CANCER
Cancer research For our broad cancer research program at NSLHD, 2020 presented an opportunity to rethink our research efforts, with the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in enforced changes on interactions, realigned priorities, and limits on many routine research activities such as experimental laboratory-based research. In response to these challenges, clinical and scientist cancer researchers developed a clinically focused, patient-centric theme for data generation, to implement real-time data capture and mining, and increase the available information, for example, from genome sequencing of biological samples. As well, NSLHD researchers played a leading role in providing national and global advice around COVID-19. Sydney Vital, a translational cancer research centre based at NSLHD, continued its translational and capacity-building activities in the district and was among the earliest research bodies to hold a face-to-face research symposium in November 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2020, Royal North Shore Hospital was announced as the preferred site for the National Imaging Facility’s “Total Body PET” (Positron Emission Tomography) scanner project. This is a $15 million collaboration between the Australian Government, University of Sydney and NSLHD, which will greatly enhance imaging access for cancer researchers in particular, as well as in a number of other areas such as cardiovascular, immunology, neurosciences and musculoskeletal disorders.
Key 2020 drug and alcohol research projects include: › 227 peer-reviewed publications for 2020, up 46 per cent on the previous year and a 30 per cent increase over the last five years › $5 million in funding from diverse sources, including NHMRC, Mark Hughes Foundation and Tour de Cure. › NSW Premier’s Outstanding Cancer Clinical Trials Unit 2019 award › Over 50 clinical cancer trials active in 2020 › The Bill Walsh Cancer Research Laboratory continued its work in investigating the relationship between the cancer microenvironment and inflammation and added a series of experimental radiobiological studies to try to understand how radionuclides can be better used to treat a range of cancers
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RESEARCH ANNUAL REPORT 2020
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