Blood Cancers
Why Blood Cancers?
Patients with blood cancers and acquired hypogammaglobulinaemia comprise the largest single group of conditions using immunoglobulin in Australia, with estimated product costs alone of more than $100m annually.
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This patient group receives immunoglobulin on an ongoing basis, and while the criteria for access to government funded immunoglobulin state that “cessation of immunoglobulin therapy should be considered at least after each 12 months of treatment” , this is not evidence-based. There is a paucity of evidence to guide clinical outcomes and updated data is urgently required to inform policy and practice. Further, there is lack of data on patient preferences and experiences.
Research Activities
Develop a core outcome dataset
We are addressing current evidence gaps on Ig use and outcomes by developing a core outcome dataset to be used by nurses as part of routine Ig clinical care and audit activities. ​
Project Lead: Dr Catriona Parker
Develop and implement evidence-based guidelines and decision support tools
We will develop evidence-based clinical practice guidelines which will ultimately reduce variation in care and ensure Ig is being used where it is needed most.
Project Lead: N/A
Re-design and pilot how to deliver Ig to patients
Using co-design principles, we will explore how can we best deliver Ig, by re-designing and piloting a new and improved service delivery system.
Project Lead: A/Prof Leah Heiss
Optimise dosing
Leveraging our trials infrastructure, we will use biological samples to generate novel data on how to better target Ig treatment and identify patients most likely to benefit, and to dose Ig to get the most value.
Project Lead: Prof Jason Roberts
Health economic modelling
Using health economic modelling, we will predict infection risks and clinical scenarios for which Ig treatment represents value for money to the Australian community.
Project Lead: N/A
Our Studies
Rationalise
The trial aims to determine if Ig therapy can be stopped if patients are free of major infection after six months of Ig therapy, and after stopping Ig, if oral antibiotics can be used to prevent future infection.
EPiMap
This project developed and validated a novel patient-level simulation model to estimate patients in Australia with multiple myeloma, and their associated quality of life and costs.
RATIONAL: Ig platform trial
This innovative adaptive platform trial is designed to efficiently assess infection prevention strategies in patients with blood cancers.
MRDR
This clinical quality registry aims to improve myeloma outcomes by providing an evidence base for the best strategies to diagnose, treat and support people with myeloma and related diseases.
Value-Ig
The aim of this project is to improve the evidence base to inform the cost effective use of immunoglobulin in four patient cohorts.
LARDR
The Australian and New Zealand Lymphoma and Related Diseases Registry collects data from routine clinical visits on patients with Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and related diseases.