Western Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world – a legacy of decades of asbestos mining and use. For the past 30 years, the National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases (NCARD) Biobank, based at Queen Elizabeth II Health Campus in Perth, has been quietly leading global advances in the detection and treatment of this devastating disease.
As the world marks World Mesothelioma Day this Friday, the Biobank’s work is giving new hope to patients and families in Western Australia, Australia and internationally.
Established in 1994, the Biobank has grown into one of the largest and most enduring collections of clinical samples from people with asbestos-related diseases anywhere in the world.
It holds more than 10,000 biospecimens – including tumour tissue, blood, pleural fluid and DNA – generously donated with consent from participants for use in ethically approved research. These samples have underpinned more than 50 research studies in Australia and overseas.
“The Biobank is a cornerstone of mesothelioma research,” NCARD Scientific Director Professor Jenette Creaney said.
“One of the NCARD Biobank’s most significant contributions has been the development of the mesothelin blood test, which led to the internationally approved MESOMARK assay for monitoring disease progression.
“This breakthrough means doctors can track how mesothelioma is changing in a patient’s body through a simple blood test rather than relying only on scans, giving patients and clinicians faster and more accurate information to guide treatment.”
Other research advances supported by the NCARD Biobank include:
- Research that contributed to evolving treatment approaches, including the introduction of immunotherapy
- Identification of tumour genetic markers to guide personalised care
- Development of mesothelioma-specific cell lines used in laboratories worldwide
- Progress in early detection of the disease.
The Biobank is part of a vital training platform for the next generation of scientists. It brings together clinical, academic and translational expertise through the Institute for Respiratory Health, the University of Western Australia and a hub at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. It also connects with world-leading research teams in the United States, Japan and Europe.
“WA’s history with asbestos gives us a responsibility to lead progress in mesothelioma research and care,” Professor Creaney said.
“The NCARD Biobank has been doing exactly that for three decades and its impact will only grow in the years ahead.
“But we couldn’t have achieved any of our life-changing research outcomes without our donors and their families. Today I want to thank every one of them for their support – for giving hope to those affected by asbestos-related diseases here in Western Australia, across the country and around the globe.”
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