In an Australian first, an innovative new bladder cancer treatment clinical trial that harnesses the patient’s own immune system through a novel combination of medication and light-activated therapy is now underway at five Ramsay Health Care sites.

The Aura Trial is part of a global program that involves a targeted approach where the therapy is injected directly into bladder tumours and then activated with laser light. The process is designed to selectively destroy cancer cells while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.

Principal Investigator for the trial, Professor Manish Patel, said the Aura Trial has the potential to be a significant milestone for Australian cancer care, giving patients access to a therapy that is already being explored globally.

“Bladder cancer is particularly challenging due to its high rate of recurrence, often requiring repeated surgeries. This targeted, minimally invasive approach has the potential to not only treat tumours more precisely but also reduce the likelihood of tumour recurrence and improve the overall patient experience,” Professor Patel said.

“By participating in this international trial, Ramsay is helping to advance a new class of treatment that could reshape how bladder cancer is managed in the future.”

The treatment has already been trialled successfully in the United States and has been used in the treatment of retinoblastoma, helping preserve patients’ eyesight by reducing the need for invasive surgery.

“Ramsay’s extensive national hospital network has enabled us to achieve the highest trial recruitment globally, highlighting both the scale of our organisation and our ability to connect patients with innovative new treatment options,” Professor Patel said.

The study is expected to enrol approximately 54 adult patients worldwide. Participants may receive up to two treatment cycles, with each cycle involving tumour injection followed by laser activation.

Early results from the global trial have shown the treatment can be safely and effectively administered, with promising treatment effectiveness observed, including complete responses in some patients.

The trial is taking place at Westmead Private Hospital as well as leading cancer centres in the United States.