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13 July 2022
On the Road to Discovery:
Cyclists Supporting Cancer Research
Vital research into the identification and treatment of brain tumours, and improved outcomes for leukaemia patients will be the beneficiary of the efforts of hundreds of riders who are set to raise more than $500,000 when the SA Discovery Tour de Cure returns to South Australia in April 2023.
The UniSA researchers who will receive funding are Professor Benjamin Thierry, Bioengineering Research Leader at the Future Industries Institute; Dr Guillermo Gomez, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Cancer Biology; and Professor Susan Branford, Head of Leukaemia Unit, SA Pathology.
Prof Thierry’s work aims to improve treatment for glioblastoma by using MRI scans to highlight specific proteins found in these aggressive brain tumours. The research will provide a clearer outline of the primary tumours which will improve options for planning surgery and radiotherapy, including with proton therapy.
Join us for a 3 day ride through the Adelaide Hills and Barossa, taking in some of the most famous South Australian wine country enroute
While researchers now understand more about tumours within the brain, this knowledge has not necessarily translated into improvements in their treatment. This is due to the way tumour cells interact with blood vessels and limitations on the capacity of anti-cancer drugs to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Dr Gomez’s research aims to better understand the biology of brain tumours so that new, more effective and personalised treatments can be developed. To do this the team will collaborate with Advanced Solutions Life Sciences (USA) to develop models derived from patient tumour tissue which will facilitate rapid screening for new drugs capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, thereby improving therapies for brain tumours.
According to Prof Branford, with improved survival rates, chronic myeloid leukaemia is set to become the most prevalent leukaemia by 2040. Most patients now have deep and durable treatment responses but face life-long dependence on costly and often debilitating therapy that can lead to long-term organ damage. Her research will investigate the impact of certain gene mutations on the chance of achieving treatment-free remission, which could lead to improved treatment strategies to optimise the number of patients who can successfully stop drug therapy. Potentially this will save millions of dollars in annual drug costs and relieve the burden of drug side-effects.
Since its inception more than 15 years ago, Tour de Cure has raised in excess of $80 million for cancer research across the country, contributing to a significant number of scientific breakthroughs. Funds raised from this event will be equally donated to UniSA and the Flinders Foundation cancer research programs.
The 2023 event is a 340km ride through the Adelaide Hills and Barossa from Sunday, 2 to Tuesday, 4 April and will again take in some of the most famous South Australian wine country, with accommodation in Tanunda.
Both cyclists and those wishing to participate as support crew are invited to register and start their fundraising journey. Visit the website for more information, including training and fundraising tips.
Donations to Tour de Cure can be made at tourdecure.grassrootz.com/sa-discovery-tour-2023/donate.
