Co-funded research grant for biliary cancer announced

Together with our peers at the GI Cancer Institute, the Pancare Foundation are pleased to announce a co-funded biliary cancer research grant of up to $100,000 for a new project that will be assessed at the upcoming Australasian Gastrointestinal Trials Group (AGITG) Cholangiocarcinoma Idea Generation Workshop.

This exciting initiative, hosted by Pancare Foundation founder, A/Prof Mehrdad Nikfarjam, and renowned medical oncologist, A/Prof Lara Lipton, aims to attract Australia’s brightest researchers to critically access unmet needs and gaps in current knowledge, in addition to generating ideas for future clinical trials. The successful project will be awarded the co-funded grant.

Pancare Foundation Head of Programs, Cara Markovic, said it was important to provide opportunities to encourage the health community to bring forward new research concepts that have the potential to translate into clinical practice.

“Upper gastrointestinal cancers need significant funding for research and coordinated care if we are to see the patient experience and survival rates improve. Researchers who study rare and neglected cancers, like cholangiocarcinoma, face immense challenges to secure funding, which is why we are so proud to offer this grant with the GI Cancer Institute,” she said.

Supporting research for a critically underfunded cancer

Like all upper gastrointestinal cancers, cholangiocarcinoma, also known as biliary cancer, is critically underfunded and has a five-year survival rate of just 20%. More than 1,100 Australians are expected to be diagnosed with biliary cancer this year.

The biliary tract is a part of the digestive system and includes the gallbladder and bile ducts. Biliary cancer can occur anywhere along the bile duct. Often, there are no symptoms of biliary tract cancer, particularly in the early stages. However, if there are symptoms, depending on where the cancer is, they may include:

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• excessive fatigue or weakness
• loss of appetite
• unexplained weight loss
• nausea
• pain in the abdomen
• dark urine and pale stools
• extreme itching.

Cholangiocarcinoma Idea Generation Workshop

The Cholangiocarcinoma Idea Generation Workshop will be attended by clinicians and other health professionals in May 2021.

Information for health professionals

The Cholangiocarcinoma Idea Generation Workshop will be held online on Friday 14 May 2021, 9am – 12noon AEST.

For more information, or to submit your idea, visit the AGITG website.  Idea submissions must be received by 5pm, March22, 2020.