The impact of our blood cancer research
As a leader in blood cancer research, QIMR Berghofer has multiple labs working to improve cancer treatment and outcomes. Research in blood cancers has a long history of producing groundbreaking treatments that have transformed the way all cancers are treated.
- Targeted therapies were developed after scientists understood the genetic basis of chronic myeloid leukaemia. Now, many patients worldwide benefit from targeted medications, specifically designed to counteract specific genetic mutations that can cause cancer;
- The immunotherapy revolution started after antibody treatments began to be used for lymphoma. A patient’s immune system is recruited to destroy cancer cells in much the same way that it recognises and destroys foreign cells that cause infection;
- Immunotherapy has now evolved to include ‘living drugs’ or cell therapies, where a patient’s own immune cells are genetically modified to fight cancer.
These therapies not only save lives but have also radically changed our scientific understanding of how we can manipulate the immune system to treat cancer. While the challenges of treating blood cancers remain, we have seen significant improvements in survival nationally over the past two decades.
We’re involved in an Australian-first trial offering DNA sequencing of people with blood cancer to match them with new and more effective treatments.
We’re delivering cutting-edge CAR-T cell therapies to people with blood cancer through a phase 1 clinical trial, in collaboration with the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital.
We’ve discovered a vital new clue to improving immunotherapy to fight blood cancers such as leukaemia and myeloma.
We’ve potentially unlocked a new approach to targeting acute myeloid leukaemia, bringing hope to patients who are no longer responding to existing treatments.
About blood cancer
Blood cancer occurs when abnormal blood cells start growing uncontrollably. This interferes with the normal functioning of the blood and immune system.
There are three main types of blood cancer:
- Leukaemias are cancers of the white blood cells, which begin in the bone marrow;
- Lymphomas develop from the cells (lymphocytes) that make up the immune system;
- Myeloma develops from plasma cells in the bone marrow.
While blood cancers can affect people of all ages, leukaemia is more frequently diagnosed in children and older adults. In contrast, lymphoma and myeloma are more commonly found in people over 16.
As with many other cancers, symptoms of blood cancer can vary depending on the specific type and stage of the disease. Common symptoms include:
- unexplained weight loss
- fatigue and weakness
- frequent infections
- easy bruising or bleeding
- enlarged lymph nodes
- night sweats
- bone pain or tenderness
- shortness of breath
- fever and chills
- abdominal discomfort or fullness.
The treatment options for blood cancer depend on the specific type, stage, and individual factors. The main treatments for blood cancer include:
- chemotherapy
- radiation therapy
- immunotherapy – boosting the body's immune system to help it recognise and destroy cancer cells
- targeted therapy – targeting specific abnormalities within cancer cells to interfere with their growth and survival
- stem cell transplantation – replacing diseased or damaged stem cells with healthy ones, either from the patient (autologous) or a compatible donor (allogeneic).