Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Clinical Research Unit

Overview

The Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Clinical Research Unit at RBWH provides an exceptional research program for complex blood disorders including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The unit conducts a wide range of innovative trials, Phase I to Phase IV, into malignant and non-malignant haematological disorders. These trials include the testing of new therapeutic agents for the treatment of leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma as well as improvements in the outcome of bone marrow transplantation, and most recently Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy.

The unit’s active research program includes a variety of local investigator driven and research facility studies, collaborative study group participation, and participation in sponsored international studies.

There is an ongoing and strengthened collaboration between departmental clinical staff and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, which corresponds to an improved ability to develop and participate in translational research programs.

The Haematology and BMT Clinical Research Unit is committed to expanding the understanding of adult blood disorders and improving strategies for its management and treatment. The dynamic team conducts research with an emphasis on patient care in accordance with State, Commonwealth and International regulatory, legislative and ethical standards

Research

Current clinical research being conducted by our department includes:

• Comparing novel single agent or combination drug therapies to current standard of care treatments in haematologic diseases.
• Investigating new treatments for the prevention of graft-versus-host-disease.
• Data collection on Covid-19 in haematologic malignancy.
• Participation in data collection for the ALLG National Blood Cancer Registry.
• Treatment of haemophilia with novel vectors.
• Multiple studies investigating Chimeric Antigen Receptor T- cells (CAR-T)
• Treatments targeting the reduction of side effects of cancer treatment, or reduction of treatment related infections.

Research teams

Disciplines involved:

• Medical
• Nursing / Clinical Trial Coordinators
• Pharmacy / Clinical Trial Pharmacists
• Imaging / HIRF
• Pathology Queensland

The Haem/BMT CRU currently conducts research in the following disease groups:

• Leukaemia
• Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
• Lymphoma / Lymphoproliferative Disease
• Multiple Myeloma
• Non-Malignant Haematological Disorders
• Haemophilia