Indian Herb May Lead to New Cancer Treatment

Revolutionary Cancer Dye Stopping Tumour Growth

Giving Back After Heart Surgery

I N T H I S I S S U E

EDITION 1 | FEBRUARY 2019

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Managing Sleep to Combat Deadly Heart Condition

RESEARCH IMPACT2

Managing Sleep to Combat Deadly Heart Condition

Exciting new research is set to improve the outlook for patients suffering from a common heart disorder by treating their quality of sleep.

“A CPAP mask is commonly used when treating obstructive sleep apnoea, which involves the patient wearing a hose and mask or nosepiece to deliver constant and steady air pressure while sleeping,” Dr Linz said.

“When a CPAP mask is worn, it can reduce the risk of people acquiring AF by 40 per cent.

“For AF patients who had undergone a catheter ablation (a procedure to stop abnormal electrical signals in heart tissue), wearing the mask saw the risk of AF recurring reduced by 30 to 40 per cent.

“The CPAP machine was also found to reduce blood pressure and help to control drug resistant hypertension.

“And importantly, patients who start this treatment say they inexplicably felt better, even though they didn’t indicate they had daytime sleepiness before.”

Dr Dominik Linz

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart condition which causes the heart to beat out of rhythm, affecting more than 33.5 million people globally.

Did you know there is a link between AF and obstructive sleep apnoea?

Obstructive sleep apnoea is four times more common among patients with AF than those without, despite many AF sufferers not reporting symptoms of sleep apnoea such as daytime sleepiness.

New research being undertaken by cardiologist Dr Dominik Linz through the Royal Adelaide Hospital and University of Adelaide, seeks to clarify the link between sleep apnoea and AF to improve outcomes for patients.

Dr Linz said early findings saw treating sleep apnoea via a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) mask improved patients’ AF symptoms by up to 40 per cent.

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Future research

Given AF is the underlying cause of a third of all strokes, this ground-breaking research could save the lives of many people suffering from AF.

Dr Linz is planning to build on these findings in a study with 800 AF patients, thanks to funding from The Hospital Research Foundation.

“Patients will undergo overnight sleep studies where we’ll measure the arrhythmogenic electrophysiological changes.

“We aim to identify the mechanisms behind how sleep apnoea leads to AF in patients and ways to better determine sleep apnoea severity and guide treatment.

“We hope it will translate to better individualised treatment strategies of obstructive sleep apnoea in patients with AF.”

Ideal sleep count

In addition, Dr Linz’s insights have found the amount of sleep a patient gets directly impacts their heart health. He said the ideal amount of sleep was 6-8 hours – but nothing more or less!

“Too less or too much sleep appears to increase the risk of getting cardiac problems,” he said.

“Oversleeping is just as bad as not getting enough sleep.

“Napping appears to be fine, but only if you’ve had less than six hours. Don’t nap if you have had the ideal amount of 6-8 hours or more ”

You support can ensure this important research

can continue!

“It wasn’t until I started using the CPAP machine and actually getting myself into a deep REM level of sleep that I realised how tired obstructive sleep apnoea was making me. It really is a life-changing diagnosis and we need more research in this area!” Andrew BeveridgeLiving with chronic obstructive sleep apnoea

4 RESEARCH IMPACT

After first being diagnosed with carcinoid syndrome (a condition linked to neuroendocrine tumours) 14 years ago, Michael Button of Semaphore Park was the first neuroendocrine patient in the world to receive the new treatment.

The trial is being led by Professor Tim Price, head of oncology and clinical cancer research at TQEH and its research arm, the Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research (BHI).

It involves a chemical red dye - known as Rose Bengal - being injected directly into the patient’s tumour. The dye has been found to regress tumours in melanoma patients and is now being tested on other cancers.

“The Rose Bengal treatment is aimed at stimulating the immune system to help the body fight the tumour,” Prof Price said.

“A radiologist uses an ultrasound to identify a lesion in the liver, then with a needle they inject the Rose Bengal into the same lesion under local anaesthetic.”

Carcinoid syndrome can be caused by neuroendocrine tumours that produce too much serotonin.

The syndrome has a range of uncomfortable day-to-day symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal cramps, shortness of breath and flushing.

For Michael, whose quality of life was gradually worsening, two treatments of Rose Bengal dye in 2017 and another in 2018 has significantly improved his outlook.

“My tumour is stable now, it’s stopped growing,” Michael said. “I’m definitely better than I was and have been able to put on weight.”

With the wedding of his daughter Emily in May 2018, being healthy enough to walk her down the aisle was a huge priority.

“When Tim first told me about it and asked if I’d be willing to trial it, I jumped at the chance. Anything to find a cure and feel better,” he said.

“Neuroendocrine cancer affects the heart valves, so I’ve had three heart valves replaced, which was pretty scary for my family.

“(But) my daughter’s wedding day went off without a hitch!”

Someone else who is very grateful to trial this new treatment is Modbury

Revolutionary Cancer Dye Stopping Tumour Growth

Two Adelaide fathers suffering from a rare neuroendocrine cancer are getting a new lease on life thanks to a revolutionary cancer treatment being trialled at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH).

Professor Tim Price

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“I had 216 of these before Tim decided I was special enough to trial Bengal Rose!” he joked. “It worked really well, the symptoms are diminishing in their severity.”

In a further positive sign, Robert may even be benefitting from the ‘bystander’ effect.

“Instead of it just fighting the carcinoid tumour in the local area, it is spreading to fight the other tumours too. At my next gallium scan, which maps out where the tumours are, for the first time we saw a reduction.”

The trials are ongoing, with Rose Bengal having the potential to be used to treat other stomach, lung and breast cancers

Robert Ellis with grandson Jacob

Michael Button with his daughter on her wedding day

Supporting lifesaving trials!

Clinical trials are only possible when the research

conducted in the lab has progressed to a stage

where it can truly impact a patient’s life. It’s

thanks to the kind support of our donors that

we can provide funding for these types of trials,

making a difference for patients like Michael and

Robert who are living with heartbreaking diseases.

Your support will help progress these trials

sooner, simply fill out the coupon in this

newsletter or call (08) 8244 1100 today.

North grandfather Robert Ellis, whose carcinoid tumour was first found 12 years ago on New Year’s Eve. After suddenly falling ill, he was undergoing emergency surgery for a suspected twisted bowel when a pathologist was surprised to see the tumour.

“The pathologist had never seen a carcinoid tumour in a live patient before,” Robert said.

To manage the day-to-day impacts of the syndrome and allow him to keep up with his much-loved grandkids, Robert was having chemical injections every 21 days.

6

Professor Raj Singh

That is the hope for Professor Raj Singh, Director of Gastroenterology at Lyell McEwin Hospital (LMH).

With a grant from The Hospital Research Foundation to kick start the project, Prof Singh and his team are developing a Computer Aided Diagnostic (CAD) system to provide a detailed analysis of tissue growths – called polyps – found during colonoscopies.

Colonoscopies are a vital step in diagnosing bowel cancer, which is 90 per cent treatable if detected early.

Any polyps found during a colonoscopy are sent to a lab for pathological analysis (called histology) and assessed as

Colonoscopy Results in Real-Time

Suspicious tissue growths found during a colonoscopy may soon be able to be analysed and diagnosed in real time – avoiding the time delay of sending specimens to the lab and improving patient care.

being benign, premalignant or cancerous.

“At the moment, the patient has to wait for the results to be returned,” Prof Singh said.

“We hope to be able to build our CAD system using Artificial Intelligence to predict histology in real-time at more than 95 per cent accuracy. This will allow us to determine the best intervention immediately, depending on what is found.

“This will be hugely beneficial for patients and reduce the costs and complications associated with the procedure, as we won’t have to send benign polyps off for testing.”

Prof Singh is working with Associate Professor Gustavo

Carneiro, a leading Computer Scientist on machine learning at the University of Adelaide, to build algorithms for the system using images of polyps collected from patients at the LMH.

About 800 images have been used so far obtaining a 70 per cent accuracy rate.

“We are continuing to collect polyps to build the computer program and once we are confident we are at a 95 per cent accuracy rate, the next step will be to trial it within an Endoscopy unit,” Prof Singh said.

Prof Singh’s innovative research hopes to improve outcomes for the many patients required to have a colonoscopy each year

New Northern Hub

In 2018 THRF opened a hub at the Lyell McEwin Hospital (LMH) to support the thriving northern community.

This hub has quickly become a busy focal point for our team to engage with hospital staff, patients, donors and lottery ticket buyers.

We are extremely proud to be a part of this vibrant community and helping to direct more funds into their lifesaving research and patient care initiatives at both LMH and Modbury Hospital

If you ever find yourselves requiring care or visiting

loved ones at LMH, please pop in and say hello to

the friendly team.

RESEARCH IMPACT

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Michael Allford is not your typical heart patient, but thanks to some excellent care informed by world-class research, he’s walking proof you can bounce back from heart surgery and live a full and active life.

Living in Sydney in 2002, Michael was a fit 56-year-old who ate well and exercised regularly. When he started feeling tightness in his left pec, he attributed the pain to his aerobics and thought massage or physio sessions would sort it out.

When that didn’t help, a recommendation from his physio to see a GP was lifesaving.

“The last thing I thought was that it was anything to do with the heart. I had no risk factors, no family history of heart disease and exercised regularly,” Michael said.

“I had a heap of tests and then saw a cardiologist, who said I was a very unusual case. He recommended an angiogram where they inject die into the bloodstream to see what happens, and it showed I had a blockage in my left anterior descending artery and would require a bypass.

“I had a single bypass which was a two-hour operation to replace the artery with a mammary artery. A stent wasn’t an option for me at the time. I received the very best of care and I’ve barely had an issue since.”

In 2007 Michael retired and moved to Adelaide where he continues to live a healthy lifestyle and go to the gym five mornings a week!

He receives excellent follow-up care from the cardiology team at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and has been well cared for at the hospital in other areas too.

“I’ve found the public hospital system to be so thorough. It’s very collaborative and they try to get to the bottom of everything.

“I’ve seen cardiologists and oncologists – they are all fantastic.”

As a way of saying thank you for the great care he receives and ensuring research can progress to help even more people in the future, Michael makes regular donations to The Hospital Research Foundation

Michael Allford, THRF monthly giver

Did you know?

Monthly donations are the easiest way you can

help provide consistent support to help our

researchers and hospitals.

To start an ongoing monthly donation, please

complete and return the enclosed coupon or visit

www.hospitalresearch.com.au

Giving Back After Heart Surgery

8 RESEARCH IMPACT

The medicinal herb Bacopa monnieri, known as Brahmi, has been used in Indian medicine for thousands of years, mainly to enhance memory and cognitive function.

However new research at the Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research (BHI), led by oncologist Dr Amanda Townsend and Group Leader of Molecular Oncology research, Dr Jennifer Hardingham, has found compounds within the herb, called Bacopasides, can block tumour growth and spread.

Post-doctoral scientist, Dr Helen Palethorpe, has studied the behaviour of Bacopasides and discovered they can prevent tumour blood vessels from forming and therefore starve tumours of the oxygen and nutrients they need to grow.

“We have also found that Bacopasides cause cell death in breast and colorectal cancer cell lines, and inhibit the migration and invasion of breast cancer mammospheres (3D cultured breast cancer cells),” Dr Palethorpe said.

“We are hopeful that Bacopasides will be a safer alternative to standard chemotherapy given that the herb has been used for thousands of years in humans without any untoward toxic effects.”

Traditional Indian Herb may lead to New Cancer Treatment

Exciting new research into a traditional Indian herb is showing it has the ability to block the spread and invasiveness of breast and colorectal cancer cells, potentially leading to an alternative treatment to chemotherapy.

Dr Palethorpe said the work has focused on blocking angiogenesis (the formation of blood vessels in cancer) and tumour invasion.

“These processes cause the tumour cells to metastasise and form cancers in other parts of the body, such as the brain and bone,” she said.

“This is a major cause of breast cancer related deaths so we hope that by blocking angiogenesis and invasion we can prevent breast cancer from spreading.”

The promising research is in its early stages but if further pre-clinical tests continue to be successful, the research can progress to human clinical trials.

“We have great hope for the use of Bacopasides in the fight against cancer and would like to acknowledge the generous support of The Hospital Research Foundation,” Dr Palethorpe said.

We look forward to keeping you updated on this research, which has the potential to help prolong the lives of many people living with cancer

Dr Helen Palethorpe is hopeful a compound within Brahmi could lead to an alternative cancer treatment

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This life-changing equipment will give regional communities greater access to a range of health services in more convenient locations, reducing travel to Adelaide and eliminating unnecessary stress at a time of need.

Renal dialysis patient Ron Webb

Country hospitals across South Australia are being boosted with new equipment to significantly improve patient care.

Thanks to the support of our donors and Lottery ticket buyers, THRF provided a $406,785 grant to Country Health SA to purchase equipment for cardiovascular care, renal, birthing and diabetes. This will enable more country South Australians to be treated closer to home – and in some cases in their own homes.

Country Health SA’s Executive Director of Medical Services, Dr Hendrika Meyer, was extremely grateful for the grant.

“Enabling country patients to receive ongoing care close to home and loved ones is a key focus for Country Health SA, and this fantastic donation from THRF helps us save more patients time and money, as well as improve patient outcomes,” she said.

Amongst the list of equipment purchased were 12 pedal exercise machines to be located at various regional centres for patients undergoing dialysis for kidney failure.

Ron Webb (pictured) is a regular user of the machine at Port Augusta Hospital, who said it was great for patients to get moving while undergoing the four-hour procedure.

• 12 pedal exercise machines for renal dialysis patients, to be located at Gawler, South Coast, Ceduna, Port Lincoln, Port Augusta, Whyalla, Berri, Murray Bridge, Mount Gambier, Clare, Port Pirie and Maitland

• 5 Virtual Clinical Care (VCC) home monitoring kits, increasing the number of patients able to be monitored through the VCC program – kits to be located centrally and distributed to patients as required

• 24 24-hour blood pressure monitoring kits which test for hypertension

• 15 holter monitors which measure ECGs over a 24-hour period

Equipment purchased for South Australian country hospitals include:

• 2 stress test units, one each for Kangaroo Island and Whyalla hospitals, that will be used on patients with chest pain to rule out heart disease

• 20 videolaryngoscopes (to view the larynx) for hospitals with on-site theatres

• 3 portable ultrasound machines for renal dialysis patients – one of which will be located at Port Augusta while the locations of the other two are being determined

• 12 continuous glucose monitoring systems for patients with diabetes, to be located at Gawler, South Coast, Mount Barker, Port Lincoln, Coober Pedy, Whyalla, Murray Bridge, Naracoorte, Kangaroo Island, Port Broughton, Peterborough and Clare hospitals

• 6 SphygmoCor systems to improve detection of hyper-tension (high blood pressure)

Support Extends to Country Patients

10 RESEARCH IMPACT

Healing through the Arts

With 10,000 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed annually in Australia, and 1000 of those being in SA, Rhys Hamon is keen to better understand the disease and find more effective therapies.

“As a small child I loved watching nature documentaries, I was fascinated by the world in which we live. At university I was enlightened to how my fascination of the world could be applied for the benefit of others,” said Rhys.

“I am pursuing a research career because it allows me to challenge myself and apply my knowledge and skills to solve problems that ultimately may improve the lives of others.”

Rhys received a post-graduate scholarship from THRF in 2018 and is working at the Centre for

The Centre for Creative Health (CCH), part of THRF Group, continues to provide healing programs for patients throughout the Central Adelaide Local Health Network, all thanks to your support!

In 2018, the CCH implemented a range of patient-centred programs focused on creating a healing environment within the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH), while also establishing

Rhys Hamon wants to beat lung cancer

Arts in Clinical Care, which includes two Diversional Artists to work with patients at both the RAH and the Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre.

CCH Director Michelle Cripps said the program helped patients to heal and cope with their stay in hospital.

“Our main mission is to create a positive impact for patients who are struggling with their health and being in hospital. Using the arts to improve physical, psychological and spiritual health and wellbeing is recognised around the world," Michelle said.

“A highlight has been partnering with the Joint Dance Congress 2018 to bring over 300 dancers from around the world to perform in the RAH’s courtyards and corridors.

“The reactions from patients, staff and the general public was extremely positive.”

The CCH’s gallery program also continues to decorate the walls of the RAH’s public areas on level 3.

Cancer Biology to determine the role of 14-3-3 proteins in lung cancer. Cellular 14-3-3 proteins are more abundant in many non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC), contributing to resistance to treatments and poor prognosis.

NSCLC accounts for up to 90 per cent of lung tumours, and with a survival rate under 15 per cent (for five years post diagnosis) and no improvement in the past 30 years, more needs to be done to improve outcomes for lung cancer patients.

Supporting the Next Generation of Research

“I have been fascinated with the complexities of lung biology since my introduction to the field. I have moved from a background in chronic lung diseases, including asthma and emphysema, to contribute to the fight to beat lung cancer because new treatment options are required for this aggressive disease.”

Research like Rhys’s can now pave the way for the development of an anti-cancer drug that can target 14-3-3 proteins.

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Supporting Surgical Pain Management

Healthy Newborn Program Extended THRF’s Healthy Newborn Program has been extended until October 2020 to help save the lives of mothers and babies.

The program gives remote doctors and midwives the opportunity to attend vital ultrasound training which can then be administered back in their communities – many of which are without this important service.

The program is led by Associate Professor Nayana

Parange, Professor Eva Bezak and their team from the University of SA.

Nurse Sophie Kieliszek, who works in outreach communities up to 800km from Alice Springs, said the course was invaluable.

“I had no experience with ultrasounds beforehand. We had a machine, but I didn’t know how to use it,” Sophie said. “It’s made a huge difference to the quality of care we can give to the community.”

Under Our Roof Construction Commenced

Vietnamese Community FundraiserThank you to the South Australian Vietnamese community who raised an incredible $30,100 for The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH) recently!

The money was raised at a Community Dinner Dance on 16 November 2018, organised by Thanh Nguyen and Ngoc Chi.

Many members of the Vietnamese community have used TQEH facilities since migrating and feel very passionate about giving back.

“The generosity of the Vietnamese community is remarkable. These funds will go directly to medical research projects and patient care initiatives at TQEH and make a huge difference to people’s lives,” THRF’s Geoff Gower said.

To organise a community fundraiser, visit the THRF website or call 8244 1100 for more information.

L-R: Thanh Nguyen, Geoff Gower and Ngoc Chi

Dr Thomas Painter

THRF is backing a leading medical trial program based at the RAH to continue important research into anaesthesia and pain management after surgery.

The generosity of our supporters has helped fund the ‘perioperative and pain medicine’ trial program, run by the RAH’s Dr Thomas Painter and colleagues, to continue world-class trials and recruit patients. Chronic post-surgical pain is one of the most common and debilitating post-operative complications.

Construction has commenced for a third Under Our Roof home to provide much-needed accommodation for country cancer patients receiving treatment at hospitals in Adelaide

With two Under Our Roof homes already located at Woodville, this third home will be a large family-style apartment at Bowden. The apartment will include three bedrooms, two bathrooms and two carparks to provide a place of comfort for those going through cancer treatment.

Medical imaging provider Dr Jones & Partners has also come on board as a major sponsor of Under Our Roof and annual charity bike ride, Mercer SuperCycle.

One of the Woodville homes will now be known as Dr Jones & Partners House to recognise the partnership.

Head Office 60 Woodville Rd Woodville, South Australia, 5011

(08) 8244 1100 hospitalresearch.com.au

Do you have a story you would like to share? Get in touch with us at contactus@hospitalresearch.com.au or on (08) 8244 1100

Meet Sam, one of our valued Life Guardians. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer, he has decided to give back to the research that saved his life by leaving a Gift in his Will. Here’s his story…

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary for 63-year-old Sam Zammit at his yearly routine check-up, so he was surprised when doctors called him two days later to explain his Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were elevated.

“I went for an MRI and full body scan, which detected three cancer cells in the prostate. In August 2017 I found out I had prostate cancer,” Sam said.

Thanks to early detection, the cancer was confined to the prostate and treated with a non-invasive method of brachytherapy, which involves injecting 125 radioactive seeds into the prostate. The aim of the seeds is to damage the cancer cells and destroy their ability to divide and grow.

“There were many side effects I was dealing with from this treatment but the one I most struggled with was not having energy as I was used to being a very energetic person," Sam said.

“Thankfully, I had the support of my partner Anne and my two kids, Matt and Natalie, who really were a shoulder I could lean on during the tougher times.”

Fortunately, five months after the seeds were injected, Sam had some good news. The cancer cells were shrinking and his PSA levels had dropped to 10.

Sam’s Diagnosis Leads to a Life Legacy Life Guardian Sam Zammit

“I started regaining my strength and my side effects slowly stopped. I began feeling like myself again and even travelled to America in 2018.

“I’m scared to think if I missed my yearly check-up what the outcome would have been. If I’ve learnt anything from my experience it’s that early detection is everything. I urge all men to have their yearly check-up because it could mean the difference between your chances of survival.”

As a proud Life Guardian, Sam’s Gift in his Will will be directed towards medical research so we can save the lives of more men with this devastating disease