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cancer trials new zealand 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 1 ►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! 2 ►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 3 ►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. 4