First-of-its-kind model expands access to precision medicine in rare cancers

For Australians living with rare or complex cancers, accessing specialist expertise can be a significant challenge, particularly for those outside major metropolitan centres.

A first-of-its-kind clinic established by UNSW Sydney at Prince of Wales Hospital is bridging that gap, connecting patients and clinicians with specialist advice and treatment guidance through a model designed to make precision oncology more accessible nationwide.

The Precision Care Clinic forms part of UNSW’s Precision Care Initiative, which uses genomic information from tumours to support treatment decisions. Through a multidisciplinary review process, specialists examine each patient’s case in detail, assessing available evidence and providing tailored, evidence-based recommendations to the treating oncologist.

Professor Natalie Taylor, who leads the Precision Care Clinic, said the service was created to improve timely access to specialist cancer expertise, regardless of where patients live.

“Precision oncology is evolving rapidly, and for clinicians managing complex cancer cases, it can be challenging to stay across all available treatment options and emerging evidence,” she explained. “It’s about ensuring patients can receive informed, evidence-based treatment guidance, from wherever they live in Australia.”

Since launching in 2023, the clinic has supported treatment decisions for more than 200 patients across Australia, including 22% from regional and remote communities. When an oncologist is treating a patient with a rare or particularly complex cancer, they can refer the case to the Precision Care Clinic for additional specialist input.

“In this way, the patient can continue to receive care from their treating oncologist, but with additional guidance from our clinic,” Professor Taylor said.

The approach is designed to complement existing cancer care rather than replace the role of the treating doctor. By bringing together specialist expertise, the clinic supports clinicians in navigating increasingly complex treatment landscapes while ensuring patients remain connected to their local care teams.

While genomic testing and precision oncology are becoming increasingly integrated into cancer care, interpreting complex molecular results and applying them to individual treatment decisions remains challenging.

For oncologists managing complex cases, keeping pace with rapidly changing evidence, emerging therapies and clinical trial opportunities can create additional pressures.

“This is where the Precision Care Clinic really comes into its own,” said Professor Taylor. “We can provide a more detailed review of complex cases and can help translate results into practical treatment options that clinicians may not otherwise have time or access to explore.”

The clinic has received referrals from more than 100 oncologists across 76 cancer centres nationwide, representing every state and territory and spanning metropolitan, regional and remote settings. It has also provided one-off follow-up consultations for more than 100 patients seeking greater understanding of the clinic’s findings.

Working in partnership with not-for-profit precision oncology organisation Omico, the Precision Care Clinic also helps connect people with advanced cancers to genomic testing and potential clinical trial opportunities.

“The clinic has contributed to valuable changes in the trajectory of care for some patients based on the latest evidence in precision oncology,” Professor Taylor added.

The collaborative model also creates opportunities for shared learning. Referring clinicians are invited to participate in case discussions, contributing their knowledge of the patient while engaging with emerging evidence in precision cancer care.

The Precision Care Clinic is now operating within the public health system, with its development initially supported through funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

The recent federal budget included $71 million to continue Omico’s PrOSPeCT program, which supports access to genomic profiling and helps match people with advanced cancers to relevant treatments and clinical trials. However, the long-term sustainability of services such as the Precision Care Clinic will depend on recognising precision oncology as an ongoing component of publicly funded healthcare. The ultimate measure of success will be embedding models like the Precision Care Clinic into standard cancer care pathways, rather than relying on time-limited research funding.

Looking ahead, the clinic team is exploring how its model could be expanded and adapted to support people living with other complex diseases.

“We think this clinic could offer a blueprint for how specialised expertise is shared more evenly across Australia – ensuring that where a person lives does not determine the care they receive,” said Professor Taylor.

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