A researcher from The University of Western Australia has been awarded $480,000 in funding over the next four years for vital research into the treatment of those living with lung cancer and mesothelioma, after securing one of this year’s Cancer Council WA Research Fellowships.

"We are thrilled this Fellowship will go towards helping people with lung cancer and mesothelioma respond to treatment.”

Cancer Council WA Cancer Prevention and Research Director, Melissa Ledger

Professor Jenette Creaney, from UWA’s School of Biomedical Sciences, Scientific Director of the National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases and a research leader with the Institute for Respiratory Health, said the funding would allow her to continue the research that underpinned the current clinical trial and help expand to the next phase of clinical trials. 

Image: Professor Jenette Creaney, UWA School of Biomedical Sciences.

“I would like to thank Cancer Council WA for this funding opportunity, which will allow me to lead research from WA that brings together scientists and clinicians from across Australia,” Professor Creaney said.

“Modern cancer treatments are highly successful in some but not the majority of people. At present, I am testing the safety and practicality of a personalised vaccine approach by understanding and enhancing the ability of the body’s own immune system to recognise and attack tumour cells.”

Cancer Council WA Cancer Prevention and Research Director Melissa Ledger said the Research Fellowships were based on merit, so it was exciting to see the funding being directed into treatment of lung cancer and mesothelioma.

“We would like to congratulate Professor Creaney for being awarded a Cancer Council WA Research Fellowship,” Ms Ledger said.

“Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in WA with more than 1000 cases diagnosed in the State each year. Additionally, WA has the highest rate of mesothelioma in the world.

“These cancers have very poor outcomes with more than 80 per cent of people with lung cancer and 95 per cent of people with mesothelioma dying within five years of diagnosis, so we are thrilled this Fellowship will go towards helping people with lung cancer and mesothelioma respond to treatment.”