Australian doctor who underwent world-first brain tumour treatment dies
Synopsis
Australian cancer researcher Richard Scolyer has died at 59 after a three-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumour. The globally recognised melanoma specialist became the first patient to undergo a world-first experimental brain cancer treatment based on immunotherapy research he developed alongside colleague Georgina Long. The treatment's promising results helped launch a clinical trial in the United States. Scolyer and Long transformed outcomes for advanced melanoma patients and were named Australian of the Year in 2024. Tributes have poured in for the pioneering doctor, researcher and mentor.
Richard Scolyer, one of Australia's top cancer researchers, has died three years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, the aggressive type of cancer that changed treatment for hundreds around the world.
Cancer Trailblazer Dead At 3-Years In Fight
Richard Scolyer has died aged 59, three years following a diagnosis of glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive types of brain cancer.
Considered one of Australia's top medical researchers, Scolyer rose to fame during his career for not just pioneering melanoma therapy but becoming the first human to receive an experimental brain cancer treatment he had developed himself. In a posthumous farewell letter, Mr Caden described his life as one of "happiness, optimism, opportunity and passion" in which he wanted to continue to contribute even at the darkest periods of his life.
World-First Brain Cancer Treatment
Scolyer was diagnosed as suffering from a painful and aggressive brain cancer ( glioblastoma ) in 2023. Most patients with his form of brain cancer survive less than a year, and treatment approaches have changed little in the last two decades.
Scolyer was the first patient with brain cancer to receive a combination of immunotherapy plus treatment before surgery, overseen by his friend and collector Georgina Long. The treatment was based on research the pair had pioneered earlier for advanced melanoma. They created an individual vaccine tailored to specifically target the characteristics of his tumours. Although both researchers recognized the fat odds against a cure, they were confident that treatment could buy him time and provide some knowledge.
Research Legacy Continues
The treatment gained international attention after scans seemed to show a healthy immune response occurring in Scolyer's brain. These promising results have since enabled an early-phase clinical trial in the US to test whether this approach could also help other glioblastoma patients.
Co-directors of Melanoma Institute Australia, Scolyer and Long combined to work on revolutionising treatment for patients with advanced melanoma using immunotherapy. While fewer than 1 in 10 patients with advanced melanoma were cured prior to their breakthroughs, research from these scientists has increased survival rates dramatically, with half of patients effectively cured now. The pair were awarded the medal in honour of their work and named Australians of the Year.
Tributes and Final Message
Tributes flowed for Scolyer, who was remembered by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as "one of our brightest lights and one of our biggest hearts". His contributions to science, patient care and mentoring the next generations of pathologists were also acknowledged by fellow medical counterparts.
Scolyer, who had previously opened up about his fight against cancer in online posts before the final messages, thanked Australians for their support. He also called on governments to continue funding medical research and innovation. Scolyer wished future researchers will take it even further for improved cancer therapy.
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