Bringing vital cancer research to Tasmanian patients

Here, A/Prof Nott shares where her passion for medical oncology and cancer research started and the value she sees in clinical research for Tasmanian cancer patients and their families.

“When I was a trainee doctor completing a fellowship at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide, I saw first-hand the impact of a clinical trial,” says A/Prof Nott.

“A new drug was being studied in a phase one trial for metastatic bowel cancer and I remember this young patient who had very young children and had exhausted her treatment options was able to be recruited to the trial.

“She responded well to the treatment, and it was the most amazing thing to be part of being able to give her more time with her family.

“Every single treatment we use, is only here because of a clinical trial.”

A/Prof Nott says that seeing treatments being developed that truly made a difference for patients inspired her to get involved.

After completing her fellowship, A/Prof Nott returned to her home state of Tasmania

working as a medical oncology consultant in the public hospital system. There, she witnessed the inequities in access to clinical trials, particularly for those living in regional and rural areas.

“I could see the value that clinical trials brought to patients and their families, but there were so many barriers for local patients. How to get patients, especially regional, rural and those from lower socioeconomic areas, to participate in clinical research on an even basis,” says Louise.

“The chemo is released into the cancer cell. So, it’s more targeted to the cancer, but perhaps more importantly, that chemotherapy is just delivered inside or around the tumour cell, rather than scattered throughout the body”, says A/Prof Nott.

A/Prof Nott says following the trials, this class of drug is now in regular use and in many instances has less severe side effects for patients.

Icon’s clinical trials also focus on improving quality of life for patients. A/Prof Nott and her team are currently investigating ways to prevent toxicity and peripheral neuropathy caused by the standard treatments for gastrointestinal cancer that effects up to 30% of patients.

“We want to run studies that are going to give us results that will help our patients. That’s where the big difference is, and that’s why investigator-initiated research is so important, because we’re answering the questions that we ask every day,” says A/Prof Nott.

“Our work really does make a big difference. If there are donors out there who want to see their money go into research that is going to have a significant impact on patients’ lives,  this is the way to go.”

“I hope to be remembered as someone who broke down barriers to achieve equitable healthcare in Tasmania.

“We want research to be part of our standard of care – every patient that walks through our doors should be offered the option of participating in clinical research if they wish to. That’s where I’d love for us to land.”

In late 2024, A/Prof Louise Nott was named as a finalist the 2025 Australian of the Year Awards for Tasmania for her work in ensuring cancer patients in the state receive the same access to care and treatment innovations as those on the mainland.

Icon Cancer Foundation funds one of A/Prof Nott’s research projects. Find out more New studies on compression therapy and osteoarthritis treatment – Icon Cancer Foundation