Monash Health to lead Australian first study of the response of COVID-19 vaccines on cancer patients

Monash Health researchers are working with collaborators across Australia on a new clinical trial that will investigate the response of COVID-19 vaccines in people with cancer.

The SerOzNET study will examine serological and immunological responses to COVID-19 vaccinations administered to Australian adults with cancer.

Funded by Cancer Australia, SerOzNET will contribute to a national and international body of evidence aimed at better understanding the safety and efficacy of  COVID-19 vaccines in people with cancer.

SerOzNET is aligned with the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) Serological Sciences Network for COVID-19 (SeroNet).

“We hope the combined findings of these large studies will support oncology health providers to make better informed cancer management-based decisions with their patients”, said Professor Eva Segelov, Chief Investigator, Director of Oncology at Monash Health and Professor at Monash University’s School of Clinical Sciences.

“For example, we are looking at how different types of cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and hormone therapies impact vaccine response; how patients with different types of cancers, including blood cancers, respond to the vaccines; and the importance of timing of the vaccine for patients on cancer treatments,” said Professor Segelov.

Patients with a cancer diagnosis, on current or prior treatment, who have not yet been vaccinated, may be eligible for this trial. Interested participants can find out more here. Hospitals wanting to participate in the trial should contact seroznet@monashhealth.org

The Cancer Australia Information about cancer and COVID-19 website hub, provides advice and information for Australians affected by cancer and a repository of up-to-date, evidence-based resources and guidance for health professionals and researchers from Australian and international organisations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, including Frequently Asked Questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for people affected by cancer, and dedicated resources tailored for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.