Gilead has welcomed the opening of Australia’s first regional CAR-T-cell treatment centre at the Townsville University Hospital (TUH) in Far North Queensland.
At an event to mark its opening, Gilead congratulated the Queensland Government for leading the way in narrowing the healthcare gap by improving access to innovative cancer treatments for people living in regional areas.
Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman officially opened the new centre.
“This ground-breaking treatment will be life-changing for so many Queenslanders seeking treatment for blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma," said Minister Fentiman.
“It’s so fantastic to see Queensland leading the way in cancer care and providing this innovative treatment in a regional city for the first time in the country.
“This will deliver more healthcare for the north Queensland community close to home, without the need to travel.”
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said, “The launch of CAR T-cell therapy in Townsville is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and investment in cutting-edge medical research.
“The Albanese Government is proud to support this game-changing treatment, which has the potential to transform the lives of blood cancer patients in north Queensland.”
Queensland is currently the only state in Australia with a CAR-T treatment centre in metropolitan and regional areas. Patients in Far North Queensland can now access CAR-T treatment in Townsville instead of having to travel to Brisbane or beyond.
Lymphoma Australia CEO Sharon Millman welcomed the new treatment centre, saying it would help lessen the burden on patients and families from rural and regional areas who would typically have to relocate temporarily to Brisbane to undergo treatment.
“CAR-T therapy is now firmly established in the treatment pathway for lymphomas, so we are extremely pleased to see the first regional treatment site in Australia now open and able to offer CAR-T therapy options to eligible lymphoma patients living in Far North Queensland,” she said.
“This is a great first step towards more equitable access to CAR-T for Australians living away from existing Treatment Centres. Where you live should not limit your ability to access cancer treatment, and we’d love to see other states and territories certified and able to offer CAR T treatment to eligible patients as soon as possible to reduce the significant burden caused by travel and temporary relocation,” added Ms Millman.
CAR-T treatment centres are currently located in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. They include Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, the Peter McCallum Cancer Centre and the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Royal Prince Alfred and Westmead Hospitals in Sydney and Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth.
The general manager of Gilead Australia and New Zealand, Jaime McCoy, said, “We believe Australians living with blood cancers who are eligible for CAR-T should have an option to receive treatment as close to their home as possible, particularly as this highly specialised treatment requires remaining near the hospital for several weeks. This can place a significant burden on patients and their families.
“We remain committed to working with governments, patient advocacy groups and the clinical community to establish much needed additional CAR-T treatment centres, particularly in SA, ACT, Tasmania and the NT where disappointingly there are no centres able to give treatment at all, meaning that patients must then relocate interstate for a period of time,” she added.