Skip to content
Home page - Centenary Institute Centenary Institute

Primary menu

  • Research
        • Research

          The latest medical research into our most complex health challenges across cancer, cardiovascular disease and inflammation

          Learn more

        • Cancer
        • Inflammation
        • Cardiovascular
        • Programs
        • Laboratories
        • Diseases
        • Expertises
        • Services and instrumentation
  • Support us
        • Support us

          By supporting the Centenary Institute you can help improve human health through excellence in medical research

          Learn more

        • Workplace giving
        • Host or join a fundraiser
        • Gift in your Will
        • Donate in Memory
  • Impact
        • Impact

          Our research develops new diagnostics, treatments and cures for some of the most deadly and debilitating diseases affecting society today

          Learn more

        • Breakthroughs
        • Community and research
        • Real stories
  • Health hub
        • Health hub

          A range of practical information to assist in the possible preventions to disease through evidence-based research on how the body works.

          Learn more

        • Inflammation
        • The Good Gut Anti-Inflammatory Diet
        • Ageing
        • Exercise Snack Program
  • News & events
        • News & Events

          Explore the latest research breakthroughs and ways you can take part in our series of digital and in-person events

        • News
        • Events
        • Media Hub
  • About us
        • About us

          We are world-leading independent medical research institute that drives collaboration to accelerate and translate solutions to our most complex health challenges

          Learn more

        • Governance
        • Corporate information
        • Annual reports
        • Our researchers
        • Careers and studies
        • Contact
  • Donate
    Centenary Institute > News > Improving care for liver cancer patients

Improving care for liver cancer patients

Date time 4 July, 2021
News Type News type Institute
Researchers from the Centenary Institute and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) are co-investigators on three separate liver cancer focused projects that have recently received funding from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and the Cancer Institute NSW.

Researchers from the Centenary Institute and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) are co-investigators on three separate liver cancer focused projects that have recently received funding from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and the Cancer Institute NSW.

All projects aim to improve outcomes for patients with liver cancer, the fastest growing cancer in Australia and the world.

The two MRFF funded projects are:

Microbial based biomarkers powered by artificial intelligence for early detection of liver cancer in Australia. The Australian Liver Cancer Microbiome Consortium, $4 million. Lead institution,  University of New South Wales. Chief Investigator: Associate Professor Amany Zekry.

The IC3 Trial: Identifying Cirrhosis and Liver Cancer in Primary Care, $3.2 million. Lead institution, University of Western Australia. Chief Investigator: Professor Leon Adams.

The Cancer Institute NSW funded project is:

The APRICA program: Accelerated translational research in PRImary Liver Cancer, $4 million. Lead institution, University of Sydney. Chief Investigator: Professor Jacob George.

Professor Geoff McCaughan (pictured), Head of the Liver injury and Cancer Program at the Centenary Institute and Director of the AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre at RPAH, is affiliated with all three projects. He was pleased to see the National and NSW Governments supporting research in such a critical health area.

“Close to 3,000 people in Australia will be diagnosed with liver cancer this year with the long-term prospects for many of these patients being quite poor. The unfortunate reality is that the five year survival rate for liver cancer is less than 20%. It’s very encouraging that both Governments have responded so positively to addressing research in liver disease, an area which has been in need of increased funding for many years.”

Professor McCaughan said the two MRFF projects, although distinct, were complementary in purpose and outlook. Both would explore new methods to detect potential liver cancer in patients at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at an earlier stage – and ahead of existing screening processes. 

“Early detection of cirrhosis, often a prelude to liver cancer, as well as the early detection of liver cancer itself, allows for earlier curative treatments which results in improved outcomes for patients,” said Professor McCaughan.

Professor McCaughan also noted the benefits that the APRICA program of research would deliver.

“This grant will enable best clinical care across NSW including regional communities for patients with HCC. This includes maximising prevention through to new therapies and palliative care, as well as preliminary research on the liver immune response, the microbiome and disease.”

Announcements relating to these projects can be found on the Australian Government’s Department of Health website and the website of the Cancer Institute NSW.

[ENDS]

Themes

  • Cancer

    Cancer

Media enquires

For all media and interview enquiries, please contact Tony Crawshaw, Media and Communications Manager

Phone number Phone Number 0402 770 403

Email Email t.crawshaw@centenary.org.au

Recent Stories

  • Research to unlock the secrets of muscle loss in ageing

    The Centenary Institute and the University of Technology Sydney will lead pioneering research into age-related muscle loss, called sarcopenia, with a Dynamic Resilience Program contract from Wellcome Leap.
    News Type: Media release
    Date 28 Sep 2023
  • New treatment offers hope for advanced liver cancer

    Researchers have discovered a new way to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide.
    News Type: Media release
    Date 26 Sep 2023
  • Meet Dr Bobby Boumelhem

    Dr Bobby Boumelhem, a dedicated researcher at the Centenary Institute, is on a mission to enhance the quality of life for individuals grappling with liver disease. Diseases such as hepatitis, liver cancer, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis pose significant health challenges.
    News Type: Profiles
    Date 22 Sep 2023
  • Cancer drug for COVID-19

    Researchers, including Dr Matt Johansen from the Centenary UTS Centre for Inflammation and Professor Phil Hansbro, Director of the Centenary UTS Centre for Inflammation, have discovered that a cancer drug could play an important role in limiting the damaging effects of lung disease in COVID-19 patients.
    News Type: Research News
    Date 19 Sep 2023

Subscribe to receive news on
research updates and free events

Newsletter

The Centenary Institute is a world-leading independent Medical Research Institute.

We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Centenary Institute stands.

About

  • About
  • Governance
  • Corporate information

Research

  • Programs
  • Our researchers
  • News
  • Media hub

Careers & studies

  • Career opportunities
  • Life at Centenary

Links

  • Contact
  • Privacy statement

Contact us

Building 93, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Missenden Rd
Camperdown NSW 2050 Australia
Telephone +61 2 9565 6100
Fax +61 2 9565 6101

Contact Privacy

Centenary Institute ABN 22 654 201 090 (DGR 1) • Centenary Institute Medical Research Foundation ABN 85 778 244 012 (DGR 2)
© 2017 Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology.

  • Linkedin
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram