In this article
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac) in Australia and Cartherics Pty Ltd have entered into a collaborative development programme agreement to develop CTH-004 for the treatment of ovarian cancer. The clinical trial to be conducted by Peter Mac will be the first time a CAR-T cell therapy product containing the genetic modifications incorporated into CTH-004 has been tested in humans. Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer in Australia, claiming over 1,000 lives annually, with a five-year survival rate of only 49%. More than 80% of ovarian cancer patients who initially undergo successful surgery and treatment experience a recurrence, making the urgent need for new research clear. The primary objectives of the collaborative research are to manufacture CTH-004 at a clinical scale and conduct a phase I clinical trial, which will initially enrol six to twelve patients with ovarian cancer whose prior chemotherapy treatment failed.
Ovarian cancer is a disease in which abnormal cell growth in one or both ovaries leads to the development of cancer, with approximately 314,000 new cases and 207,000 deaths occurring globally in 2020. In its early stages, ovarian cancer is typically asymptomatic and is frequently diagnosed at a late stage, with surgery and chemotherapy being the most common treatments. CTH-004 is produced by genetically modifying patient T cells to insert a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to target a marker known as TAG-72 on ovarian cancer cells, while also deleting genes involved in T cell function suppression. The Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy at Peter Mac supports and translates novel cell and gene therapies using established manufacturing partners such as Cell Therapies Pty Ltd, enabling the use of these products in clinical trials for cancer patients.
How CancerFax Helps
CancerFax is a specialist cancer access and patient-navigation platform. We help patients and families understand their options, organise medical records, coordinate hospital communication, and support cross-border treatment planning where appropriate.
We help collect and organise reports, scans, pathology, biomarker results, and treatment history for structured case review.
We communicate with hospitals or trial teams to assess whether a case may be suitable for further screening.
We support appointment coordination, document submission, translation, and direct communication with international departments.
For international patients, we help with practical coordination — travel planning, hospital admission guidance, and local support.
If this option is not suitable, we help explore other relevant treatments, clinical trials, or advanced care pathways.
From inquiry through to follow-up, our coordinators provide a single point of contact for the family.
CancerFax does not guarantee treatment access, eligibility, or clinical outcome. Our role is to help patients access accurate information, structured review, and appropriate specialist pathways.
About Dr. Nishant Mittal
Dr. Nishant Mittal is a highly accomplished researcher with over 13 years of experience in the fields of cardiovascular biology and cancer research. Significant contributions to stem cell biology, developmental biology, and innovative research techniques mark his career. Research Highlights Dr. Mittal's research has focused on several key areas: 1) Cardio…
✓ Reviewed for medical accuracy by the CancerFax review panel.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified oncology specialist. Every patient's case is different. Treatment decisions should always be made after a review of complete medical records by the treating medical team.
Treatment availability, eligibility, timelines, and access can change. Any clinical trial participation depends on detailed review and approval by the trial hospital or investigator.