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Newsletter
Issue 2 | FEBRUARY 2006
Welcome
to the second issue of the Cancer Trials New Zealand (CTNZ) quarterly newsletter.
With a New Year now well under way, CTNZ is back into it. We have
some new study initiatives on the go for 2006, and we will also be
seeking feedback from you all on our progress and direction. In the
last year the Cancer Control Strategy has moved into implementation
phase, so we will be exploring our potential contribution to the
concept of ‘research-driven’ Cancer Control.
CTNZ works hard to bring ideas from our laboratory scientists into
the clinic, it supports innovation within established diagnosis and
treatment, and would like to see more evaluation of health service
delivery of care. Effectively these goals are about translating
innovation into better cancer care for New Zealanders. To achieve
this CTNZ will continue to advocate for a climate of researchdriven healthcare. The Big Hearts Charity Ball will help us on that
pathway.
Researchers are continually indebted to supporters and funders who
enable them to focus on the research, and CTNZ is no exception.
Our Foundation and other sponsors have been of critical value to
CTNZ and we hope to continue to justify their investment again
this year. Researchers themselves however need to work with our
community explaining the relevance of their work and taking on
board the perspective of those who are connected by cancer.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you all, that
this newsletter is a way for us to keep you in touch with what’s
happening at CTNZ, as well as to include content which is of value
and interest. If you have any particular items you would like us to
include in our future newsletters letters please contact us at www.
ctnz.auckland.ac.nz or phone any one of our staff listed on page 3.
Interestingly this year has kicked off with support of a novel kind
for CTNZ. We have had a very generous
pledge of a donation of proceeds from the
Hamilton-based ‘Big Hearts Charity Ball’
which was held this last Valentines Day.
The organizing committee Chaired by Lisa
Clausen have to be congratulated on such
a successful evening. They developed
an atmosphere of purpose with a heart-felt story from Paula a
survivor of cancer and mixed it with the theme of supporting cancer
research but still managed some Valentines Day romance with an
unexpected public proposal of marriage!
Professor Mike Findlay
Director, CTNZ
The donation from the evening and their sponsors will make an
enormous difference to the CTNZ activities.
Big Hearts Organising Committee: Amanda Graham, Lisa Clausen, Wendy
Bright, Kingsley Field, Lynnette Flowers, Janine Lovegrove, Karen Lovegrove
►things to Remember …
If your thinking about a new study concept and want to know how to get started, visit our website at www.ctnz.auckland.ac.nz and download
our specifically designed concept development template on the “Research and Development” webpage, or contact the CTNZ operations office
through Greta Riley or Professor Mike Findlay, Director of CTNZ, or a member of our Steering Committee. Contact details can be found on our
website and on page 3 of this newsletter.
To register as a CTNZ supporter (which includes password access to relevant webpages and documents), simply complete the registration from
on our “Contact us” page at www.ctnz.auckland.ac.nz/contact.html.
Remember that dates for funding applications, despite seeming far off into the future come around all too quickly and so it pays to be organised
and note those relevant dates for this year early!
http://www.ctnz.auckland.ac.nz/research/funding.html
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►DID YOU KNOW?
Auckland Division of the Cancer Society
CELEBRATING 50 years of research
ACORD workshop announcement
Applications to participate in the Australia and Asia Pacific Clinical
Oncology Research Development (ACORD) Workshop are now open.
This workshop in effective clinical trials design will be held at the
Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
from 3-9 September 2006.
This year the Auckland Division of the Cancer Society celebrates 50
years of research developments funded by the people of Auckland
and Northland.
It all began in 1955 when the Society ran a public appeal to raise
$54,000 for a Linear Accelerator machine for the Radiotherapy
Department at Auckland Hospital. A radio-telephone appeal raised
in excess of $136,000 and it was decided to invest the surplus funds
into the relatively new area of cancer research.
Applications will be accepted from junior cancer researchers in any
oncology sub-specialty or related discipline from Australia and the
Asia Pacific region.
Fellowships will be awarded to applicants at the trainee level
and in cases of financial hardship, to meet Workshop travel and
accommodation costs.
This was the beginning of the Auckland Cancer Society’s Research
Centre (ACSRC) which, today, is internationally
recognised for its world-class research work.
Applicants need to submit a clinical research concept they wish to
develop into a protocol at the Workshop. Online applications can be
made at www.acordworkshop.org.au Only online applications will be
accepted.
Currently there are over 80 staff involved in
new drug development, basic research on
cancer treatment, causes and prevention of
cancer. The Society’s funding also enabled
the establishment of CTNZ in 2003.
Closing Date for Applications: 31st March 2006.
More information about the Auckland Division
of the Cancer Society and the Society’s Research Centre can be found
on their web site: www.cancersocietyauckland.org.nz
Cochrane collaboration Library
The Cochrane Library Now Available to all New Zealanders.
The Cochrane Collaboration is an international organisation
committed to the production of accessible, high quality, up to date
systematic reviews of the effectiveness of healthcare interventions.
The Collaboration has been active since 1993 and now involves over
13,000 individuals from 91 countries. The Cochrane Library has been
the main publication vehicle for the Collaboration’s work. Access to the
Library’s content has been by subscription (individual or institutional)
via CD ROMs updated quarterly or by Internet access.
“New Look” CTNZ website
www.ctnz.auckland.ac.nz
Over the past few months
we have been working hard
towards completing changes
to our website which we hope
will now both look and operate
in a more “user friendly” way.
Examples of some of the
improvements made to date
include a new navigation system, search engine, and a quicklinks
option. We emphasis that this is a work in progress and any feedback
or ideas you have to improve this site would be welcome.
An increasing number of countries have made The Cochrane Library
free for all citizens by the purchase of a public domain national
license. In the latter part of 2005 a three-year national license for
New Zealand was secured after a joint funding arrangement by the
Ministry of Health and DHBNZ. Any New Zealander with Internet access
can now view the full content of the Cochrane Library at http://www.
thecochrane library.com
Every newsletter needs a cartoon!
The Library is a collection of 7 databases; the main database includes
all the Cochrane Reviews which have been growing in number by about
350 new reviews per year and now total 2524 completed reviews
and 1589 reviews in production. Other databases include nonCochrane systematic reviews, Heath Technology Assessment reports,
NHS Economic Evaluations and the largest searchable database of
randomised controlled trials (CENTRAL) which contains records of
463,763 RCTs!
This is an extraordinary resource which should be one of the first
“ports of call” for individuals wishing to seek information on the
effectiveness of healthcare interventions. Further information about
New Zealand’s contribution to the Cochrane Collaboration and how to
get involved and contribute is available at
http://www.cochrane.org.nz/
AND…on a cycling note,
Congratulations to our Director, Professor Mike Findlay for
successfully completing a stage of the New Zealand “Round Taupo”
cycle race, great stuff!
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►CTNZ Studies
COLORECTAL
CANCER
►CONTACTS
Professor Michael Findlay, Director
Hi 5 Study —Professor Bruce Baguley, Dr
Reuben Broom
Funding—Genesis Oncology Trust
This is a pilot study where scientists and
clinicians are exploring the clinical application
of blood markers (serum 5HIAA) associated with
endothelial damage during anti-cancer therapy.
CONTACT Sue Furness, email s.furness@
auckland.ac.nz (Trial open, Auckland Hospital)
Email [email protected]
Greta Riley, Manager
Email [email protected]
Dr Katrina Sharples, Biostatistician
Email [email protected]
Kasturi Naicker, Administration
XEN – Professor Michael Findlay
Funding - Roche Products (NZ) Ltd
A multicentre feasibility study using the
chemotherapy combination of Bi-monthly
Xeloda and Eloxatin, with the addition of
Avastin, in patients with advanced colorectal
cancer
This is study is investigating the feasibility of a
new treatment schedule for use in colorectal
cancer using the drugs Capecitabine (bi-monthly
dose intensified) and Oxaliplatin with concurrent
Bevacizumab
CONTACT Greta Riley, email greta.riley@
auckland.ac.nz (Protocol under development,
National study)
BREAST
CANCER
Dr Julie Brown, Senior Research Fellow
Email [email protected]
Blair Dickman, Clinical Research Associate
Email [email protected]
Janfrey Rickerby, Project Development Manager
Email [email protected]
CYCLOX II - Clinical Assoc Prof Vernon Harvey,
Prof Michael Findlay
Funding, Research Grant - Roche Products (NZ)
Ltd
A Randomised Phase II Study Comparing
Capecitabine with Capecitabine & Oral
Cyclophosphamide in Patients with Advanced
Breast Cancer. ISRCTN68662102, Protocol
CTNZ 01-03
This trial is a phase II study comparing two
chemotherapy treatments for advanced breast
cancer (capecitabine and capecitabine with
cyclophosphamide). Both drugs used are taken
by mouth, and are already used to treat breast
cancer in other combinations. Six NZ hospitals,
and 39 patients are now taking part in this trial.
http://www.ctnz.auckland.ac.nz/trials/Cyclox+II.
html
MELANOMA
Melanoma Vaccine Study - Ludwig Institute
for Cancer Research, Dr Catherine Barrow,
Assoc Prof Rod Dunbar
Funding—Ludwig Institute for Cancer
Research & Genesis Oncology Trust
A study of NY-ESO vaccine in resected advanced
melanoma. http://www.ctnz.auckland.ac.nz/
trials/meMelanoma.htm (North Shore Hospital)
ADVANCED
CYP2C19 study — Dr Nuala Helsby
Funding—Cancer Society
This study is looking at the effect of cancer
and genetic profiles in patients with advanced
cancer, on the function of an enzyme involved
in the metabolism of the chemotherapy drug
cyclophosphamide.
CONTACT Dr Nuala Helsby, email n.helsby@
auckland.ac.nz (Open, Auckland Hospital)
CANCER
Email [email protected]
CYP2C19 and chemotherapy
Dr Nuala Helsby is the driving
force behind a clinical study,
funded by the Cancer Society,
which explores the relationship
between disease and genetics
and the ability of the body to
process the chemotherapy
drug cyclophosphamide.
Currently a senior scientist
working at the University
of Auckland, Department
of
Molecular
Medicine
and Pathology, Dr Helsby’s
research
focuses
on
anticancer drug metabolism
and the mechanisms involved in their unwanted side effects. The
CYP2C19 study is just one small part of the research programme that
Dr Helsby is developing. Collaborative projects include investigation
of the selective activation of novel anticancer agents designed by the
ASCRC, through to clinical studies aimed at understanding the factors
which result in therapeutic failure and toxicity of cyclophosphamide.
The CYP2C19 project being run in collaboration with CTNZ is currently
recruiting volunteers in Auckland, and will be expanding to Wellington
in the near future.
For more information on Dr Helsby’s work :
http://www.health.auckland.ac.nz/molmedpath/research/cancer_
pharmacogenetics.htm
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►Meeting alerts for 2006
Date 2006
Meeting
Venue
Contact details
March 30
Establishing Regional Cancer Networks in
New Zealand
Wellington
www.moh.govt.nz/cancercontrol
April 28 – May 1st
National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and
Bowel Project (NSABP) group meeting
Denver, Colorado
www.nsabp.pitt.edu
May 3-4
New Zealand Society for Oncology
Conference (NZSO)
Hamilton
www.conference.co.nz/NZSO2006
May 3-4
Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma
Group (ALLG) Meeting
Melbourne
www.petermac.org
May 17-21
Trans-Tasman Oncology Group (TROG)
Queensland
www.ranzcr.edu.au
May 25th
NZ Clinical Research Conference (NZACRes)
Auckland
www.nzacres.org.nz
June 2-6
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Georgia, North America
www.asco.org
July 19-22
Australia & New Zealand Breast Cancer
Trials Group 28th annual scientific
meeting(ANZBCTG)
Cairns, Queensland
www.anzbctg.org
Prague, Czech Republic
www.eortc.be
The European Organisation for Research
and Treatment of Cancer.
Nov 7-10
(EORTC-NCI-AACR) International
Conference on “Molecular Targets and
Cancer Therapeutics”
Cancer Trials New Zealand (CTNZ)
Discipline of Oncology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019,
85 Park Rd, Grafton, AUCKLAND
Email:
Telephone: Facsimile: Website: [email protected]
+ 64 9 373 7599 extn 84927
+ 64 9 373 7927
www.ctnz.auckland.ac.nz
CTNZ acknowledge the following organisations for their support
Novartis
Roche Products (NZ) Ltd
Auckland Cancer Society
The University of Auckland
CTNZ also wish to acknowledge NZ Oil Services Ltd, the Canterbury West Coast Division of the Cancer
Society and the Van der Veer Institute, Christchurch, for their support of CTNZ
operations staff based off-site.
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