Lake Macquarie Private Hospital, operated by Ramsay Health Care, has marked a milestone by becoming the first site in Australia to participate in the international breast cancer clinical trial, CAMBRIA-2.
The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a new hormone treatment in curing breast cancer compared with existing standard therapies.
The CAMBRIA-2 trial targets men and women with ER-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer that presents an intermediate or high risk of recurrence.
As a Phase III open-label study, it plans to enlist approximately 5,500 patients across 700 sites in 40 countries.
The treatment under investigation is known as a selective oestrogen receptor degrader, which functions by dismantling the oestrogen receptors in cells, thereby preventing the activation of these receptors by oestrogen.
CAMBRIA-2 Breast Cancer Clinical Trial principal investigator Dr Nick Zdenkowski emphasised the trial's significance for current participants and global breast cancer patients.
Nick Zdenkowski said: “I am very proud that Lake Macquarie Private Hospital was the first site activated and had the first patient recruited to the study in Australia. It shows the dedication of all the people involved, and the effective processes that are in place to allow trials to start up in as short a timeframe as possible to bring this sought-after option to the patients who we look after.
“We now have the opportunity to contribute to practice change and potentially improve patient outcomes worldwide.”
Lake Macquarie Private Hospital Clinical Trials and Research Unit manager Hollie Ritchie said: “We have already recruited seven participants which shows how important it is to have clinical trial options available to our patients.
“At Lake Macquarie Private Hospital we’re committed to offering patients the best available treatments close to home, whether that be the best standard of care or a new treatment that has the potential to be more effective.”
Situated in Gateshead, 15 km south of Newcastle CBD, Lake Macquarie Private Hospital is a 187-bed facility offering advanced medical and surgical services.
It caters to the healthcare needs of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie cities, as well as the wider Hunter – New England regions.
Earlier this month, the hospital unveiled technology designed to assess cognitive function swiftly and accurately within six minutes.
This advancement aims to streamline concussion assessment and management for residents of the Hunter Valley.
The technology, present in the hospital's emergency department, offers a quick, non-invasive brain function scan, delivering immediate results for patients.
