The implantable device delivers chemotherapy drugs straight to the tumour, with the aim of shrinking it to allow pancreatic cancer patients to undergo life-saving surgery.

Lead researcher Dr Kara Vine, of the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), said exploring new options was vital as more than 80 per cent of these patients were ineligible for surgery.

‘’Of all the solid tumours pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate and there’s really been no advancements in the treatment of the disease in the last 30 years – with surgery providing the only real chance of a cure,’’ she said.

‘’It’s notoriously difficult to treat as it’s resistant to a lot of chemotherapy as there’s issues getting the drugs to penetrate into the tumour itself because it’s so dense.

‘’So instead of injecting chemo intravenously, we are combining two potent chemo agents into one implantable device which goes directly into the tumour.’’

Pre-clinical trials are promising and the team – which includes Wollongong Hospital oncologist Dr Morteza Aghmesheh and UOW materials scientist Dr Javad Foroughi – is moving towards human trials.

‘’By implanting the device locally it gives us the ability to administer higher concentrations of the drug to induce a better response, with the aim to increase the proportion of patients who can undergo surgery, ‘’ Dr Vine said. ‘’The non-invasive surgical procedure will also reduce the exposure of healthy tissue to the drugs, so reducing toxic side effects.’’

For Bulli resident Joan Shadlow – one of the 2600 Australians diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year – the ongoing research into the disease is heartening.

Thanks to a previous clinical trial in Wollongong, there’s no sign of the disease she was diagnosed with four years ago. And the ongoing research by the IHMRI team gives her comfort that others will also have a better chance at survival.

‘’My diagnosis came as a shock, and when I was asked to participate in a clinical trial (at Southern Medical Day Care Centre) I took it,’’ Mrs Shadlow, 75, said.

‘’The trial of chemotherapy drugs shrunk my tumour enough that I was able to have surgery, and here I am still able to enjoy life with my husband, three children and nine grandchildren.

‘’There’s no guarantees of course, and I’m thankful for the ongoing research and trials which give people like myself hope when faced with this terrible disease.’’

Dr Vine thanked the Illawarra Cancer Carers for their funding of the research.