The APRICA program - Accelerated translational research in PRImary Liver Cancer

In Australia, primary liver cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in men and seventh in women. Around two thirds of liver cancer cases in Australia are attributable to viral hepatitis, and occurs mostly in CALD, aboriginal and disadvantaged populations. Liver cancer is often diagnosed late compared to other cancer and management is complex as optimal treatment decisions require considering clinical, tumour and liver related factors. At present, primary liver cancer has a 5 year survival rate of just 18% and there is no coordinated approach or defined pathways to reduce state-wide clinical variations or to improve outcomes. To address this deficiency, this proposal brings together an experienced team with expertise in liver cancer, policy development, health evaluation and implementation, artificial intelligence, diagnostics development and palliative care, to work collaboratively on 5 themes to: 1) optimise prevention strategies for primary liver cancer, 2) establish a NSW liver cancer board, with multidisciplinary representations including from rural areas to develop and implement decision making tools, and clinical pathways, to reduce clinical variation in management, 3) develop novel methods for detection of early liver cancer and minimal residual disease, 4) develop biomarkers to guide therapeutic decisions related to immunotherapy, and finally 5) develop a palliative care framework for primary liver cancer. The team have and will consult with consumers on all aspects pertaining to this submission. Collectively, outcomes from the five themes will translate to an immediate positive impact on primary liver cancer outcomes and survival.