The Foundation has made a contribution of A$4.5 million (HK$25 million) to the University of Sydney to support Australia’s first clinical trial testing CAR T-cell immunotherapy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
The trial, conducted by the new Li Ka Shing Cell and Gene Initiative, is led by Professor John Rasko, an internationally recognised clinical haematologist and gene therapy expert. The experimental therapy has the potential to treat dozens of cancers – including lung, ovarian, and some breast cancers – by targeting a specific protein on the surface of tumour cells. The contribution would also help establish a gene therapy workforce to put Australia at the forefront of product developments in the field of immunotherapy.
Please see related article in the Sydney Morning Herald.