Blood Cancer Research Western Australia (BCRWA) is committed to providing ground-breaking clinical trials. To conduct these trials effectively, we rely on the expertise of specialised healthcare professionals.
At the heart of our mission is our one-to-two-year fellowship program, which attracts talented haematology clinical research fellows from around the world. These fellows play a vital role in facilitating patient recruitment and overseeing all aspects of patient management. Beyond providing direct patient care—both within and outside clinical trials—they also gain invaluable experience in trial design, helping to accelerate access to novel treatments for Western Australians with blood cancers.
In addition to our fellows, we prioritise recruiting subspecialist blood cancer Clinical Nurse Consultants and Nurse Practitioners. These highly trained professionals offer comprehensive, tailored care to patients facing complex blood cancers. From diagnosis treatment, they enhance the patient experience, particularly during participation in clinical trials. Working closely with fellows and consultants in specialised streams (lymphoma, myeloma, and leukaemia), they provide essential support to optimise patient outcomes.
Our funding efforts are primarily directed towards recruiting, training, and supporting these critical healthcare professionals. Through their collaboration, we strengthen our capacity to advance blood cancer research and improve patient care across Western Australia.
Fund-A-Fellow Initiative
The Fund-A-Fellow Initiative is a dedicated funding program designed to support the recruitment of a clinical research fellow for their two-year term, as well as a specialised blood cancer nurse. Driven by a group of committed donors, this initiative has played a crucial role in securing ongoing fellows and nurses for BCRWA.
Investigator-Initiated Trials
At BCRWA, we are dedicated to advancing blood cancer treatment investigator-initiated trials—studies designed and led by our own clinicians rather than the industry. These trials, driven by local expertise and a commitment to innovation, play a pivotal role in expanding medical knowledge, improving patient care, and increasing access to novel therapies. They also strengthen local research capacity and foster scientific collaboration across multiple disciplines.
Under the leadership of Prof Cheah, our investigator-initiated trials program addressed key challenges in lymphoma management, pioneering novel treatment approaches. In these studies, our researchers take the lead in designing, funding, and executing trials, allowing for greater flexibility and a sharper focus on specific clinical needs. We leverage strong partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry and collaborate with national and international research teams to drive impactful discoveries.
Examples of these trials include:
- GOlDiLOX: An innovative study combining two best-in-class novel non-chemotherapy agents (glofitamab and pirtobrutinib) to treat patients with mantle cell lymphoma experiencing failure of conventional treatments.
- LEVERAGE: A non-chemotherapy triplet combination treatment for patients with newly diagnosed follicular lymphoma, resulting in outcomes comparable to chemotherapy but without its typical side effects, such as hair loss or nerve damage.
- PACIFIC: An exploration of an immune checkpoint inhibitor with reduced intensity chemotherapy to improve cure rates and lower side effects for patients with primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma undergoing initial therapy.
These clinician-driven studies provide unparalleled flexibility and focus, enabling us to deliver patient-centred solutions and drive significant advancements in blood cancer treatment.
As pioneers in blood cancer research, we remain committed to driving local innovations and transforming patient care. Through the collaborative efforts of our fellows, nurses, consultants, and donors, we continue to shape the future of blood cancer treatment, offering hope and improved outcomes for patients and their families.
