A breakthrough formulation

Thanks to the support of the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation, the SAiGENCI (South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute) research team at the University of Adelaide will this year commence a new clinical trial – one that could transform how we protect patients’ skin during radiation treatment.

Each year, nearly 100,000 Australians undergo radiation therapy – an essential treatment for cancer, yet one that can come with debilitating side effects. Among the more distressing is radiation-induced dermatitis (RID), which affects around 95% of patients, with some patients having severe pain, peeling, itching, and redness, impacting their overall quality of life. In some cases, long-term scarring and disfigurement may occur.

Leading the clinical trial is Associate Professor Hannah Wardill, head of the University of Adelaide’s Supportive Oncology Research Group, who is working alongside Director of SAiGENCI, Professor Chris Sweeney, and radiation oncologist Associate Professor Hien Le. Their research team has identified the potential of parthenolide, a compound extracted from the feverfew daisy plant, in shielding normal cells from radiation damage.

“The team has developed a topical parthenolide formulation designed to protect patients’ skin, reducing the severity of RID without compromising the effectiveness of radiation therapy. If successful, this innovation could provide much-needed relief for patients and improve their quality of life during and after treatment,” Associate Professor Wardill said.

“Currently, there are no universally approved treatments to prevent or manage RID, and the only way to avoid worsening symptoms is to reduce the dose or frequency of radiation – potentially lowering survival outcomes. This research offers new hope.”

With continued support, we are one step closer to ensuring no patient has to suffer needlessly from radiation treatment.Associate Professor Hannah Wardill

This project is in collaboration with the Royal Adelaide Hospital’s Radiation Oncology team and has also been made possible through a collaboration with Plantworx who are developing the lotion. It is also deeply inspired by the late Peter Francis, founder of Plantworx, whose lived experience with head and neck cancer and whose belief in plant-based medicine united the team behind this work.