St John of God Subiaco Hospital recognised for excellence in gastro-intestinal cancer research

16 Nov 2023

Dr Andrew Dean and Dr Tara McSweeney with the award.

The hospital received the 2023 AGITG Outstanding Metropolitan Site Award, which recognises a clinical trials site that has shown exceptional enthusiasm, performance and dedication to conducting trials related to gastro-intestinal (GI) cancers - including those of the oesophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, large and small bowel, rectum and anus.

St John of God Subiaco Hospital Medical Oncologist and Head of Cancer Services, Dr Andrew Dean, along with St John of God Subiaco Hospital Clinical Trials Unit Registrar, Dr Tara McSweeney, accepted the award on behalf of the hospital at AGITG’s 25th Annual Scientific Meeting held in Christchurch, New Zealand, today. The focus of this year’s meeting was ‘Navigating Paths to Equity in GI Cancer Research’.

Dr Dean said members of the hospital’s research team were honoured to be recognised for not only improving health care outcomes for patients impacted by diagnoses of a GI cancer, but for also employing strategies to support diverse clinical trial participation.

“Caregivers from our research team have embraced a number of initiatives introduced by the hospital to engage patients from vulnerable populations and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This has fortunately enabled us to extend access to therapeutic options and promote equity,” he said.

“Simple actions such as enhanced patient access to translation services, and promotion of cultural awareness study days and diversity and inclusion workshops amongst caregivers, are truly making a difference to our patients.”

Dr Dean added that the hospital is leading the way in GI cancer research not only in Australia, but internationally too.

“In the past year alone, members of our hospital’s Clinical Trial Unit undertook an astounding 13 projects specific to a range of GI cancers, reinforcing St John of God Subiaco Hospital’s position as one of Australia’s premier cancer research institutes.”

Dr Dean is Lead Investigator of the ASCEND Trial, a randomised study investigating the impact of chemotherapy regimens on the survival of patients with untreated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma - a highly aggressive form of pancreatic cancer which accounts for more than 90 per cent of pancreatic cancer cases and has a median survival rate of approximately eight and a half to 11 months. 

Dr Dean said that St John of God Subiaco Hospital is the largest recruitment site for the ASCEND study, with more patients participating in the trial than any other site nation-wide. 

“In fact, we surpassed our recruitment target by an astounding 625 per cent,” he said.

“This means more patients than anticipated are accessing potentially life-extending drug regimens that they wouldn’t benefit from otherwise and that are potentially years away from becoming available on the open market.

“We are incredibly proud of the impact that our research into GI cancers is having on the lives of our patients and their loved ones. We are also very proud of the fact that research conducted at this hospital is resulting in Western Australia having some of the highest survival rates in the world for certain types of cancers, including pancreatic, ovarian, colon and stomach cancers.”

“St John of God Subiaco Hospital has a long history of being at the forefront of latest cancer research and medical interventions. Our Clinical Trials Unit is currently undertaking 54 cancer studies, making St John of God Subiaco Hospital one of the most active private cancer research institutes world-wide.”

“By giving our patients access to new, pioneering treatments and care, we can provide them with hope. Most importantly, we can ensure that they are well positioned to face even the most arduous cancer battles.”

Dr McSweeney added that receiving a cancer diagnosis can be a devastating, life changing event for many people. 

“We therefore endeavour to treat our patients in a holistic manner and not just focus on their physical symptoms. We are truly grateful that the AGITG has recognised our efforts and cancer care philosophy,” she said.

“This award is testament to the incredible efforts of all members of the Clinical Trials Unit, including St John of God Subiaco Hospital Oncologists Associate Professor Tim Clay and Dr Tom van Hagen, as well as caregivers from the hospital’s Bendat Family Comprehensive Cancer Centre.”

Dr Dean and Dr McSweeney, along with St John of God Subiaco Hospital Resident Medical Officer Dr Julia Dirks, presented latest research findings at the scientific meeting. 

Dr McSweeney presented an innovative trial proposal for a new gastro-oesophageal cancer study, while Dr Dirks presented important work on liver abscesses occurring in the context of GI cancers, highlighting pitfalls for the unwary. 

Dr Dean discussed a new concept for a biliary cancer trial which is utilising novel drugs, immunotherapy and biological agents. 

He also highlighted the early results of the iLSTA trial focusing on locally advanced cancer. Preliminary study results show that six of the seven trial participants have transitioned from having inoperable to operable cancer. Trial researchers have also identified unique bacterial signatures which can predict patients’ responses to treatment, and potentially identify if bacterial populations can be manipulated so that patients can progress from being unresponsive to chemotherapy to responsive.