Photo by ABC Radio Perth: Emma Wynne

Twelve months ago, Ron McNally found out he had terminal mesothelioma and had only two years to live.

Immunotherapy didn’t work – so he stopped. But in the future, it could be combined with radiation to form a potent new treatment.

Faith Chang, a PhD student at the National Centre for Asbestos Related Disease, says lab results in mice have been very promising so far.

Ahead of Daffodil Day 2023, they told Nadia Mitsopoulos why it’s so important to get a clinical trial up and running. 

– from the ABC

Faith Chang sat down to talk with Nadia Mitsopoulos today on ABC Mornings about her research exploring radio-immunotherapy to treat mesothelioma, and translating this research into clinical trials. Nadia also interviewed Ron McNally, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma twelve months ago after childhood and occupational exposure to asbestos. Ron had initially been prescribed immunotherapy, but stopped treatment after a lack of response.

Radio-immunotherapy has been promising when tested in the lab on mice. Although there are still some questions to be answered, the team hope to bring the treatment to a clinical trial in the future.

However, one of the barriers to proceeding with a clinical trial is a lack of funding. Ron is Cancer Council WA’s Daffodil Day 2023 ambassador, which aims to raise money for cancer research. He reiterated how research is key for giving hope to people with cancer, and that donating to cancer research is an investment in your own futures.

Listen to the full interview here.

To donate to the Daffodil Day 2023 appeal, visit daffodilday.com.au.