Australian experts have pioneered a technique to improve cancer treatments using tumour biopsies less than 30 minutes after they have been taken.

The ‘Drug uptake in ex Vivo tumours’ technique was developed after researchers found fresh patient tumour biopsies responded differently to treatments than the tissue cultures traditionally used.

Its inventor, Dr Fiona Simpson, says the technique could be used to show how long antibodies stay active in patients, or when antibodies are taken into the tumour, where they are destroyed.

“The technique will significantly help pharmaceutical and technology companies design future cancer drugs,” Dr Simpson says.

“Until now, scientists have only looked at how cancer drugs interact with tissue culture, not fresh tumours.

“Applying medications to tissue culture doesn’t always work because the immune system responds differently in a body.

“I thought it was pretty obvious that we should test cancer drugs on actual tumours, but people kept telling my research team that it wouldn’t work!”

The technique includes a step-by-step process to help drug companies and researchers better understand how drugs interact with patients, and respond to targeted treatments.

“We’ve created a comprehensive process, including detailed videos on tumour extraction and drug-testing processes, for researchers around the world to use,” Dr Simpson said.

“The technique is useful for all types of cancers, and we’re very excited about its possibilities.”

A paper on the technique is accessible here.