Impact Magazine - Spring Issue #65

IMPACT

WMR Research update Issue 65 SPRING 2019

Top Story

In this issue

03

You have given Chris hope

04

A new treatment for a rare cardiac amyloidosis

05

Painful stones could be a distant memory

06

Emerald getting healthier in local health program

You have GIVEN CHRIS HOPE After trying a dozen different medications, Chris, a Brisbane man who was diagnosed with debilitating Tourette’s Syndrome at age 12, is part of an Australian-first medicinal cannabis trial.

For the past 16 years, the condition has impacted all aspects of Chris’ life, including his mental health. This trial has offered Chris more than hope. It’s offered a future.

Read More on Page 3

Dr Claudia Giurgiuman Wesley medical research general manager

Wesley Medical Research is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Claudia Giurgiuman as its new General Manager to drive its next phase of growth and strategic development.

Dr Claudia Giurgiuman is a senior executive with over 16 years’ experience in medical research and research management, performing roles based around collaborative development, strategic implementation and change facilitation across a number of high profile organisations.

Announcing the appointment, Wesley Medical Research Chairman Mr Peter Allen said Claudia’s wealth of experience will be a significant asset for the growing organisation.

“This appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Wesley Medical

Research and the Board is looking forward to working with Claudia to ensure it continues to deliver on its remit to produce rigorous applied medical research that delivers better patient outcomes.”

Claudia holds a PhD in the field of medicine, a Bachelor of Science degree with first class honours and a Postgraduate Certificate in Project Management from UQ. She is also a licensed Portfolio, Program and Project Management Practitioner, is currently undertaking an MBA and is a non-executive director of Women in Technology.

“We are delighted to have Claudia take on this very diverse and challenging role. With vast experience across medical research, research management and research strategy development, Dr Giurgiuman is well positioned to shape the strategic direction of Wesley Medical Research and build on its 25 year legacy,” concluded Mr Allen.

Newly appointed General Manager Dr Claudia Giurgiuman commenced at Wesley Medical Research on July 22nd

Commenting on her appointment, Claudia said, “I am thrilled to be joining Wesley Medical Research at this time to help shape a new era for the organisation and I’m excited by the challenges and opportunities that this role will bring.”

You are helping detect the undetectable A novel prostate cancer trial — delivering more options for patients Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death in Australia, with 20,000 diagnoses and close to 3,300 deaths each year.

prostatectomy for prostate cancer also underwent a pelvic lymph node dissection.

technique to provide a reliable staging assessment of pelvic lymph nodes in prostate cancer.

However final analysis of these dissections found that only a small fraction of these men actually have cancer in their lymph nodes.

The challenge for many surgeons and oncologists is understanding if the cancer is confined to the prostate or has spread to the lymph nodes, one of the early and most likely sites.

Understanding if these nodes are cancerous prior to surgery would reduce the unnecessary removal of lymph nodes.

In the vast majority of men, we expect these imaging tests to identify no cancer, allowing surgeons to confidently avoid having to perform a pelvic node dissection.

In 2014, approximately 52% of Australian men undergoing a radical

The MAGNIFI Trial led by interventional radiologist, Dr Nick Brown, is focused on a novel imaging

If this trial is successful, this imaging method could be applicable to any disease in which cancer spreads to lymph nodes, such as colon cancer, bowel cancer, cervical cancer, melanoma, penile cancer, head and neck cancers.

This project has been made possible through the generous philanthropic support of The Thorsen Foundation, Vidyajey Foundation, The Albrecht Foundation and many others.

2 research update

HOPE FOR BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR TOURETTE’S PATIENTS Chris Wright was the first participant to commence treatment on a medicinal cannabis clinical trial to treat his neurological disorder Tourette’s Syndrome - a disorder that often has its onset in childhood and is characterised by involuntary movements and vocalisations.

Clinical trial patient Chris Wright with Dr Philip Mosely

Chris developed Tourette’s Syndrome in childhood and despite medication, his condition has persisted. His physical tics include rolling of the eyes and spasms in his shoulders and neck. This has meant that even simple tasks like reading a paperback book has been out of reach.

At 31, Chris is working full-time in Customer Service in Brisbane and spends his day trying to regulate his tics. “Any reprieve would be very welcome. It is getting to the point where I don’t know what to do, it feels as though it all gets too much sometimes,” said Chris.

Tourette’s has really been a blow to my confidence...

“The purpose of this clinical trial is to investigate whether medicinal cannabis is a potential therapy for people with Tourette’s Syndrome,” said Wesley Medical Research lead investigator and neuropsychiatrist Dr Philip Mosley.

The medicinal cannabis, developed to pharmaceutical standards, contains a mixture of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol

(THC) — two phytocannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant. The trial is being conducted by Wesley Medical Research in Brisbane, with the support of the Lambert Initiative at the University of Sydney. The Lambert Initiative is supplying the drug for this trial.

“Given the public interest in the therapeutic use of cannabis, it is important to conduct rigorous and methodologically-sound research” said Dr Mosley.

Participants in the clinical trial at Wesley Medical Research will complete two 6-week periods of treatment with active drug or placebo. To eliminate bias, neither the participant, nor the investigator will know which treatment participants are receiving until the trial is complete.

“Tourette’s has really been a blow to my confidence... my life in general.

I’m often in pain and so I often spend my days sleeping and recovering just to do it all again...,” said Chris.

“The biggest impact this trial has had on my life so far is that my head movements have almost gone and I have been able to read my first book in 10 years. I don’t know if anyone realises what a big deal this is for me.

This is life-changing.”

Dr Jennifer Schafer said that “our focus is to give people like Chris these opportunities to improve their quality of life. We offer hope and answers through medical research.

We are fortunate to have dedicated front-line clinicians like Dr Mosley leading this important work and donors who continue to support this valuable research.”

“There is already early evidence to support the successful treatment of Tourette’s Syndrome with cannabinoids” said Professor Iain McGregor, Academic Director of the Lambert Initiative. “This clinical trial could have a major impact and greatly improve the lives of those living with Tourette’s syndrome.”

Find out more or register your interest at wesleyresearch.org.au/ tourettes.

This research was made possible through the generosity of our donors and The Brazil Family Foundation.

This trial could greatly improve the lives of those living with Tourette’s Syndrome.

issue 65 | spring 2019 3

Predicting responses to treatment for cardiac amyloidosis Amyloidosis is a disease caused by deposits of an abnormal protein (amyloid) in tissue and organs.

The most serious spread of amyloidosis is to the heart and if left untreated, average survival is five months.

High dose chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant can dramatically improve survival in certain cases of cardiac amyloidosis, with some patients showing a return of normal heart structure and function.

At present doctors do not know

which patients will respond to treatment and which patients will not. As such, cardiologist Dr Ben Fitzgerald is seeking to identify differences in cardiac characteristics between patients who respond to treatment and those who do not in the hope of determining which patients will be more likely to respond to therapy.

This study therefore aims to identify key characteristics of the heart using MRI or echocardiography, to predict the response of patients to high doses of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant in the treatment of cardiac amyloidosis.

It is hoped that the results of this study will help cardiologists make the best possible treatment

Cardiac MRI offers an opportunity to identify who responds best to treatment

recommendations for patients diagnosed with this disease.

This research was made possible thanks to the generosity of our donors and The Katharina Elizabeth Foundation.

To support cardiac research, donate at wesleyresearch.org.au/ donate

Missed the event? Watch the video on our website

advocates’ event Prostate cancer research: targeting improvements in men’s health Thank you to everyone who attended the Advocates’ Event covering the topic of Prostate Cancer Research.

Charlie Sartian, Speaker Dr John Yaxley and Dr Jennifer Schafer

Dr Nick Brown presenting on new imaging techniques in prostate cancer

Attendees heard from Dr John Yaxley, who highlighted his research program including a new project to improve patient care post-prostatectomy.

Dr Nick Brown, an interventional radiologist presented his research on innovative imaging techniques that could provide more accurate detection of cancer in lymph nodes.

4 research update

Ian McKenzie, John and Natalia Martin, Sheryl and Rob Ross, Wal Edgar and Marie Isackson

Sharen Kenney and MC Claire Davis

Painful stones could be a distant memory A new device giving hope for kidney stone patients

Urinary stones, which are stone-like solid particles in the urinary system, are a common condition that frequently causes severe pain along with other symptoms including nausea, vomiting and blood in the urine.

A clinical trial commencing at Wesley Medical Research is set to explore the efficacy of a new form of treatment using a device called the Enhanced Lithotripsy System (ELS) for urinary stones. This trial is for participants with urinary stone disease, including those with stones within the ureter (the duct carrying urine from the kidney to the bladder) or renal pelvis of the kidney (that part of the kidney that funnels the urine to the ureter).

The ELS delivers a new form of treatment that breaks up the urinary stone into smaller particles using low intensity ultrasound (sound waves). In some ways, an ELS treatment resembles an older form of treatment using pressure waves called Shock Wave Lithotripsy.

While Shock Wave Lithotripsy can be effective for treating some forms of kidney stones, the devices are expensive, bulky and the intensity of the shock waves can cause trauma to surrounding tissue often resulting in patients experiencing pain after the procedure.

In an ELS procedure, a beam of low

This treatment offers less pain and faster recovery for patients.

Image: Applaud Medical (2019)

intensity acoustic energy is used instead of shock waves. The lowintensity acoustic energy beam is produced by a small component called the ELS “treatment head”.

During the procedure, the treatment head is held against the patient’s skin at a position chosen by the urologist based on knowledge of the stone’s location in the urinary tract.

A special material called Acoustic Enhancer is also used in ELS procedures.

The low-intensity acoustic energy beam emitted by the ELS treatment head is designed to work with the Acoustic Enhancer to erode, pit, and break up stones—without the pain that can come from the intense shock waves used in Shock Wave Lithotripsy.

In rare cases, urinary stones can even cause life-threatening infections and other very serious conditions.

The ELS is a medical device that is for clinical investigational use only.

This clinical trial is open for recruitment.

Interested in participating in this trial? Please contact our Clinical Trials Team on 07 3721 1500.

issue 65 | spring 2019 5

REGIONAL QLD Changing waist lines and mindsets with new toolkit EMERALD GETTING FITTER & HEALTHIER WITH TAILORED HEALTH PROMOTION

Research tackling the growing obesity problem in Emerald, Central Queensland.

Located 900km north-west of Brisbane, Emerald has a population of just over 14,000. This small community is built upon strong mining and agriculture industries, workforces that traditionally have long hours, higher than average weekly incomes and poorer health outcomes.

Figures show that 34% of Central Queensland adults are obese and coronary heart disease in the region continues to rise. These alarming statistics led Wesley Medical Research to investigate ways to improve the health of Emerald residents.

Sponsored by Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd, Adjunct Professor Mary-Louise Fleming (Lead Researcher), Louise Baldwin (Senior Researcher), Dr Tamara Street (Psychologist) and Klaire Somoray (Senior Research Assistant) conducted a six month project in

Emerald to co-develop a health promotion report and resource that is regionally relevant, cost effective and innovative.

“Our approach was to engage locally to understand how we could work together to tackle the growing issue,“ said Dr Tamara Street.

This project combined evidence from national datasets with local insight and knowledge from health professionals, community leaders and service providers working and living in Emerald.

“With strong evidence to suggest that regular exercise may alleviate some symptoms of depression, we hope this toolkit could assist in improving mindsets too,” said Dr Tamara Street.

The “Hey Emerald, Let’s Get Healthy” resource has been developed to assist health promotion planning and implementation. The free resource also includes promotional material suitable for the region.

The workshops identified strengths in the local community that are supporting healthy lifestyles and current barriers. The strained health services in the region were also acknowledged.

In the past 12 months, the community also identified mental health as a significant health priority after losing 18 lives to suicide in the region.

The workshops identified that the leading health priority areas are obesity and mental health.

The Healthy Emerald Report and accompanying “Hey Emerald, Let’s Get Healthy” Toolkit resources.

“The resources are focused on building sustainable healthy habits, instead of ‘quick fix’ solutions, The report outlines a range of recommendations to help build a happier and healthier Emerald” concluded Dr Street.

As well as providing access to a range of health promotion assets, the website also provides links to local free or low cost programs already available in the Emerald area.

The Healthy Bowen Basin Report and links to free local resources are available via the link below: wesleyresearch.org.au/healthyemerald

Dr Tamara Street workshopping strategies with local health and community leaders in Emerald.

6 research update

Spreading the word BRISBANE gluten free expo

How you can help someone like CHRIS. Your support will impact patients’ lives today.

I would like to donate: $50

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I would like to make a monthly recurring gift: The Gluten Free Expo was a great opportunity to hear presentations from Dr James Daveson and Dr Richard Muir who highlighted the future of potential treatments and diagnostic techniques in coeliac disease.

Thank you so much to everyone who stopped by to visit us at the Gluten Free Expo in Brisbane to learn more about our Coeliac Research Program.

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bridge to brisbane success

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running for research

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Email: Phone: Date of Birth: Our wonderful team of doctors, staff, nurses and patients have completed the Bridge to Brisbane for 2019.

Together they tackled the 10km and 5km distances in support of Wesley Medical Research and raised $11,632 for research that transforms patient lives.

JOIN US NEXT YEAR To be notified when we are recruiting runners and walkers for next year, email us at hello@wesleyresearch.com.au

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Please send details on leaving a gift in my Will I have already left a gift to Wesley Medical Research in my Will Please return to: Wesley Medical Research PO Box 499 Toowong DC QLD 4066 Donations of $2 and over are tax-deductible in Australia. A tax receipt will be sent to the address above. Your donation will be used to help patients by funding research led by front-line clinicians in our four hospitals: The Wesley Hospital, St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, Buderim Private Hospital and St Stephen’s Hospital.

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JOIN A CLINICAL TRIAL TODAY! Both healthy participants and those diagnosed with a disease or condition are needed to help find new ways to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure disease and disability. If more people are involved in clinical trials, it may reduce the time it takes to make new interventions widely available.

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Be part of a trial in: Parkinson’s disease

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