Prostate Cancer campaign success
Queenslanders have delivered a giant boost to the search for a better treatment and ultimately a cure for prostate cancer, a disease that affects one in nine men in Australia. The Mater Foundation—with the support of the community—has raised $5.3 million towards clinical trials research to help prostate cancer patients.
Scientists at the Mater Medical Research Institute (MMRI) are developing a vaccine that uses the body’s own defences to fight prostate cancer.
Dr. Rebecca Prue is one of the MMRI scientists conducting the clinical trial. “This research offers a real promise that a therapeutic vaccine for prostate cancer will be available to treat, and ultimately cure, future generations of sons and grandsons, without the harsh side effects of current therapies. The MMRI is the first in Australia to develop this technology,” said Rebecca.
Two more stages of clinical trials will be needed before this treatment can become available to prostate cancer patients worldwide. Research costs millions of dollars—through this effort, Queenslanders have made a significant difference to lives of thousands of men and their families.