04 - Clinical Trials in Skin Cancer, Professor Mark Shackleton & Dr Megan Lyle

Spot On Podcast by MSCAN

Overview: In this episode we learn what a clinical trial is, how they are developed and why they are so important. We also learn about participating in clinical trials, factors to consider and what the process is to get involved.

Speakers:

Prof Mark Shackleton is the Director of Oncology at Alfred Health, a Professor of Oncology at Monash University, a Victorian Cancer Agency Clinical Research Fellow and Chair of Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials Ltd. After training in medical oncology and at the Ludwig Institute in Melbourne, he undertook PhD studies at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and postdoctoral work at the University of Michigan, USA. He has received several major prizes for his research, most recently a 2016 Victorian Cancer Agency Clinical Research Fellowship and in 2012, he was awarded the Australian Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year.

Dr Megan Lyle is a Medical Oncologist with special interests in cancer immunotherapy, melanoma and other skin cancers and gastrointestinal malignancies. Dr Lyle works at the Liz Plummer Cancer Care Centre at Cairns Hospital, Response Oncology, Far North Day Hospital and Cairns Private Hospital. Dr Lyle also holds a senior lecturer position with James Cook University. Dr Lyle received her Fellowship from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2013 having undertaken medical oncology advanced training in Newcastle, NSW. She subsequently completed a clinical research fellowship at Melanoma Institute Australia, Sydney in 2013-14. Dr Lyle is published in major international peer reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Topics Covered In This Episode:

• What a clinical trial is, and why we need them
• Who can participate in clinical trials
• The types of clinical trials and who runs them
• Designing a clinical trial and establishing trial protocols
• What is informed consent
• The different phases of clinical trials
• The role of human research ethics committees
• How to find out more information about clinical trials
• Access to trials for remote and rural populations
• Increase in trials being run in regional areas
• Telehealth and clinical trials
• What is a placebo trial
• What happens after a trial concludes
• The future of clinical trials

For More Information:

The Spot On Podcast is brought to you by the Melanoma & Skin Cancer Advocacy Network (MSCAN) - who are providing a new, innovative approach to tackle Australia’s national cancer.

MSCAN engages with Australia’s leading clinicians, researchers and advocates with the aim of increasing the knowledge of those affected by a diagnosis.

MSCAN is grateful to the clinicians interviewed in our podcast series. They have all provided their time and input freely and independently.

The content discussed in these episodes is for information purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Please make sure you speak with a medical professional for advice relating to your own specific situation.