"CAR-T Central : Two Years On"
When Bastion Med Ed launched CAR-T Central in late 2021, we envisioned a platform where leading haematologists could share their combined experience and expertise to advance CAR-T therapies in Australia.
Two years on, and the landscape has changed. New therapies have become available, funding is available for a broader range of indications, and lives are being saved nationwide.
Through all that, CAR-T Central has been a key resource for any medical professional looking to advance their knowledge by providing a wealth of fundamental and cutting-edge information. Since the platform launched over 2,500 HCPs and users have accessed the site, viewing more than 12,000 pages, benefitting from the cutting-edge educational content, including 20+ bespoke articles developed by Bastion in collaboration with the expert steering committee.
So, before we get into the newest data and news releases in 2024, we are taking pause and reflecting on the journey of CAR-T therapies in Australia, starting with a look at our launch in 2021.
CAR-T Central Launch
The initial launch of CAR-T Central was an important moment for the Australian haematology space. This was a unique platform where a healthcare professional could find impartial information on a new therapy class.
From an initial offering of CAR-T fundamentals and the state of CAR-T in Australia, CAR-T Central developed into a valuable resource with coverage of the latest congresses, breaking news about approvals, and lists of referral centres across Australia. All of this is supported by an expert steering committee driven to share their combined experience and elevate the standard of care available for Australian patients.
Expanding Treatments
The past few years have seen a steady expansion in the number of TGA-approved CAR-T therapies, approved indications, and available funding. There are now four approved therapies in Australia, and this expansion has broadened the benefits of these ground-breaking therapies to more patients and has allowed CAR-T to blossom into an essential tool in the battle against blood cancers.
Alongside the expansion of approved therapies, there has also been a continuation of CAR-T research being conducted on Australian soil. Home to some of the best cancer research centres, Australia has continued pushing CAR-T therapies forward, providing access to ground-breaking treatments and hope for hundreds of patients. Continued participation in key clinical trials ensures that the Australian patient’s needs remain central to CAR-T development.
Expansion of Treating and Manufacturing Facilities
CAR-T is a highly specialised treatment limited primarily to major public hospitals. However, the last two years have seen a steady proliferation of this therapy class from a few select centres. There are now hospitals all over Australia offering CAR-T therapy, improving accessibility and convenience of treatment.
In addition to these expanded facilities, there has also been a marked change in how CAR-T therapies for Australians are manufactured. Two years ago, patients would need to wait for their cells to be transported to North America or Europe. Today, CAR-T therapies are being manufactured on our shores, with the recent expansion of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation facility further expanding capability.
With this expansion in use, a need to educate the haematologists, nurses, pharmacists, cell scientists and any other clinicians involved in supporting patients receiving CAR-T has come. This need will only grow as CAR-T expands across the country, and we are determined to meet this demand.
The Future
The last two years have seen considerable progressions in the proliferation and utilisation of CAR-T in Australia. But the future may be even brighter. Experience with CAR-T treatment is improving our ability to optimise treatment and improve outcomes, “Off-the-shelf” allogeneic CAR-T therapies are showing promise in clinical trials and notable advances are being made to develop CAR-T therapies for solid tumours.
There are a lot of exciting developments on the horizon for the field, and CAR-T Central will grow to meet the needs of Australian healthcare. This includes patient-focused materials, dedicated resources for nurses and pharmacists, and an expansion of our clinical trial coverage.
All of this would not be possible without support from dedicated sponsors driven to enhance the quality of Australian healthcare.
If your organisation is interested in supporting the continued development of CAR-T Central, please reach out at contact@bastionbrands.com.au or call +61 (3) 8592 1234.
Visit https://car-tcentral.com.au/ and register for our newsletter to find out more.
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