Prime Minister officiates new ‘world-class’ melanoma centre

Pharma News: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan officiated the inauguration of a $152.4 million world-class melanoma and cancer centre, situated adjacent to one of Australia’s leading hospitals, The Alfred.

Jacinta Allan, Premier of Victoria stated “We know that Australia has the highest rates of melanoma diagnosis in the world. And here in Victoria, around 3,000 Victorians a year are diagnosed with melanoma. What is special about Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre is that it’s patient focused. It brings together world-leading research.”

Chief Executive of Alfred Health, Professor Andrew Way, expressed his anticipation for the transformative impact of the new centre.

“Since we opened the Victorian Melanoma Service close to 30 years ago, The Alfred has been at the forefront of melanoma care, research and clinical trials – with a real focus on early detection, diagnosis and cutting-edge treatment.

“With the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre we now have a purpose-built space to continue this level of care and further improve access to clinical trials, new technology and emerging therapies,” he said.

The Alfred is conducting a phase 3 study to compare adjuvant immunotherapy of BMS’ Bempeg (bempegaldesleukin) combined with nivolumab versus nivolumab after complete resection of melanoma in patients at high risk for recurrence (PIVOT-12). It is also running a phase 2 study of intratumoral tavo plus electroporation in combination with intravenous pembrolizumab in patients with stage III/IV melanoma who are progressing on either pembrolizumab or nivolumab treatment.

Professor Way added “Having our clinicians working so closely with researchers and scientists from partners, like Monash University, will save lives and support Australia’s fight against melanoma and other cancers.”

Director of the Victorian Melanoma Service at The Alfred, Professor Victoria Mar, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the comprehensive care approach facilitated by the centre’s co-location with The Alfred.

“The future of cancer care is bright. With rapid advances in therapies, cancer has, in many cases, become a chronic disease. Living well has therefore become much more of a focus. Cancer treatment can also be complex, requiring access to the full suite of medical and surgical specialities, including a world class intensive care unit, which is what they’ll get here at The Alfred,” said Professor Mar.

The development of the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre was made possible through the dedication of patient and philanthropist Paula Fox, with significant support from the Victorian and Australian Governments, the Fox Family Foundation, Minderoo Foundation, Monash University, and numerous other benefactors.

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