The National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases (NCARD) has been awarded a substantial grant of $500,000 to establish the Mesothelioma AI Genomics and Immunology Consortium (MAGIC). Led by Professor Jenette Creaney, the three-year project, funded through the icare Dust Diseases Board’s Discovery and Innovation Grants Program, will commence in July 2025.
The MAGIC initiative aims to create an international consortium that brings together leading researchers and clinicians from multiple countries to advance mesothelioma research. A key focus will be on developing the infrastructure to build a comprehensive database of clinical, genomic, immunological, and other data from mesothelioma patients. Through collaborative efforts using advanced artificial intelligence methodologies, this international team will work to identify patterns and molecular markers associated with treatment response.
This project builds on NCARD’s established partnerships with research institutions worldwide. The NCARD team, including Professor Jenette Creaney, Dr Melvin Chin, and Professor Bruce Robinson, will work closely with QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute collaborators Professor Nic Waddell, who leads the Medical Genomics Team, and John Pearson, Manager of Genome Informatics. This collaboration combines complementary expertise in mesothelioma biology, clinical management, genomics, and bioinformatics.
QIMR’s advanced infrastructure and specialised expertise in genomics and bioinformatics will be instrumental in analysing the complex datasets involved in this project. Meanwhile, NCARD’s extensive experience with mesothelioma patient cohorts and clinical trials provides the foundation for patient engagement and clinical data collection.
Mesothelioma remains a devastating disease with limited treatment options. Despite the recent introduction of checkpoint blockade immunotherapy, it remains unclear whether most patients benefit from chemotherapy or immunotherapy or if specific treatment schedules are more effective. Additionally, no second-line treatments for mesothelioma are approved, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches.
The anticipated outcomes of the MAGIC initiative include:
- Development of robust international research infrastructure for mesothelioma
- Identification of molecular markers predictive of treatment response
- Creation of personalised treatment strategies based on patient-specific data
- Improved clinical outcomes for mesothelioma patients
By building these international collaborations and establishing shared resources and methodologies, this project will significantly enhance the global research effort against mesothelioma and has the potential for broader applications of AI in oncology.
