University Of Queensland's Cream To Treat Skin Cancer Close To Reality

Study in Australia: University Of Queensland is developing a life-changing cream for skin cancer patients. The cream is expected to prevent and treat early-stage skin cancer in patients who have undergone organ transplants.

University of Queensland researchers are developing a first-of-its-kind cream to prevent and treat early-stage cancer. The cream is now a step closer to the reality. The National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation has funded $344,000 to help advance the cancer cream through pre-clinical development.

While commenting on this, Associate Professor James Wells, from UQ’s Frazer Institute, said, "The cream contained a novel drug that prevented the formation of skin cancer, which was discovered and developed in partnership with UniQuest’s small molecule drug discovery initiative, QEDDI. This project funding is essential to progress the cream through pre-clinical development and allow us to create a formula suitable for application on human skin. It’s a major step forward that we hope will allow us to take this promising molecule to clinical trials down the track."

Cream For Skin Cancer Patients: More Details

Currently, there is no such cream available for skin cancer treatment. It will be the first of its kind which is likely to not only prevent but also treat early-stage of cancer.

“After receiving an organ transplant, patients have to take immunosuppressive drugs to help ensure their bodies do not reject the new organs. However, these drugs can increase a patient’s risk of skin cancer, in particular squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and Kaposi’s Sarcoma. Currently there are no FDA-approved drugs to treat SCCs in these patients, so skin cancers must be managed with regular medical checks and removals over a person’s lifetime until one becomes too advanced and metastasises. Patients are left with few options without risking transplant rejection, and that’s why this new treatment would be life-changing for them," Dr Wells said.

Australian Research Council Supports UQ Research Capability

Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Projects 2025 has granted over $35 million fund to researchers at the University of Queensland.

"The funding will support 56 UQ projects to advance basic and applied research across areas including health and biomedicine, biological science, agriculture, engineering, languages and culture. The scheme supports individuals and teams to progress research projects that provide economic, environmental, commercial, societal and cultural benefits," reads the university's statement.

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