澳大利亚已启动名为GIANT的临床试验，旨在验证一种基于已故教授Richard Scolyer研究的实验性免疫疗法对脑癌患者的安全性和疗效[1]。该试验预计招募约90名患者，其中约半数来自澳大利亚，另半数来自全球各地，并由Duke Cancer Institute担任全球牵头机构[1]。试验将由Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre、Austin Health、Royal North Shore Hospital和Chris O'Brien Lifehouse等机构参与[1]。
脑癌是澳大利亚一项重大健康挑战，该国每年新增脑癌患者超过2000例，占所有癌症诊断的1%多，五年生存率仅为24%[1]。Scolyer于2023年中期确诊胶质母细胞瘤后，接受了包括三种免疫疗法药物、手术、放疗和个性化癌症疫苗的联合治疗[1]。Scolyer与Georgina Long于2024年共同获名澳大利亚年度人物[1]。预期在约两年内可获知该治疗方案是否具有转化意义[1]。
Australia has launched the GIANT clinical trial to test an experimental immunotherapy treatment for brain cancer patients, based on the approach developed by late professor Richard Scolyer.[1] The trial, whose full name is "Glioblastoma Immunotherapy Advancement with Nivolumab and Relatlimab," will recruit approximately 90 patients globally, with roughly half expected to come from Australia and the remainder from other countries.[1] Duke Cancer Institute is leading the trial internationally.[1]
Scolyer, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma in mid-2023, received a combination treatment consisting of three immunotherapy drugs, surgery, radiotherapy, and a personalized cancer vaccine.[1] His survival extended more than twice beyond the median survival period of 12 to 14 months, allowing him to live for over two years before his death at age 59.[1] Scolyer and colleague Georgina Long were named joint Australian of the Year in 2024.[1] Researchers including Mustafa Khasraw anticipate preliminary results on the treatment's translational potential within approximately two years.[1]
Brain cancer remains a serious health concern in Australia, with over 2,000 new cases diagnosed annually, accounting for more than 1 percent of all cancer diagnoses.[1] The five-year survival rate for brain cancer stands at only 24 percent.[1] The GIANT trial is being conducted across multiple Australian institutions, including Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Austin Health, Royal North Shore Hospital, and Chris O'Brien Lifehouse.[1]