TRACKER Biobank: Transforming Lung Cancer Research

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In a powerful spotlight on the future of cancer research, the TRACKER Lung Cancer Biobank has been featured in La Trobe University’s Make Your Impact campaign. This campaign celebrates the groundbreaking work of researchers and clinicians dedicated to transforming lung cancer care, recognising their commitment to accelerating discoveries, fostering collaboration, and delivering personalised therapies that bring hope to patients and families affected by lung cancer.

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Shaping the Future of Cancer Research

Through the establishment of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI) Lung Cancer Chair and the continued growth of the TRACKER Biobank — Australia’s first national lung cancer biobank — we are reshaping how cancer research is performed. These initiatives are accelerating discovery, uniting researchers and clinicians across institutions, and driving the development of new therapies to improve outcomes for people living with lung cancer.

Addressing a Critical Need

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, yet research in this field has historically been underfunded. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, where treatment options are limited and survival outcomes are poor.

Sustained investment and innovation, the kind that transformed outcomes in breast cancer, are urgently needed in lung cancer. With initiatives like the ONJCRI Lung Cancer Chair and the TRACKER Biobank, that transformation is now within reach.

The TRACKER Biobank plays a pivotal role by providing a unique, longitudinal resource for researchers. By collecting and storing patient samples over time, TRACKER enables studies that uncover why certain treatments work for some patients but not others - knowledge that is essential to developing personalised therapies that improve both survival and quality of life.

“Every sample collected through TRACKER represents a person’s hope for better treatments. By studying these samples, we can uncover why therapies work for some patients and not others, bringing personalised care closer to reality.” — Dr Natalia Vukelic, TRACKER Biobank Program Manager

The TRACKER Biobank plays a crucial role in this work. It provides a unique resource for researchers. By collecting and storing patient samples over time, TRACKER enables studies that can identify why some treatments work for certain patients but not others. This knowledge is key to developing personalised therapies that can improve survival and quality of life.

Make an Impact Today

For those seeking to make a lasting difference, La Trobe University’s Make Your Impact campaign provides an opportunity to directly support research that is saving lives today and shaping the therapies of tomorrow.

By contributing to initiatives like TRACKER, you help bring personalised treatments to patients faster — delivering hope and transforming lives.

Learn more: La Trobe Make Your Impact Campaign