About the trial

Canberra Health Services cancer specialist, Professor Mark Polizzotto, has been awarded a prestigious $5 million National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant to lead an international cancer trial in Africa.

The funding will support a major study looking at new ways to treat Kaposi’s Sarcoma (KS), a cancer with 400,000 new cases annually in Africa. The trial will test whether a tablet treatment can work as well as standard chemotherapy. If successful, the treatment could make care simpler and more accessible for patients who live far from major hospitals.

Kaposi’s Sarcoma is one of the most common cancers in some African countries, particularly among men. While cancer is now a leading cause of death in Africa, access to treatment can be difficult. Many patients need to travel long distances to receive chemotherapy, which requires specialised facilities and staff.

The five‑year trial will involve around 400 participants in Uganda, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Researchers will compare standard intravenous chemotherapy with an oral medication called pomalidomide, which has already shown promise in treating this type of cancer.

Improving access to treatment

Professor Polizzotto said the study aims to find a more practical approach.

"Many people can’t easily travel to large hospitals for treatment. If we can provide an effective tablet instead of chemotherapy, it could make care much more accessible and improve outcomes for patients."

Professor Mark Polizzotto - Cancer Specialist, Canberra Health Services

The approach is inspired by the success of HIV programs in Africa, where simpler and more affordable treatments have made care available to more people, including those in rural and remote areas. If the trial shows the tablet treatment works just as well, it could help shift how this cancer is treated, allowing more patients to receive care closer to home.

Safety and partnerships

The study will also include a strong focus on patient safety. Because the medication can harm an unborn baby, researchers will work closely with participants to support safe family planning and informed decision‑making.

Professor Polizzotto said the project builds on long‑standing partnerships with research teams across Africa.

"This work is about improving access to life‑saving treatment, no matter where people live."

Professor Mark Polizzotto - Cancer Specialist, Canberra Health Services

The NHMRC award recognises the highest‑ranked clinical trial of the year and is named after pioneering HIV researcher Professor David Cooper.

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