For individuals diagnosed with sarcoma, surgery to remove the tumor is a crucial first step. However, the constant fear of the cancer’s return is a significant emotional burden. A powerful new collaboration, however, is working to change this outcome, offering new hope for people diagnosed with sarcoma and their families.
This groundbreaking research is the result of a partnership between the recently established Australian Centre for RNA Therapeutics in Cancer (ACRTC) and Dr. Ben Wylie’s team at The Kids Research Institute. Dr. Wylie and his colleagues have a long-standing relationship of support and collaboration with Sock it to Sarcoma!.
The ACRTC, located at The University of Western Australia, was founded to develop innovative RNA-based treatments. This revolutionary approach aims to stop cancer at a molecular level. By bringing together top researchers and advanced technology, the center supports projects with the potential to transform cancer therapy. This sarcoma project is one of its first major initiatives.
The core technology of this research is messenger RNA (mRNA), the same technology successfully used in the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. In this case, the research aims to use mRNA to signal the body’s immune cells, instructing them to destroy any cancer cells remaining after surgery.
A primary challenge in this field has been delivering these potent messenger molecules directly to a tumor. The collaborative team is developing a new method to deliver the drug precisely where it is needed. The objective is to create a safer, more effective treatment that reduces side effects and allows patients a quicker return home.
This targeted strategy, made possible by the combination of Dr. Wylie’s clinical expertise and the ACRTC’s technological capabilities, could significantly alter the treatment landscape for people impacted by sarcoma . Key benefits of this approach include:
- More Effective Treatment: By activating the immune system in a specific area, the therapy can target cancer cells with greater precision.
- Reduced Side Effects: Targeted delivery requires lower doses of the drug, which minimizes the toxic effects common with traditional cancer treatments.
- Less Reliance on Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy: This could spare people from the long-term health complications often associated with these treatments.
The partnership between Sock it to Sarcoma!, Dr. Wylie’s dedicated team, and the advanced facilities at the ACRTC demonstrates the power of collaboration in the effort to create a future free from cancer. This research offers not only a new defense against sarcoma but also provides what families impacted by a sarcoma diagnosis need most: hope.
Sock it to Sarcoma! is proud to continue its support for Dr. Wylie and his team as they work to translate this promising research into a clinical reality, moving us one step closer to a world where no one fears the return of sarcoma.
