Below the belt
Dr Craig Gedye, Calvary Mater Newcastle Medical Oncology Staff Specialist, was recently successful in securing a “Below the Belt Research Fund Award” supported by the Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP) for ‘AdapTax’.
AdapTax is a clinical trial designed to test the idea of taking breaks off a standard chemotherapy called ‘docetaxel’ for men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer.
This much needed research grant will allow clinicians and the Medical Oncology Research (MOR) unit at the hospital to explore a new approach to treating metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. These treatments aim to suit the individual needs of the patients rather than asking men to fit into strict treatment schedules.
Once the docetaxel is controlling the cancer, the treatment will be stopped. The docetaxel will then be restarted when the cancer starts to regain control. It is hoped that patients may be able to stop and restart the treatment again and again and again. While every man’s cancer is predicted to eventually become resistant to the chemotherapy treatment, using an effective treatment more sparingly is hoped to spread the benefit over a longer period of time, without any more side-effects.
The Medical Oncology Research Unit at the Mater is a well-established experienced team of dedicated clinicians, clinical trial coordinators, data managers, laboratory technicians and administrative support. The unit works to deliver a diverse range of quality clinical trials to provide cancer patients in the Hunter Region with access to emerging therapies as a standard of care. The unit works hard to future-proof and support the hospital’s ever expanding portfolio of clinical trials.
Dr Craig Gedye and Kelly Healey, members of the MOR Clinical Trials Unit, will also be participating in the ‘Below the Belt Pedalthon’ to raise much needed funds to continue to support the research into ‘Below the Belt’ cancers.
Anyone wishing to support them in their fundraising campaign can do so by following the links below.
Every cent raised through the Below the Belt Pedalthon and supporters’ kind donations goes directly towards clinical trial research via the Below the Belt Research Fund.