Tracker Biobank

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Tracker Biobank

TRACKER is empowering lung cancer breakthroughs with Australia’s first biobank for advanced lung cancer samples. Join us in this mission!

We provide scientists with high-quality samples and clinical data to advance research and improve patient outcomes.

24/09/2025

🌍 TRACKER celebrates Dr Tracy Leong at !

This month in Barcelona, Dr Leong — Director of Interventional Pulmonology at Austin Health, Respiratory Clinical Lead in Lung Cancer, and founder of the TRACKER lung cancer biobank — presented on EBUS and optimal staging for clinical N–N1 NSCLC, showing how minimally invasive diagnostics improve accuracy, treatment planning, and patient safety.

✨ She also begins her term as 2025–2027 Chair of the Multidisciplinary Clinical Science Committee, fostering global collaboration to drive research that delivers better outcomes for patients.

🗣️ “Collaboration and precision staging are key to improving outcomes for every patient. By combining cutting-edge diagnostics with multidisciplinary expertise, we can make lung cancer care safer and more effective.” — Dr Leong

Her leadership exemplifies how clinical excellence, research innovation, and patient-centered care intersect, guiding the next generation of lung cancer specialists.
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Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute Austin Health The University of Melbourne

22/09/2025

🎬 Sneak peek! TRACKER’s new explainer video is almost here.

Ever wondered what a biobank is or how patient samples actually help research? TRACKER’s explainer video shows how blood, tissue, and bronchoalveolar fluid samples are collected to uncover biomarkers that improve lung cancer care.

🌐 Coming soon in multiple languages—making it easier for patients and communities in Australia to understand and actively contribute to life-changing research.

💡 Every sample tells a story. By joining TRACKER, patients help researchers discover new biomarkers, improve treatments, and support sustainable, healthy survivorship for people living with lung cancer.

✨ Stay tuned - the full video is coming soon!
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19/09/2025

✨ First posters, first steps toward discovery ✨

Last week at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer World Conference on Lung Cancer, talented TRACKER PhD Candidate Dr Senthuran Shivakumar presented his very first two posters - a huge milestone in his research journey. 👏

His PhD project is focused on discovering biomarkers of checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP), a potentially life-threatening immune side effect of immunotherapy. Identifying these biomarkers early could help doctors predict which patients are most at risk and intervene before toxicities become severe.

🗣️ “Through TRACKER, I hope to uncover biomarkers that help us predict and manage side effects - so more people not only survive lung cancer, but live well after treatment.” — Dr Shivakumar

By driving meaningful discoveries, Senthuran’s research is paving the way for sustainable and high-quality survivorship for lung cancer patients worldwide. 🙌
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Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute The University of Melbourne

12/09/2025

🗣️ Your voice can shape the future of lung cancer research!

TRACKER is looking for an individual with lived experience of lung cancer from South Australia to join our national Consumer Committee.

This is a unique opportunity to:
💙 Share your story to guide lung cancer research
💙 Put patient priorities at the centre of biobank decisions
💙 Help design resources that support families and communities
💙 Drive improvements in cancer care and equity across Australia

Your insights can make a real difference. If you’re passionate about creating better outcomes for people affected by lung cancer, we’d love to hear from you!

👉 Submit an EOI today: www.trackerbiobank.com/for-patients

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11/09/2025

🎉 151 reasons to celebrate!

TRACKER has officially welcomed 151 patients across NSW, VIC & SA — building a groundbreaking national resource to help researchers tackle the world’s deadliest cancer: lung cancer.

This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of clinicians recruiting at:
🏥 Austin Health (VIC)
🏥 The Royal Melbourne Hospital (VIC)
🏥 Macquarie University Hospital (NSW)
🏥 St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney (NSW)
🏥 Royal Adelaide Hospital (SA)

But most importantly — to the patients who have generously shared their samples and data — thank you. 🙏 Your courage is the heartbeat of TRACKER, driving discoveries that will transform the future of lung cancer care!
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10/09/2025

✨ Your story matters. Your perspective matters. Your voice matters. ✨

TRACKER is Australia’s first national lung cancer biobank — and we’re inviting people from Western Australia and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to join us as consumer representatives. 🙌

Why? Because every lived experience adds wisdom. You’ll be part of a team helping us:
- Guide how research questions are asked
- Shape biobank practices and decisions
- Create educational resources that support patients and families
- Strengthen diversity and equity in cancer research across Australia

This is more than a seat at the table — it’s a chance to help transform cancer care for generations to come. 💕

👉 Ready to get involved? Submit an EOI: https://www.trackerbiobank.com/for-patients
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05/09/2025

📢 South Australia continues to make a powerful impact in lung cancer research through the TRACKER biobank! The Royal Adelaide Hospital and SAiGENCI at the University of Adelaide are actively contributing patient samples, helping drive critical discoveries.

Research Officer Karen Hon shared, “Grateful to be involved in such an important national effort. TRACKER is a game-changer, and I’m proud to play a part in it.”

Thanks to the dedication of clinicians, scientists, and patients, Australia’s first national lung cancer biobank is accelerating research that will improve treatment, survival, and quality of life for people living with lung cancer. 🙌

👉Read the full article and meet the entire South Australian team on our website!
https://t.co/oJqHS7EZc8
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The University of Adelaide Central Adelaide

01/09/2025

Yesterday in Melbourne, TRACKER took the stage at the AIRWAYS conference! 🌟

👨‍⚕️ Dr Senthuran Shivakumar, TRACKER PhD candidate, delivered a thought-provoking talk: “Ground glass changes in lung cancer patients – what’s next?”

He explored the complexities of managing these subtle early changes, sparking ideas for new research opportunities and innovation in lung cancer care.

👩‍⚕️ Dr Tracy Leong chaired the National Lung Cancer Screening Program session:
“From detection to direction: lung cancer management in the screening age.”

This session highlighted the power of early detection and how screening programs can transform patient outcomes.

A huge thank you to Boehringer Ingelheim for supporting these vital conversations. Together, we’re shaping the future of lung cancer care!

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11/08/2025

🎉 South Australia Joins TRACKER! 🎉

Big news: The Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) – comprising the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) – and the South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI) at The University of Adelaide are now live with TRACKER!

On Friday, August 8th, the team collected their first lung cancer patient sample 🫁 — a huge step in expanding our national biobank and driving critical lung cancer research across Australia.

💡 Meet the South Australian Team
👨‍⚕️ Prof Phan Nguyen – Respiratory Specialist, Head of Unit, Department of Thoracic Medicine & Site PI, RAH
👩‍⚕️ Dr Jelena Solujic – Thoracic Medicine Physician, RAH
🧬 Prof Brendan Jenkins – Head of the Tumour Inflammation and Immunotherapy Program (TIIP) and Site PI, SAiGENCI
🔬 Karen Hon & Sarah Tamang – Research Officers at TIIP, SAiGENCI

🙌 Thank you for your dedication, enthusiasm, and expertise. You’re helping unlock answers, tackle the toughest challenges in lung cancer care, and create hope for patients nationwide.

Learn more: www.trackerbiobank.com

Central Adelaide The University of Adelaide Royal Adelaide Hospital
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07/08/2025

✨ Tomorrow’s discoveries start today ✨

At TRACKER, we’ve designed our biobank with the future in mind.
Our samples are stored in multiple formats to ensure they’re ready for next‑generation sequencing and other cutting‑edge technologies.

Why it matters:
🙌 Enables a wide range of research applications
🙌 Ensures samples stay relevant as science advances
🙌 Maximises impact for patients and families

Every sample is a step toward earlier detection, better treatments, and more hope. 💕

📍 Learn more: www.trackerbiobank.com

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05/08/2025

✨ We need your voice. ✨

TRACKER is calling on people from Asian backgrounds impacted by lung cancer — whether through your own diagnosis or supporting a loved one — to join our Consumer Team.

💡 Did you know?
Among never‑smoking Asian women, the risk of lung cancer is nearly 2× higher compared to White never‑smoking women.

Your story matters. Your insights can:
✅ Shape our research
✅ Drive earlier detection and better care
✅ Ensure your community’s needs are heard

📍 To find out more or to contact us, please visit: www.trackerbiobank.com

Together, we can change the story of lung cancer. 💛

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04/08/2025

🎉 Congratulations to Lisa Briggs, Chair of our TRACKER Consumer Committee, on receiving the prestigious 2025 at Parliament House!

Lisa’s dedication, passion, and tireless advocacy go above and beyond in supporting TRACKER and lung cancer research. 💛

We’re deeply grateful to Lisa for leading with heart, inspiring change, and amplifying the voices of people affected by lung cancer.

✨ Thank you Cancer Australia for this recognition, and to The Hon Butler MProf Dorothy Keefe, and Jeremy Ferris for such a meaningful celebration.

📍 Together, we’re building community and working towards better lung cancer outcomes for all!

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Thoracic Oncology Group of Australasia Ltd

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145 Studley Road
Melbourne, VIC
3084

Website

http://www.trackerbiobank.com/

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