Associate Professor Geoff McCowage

Associate Professor Geoff McCowage from the Children's Hospital at Westmead is researching the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the treatment of Ewing sarcoma.
Associate Professor Geoff McCowage from the Children's Hospital at Westmead is researching the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the treatment of Ewing sarcoma.

Project title: INTER-EWING-1: INTERnational scientific program in clinical research to improve outcomes of newly diagnosed EWING sarcoma - trial 1
Institute: ANZCHOG
Funding: $150,000 (July 2022 – December 2027)
Funding partners: Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation
Research Pillar: Translate
Cancer Type: Sarcoma (Ewing sarcoma)

With poor prognosis and high relapse rates, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic approaches for Ewing sarcoma.

Ewing sarcoma is a rare, but highly aggressive malignant tumour of bone and soft tissue, most commonly diagnosed in children, adolescents and young adults. Patients with localised disease have a survival rate of 65-75 percent. But for those with advanced Ewing sarcoma, survival rates are as low as 25 percent.

No novel therapeutic agents have been successfully introduced into front line treatment. This project aims to change that, examining the safety and tolerability of adding a newer class of drugs, the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), into treatment protocols.

Read more: Behind the science

INTER-EWING-1 is an international clinical trial program seeking to improve outcomes in patients with Ewing sarcoma. Paediatric and adolescent cancer centres around Australia will join with their international colleagues in this major study.