Two precision medicine programs, targeting children and adults with cancer, receive $143.4m funding

The Zero Childhood Cancer Program and Precision Oncology Screening Platform Enabling Clinical Trials are led by UNSW researchers.

Two world-class precision medicine programs, spearheaded by UNSW researchers, have received $143.4 million from the Australian government. 

The funding, which will go to the Zero Childhood Cancer Program and the Precision Oncology Screening Platform Enabling Clinical Trials (PrOSPeCT), will ensure more Australians benefit from the latest advances in scientific and clinical cancer research.

“This significant investment underscores the critical role that UNSW researchers play in partnership with Children’s Cancer Institute in advancing precision medicine,” said Professor Cheryl Jones, Dean of Medicine & Health at UNSW.

“The Zero Childhood Cancer Program and PrOSPeCT are transforming cancer care by enabling highly personalised treatments based on cutting-edge genomic research. These programs are providing hope and real-world impact for patients with rare and complex cancers.”

Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Aged Care, announced the funding today.

 “The Albanese government is ensuring children and adults with rare cancers get the benefit of treatments and therapies that matches the exact genetic make-up of their specific tumour,” he said.

“The precision medicine that these world-leading programs make possible is a real game-changer in cancer care – particularly for children and adults with rare or otherwise incurable cancers.”

Expanding Precision Medicine for Childhood Cancer

(ZERO), a world-leading precision medicine program for children and young people with cancer, will receive $112.6 million in funding.

Led by Children’s Cancer Institute and Kids Cancer Centre at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, and involving all of Australia’s children’s hospitals, the funding will ensure ZERO can continue to support this world-first delivery of cutting-edge cancer care to all children with cancer (0-18 years) and expand the program to many young people aged 19 to 25 with paediatric type cancers.

When a child is enrolled in ZERO, no matter where they live in Australia, a sample of their cancer and normal tissue are sent to Children’s Cancer Institute and ZERO partner organisations, where scientists and clinicians analyse it at a genomic level so they can identify which treatment and drugs are most likely to be effective. 

Following multidisciplinary discussions, the patient’s doctor receives a report that highlights the critical genetic features of the tumour that may influence diagnosis, prognosis and treatment strategies. Where possible, for high risk and complex cancers, those drugs are tested to see how they perform in laboratory models of the individual child’s cancer. 

“The impact of childhood cancer is far greater than most people realise,” said Professor Michelle Haber, Executive Director of Children's Cancer Institute. 

“In Australia, we have more than a thousand cases diagnosed every year, and globally, this number is estimated to be well over 400,000. These children endure gruelling treatment with life-long physical, emotional and psychological consequences. For them and their families, life is never the same again.”

Prof. Haber said ZERO offers children with cancer the best hope, as it combines cutting-edge research and technology with a multidisciplinary team approach to drive clinical care. 

“Nowhere else in the world do children with cancer have the opportunity of benefiting from a precision program of this depth and impact.” 

Expanding the program to young people aged 19-25 is expected to support an additional 300 young Australians with cancer each year, meaning around 1300 children and young people will have access to ZERO’s comprehensive precision medicine platform each year. 

Professor David Ziegler, Senior Specialist at the Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, Chair ZERO2 Clinical Trial and Group Leader of the Brain Tumour Group at Children’s Cancer Institute, said ZERO was changing the model of care for children with cancer.

“ZERO’s targeted, personalised approach represents a whole new model of care that has the potential to not only improve survival but also reduce damaging side effects in kids and therefore cut down on the time they need to spend in hospital. Ultimately this will be less disruptive for their families and achieve better results at a lower cost to the healthcare system,” Prof. Ziegler said.

Advancing Precision Medicine for Adult Cancer

, led by Omico and with a range of national and international research and clinical partners, will receive $30.8 million. 

PrOSPeCT has been instrumental in providing Australians with advanced, incurable and poor prognosis cancer diagnoses the ability to receive precision oncology and is a critical initiative advancing cancer care in this country. 

Ian Black, CEO of Omico, said: “We are extremely pleased that the PrOSPeCT initiative will continue delivering precision oncology to Australians facing the toughest cancer diagnoses.

“This investment ensures the vital infrastructure we’ve established remains available to more people, offering access to comprehensive genomic profiling and matched therapies at no cost to patients. 

“It is a commitment to patients, families, and Australia’s leadership in cutting-edge cancer care. We thank the Minister for recognising the impact of this work and the importance of ensuring its continuation.”

Since 2016, Omico’s programs have provided more than 22,300 Australians with access to precision oncology innovations, with referrals from over 1300 clinicians nationwide.

Beyond transforming patient care, Omico has supported more than 90 oncology clinical trials – expanding Australia’s research capabilities, attracting international investment, and offering patients and families treatment options that would otherwise be out of reach.

Professor David Thomas, Chief Science and Strategy Officer at Omico and Director of the Centre of Molecular Oncology, UNSW, said: “Investing in Omico is an investment in both the health and economy of Australia.

"Over eight years we have built systems, a national network and know-how, generated vital evidence, stimulated economic growth, and most importantly, changed lives. But our work is far from done. With this support, we can continue to expand access to precision oncology for Australians with challenging cancers.

“Beyond this, we look forward to progressing conversations with government and industry to take the next step – making precision oncology a routine part of cancer care.”