Pictured (L-R): Dr Hyesol Jung, Ms Joon Seong Park, Mr Julian Choi, Prof Ingrid Winship, Dr Caroline Le, Prof Jin-Young Jang, A/Prof David Smallwood, Dr Wooil Kwon
The Jreissati Pancreatic Centre at Epworth this week welcomed collaborators from Seoul National University (SNU) in South Korea as part of the international NeoFOL-R trial.
The NeoFOL-R study investigates whether administering chemotherapy before surgery, known as neoadjuvant chemotherapy, can shrink tumours to make them easier to remove and eliminate any cancer cells that may have spread.
This approach could reduce the risk of cancer returning after surgery and improve outcomes for patients with operable pancreatic cancer.
The Jreissati Pancreatic Centre is working with Mr Julian Choi, Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgeon at Epworth Richmond, to lead the Australian arm of the trial, with recruitment already underway in Taiwan, Singapore, and South Korea.
In Australia, 10 hospitals are expected to take part, with the trial currently open at Epworth HealthCare, Western Health, and Monash Health.
"This trial has the potential to change how we treat pancreatic cancer and improve the lives of those affected," Mr Choi said.
During the visit, a collaborative research agreement was finalised between Seoul National University and the Jreissati Pancreatic Centre to formalise the international partnership.
"It's important that we combine our resources and expertise to make real progress in treating this devastating disease," said Prof Jang from SNU.
With recruitment underway across multiple countries, the NeoFOL-R trial will bring researchers closer to improving outcomes for individuals with pancreatic cancer worldwide.
