Genomic profiling offers hope for 23,000 cancer patients

A high technology genomic profiling program supported by the Australian Government will examine new treatments for advanced and incurable cancers.

Precision Oncology Screening Platform Enabling Clinical Trials (PrOSPeCT) is a landmark program led by Omico, a network of leading cancer research institutions and hospitals. Omico is also known as the Australian Genomic Cancer Medicine Centre.

The PrOSPeCT program will support comprehensive genomic profiling of over 23,000 Australian patients with advanced and incurable cancers.

Patients will be recruited from across Australia, including rural, regional, and remote patients. Where possible, they will be matched to clinical trials for innovative biomarker-dependent cancer treatments and other therapy options.

The Australian Government has invested $61.2 million in PrOSPeCT, under the Modern Manufacturing Initiative administered by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

Other investors in the $185 million program include NSW Health and key partners the National Computational Infrastructure at the Australian National University, Roche Australia, the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia and Bioplatforms Australia.

The program is expected to increase clinical trials activity in Australia by identifying cohorts of patients with advanced or incurable disease across a range of cancers who may otherwise not have the opportunity to enter a clinical trial.