Expanding CAR-T cancer therapy in Victoria

Across continents, Cassie Abbott’s journey in revolutionising cancer care means that Alfred Health is one of only two hospitals in Victoria and one of six in Australia to offer CAR-T, a groundbreaking cancer treatment offering hope for seriously ill cancer patients.  

With the support of a Bank First scholarship, Cassie embarked on a learning adventure to the United States where she gained valuable insights into this relatively new cancer treatment.  

CAR-T has been used as a cancer therapy for less than 10 years globally and less than four years in Australia, and there are only two centres, including Alfred Health, which offer the treatment in Victoria.  

With a first intake of 18 patients at Alfred Health, Cassie was keen to understand how the CAR-T program is run in large hospitals with increased patient numbers.  

Her trip included visits to major hospitals in UCSF San Francisco, Stanford Health and Mass General Hospital in Boston, where Cassie shadowed her international colleagues and gained as much information as possible to grow the program back home in Melbourne. 

Cassie returned armed with information which has already benefited Alfred Health’s nursing and medical team and importantly, the patients who qualify for the treatment.  

These patients have an aggressive form of cancer, and the eligibility criteria to receive CAR-T is for the disease to have come back at least three times.  

At Alfred Health, the first intake of CAR-T clinical trial patients are all in remission today. 

It’s groundbreaking and it’s exciting. 

‘I am super proud of us as a team, and I am very proud to work at The Alfred.’ 

From her trip to the States, Cassie has contributed to the national CAR-T nursing group by presenting her learnings at an educational dinner and breakfast at BLOOD2023 conference. Cassie created aCAR-T Champions Program to help support Alfred Health nursing staff care for CAR-T patients and also support the patients and their families through the journey.  

Cassie’s journey goes beyond borders, reshaping the landscape of cancer care and instilling hope in those who need it most. Her story reminds us that with the right support, one person can truly make a difference.