Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat, with many patients diagnosed at a stage where surgery is no longer possible. Because surgery remains the only potential cure, researchers are constantly searching for ways to shrink tumours and create more treatment options for patients.
Associate Professor Kara Vine-Perrow and her team at the University of Wollongong have developed an innovative implant designed to deliver chemotherapy directly into pancreatic tumours. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which travels throughout the body and can cause significant side effects, this approach targets the tumour itself, delivering high concentrations of treatment exactly where it is needed.
With Pancare funding through Par 5 Business, the team has successfully developed and tested the implant in preclinical studies, demonstrating both its safety and effectiveness. The technology has progressed from an early research concept to a patented innovation with the potential to transform how pancreatic cancer is treated.
The long term goal is to help shrink previously inoperable tumours, giving more patients the opportunity to undergo life-saving surgery. The research team is now working towards the next milestone: securing funding for a first-in-human clinical trial.
