Tweed Heads

Researchers are evaluating camizestrant against standard endocrine therapy for patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer who have an intermediate or high risk of disease recurrence. These patients must have completed locoregional therapy and at least 2 to 5 years of standard adjuvant endocrine therapy. The study is a Phase III open-label trial focused on improving outcomes for these patients over a long-term period. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either camizestrant orally or continue with the standard endocrine therapy chosen by their investigator, which may include aromatase inhibitors exemestane, letrozole, anastrozole or tamoxifen. Treatment in each group lasts for 60 months. The study allows prior use of CDK46 inhibitors and includes a follow-up period extending up to 10 years from the last patient randomization. During the study, participants will undergo regular assessments to monitor invasive breast cancer-free survival and other outcomes such as invasive disease-free survival, distant relapse-free survival, overall survival, and safety. Researchers will also evaluate symptoms like joint pain, hot flushes, and vaginal dryness using specific scales, along with quality of life measures and pharmacokinetics. Safety monitoring continues up to 28 days after the last dose, and participants remain under observation for up to 10 years total.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and tolerability of an investigational drug called elritercept, both alone and in combination with the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib, in adults with myelofibrosis MF. The study also aims to understand how elritercept affects the signs and symptoms of MF, how the body processes the drug, and its effects on anemia when used with or without ruxolitinib. This is a Phase 2 open-label study focusing on participants with anemia related to MF.

Researchers are studying the safety and tolerability of elritercept in adults with anemia linked to very low, low, or intermediate risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes MDS. The study aims to understand how elritercept affects red blood cell production and the progression of MDS, including how well participants tolerate different doses of the drug. This phase 2, open-label trial focuses on anemia associated with lower-risk MDS and evaluates the impact on healthy red blood cell production. Participants receive elritercept as a subcutaneous injection every 4 weeks, with doses ranging from 0.75 mgkg to 5.0 mgkg during an initial period of up to 4 cycles each 28 days. Following this, participants continue treatment with elritercept every 4 weeks for up to 24 cycles, with dose adjustments based on individual response. Different cohorts include participants with or without ring sideroblasts, those requiring red blood cell transfusions, and those with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia CMML. Some participants may enter a long-term extension phase receiving elritercept every 4 weeks for up to about 10 years. During the study, participants undergo regular monitoring including blood tests, assessments of red blood cell parameters, and tracking of adverse events and disease progression. Researchers measure treatment-emergent adverse events, progression to higher-risk MDS or acute leukemia, transfusion independence, and hematologic improvements over up to 11 years. The study includes follow-ups to evaluate the duration and timing of responses, safety, and overall effects on anemia and MDS progression.

Researchers are evaluating whether accelerated BEP chemotherapy is more effective than the standard BEP regimen for males aged 11 to 50 years with intermediate and poor-risk metastatic germ cell tumors. This phase 3 randomized trial aims to improve cure rates for these patients, as current treatments have limited success for higher-risk disease. The study is led by the University of Sydney and focuses on first-line chemotherapy outcomes for metastatic germ cell tumors. The study compares two treatment schedules standard BEP chemotherapy given every 3 weeks for 4 cycles, and accelerated BEP given every 2 weeks for 4 cycles followed by additional bleomycin doses. Both regimens include bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin, and supportive growth factors like pegylated G-CSF or filgrastim, with dosing adjusted by age and weight. Treatment lasts about 12 weeks in both arms. Participants will undergo treatment cycles with regular intravenous chemotherapy infusions and weekly bleomycin doses. Researchers will assess progression-free survival up to 5 years after randomization, along with tumor response at the end of treatment and at 6 months. Safety will be monitored through adverse events, and quality of life will be measured up to 18 months. Overall survival and chemotherapy dose intensity are also tracked. The study involves multiple assessments and follow-up visits to monitor effects and outcomes.

Researchers are evaluating ways to improve hepatitis C virus HCV care in drug treatment clinics and needle and syringe programs in New South Wales and across Australia. The ETHOS II Project aims to develop a framework to establish HCV screening and treatment programs in these settings nationally. This collaborative research involves several health organizations and focuses on people with a history of injecting drug use or those receiving opioid substitution therapy. The study includes an intervention called campaign days where participants receive hepatitis C screening, liver fibrosis assessments using fibroscans, and clinical assessments. Participants also complete surveys and may consent to link their data with population databases. A sub-study involves collecting blood samples from some participants to evaluate new diagnostic tests for chronic HCV infection. Additionally, interviews with policymakers, clinicians, and patients will explore barriers to HCV care, and an education program will be developed to improve workforce knowledge and care quality. Participants will be recruited from drug treatment clinics, general practitioners with high case loads, and needle and syringe programs. They will undergo hepatitis C testing, fibroscans, clinical assessments, and complete questionnaires during the campaign days. Researchers will track how many participants start anti-HCV treatment each year for up to three years. The study also includes follow-up through medical record reviews to monitor outcomes and improve treatment access and delivery.

Researchers are studying metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma PDA in adults who have not been previously treated for this condition. The trial evaluates the effect of adding SBP-101, a small molecule polyamine metabolic inhibitor, to the standard chemotherapy regimen of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study aims to assess overall survival and other important outcomes in about 600 patients. Participants will receive either SBP-101 combined with nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine or a placebo with the same chemotherapy drugs. The treatments are given as injections, and the study includes two groups one experimental arm receiving SBP-101 plus chemotherapy and one control arm receiving placebo plus chemotherapy. The safety and effectiveness of treatments will be monitored throughout the trial by an independent committee. During the study, patients will be followed for overall survival up to 100 weeks or until death. Researchers will also measure progression-free survival, responses seen on scans, and quality of life. Assessments include imaging with CT or MRI, blood tests, and monitoring of side effects. Participants must consent to the study and meet specific health criteria, and safety will be closely observed throughout the trial period.