LATEST NEWS: 23 October 2025

TROG Cancer Research has opened the new Australian arm of an international trial aimed at preventing skin cancer recurrence, following a groundbreaking collaboration with the US cancer clinical trials group, NRG Oncology.

The NRG-HN014 trial is a phase III clinical trial targeting patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) that is locally advanced (stage III or IV), but still removable by surgery. The trial is investigating whether adding immunotherapy drug Cemiplimab prior to surgery for CSCC – either with or without radiation therapy – can extend the length of time patients remain cancer-free and improve outcomes with fewer side effects.

The trial is led by NRG Oncology and already underway at more than 150 cancer centres across the US and Canada.

TROG became the first cooperative trials group to be accepted as a main member of NRG Oncology Group in 2024, enabling it to open the HN014 trial at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney this month. The trial also opened recently at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne.

Both sites are now preparing to recruit eligible participants for the trial, which is expected to expand to 11 Australian sites and involve a total of 420 participants internationally. Up to 123 participants will be recruited from across Australia.

Having played important roles in the development of the study, the lead Medical Oncologist for the Australian arm of the trial is Prof Danny Rischin from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and A/Prof Bruce Ashford from Wollongong Hospital is a lead surgeon.

Principal Investigator for the trial at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, A/Prof. Sydney Ch’ng, highlighted the profound impact a new treatment could have on patients’ lives.

“This trial represents a crucial step forward for patients with advanced skin cancer. We’re moving beyond traditional treatments to explore how we can use the body’s own immune system to not only fight the cancer but also prevent it from returning. For our patients, this could be a game-changer, offering them the opportunity to live with less worry about recurrence.”

TROG Cancer Research President A/Prof Puma Sundaresan said the NRG-HN014 trial demonstrated the value of international collaborations.

“We are very pleased to be able to collaborate with NRG Oncology to bring this important international trial to Australia, which holds the unfortunate title of skin cancer capital of the world. By recruiting Australian patients with SCC to the trial, we can help generate evidence to guide care and improve the outcomes for the many people with this common type of skin cancer, both in Australia and globally.”

Read more about the trial