Increase projected for melanoma case numbers
An estimated 76,250 new cases of melanoma will occur in the US this year, according to the American Cancer Society’s just-released Cancer Facts and Figures 2012. http://www.skincancer.org/news/melanoma/jump-in-melanoma-2012
FPM clinical trial underway at Peter Mac
The CRCBID-sponsored clinical trial into the use of fluoro propyl methionine (FPM) has now studied four patients at Peter Mac.
Approval for the phase 0/1 trial to proceed was given by the Peter Mac Ethics Committee in August 2011, following a first time in human (FTIH) review of the tracer’s manufacturing process.
CRCBID student receives best new investigator award
Jake Shortt, a CRCBID-funded PhD student at Peter Mac/University of Melbourne, was one of two recipients of the Albert Baikie Award at the 2011 Haematology Society of Australian and New Zealand Annual Conference in Sydney in November.
Read more: CRCBID student receives best new investigator award
Customising imaging systems
Working with commercial participant Berthold Australia, CRCBID researchers from University of Melbourne have been developing customised imaging systems that use existing detector technology.
Spotlight on MEL050-a novel tracer for melanoma
This brochure outlines the work of CRCBID in developing the novel radiopharmaceutical tracer, MEL050, which targets melanin in melanoma.
CRC Association - bringing knowledge together
Innovation the key to prosperity
CRCBID’s CEO, Dr Gerry Roe and Director, Greg Santamaria attended a series of functions in Canberra this month held in association with the regular meetings of CRC Chairs and CEOs organised by the CRC Association (CRCA).
CRCBID student wins Uni of Wollongong Trailblazer
Congratulations to CRCBID PhD student, Con Consulato, and Dr Danielle Skopeta, from the University of Wollongong, who recently won the student section of UoW’s Trailblazer competition.
Trailblazer is designed to reward innovative ideas and early-stage research that may offer potential benefit the community, industry or business, as well as generate a financial return.
Read more: CRCBID student wins Uni of Wollongong Trailblazer
CRCBID wins Star Award for work with Cyclotek
In May, CRCBID and Cyclotek (Aust) Pty Ltd were recognised by the CRC Committee for their work together. The Star Award honours "the partnership between the CRC and this SME, (which) enables both organisations to progress new radiopharmaceuticals more quickly through the development pipeline than would otherwise be possible." See Minister Carr's media release here.
Professor Margaret Sheil represented Minister Kim Carr at the presentation of the Star Awards at the CRC Association conference in May, 2011. She presented Greg Santamaria and Dr Gerry Roe with the Award recognising the collaboration of their organisations.
Greg Santamaria said, "We see this Star Award as a recognition not only of Cyclotek’s efforts, but also of the efforts of all of the organisations and people involved in the CRC for Biomedical Imaging Development."
image courtesy Nic Rounsefell Photography
Tracing the spread of melanoma
Melanoma is a deadly form of skin cancer, with about 160,000 newcases diagnosed around the world each year.
Arising from research that began in the laboratories at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) in Sydney, CRCBID researchers have successfully developed a novel radiotracer, known as MEL050, that has the potential to assess the spread of melanoma in patients by targeting melanin in the tumours.
Based on in vitro and pre-clinical imaging work conducted at bothANSTO and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, papers on the synthesis method for MEL050, and the subsequent pre-clinical imaging results, were published in 2009 and 2010. After appropriate toxicology tests in animals, a first time in humans phase 0/1 clinical trial began at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne in June 2010 and is scheduled for completion in June2011. The trial is sponsored by CRCBID, which successfully steeredthe trial through the rigorous human ethics approval process that is required prior to a clinical trial being conducted.
CRCBID wins Star Award at CRCA Conference for engagement with Cyclotek
Two steps better than one - local brains develop sophisticated outcomes
Making a radiopharmaceutical that will be injected into the human body is a complex procedure. Each step in the production process is carefully designed and measured to make sure the radiopharmaceutical - or tracer as they are more commonly known - can do the important job it is made to do: help in diagnosing and managing the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
To ensure the manufacturing process is as easy, safe and efficient as possible, a new production system has been developed that reduces the level of manual handling of radioactive materials that scientists need to do when making a tracer.
Read more: Two steps better than one - local brains develop sophisticated outcomes
Prototype Non Invasive Arterial Monitoring (NIAM) System
Berthold Australia Pty Ltd, through the research of its CRCBID-funded post-doctoral student, Dr Bryn Sobott, 
is working to develop a clinical prototype system for non-invasive arterial monitoring of PET tracers. This new system is built upon the earlier work of Dr Graeme O’Keefe and Dr Roger Rassool, who pioneered the initial concept.
The prototype NIAM system being developed through CRCBID - image courtesy Bryn Sobott
Read more: Prototype Non Invasive Arterial Monitoring (NIAM) System
International supply of FET for cancer patient
In September, Cyclotek (Aust) Pty Ltd, a commercial partner of the CRC for Biomedical Imaging Development Ltd, provided a radiopharmaceutical tracer for use internationally in a medical procedure. This first-time supply has helped a New Zealand patient with a brain tumour have earlier treatment. The use of the tracer allowed the doctors to more closely identify the location, nature and size of the tumour, when several other high-level neurological diagnostic tests had not provided enough information for a clear treatment plan to proceed
Largest Australian skin cancer study
The Queensland Institute of Medical Research is launching the largest study into skin cancer conducted in Australia.
Current news in biomedical imaging no 1
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a unique functional diagnostic imaging tool that sets the standard of care in the modern healthcare sector. It is mainly used to determine the presence and severity of cancers and in clinical practice, it is central to characterising, staging and follow-up for patients with a wide variety of malignancies.
Radiopharm awards
At this year’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre’s Annual General Meeting, the Peter Mac PET Centre received the annual team awards for both excellence and innovation. The excellence award recognised clinical and research efforts over many years, and the strong, collaborative partnerships that the PET Centre has built within and beyond Peter Mac. The innovation award related to the team’s involvement in the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in melanoma. The collaboration with ANSTO and Cyclotek on the work with MEL050 was highlighted as one of the key aspects of this program.
CRCs enable collaborations
“CRCs enable collaborations that wouldn’t otherwise exist ...”
Professor Terry O’Brien from the University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital was interviewed this month on 666 ABC Local Radio, Canberra, about the CRCBID project trialling the use of flumazenil (FMZ) to assist in surgical planning for patients with refractory epilepsy.
CRC Program fact sheets available
New fact sheets about the CRCs and the activities of the program funded through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science and Research (DIISR) are now available through the CRC program website.
CRCA conference Adelaide May 2012
Register now for the CRC Association's conference, to be held in Adelaide from 15-17 May 2012
