Latest news with #DavidCurtis
Herald Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- Herald Sun
Game-changing treatment triples blood cancer patients' chances of surviving
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cancer. Followed categories will be added to My News. A 'game-changing' Australian blood cancer treatment triples patients chances of surviving, being cancer free and avoiding serious, life-long complications, new research shows. The breakthrough is set to change a key part of blood stem cell transplants — which can have life-threatening side effects — and uses an existing, affordable drug. The research, led by Melbourne's Alfred Hospital and Monash University, has already prompted several Australian health services to switch to the new treatment and several other countries are expected to follow in their foot steps. The five-year trial involved multiple Australian and New Zealand hospitals and more than 100 leukaemia patients who had received a blood stem cell transplant from a matched donor. The transplants are a lifesaving blood cancer treatment that allow patients to receive healthy blood-making cells, but they are also high risk. About one in three patients reject the cells — a serious complication known as 'graft versus host disease', where the donor's immune system attacks their healthy organs. Alfred haematologist and Monash University Professor David Curtis said doctors gave patients a combination of drugs post-transplant to try and reduce that risk but it did not 'prevent it always'. He said they wanted to find a better option and their trial found a new, less toxic drug combination halved patients' risk of GVD without increasing the risk of a cancer relapse. 'In people who got the standard treatment, after three years only one in six were alive, free of their disease and without having suffered graft versus host disease,' he said. 'With the new treatment, it's one in two. You're three times more likely to be alive without disease and without having suffered graft versus host disease.' Professor Curtis said it was important to spare patients from GVD, which was fatal for a small proportion and, for others, a less deadly but chronic, disfiguring disease. 'It lasts basically forever,' he said. 'It can affect any organ, but it often affects people's skin.' Every year, about 150 of the 600 patients who get a blood stem cell transplants in Australia and New Zealand suffer a serious complication. Prof Curtis said it caused issues including cataracts, hair-loss and a tightening of the skin that could look like a bad burn, and medications weren't always effective. The Australian protocol swapped one of the two drugs used in the standard treatment with an affordable chemotherapy drug. The study was sponsored by the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Leukaemia survivor Stephanie Jouhari, 27, was in the trial and received the new treatment after her cancer relapsed at the age of 22. Ms Jouhari, now in remission, said research that didn't just improve survival rates — but also what that post-cancer life looked like. 'I want to be where I can be, healed and healthy and at the same level as everyone else who's in my 20s as well and not feel like I've got all these other obstacles now to face for the rest of my life,' she said. 'It's already a difficult time so to make it less likely for there to be ongoing health issues . . . it's just huge . . . If we can continue funding and researching and doing these clinical trials, it'll just mean that the next group of people who unfortunately have to face this disease can walk away with much better prognosis but also a lot less suffering and trauma from the actual treatment itself.' 'Rapid review' of IVF ordered by nation's health ministers
Scoop
6 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Australasian-led Clinical Trial In Stem Cell Transplant For Blood Cancers Set To Change 40 Years Of Standard Practice
Leading Australian and New Zealand researchers have demonstrated that the use of a new, less toxic drug combination after stem cell transplants for leukaemia significantly improves patient outcomes post-transplant, reducing the risk of the life-threatening complication of Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD). The BM12 CAST trial, a major clinical trial led by the Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group (ALLG) across New Zealand and Australian hospitals, will transform global blood stem cell transplant outcomes for people with high-risk blood cancers like leukaemia. 'This new treatment triples the chances of a patient being alive, healthy and free of GVHD three years after stem cell transplant,' said lead ALLG BM12 researcher, Professor David Curtis, Clinical Haematologist and senior bone marrow transplant physician at The Alfred and Director of Malignant Haematology Research at the Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University. Blood stem cell transplants are often lifesaving for leukaemia patients, but they come with a high risk of life-threatening complications, especially in the first 100 days after transplant. Common side effects include infections, organ damage, and the often-debilitating Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD), an irreversible lifelong complication. 'The BM12 trial showed the new treatment combination is simple, safe and more effective than current methods in preventing GVHD, which contributes to death or life-long illness in 20% of patients undergoing a blood stem cell transplant,' said Prof Curtis. Results of BM12 trial were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the European Hematology Association 2025 Meeting in Milan, Italy. These results are game-changing for stem cell transplant patients, with cyclosporin and cyclophosphamide offering a new standard of care for prevention of GVHD for patients with aggressive blood cancers undergoing transplant from a matched related blood stem cell donor. Researchers compared the standard drug combination used for the last 40 years with a new combination of cyclophosphamide and cyclosporin, for leukaemia patients. The new drug combination tripled the number of patients that were alive, cured of the blood cancer and not suffering from GVHD three years after transplant (49.1% vs 14.2% for the standard drug combination). The risk of serious side effects also dropped from 32.4% to 19.7%. The trial's success has immediate implications for clinical practice in the management of blood stem cell transplants. The simplicity and effectiveness of the new treatment, along with reduced toxicity and improved patient outcomes, will become the new standard of care in GVHD prevention for matched sibling transplants. The ALLG BM12 CAST trial's success is particularly important for patients such as Gladys Borgueta, who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) and admitted to Auckland Hospital's Motutapu Ward in May 2021. 'Nothing prepares you for an unexpected diagnosis like acute myeloid leukaemia, everything else becomes a blur and your world is turned upside down. Nothing prepares you for the months, weeks in hospital and sometimes in isolation,' said Gladys. ALLG researcher, haematologist Dr Clinton Lewis and colleagues from Auckland Hospital, met with Gladys and suggested the ALLG BM12 trial. 'I knew that the team around me would give me the best care possible. I had however no high expectations just because this was a trial, it could go either way,' Gladys said. Gladys was allocated to the new treatment arm of the BM12 clinical trial and received a stem cell transplant in January 2022. The new drug combination meant that her transplant was successful and she avoided serious side effects such as GVHD. Three years on, Gladys continues to do well after her transplant and is in remission from her leukaemia. 'Without research, I would not have, or for that matter any other patient, benefited from the treatment I got. I feel grateful and blessed to be given a second chance at life.' Auckland Hospital lead investigator, Dr Clinton Lewis, said, 'The results of this exciting study are already changing practice in New Zealand and will continue to improve the lives of cancer patients receiving allogeneic stem cell transplants.' 'Our options for treating Graft versus Host Disease in New Zealand remain very limited compared to other countries, so preventing this complication is incredibly important for our patients.' 'This study shows that we can help our patients live better lives, free of their cancer and GVHD, when we utilise this treatment approach. This sets an improved standard of care in New Zealand', said Dr Lewis. The BM12 CAST trial was funded by the Australian Government's Medical Research Future Fund, the Auckland Medical Research Fund and the Cancer Society of New Zealand.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Hampshire 80-year-old cycles 80 mile in one day for charity
A woman has celebrated her 80th birthday by cycling 80 miles (129 km) in one day for the cancer centre that treated her. Lin Osbourne, from Basingstoke in Hampshire, celebrated the milestone birthday by raising money for the Ark Cancer Centre at Basingstoke and North Hampshire centre treated her last year for mouth cancer, which left her critically ill and in a Osbourne cycled from Poole Harbour, in Dorset, to Basingstoke in Hampshire, and said: "The best thing was that people joined me on the way and that was amazing." Ms Osbourne said her cancer was on her tongue and mouth and she had to have a 12-hour operation to remove said: "After the surgery, it really hit me, what I had been through, was as bad as it gets, worse than anything I'd been through."The Ark Cancer Centre in Basingstoke they were so helpful, they cared for me and they gave me hope."They said to me that I would never be the same again which I found very very difficult to accept."Then I realised that maybe change isn't always negative, so I thought something to focus on rather than focus on the bad stuff." She told BBC Berkshire that she "wanted to focus on something positive", adding: "I cycle anyway, I love cycling."I decided to do 80 miles for my 80 years, but my friend, Alistair Craig helped me with the route, exactly 80 miles and my friend David Curtis helped me train after my surgery."Ms Osbourne said she stuck to "bike-friendly roads" when completing her challenge."They were nice roads, quiet roads, it wasn't the A30 or anything, by the coast and through the New Forest," she said."The best thing was that people joined me on the way and that was amazing."It was quite magical really, having them all there." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Global Healthy Living Foundation Showcases Patient-Centered Digital Innovations for Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases at European Arthritis Conference
UPPER NYACK, N.Y., June 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLF), a leader in patient-centered research and education, is proud to announce its participation in the European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2025 in Barcelona June 11-14. GHLF will present two abstracts highlighting innovative digital solutions designed to address suboptimal treatment and enhance disease management by strengthening doctor–patient communication and equipping individuals living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions. Empowering Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis Through OA Compass In the abstract titled "OA Compass: An Online Decision-Making Tool Empowering Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis Through Stories, Treatment Guidance, and Personalized Support" (Abstract #153, PARE Track), GHLF introduces OA Compass—a free, online, interactive resource designed to help patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) better understand and manage their condition can be found at "We heard time and again from patients that they felt overwhelmed and isolated when trying to make treatment decisions," said Shelley Fritz, Patient-Centered Engagement and Insights Manager at GHLF. "OA Compass was built to meet people where they are—offering support, education, and validation in a way that truly feels human." Developed through interviews with patients and orthopedic surgeons, OA Compass features real-life patient video stories, treatment information, and customizable guides to support shared decision-making with healthcare providers. Since its launch, the tool has reached nearly 2,000 users, generated over 900 hours of video engagement, and demonstrated its value in improving patient confidence and disease self-management. Real-Time Integration of Patient-Reported Insights in Rheumatic Disease Care A second abstract, "Implementing a Digital Platform for Real-Time Collection and Integration of Patient-Reported Insights in Rheumatic Disease Management" (Abstract #2835, Clinical Research Track), highlights a novel digital tool developed by GHLF to elevate the patient voice in routine rheumatology care. The tool—a brief, 2-minute digital questionnaire available at developed with direct input from both patients and clinicians. It captures real-time insights across conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. "Many patients struggle to communicate residual symptoms or are unsure how to raise concerns during medical appointments, often resulting in settling for suboptimal disease management. By encouraging open dialogue, the tool empowers patients to voice their experiences and needs and also guides them on how to communicate better with their healthcare team," says David Curtis, Chief Technology Officer at GHLF who led the design and development of the platform, building a streamlined, user-friendly interface that leverages real-time data to enhance patient engagement and clinical communication. Among the 2,192 patients who completed the tool, nearly 89% said they would share their results with their healthcare provider—highlighting its value in enhancing shared decision-making and surfacing hidden barriers to effective care. Innovating With, Not Just For, Patients "These projects reflect our unwavering commitment to developing tools that meet patients where they are," said Shilpa Venkatachalam, PhD, MPH, Chief, Patient-Centered Research Operations and Ethical Oversight Officer at GHLF. "We're proud to bring forward research that not only leverages digital health solutions but does so by embedding the patient voice from the start." GHLF's work continues to advance global conversations on integrating lived experience into rheumatology research, care delivery, and policy. Both abstracts highlight the role of accessible technology in enhancing patient-provider communication and improving quality of life for people living with chronic musculoskeletal conditions. For more information about GHLF's research or to explore the OA Compass and RheumAssessment tools, visit About GHLF The Global Healthy Living Foundation is a U.S. based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, international organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses by advocating for improved access to health care through education, patient-centered clinical research, support, advocacy, and economic and policy research. GHLF is also a staunch advocate for vaccines. The Global Healthy Living Foundation is the parent organization of CreakyJoints®, the international, digital community for millions of people living with arthritis and their supporters worldwide who seek education, support, activism, and patient-centered research in English, Spanish, and French. In addition to arthritis and autoimmune disorders, GHLF supports dermatology, gastroenterology, neurology, cardiology, oncology, infectious disease, rare disease, and pulmonary patients through a host of different programs and activities which draw more than 700,000 patients a month to GHLF websites and create more than 10 million impressions a month on seven social media platforms. In 2024, GHLF had more than 1 million views and listens with its patient-centered audio-visual content, found on YouTube and podcast platforms. GHLF never asks the public for donations, receiving funding instead through governments, non-governmental organizations, foundations, industry, family foundations, and GHLF Co-Founder Louis Tharp. Visit for more information. View source version on Contacts Louis TharpLTHARP@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
11-06-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Global Healthy Living Foundation Showcases Patient-Centered Digital Innovations for Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases at European Arthritis Conference
UPPER NYACK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLF), a leader in patient-centered research and education, is proud to announce its participation in the European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2025 in Barcelona June 11-14. GHLF will present two abstracts highlighting innovative digital solutions designed to address suboptimal treatment and enhance disease management by strengthening doctor–patient communication and equipping individuals living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions. 'We're proud to bring forward research that leverages digital health solutions by embedding the patient voice from the start.' Empowering Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis Through OA Compass In the abstract titled "OA Compass: An Online Decision-Making Tool Empowering Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis Through Stories, Treatment Guidance, and Personalized Support" (Abstract #153, PARE Track), GHLF introduces OA Compass—a free, online, interactive resource designed to help patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) better understand and manage their condition can be found at 'We heard time and again from patients that they felt overwhelmed and isolated when trying to make treatment decisions,' said Shelley Fritz, Patient-Centered Engagement and Insights Manager at GHLF. 'OA Compass was built to meet people where they are—offering support, education, and validation in a way that truly feels human.' Developed through interviews with patients and orthopedic surgeons, OA Compass features real-life patient video stories, treatment information, and customizable guides to support shared decision-making with healthcare providers. Since its launch, the tool has reached nearly 2,000 users, generated over 900 hours of video engagement, and demonstrated its value in improving patient confidence and disease self-management. Real-Time Integration of Patient-Reported Insights in Rheumatic Disease Care A second abstract, "Implementing a Digital Platform for Real-Time Collection and Integration of Patient-Reported Insights in Rheumatic Disease Management" (Abstract #2835, Clinical Research Track), highlights a novel digital tool developed by GHLF to elevate the patient voice in routine rheumatology care. The tool—a brief, 2-minute digital questionnaire available at —was developed with direct input from both patients and clinicians. It captures real-time insights across conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. 'Many patients struggle to communicate residual symptoms or are unsure how to raise concerns during medical appointments, often resulting in settling for suboptimal disease management. By encouraging open dialogue, the tool empowers patients to voice their experiences and needs and also guides them on how to communicate better with their healthcare team,' says David Curtis, Chief Technology Officer at GHLF who led the design and development of the platform, building a streamlined, user-friendly interface that leverages real-time data to enhance patient engagement and clinical communication. Among the 2,192 patients who completed the tool, nearly 89% said they would share their results with their healthcare provider—highlighting its value in enhancing shared decision-making and surfacing hidden barriers to effective care. Innovating With, Not Just For, Patients 'These projects reflect our unwavering commitment to developing tools that meet patients where they are,' said Shilpa Venkatachalam, PhD, MPH, Chief, Patient-Centered Research Operations and Ethical Oversight Officer at GHLF. 'We're proud to bring forward research that not only leverages digital health solutions but does so by embedding the patient voice from the start.' GHLF's work continues to advance global conversations on integrating lived experience into rheumatology research, care delivery, and policy. Both abstracts highlight the role of accessible technology in enhancing patient-provider communication and improving quality of life for people living with chronic musculoskeletal conditions. For more information about GHLF's research or to explore the OA Compass and RheumAssessment tools, visit About GHLF The Global Healthy Living Foundation is a U.S. based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, international organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses by advocating for improved access to health care through education, patient-centered clinical research, support, advocacy, and economic and policy research. GHLF is also a staunch advocate for vaccines. The Global Healthy Living Foundation is the parent organization of CreakyJoints®, the international, digital community for millions of people living with arthritis and their supporters worldwide who seek education, support, activism, and patient-centered research in English, Spanish, and French. In addition to arthritis and autoimmune disorders, GHLF supports dermatology, gastroenterology, neurology, cardiology, oncology, infectious disease, rare disease, and pulmonary patients through a host of different programs and activities which draw more than 700,000 patients a month to GHLF websites and create more than 10 million impressions a month on seven social media platforms. In 2024, GHLF had more than 1 million views and listens with its patient-centered audio-visual content, found on YouTube and podcast platforms. GHLF never asks the public for donations, receiving funding instead through governments, non-governmental organizations, foundations, industry, family foundations, and GHLF Co-Founder Louis Tharp. Visit for more information.
