Bendigo trial launches new cancer drug for seventh person globally
Bendigo Health enrolled its first patient in IMD303 trial; she is the seventh person worldwide to receive the drug.
The new drug was designed to stay inactive in the bloodstream until molecules reach a cancer site, where they break down and release their active part. IMD303 should reduce side effects by activating only where needed.
Bendigo oncologist Dr Sam Harris is leading the trial for adults with advanced cancers. The first three patients receive very small doses while doctors monitor safety.
If no side effects occur, three more patients get slightly higher doses. The trial is open to people with skin, lung, kidney, liver and bladder cancers who have exhausted other options.
The Bendigo Health patient was expected to be the first person outside China to enter the trial.
- seventh person worldwide
- Patient number globally
- six people, all in China
- Prior recipients
- skin, lung, kidney, liver, bladder
- Eligible cancer types
- first person outside China
- Trial milestone
Why it mattersA potentially safer cancer treatment that activates only at tumor sites could spare patients from widespread side effects.
AustraliaAustralians can now access early-stage cancer trials without traveling to Melbourne; Bendigo regional hospital building international research credentials.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 10 h ago
