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Opened on 28 August, 2012 by then Prime Minister Julia Gillard, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre (TKCC) is a joint venture between St Vincent’s Hospital and the Garvan Institute, bringing together scientific and medical expertise to deliver a personalised approach to the treatment and care of our cancer patients.

Unique, both in its physical presence and its approach to treating cancer and the people it affects, the achievements of TKCC since it opened its doors one year ago give us all reason to be proud.

From a research perspective, TKCC is putting in place the essentials for making a significant impact on our local and the international community, attracting the necessary funding that enables both researchers and clinicians to deliver the best possible care for our patients and concurrently, to make the research breakthroughs that enable them to do so.

TKCC’s Centre for Clinical Genomics will allow clinicians to sequence genomes on-site for diagnostic and therapeutic development, a practise that may soon become routine in cancer research. As a result, TKCC is setting the standards in clinical care and providing a platform for the development of genomic medicine for years to come. Australia Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) have provided funding to the value of $750,000, enabling the Centre to attract Australia’s leading research teams to facilitate the development of personalised medicine.

Then, in May 2013 the federal government awarded $5.5 million over the next four years to fund the 3rd National Prostate Cancer Research Centre, based in TKCC.

“This injection of funds is tremendous news for men affected by, and at risk of, prostate cancer, which is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in Australia and which takes the lives of over 3,000 men every year”, said Professor Allan Spigelman, Acting Director of TKCC.

Having developed the largest tissue-bank and database in the southern hemisphere under the leadership of Conjoint Professor Philip Stricker, TKCC Prostate Cancer Research Centre will continue to aid all researchers, as well as foster existing strong collaborations, both nationally and internationally.

On the clinical side, those staff and services chosen to move from St Vincent’s Hospital to TKCC in Phase 1, such as chemotherapy and outpatient facilities, medical, nursing, allied health and clinical trial and cancer registry staff, were settled in by April 2013. TKCC patients and staff have been thrilled with the transformation of working conditions in the ultra modern purpose built building, not just benefiting from the beautifully serene surroundings, filtered natural light and space and unique settings such as the reflection garden, but also the opportunity to work with Garvan researchers. TKCC’s operational plan ensures that researchers have the ability to regularly meet with clinicians and present their work while clinicians have the same opportunity to inform researchers about current clinical challenges.

The first year has seen TKCC treat some 15,000 patients, many of whom have provided their feedback via a formal survey processes, the results of which have been highly positive in all facets. The quality of the environment and the care provided have all been highly rated by patients, which will be of no surprise to anyone who has entered the building. Simplifying the complexity of planning that has gone into building a treatment and research centre that has been described by World Health Design Magazine as “an expression of wellness”, the physical structure and design of the building itself gives our patients something to focus on, other than their illness.

In a letter to Professor Spigelman one patient wrote-
“I really wanted to congratulate you on one of the finest architectural medical facilities. After my appointment I spent at least twenty minutes yesterday marveling at the structure and design of the Institute. What a credit this building is to you, your Architectural team and advisors. The use of all natural materials, the exposed beams, the timber bridge and the spiraling staircase, which from the underside is like a concertina, a wave like beauty. The use of light both natural and otherwise is very clever and again contributes to a very calming feeling. Indeed the minimalist feel of the building with that extraordinary hand painted fresco transcending down all floors of the entire structure exudes a feeling of great tranquility and peace. Congratulation on an amazing achievement for practical use but yet a building of true ascetic beauty and design”.

Testament to that, TKCC received the John Verge Award for Interior Architecture at the NSW Architectural Awards in June 2013. The judges commented that “This is a work of remarkable control; its simplicity belies the technical challenges it resolved. Working with stringent clinical conditions, it manages to bring warmth and strict environmental control into balance. Through the careful crafting of materials and spatial relationships, it manages to create an exciting yet humane environment and a suite of interiors of outstanding quality.”

Going forward patients will also have access to additional allied health services such as nutritional experts, massage therapists and acupuncture, with the future opening of the Wellness Centre.

Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales will today officially open the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Molecular Genetics Facility at The Kinghorn Cancer Centre in Darlinghurst. The Centre is a joint venture of the Garvan Institute and St Vincent’s Hospital and brings together Garvan’s cutting edge research and the clinical expertise at St Vincent’s.

The Kinghorn Cancer Centre provides leadership in a new era in cancer research and clinical care in Australia. The Centre places the patient at the centre of all decisions, maximising the rapid translation of research findings to new approaches for personalised cancer diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

The ACRF, a private charity which funds world-class cancer research in Australia, awarded its equal largest ever research grant of $5 million towards the construction of The Kinghorn Cancer Centre. The grant honours the late Lady (Sonia) McMahon, life member and a founder of the ACRF in 1984. A plaque in Lady McMahon’s honour will also be unveiled today at the Centre.

The ACRF Molecular Genetics facility was originally established in 2005 at the Garvan with a separate $1.1 million ACRF grant.

This additional $5 million grant considerably strengthens the research capabilities of the facility, enabling it to be a part of the revolutionary patient/clinical focus of the Kinghorn Cancer Centre. Chairman of the ACRF, Mr Tom Dery praised the new facility and the high quality research being conducted there. “Without doubt, and over a long period of time, the Garvan’s researchers, led by Professor Rob Sutherland, have been up there with the best in the world and we know this new facility will further strengthen their work. On that basis, we were thrilled to award them one of our largest-ever research grants and, in doing so, also acknowledge the magnificent contribution to our work made by the late Lady McMahon who served on our Board for 26 years”.

The ACRF Molecular Genetics facility will house next generation sequencing technology which gives scientists the capacity to carry out internationally competitive research in cancer genetics.

“The Centre has cancer specialists and researchers working together under one roof to find personalised solutions to each person’s cancer, by understanding each individual’s needs at a molecular level. The ability to understand the individual genetic profile of a cancer means it is possible to better determine its progress and which treatments will work most effectively. To achieve this next-generation sequencing, which will be carried out in the ACRF facility, is critical – allowing us to integrate genomic information with clinical decision making,” said Professor John Mattick, Executive Director, Garvan Institute of Medical Research.

“The ACRF’s grant has enabled us to equip the Kinghorn Cancer Centre with the state-of-the-art facilities needed to deliver personalised medicine approaches. For cancer patients this will mean earlier diagnosis, precision treatment and better outcomes following diagnosis,” said Professor Mattick.

Media enquiries should be directed to:

Dianne Lavender, Communications Manager, Garvan Research Foundation
Mobile: 0414 896 930 Email d.lavender@garvan.org.au
Rebecca Hines, Communications Coordinator, Australian Cancer Research Foundation
Mobile: 0431 068 089

ABOUT GARVAN

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research was founded in 1963. Initially a research department of St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, it is now one of Australia’s largest medical research institutions with over 600 scientists, students and support staff. Garvan’s main research programs are: Cancer, Diabetes & Obesity, Immunology and Inflammation, Osteoporosis and Bone Biology and Neuroscience. Garvan’s mission is to make significant contributions to medical science that will change the directions of science and medicine and have major impacts on human health. The outcome of Garvan’s discoveries is the development of better methods of diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately, prevention of disease.

ABOUT ACRF

The Australian Cancer Research Foundation is the largest, private funding body for world-class cancer research in Australia. It is a national charity which provides up to $10 million in research grants every year, equipping Australia’s best scientists with efficient, collaborative laboratories and cutting-edge technologies. The ACRF gives every donation dollar it receives – 100% – to research that has the power to beat cancer: all types of cancer, at any stage of development.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard speaking at the opening of The Kinghorn Cancer Centre.

On Tuesday, 28 August, Prime Minister Julia Gillard officially opened The Kinghorn Cancer Centre on the St Vincent’s Campus. As you know, the Centre is a joint venture between the Garvan Institute of Medical Research  and St Vincent’s Hospital  and will bring together cutting-edge research at the Garvan and the clinical expertise at St Vincent’s.

At the centre, cancer specialists and researchers work together to find personalised solutions to each person’s cancer, by fundamentally understanding each individual’s needs at the molecular level. Research knowledge – principally based on individual ‘biomarkers’ – will enable doctors to sub-stratify patients in a more effective way, with the potential to identify targeted therapeutics to match their individual genetic profile to better determine how each individual’s cancer will progress and specify which treatments will work most effectively.

The PM toured the new facility, taking the time to speak with researchers and checked out the state-of-the-art multi-head microscope with Dr Alex Swarbrick (pictured second from left). Speaking of the St Vincents Campus  which now also houses The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Prime Minister Gillard noted “Per square metre, perhaps the greatest concentration of medical care and research excellence in the nation.” You can read the PM’s complete speech here.

Professor Rob Sutherland, Director of The Kinghorn Cancer Centre (pictured above left) said, “The Kinghorn Cancer Centre’s approach to personalised medicine places the patient at the centre of all decisions, maximising the rapid translation of research findings to new approaches to cancer diagnosis, treatment and prevention. This will spare individuals from side-effects of treatment from which they won’t actually benefit, and more expeditiously get them the therapies that will be specifically effective for them and in the process save the health system money.”

From a clinical perspective, Professor Allan Spigelman (pictured above, third from left), Director of Cancer Services said, “The Kinghorn Cancer Centre will focus on providing a holistic approach to cancer care throughout the entire patient journey, from diagnosis to full recovery (where cure is possible) and will incorporate world-class educational and training programs to develop researchers and clinicians to optimise translational outcomes. Key patient services including multidisciplinary clinics, outpatient chemotherapy services and the Wellness Centre – which will provide complementary therapies such as acupuncture as part of the cancer treatment.”

His Eminence Cardinal George Pell was also in attendance and blessed the building with holy water. Mr Peter Overton generously donated his time to MC the event and Patron of the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Ms Delta Goodrem (pictured above far right), who is an ex-St. Vincent’s patient herself, performed two of her songs.

The $128 million Centre has been funded through a $70 million Federal Government grant from the Health and Hospital Fund as well as major philanthropic support. The Centre incorporates several sophisticated technological and design-firsts that will transform both care delivery as well as the research undertaken.

A big thank you for all your interest and support of this initiative. What began as an idea has now transformed into a world-leading, cutting edge research and clinical facility.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard will today open The Kinghorn Cancer Centre on the St Vincent’s Campus. The Centre is a joint venture between Garvan Institute of Medical Research and St Vincent’s Hospital and will bring together cutting-edge research at the Garvan and the clinical expertise at St Vincent’s.

The Kinghorn Cancer Centre will see cancer specialists and researchers work together to find personalised solutions to each person’s cancer, by fundamentally understanding each individual’s needs at the molecular level. Research knowledge – principally based on individual ‘biomarkers’ – will enable doctors to sub-stratify patients in a more effective way, with the potential to identify targeted therapeutics to match their individual genetic profile to better determine how each individual’s cancer will progress and specify which treatments will work most effectively.

“The Centre’s approach to personalised medicine places the patient at the centre of all decisions, maximising the rapid translation of research findings to new approaches to cancer diagnosis, treatment and prevention. This will spare individuals from side-effects of treatment from which they won’t actually benefit, and more expeditiously get them the therapies that will be specifically effective for them and in the process save the health system money,” said Professor Rob Sutherland, Director of The Kinghorn Cancer Centre.

For one former St Vincent’s cancer patient, today’s opening will have particular significance; Delta Goodrem is in Sydney today to perform on this very special occasion. As Patron of The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, she has long been a champion of the importance of personalised medicine, “What is striking about the Centre is that everything about the building is designed around the patient, around the individuality of each patient, be it addressing their unique DNA or their individual psycho-social care needs,” said Delta.