund better detection

Overview

ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics

The Centre will leverage and accelerate several existing and integrated research programs, developing first-in-class radiolabeled molecules pinpointing a range of targets, utilising new technologies that will enable rapid translation from laboratory to patients. With clear focus, this will enable development of radiotracers in areas of unmet need, including tumour-specific binding, new predictive biomarkers with a focus on imaging immune response, novel paediatric indications, specific infection imaging and tracking of cell therapies. The team will also develop next generation radionuclide therapy with Auger, alpha and beta emitters for a variety of cancers.

Download project details
Projected impact
Human
In 2024, it is estimated 169,500 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer and 53,000 will die. Total body imaging using PET/CT provides superior sensitivity and resolution when combined with theranostics and is set to revolutionise cancer treatment and improve the outcomes for people with cancer. The equipment available in the ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics will ensure that Australia is at the forefront of these advances.

Theranostics has proven to be an effective approach for the treatment of solid tumours such as breast and prostate. In the case of prostate cancer even better outcomes have resulted using whole body scanning to select those patients mostly likely to benefit. Research undertaken in the ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics will accelerate and expand the application of theranostics and whole-body scanning to other cancers so that a greater number of people can benefit.
Leverage
Over the last five years the research team have secured over $100M in competitive grant funding. The investment in the ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics would significantly strengthen future grant applications and secure additional funding.

Of the $78B net present gains generated by medical research from 1990 to 2004, $52B was in the form of health gains and $26B in wider economic gains. Extrapolating these figures, the $10M invested by ACRF has a potential
return of $39M – $26M in the form of health gains and $13M in the form of wider economic gains.

Additional funding totalling $9M will be provided by collaborating organisations including the National Imaging Facility and GE. A further $1.8M will be provided through ACRF’s funding partners further including Cancer Institute NSW and Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.
Societal
The ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics has the potential to reduce the burden on caregivers who, when considering time spent caregiving for loved ones, work absenteeism and presenteeism, experience a 23% work productivity loss because of caregiving. Based on the average Australian wage, and taking into consideration the labour force participation and unemployment rate, this accounts for an annual productivity loss of $14,467 per caregiver annually.

Almost half of Australian adults of working age with cancer are not in the workforce – resulting in a reduction of GDP of around $1.7B. Improved disease management and more effective treatments that will be developed in the ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics has the potential to improve the quality of life for people with cancer including their employment potential.
Intellectual
Jobs in medical research are high value and knowledge-based jobs that contribute substantially to the economy. The core team alone has the potential to generate significant value added gain.

One of the most important outputs of the ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics will be publications to inform future research. The $10M invested by ACRF alone has a potential return of 116 publications.
“The ACRF Centre will be at the forefront of developing next generation cancer scans and treatments, with real potential for global adoption in less than 10 years, seeking cures and significantly improving the lives of people with cancer.”

Corporate Headshot

– Professor Michael Hofman, Chief Investigator

ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology

Personalising immunotherapy so it works consistently, safely, and more effectively

$ 0

of $2,000,000 raised

Help fund the laboratory

Overview

ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology (CDIO).

The vision is that ACRF CDIO will be a globally leading programme of dynamic immune monitoring to augment the anti-cancer benefits and minimise the toxicity of immunotherapy.

The CDIO will be based at the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre within The Alfred in Melbourne, and it will be equipped with the highest sensitivity PET scanner available – the Quadra PET-CT – which offers unprecedented scanning speeds and body scanning capabilities.

Monitoring immune and cancer responses in cancer patients receiving immunotherapy will provide an insight into the nature of immune responses and patterns that indicate anti-cancer benefits or toxicity. This is possible because of advances in the sensitivity of scanning systems and radiotracers.

To realise the full research potential of Quadra, safely, the Centre will deploy cutting-edge technology with existing and new radiotracers that will enable immune monitoring in patients and correlate this with various biomarkers.

Download project details
Projected impact
Human
In 2024, it is estimated 169,500 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer and 53,000 will die

The application of imaging technology to predict and monitor responses to immunotherapy is expected to rapidly increase over the next decade and will pave the way to improve outcomes for people with cancer

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, the most widely used immunotherapy, is now an option for over 40% of people with cancer but may only be effective in around 12.5% of cancer patients. Research conducted in the ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology will develop a rapid and efficient way to identify who is likely to respond to immunotherapy and increase the potential of this treatment.
Leverage
This research team have previously secured
over $57 million in competitive grant funding. The investment in the ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology would significantly strengthen future grant applications and secure additional funding.

Of the $78B net present gains generated by medical research from 1990 to 2004, $52B was in the form of health gains and $26B in wider economic gains. Extrapolating these figures, the $4.5M invested by the ACRF has a potential return of $17.5M – $11.7M in the form of health gains and $5.8M in the form of wider economic gains.

Additional funding totalling $21.5 million to support the development of the ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology has been secured. This includes $19 million from the Commonwealth and Victorian State Government.
Societal
The ACRF Centre for Dynamic Immuno Oncology has the potential to reduce the burden on caregivers who, when considering time spent caregiving for loved ones, work absenteeism and presenteeism, experience a 23% work productivity loss because of caregiving. Based on the average Australian wage, and taking into consideration the labour force participation and unemployment rate, this accounts for an annual productivity loss of $14,467 per caregiver annually.

Immunotherapy has been an effective treatment for certain cancers, but it is not effective for everyone and can result in toxicity and complications – the increased use of immunotherapies has seen an increase in hospitalisations because of the adverse effects.

Research undertaken in the ACRF Centre For Dynamic Immuno-Oncology to predict which people will respond thereby reducing harmful side effects and hospitalisations.
Intellectual
Jobs in medical research are high value and knowledge-based jobs that contribute substantially to the economy. The core team alone (excluding the CI’s) has the potential to generate $375,200 in value added gain.

One of the most important outputs of the ACRF Centre For Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy will be publications to inform future research. The $4.5M invested by ACRF alone has a potential return of 52 publications.
“The ACRF CDIO will place Australia at the forefront of global cancer immunology research. By combining advanced imaging technology with cutting-edge tools to study cancer immunology, we will gain unprecedented insights into how immunotherapies work, ushering innovations and a new era in cancer treatment.”

– Professor Mark Shackleton, Chief Investigator

ACRF Centre for Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy

Understanding and improving outcomes for patients receiving immunotherapy

$ 0

of $2,999,999 raised

Fund answers for immunotherapy

ACRF Centre for Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy

Despite many spectacular successes that result in durable and “curative” patient responses, and for reasons that are currently unknown, immunotherapy fails to deliver a significant therapeutic benefit to a high proportion of patients (as high as 80%), who instead show an incomplete or poor treatment response. The ACRF Centre for Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy will address this problem by enabling the study
of immunotherapy of cancer at multiple scales – from single molecules to single cells and various tissue preparations, from biospecimens derived from the 1000s of cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy at Peter Mac per year. Through tightly entwined discovery and clinical research programs, they will generate a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy.

Download project details
Projected Impact
Human
In 2024, it is estimated 169,500 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer and 53,000 will die

Immunotherapy has revolutionised cancer treatment and has already changed the management of certain cancers including melanoma, lung and breast. The predictive approach that will be developed in the ACRF Centre For Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy will lead to better outcomes for those who will respond to
immunotherapy and avoid severe side effects for those people who don’t.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, the most widely used immunotherapy, is now an option for over 40% of people with cancer but may only be effective in around 12.5% of cancer patients. Research conducted in the ACRF Centre For Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy will develop a
rapid and efficient way to identify who is likely to respond to immunotherapy and increase the potential of this treatment.
Leverage
Over the last five years, the research team have secured over $75 million in competitive
grant funding. The investment in the ACRF Centre For Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy would significantly strengthen future grant applications and secure additional funding.

Of the $78B net present gains generated by medical research from 1990 to 2004, $52B was in the form of health gains and $26B in wider economic gains

Extrapolating these figures, the $4.5M invested by the ACRF has a potential return of $17.5M – $11.7M in the form of health gains and $5.8M in the form of wider economic gains.

Close to $4 M of in-kind funding is being provided by PMCC for technical and operational support, data storage and research infrastructure.
Societal
The ACRF Centre For Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy has the potential to reduce the burden on caregivers who, on average, experience a 23% work productivity loss because of caregiving. Based on the average Australian wage, and taking into consideration the labour force participation and unemployment rate, this accounts for an annual productivity loss of $14,467 per caregiver annually.

Immunotherapy often incurs great financial costs and potentially leading to severe side-effects in. Understanding mechanisms of response and resistance will allow informed and individualised design of combination therapeutic strategies to expand the proportion of patients that respond to immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy has been an effective treatment for certain cancers; however, it is not effective for everyone and can result in toxicity and complications – the increased
use of immunotherapies has seen an increase
in hospitalisations because of the severe
side effects.

Research undertaken in the Centre to predict which people will respond thereby reducing harmful side effects and hospitalisations.
Intellectual
Jobs in medical research are high value and knowledge-based jobs that contribute substantially to the economy. The core team alone (excluding the CI’s) has the potential to generate $1.27M in value added gain.

One of the most important outputs of the ACRF Centre For Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy will be publications to inform future research. The $4.5M invested by ACRF alone has a potential return of 52 publications.
“The problem is immunotherapy only works for some patients. We don’t know why, we don’t know who. So, what we’re hoping with this Centre is that we can actually change that and look deeper
into cancers and see why this is happening. The potential impact is huge.”

– Professor Belinda Parker, Chief Investigator

To find out more about ACRF Accelerate, download the full prospectus (coming soon).

Coming Soon

“Having supported ACRF for a decade, what attracted me were 1) leveraging donations for best ‘bang for the buck’, 2) application of good science and 3) seeing where the money is spent. Finally, I want to ensure those with cancer are given the best chance.”

Natasha Lee, Supporter, & Natasha Lee Foundation

“We chose ACRF specifically as it is one of the Sunrise Foundation’s goals to provide philanthropic support to agencies that ensure monies received are directed efficiently where they are needed the most – i.e. with the least amount of cost. Supporting the dedicated pursuit of knowledge through research is one small way that we feel we can help to make a difference.”

– Sunrise Foundation Family

“A number of years ago, I was looking for a worthy charity to donate money to. I looked at a number of charities and ACRF stood out in the crowd due to the way they engage with their donors. I have supported them ever since. I believe that scientists, doctors and researchers benefit society in an immeasurable way and I see we can create real change through research.”

– Andrew Czarnecki, ACRF Supporter

“With Accelerate you get to see what the aim of the particular research is and where it is going to, you get to see the people behind it, it tells you the impact it has on an individual, the impact it has on families; all the things you don’t really take into consideration when someone is suffering a cancer.”

– Gordon Jackson, ACRF Supporter

Victoria Bonsey

Philanthropy Manager – National Lead

Thank you for your interest in backing brilliant cancer research. I’m here to help you make informed decisions in helping achieve a world without cancer. By listening to your wishes and motivations, I can direct your attention to the most worthwhile research projects aligned with your own objectives.