http://hdl.handle.net/11054/1 2026-11-01T06:28:29Z 2026-11-01T06:28:29Z http://hdl.handle.net/11054/3369 2026-11-01T04:23:17Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Robotic thoracic surgery in a regional hospital (Ballarat). Our 2-year experience and lessons learnt. Abstract: Introduction: Robotic assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) has traditionally been only performed in high volume major quaternary centres in Australia. Ballarat Base Hospital is a regional centre servicing Australia’s highest percentage of smokers per capita (28% c.f 17%). We aim to perform an audit of our robotic thoracic program to ensure that high quality thoracic surgery service is being achieved in a review of our first 2 years’ robotic thoracic experience and our lessons learnt. Method: Retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of a single surgeon’s robotic thoracic surgery experience was reviewed. Quality treatment indicators including duration of intercostal drain, length of stay, complications, mortality, oncological outcomes and cost were reviewed and compared to published data. Results: In 2023 and 2024 we performed 5.22% and 5.85% of all robotic thoracic surgery in Australia. 83 anatomical lung resections were performed. Safety data including 30- and 90-day mortality was 0%. Any complication was 17%. Conversion to VATS was 1% No open conversions. Mean lymph nodes harvested was six, and R1 resection was 1%. 78% of patients had their Intercostal drain (ICC) removed Day 1 and the median LOS was 3 days. Cost analysis showed savings per case $8065 RATS vs Open and $5593 RATS vs VATS. Conclusion: In well-selected patients and well-trained surgeons, robotic thoracic surgery can be safely performed in regional centres. In a country as vast as Australia, this allows for equitable and accessible care for regional patients without the added stress of having care far from home.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11054/3368 2026-11-01T04:22:57Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Jess Herrmann: Advocating for neurodivergent nurses and midwives. Abstract: Profile of Jess Herrmann, a Registered Nurse and neurodiversity advocate, exploring her experiences following adult diagnoses of ADHD and Autism. The article highlights the lived experiences of neurodivergent nurses, the benefits and challenges of working in healthcare with neurodivergence, workplace accessibility, self-advocacy, and efforts to improve education, support, and inclusion for neurodivergent nurses, midwives, and carers through research and professional development initiatives.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11054/3367 2026-11-01T04:22:41Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Phase 1/2 study of the novel Werner helicase inhibitor EIK1005 as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors, including MSI-H or dMMR tumors. Abstract: Background: Cancers with deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) have high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and are reported to be sensitive to inhibition of the Werner syndrome helicase (WRN) via synthetic lethality. WRN inhibition in MSI-H cells leads to loss of genomic integrity and ultimately cell death while not affecting microsatellite stable (MSS) and healthy cells. Standard of care for patients (pts) with MSI-H tumors includes surgery and immunotherapy (checkpoint inhibitors [CPIs] like pembrolizumab [pembro]). While these are viable treatment options, depending on the indication, ~30 to 50% do not respond to first-line immune CPIs, or acquire resistance. A critical unmet medical need exists for new therapies for such patients (pts). EIK1005 is a novel, potent, high-affinity and selective WRN inhibitor (WRNi) with the potential for targeted antitumor activity in MSI-H or dMMR solid tumors. In vitro studies demonstrated sustained target engagement leading to cell death in MSI-H cells while sparing MSS and healthy cells. In a Phase 1 single ascending dose study in healthy participants, EIK1005 was well tolerated at the doses evaluated. Methods: EIK1005-002 (NCT#07262619) is a multicenter, multi-part, Phase 1/2 study of EIK1005 monotherapy and combination with pembro, in participants with advanced solid tumors including MSI-H and dMMR tumors. The study has three parts; Part 1A (monotherapy dose escalation [DE]): EIK1005 will be evaluated at ~ three dose levels (DL) in participants without alternative therapeutic options (n~40). Preference is given to pts with MSI-H or dMMR cancer for whom prior CPI therapy has failed, or with MSS cancer who progressed after ≥1 regimen of platinum, alkylating or topoisomerase chemotherapy as evidence suggests MMR alterations and MSI induction in previously MSS cancer. Part 1B (combination DE): participants with MSI-H or dMMR tumors (n~40) will receive EIK1005 + pembro (Q3W). Part 2 (dose optimization [DO]): participants (n~80) with MSI-H and dMMR tumors and slowly progressive disease are randomized 1:1 to receive EIK1005 at one of two doses from Part 1A. Key eligibility criteria: participants ≥18 years, life expectancy ≥3 months, unresectable and/or metastatic solid tumor, measurable disease at baseline (RECIST v1.1), progression after or intolerance to ≥ 1 advanced-setting standard treatment regimen (Part 1A), has MSI-H or dMMR tumor (Parts 1B and 2) and slowly progressive disease (Part 2). Primary objectives: safety and tolerability of EIK1005 monotherapy and + pembro to determine the MTD (Part 1) and to inform DO (Part 2). Secondary objectives: preliminary antitumor activity, characterize plasma PK profile of EIK1005 monotherapy and + pembro. This study began in December 2025. Clinical trial information: NCT07262619.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11054/3366 2026-11-01T04:22:29Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Real-world treatment patterns and clinical outcomes for patients with deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Abstract: Background: The 5-year follow up results of KEYNOTE-177 established pembrolizumab as a standard first-line treatment for dMMR mCRC, demonstrating improved response rates, progression-free survival (PFS) and tolerability over chemotherapy. Pembrolizumab became widely available as a first-line option in Australia following government reimbursement in August 2021. Real world treatment patterns and outcomes have not been reported. Methods: Consecutive patients with mCRC diagnosed between 1/8/2021 and 30/5/2025, and had dMMR as determined by immunohistochemistry test, were analysed, using data from TRACC, an Australian multi-site prospective registry. Clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment patterns and outcomes were examined. Results: From 32 sites, we identified 120 dMMR mCRC patients, of whom 109 (91%) received any systemic treatment. First-line treatment included pembrolizumab (n = 103, 94%), a clinical trial (n = 4, 4%), and chemotherapy (n = 2, 2%). Pembrolizumab treated patients had a median age of 75 years; 50% were also BRAF mutant. Median follow up was 25.8 months. The clinician-assessed response rate (partial or complete response) was 57%, with 17% of patients having progressive disease noted as best response. Median duration of therapy was 15.2 months. Discontinuation of pembrolizumab in 73 patients was due to progressive disease (37%), completion of 2 years of treatment (29%) and toxicity (15%). Median PFS was 37.9 months. Median overall survival (OS) was not reached, with a 12-month OS of 89% and 24-month OS of 73%. Conclusions: In this real-world population of dMMR mCRC patients, we noted older age, a greater proportion of BRAFV600E mutant, and poorer ECOG functional status compared with KEYNOTE-177. There has been rapid uptake of pembrolizumab as a new standard of care, with promising response rates, PFS and landmark OS achieved. Ongoing data collection are planned to explore predictors of immunotherapy response, and treatment and outcomes in the second line setting.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z