4 March 2026
Our Cancer Clinical Trials Centre (CCTC) has reached an important milestone, opening its first dedicated gynae‑oncology clinical trial at Austin Health.
Until now, women receiving care at Mercy Hospital who were eligible for gynaecological cancer clinical trials were typically referred to other health services such as Peter Mac, Monash or Cabrini. While CCTC has previously accepted some gynaecological patients through early‑phase (Phase 1) trials that include multiple tumour types, we have never been able to offer a dedicated Gynae‑Oncology trial due to the absence of an established consultant partnership.
That has now changed, thanks to the renewed partnership between Austin Health and Mercy Hospital for Women.
Anne‑Marie Woods, CCTC Manager, shares, “Introducing dedicated gynae‑oncology clinical trials to our portfolio marks an important milestone for CCTC. Through the renewed partnership between Mercy Hospital and Austin Health, patients can now access world‑class clinical trials right next door to where they already receive care. This means fewer barriers, less travel, and more opportunities to access innovative treatments within a familiar and trusted network.”
CCTC currently has one active phase 2 ovarian cancer trial, testing different treatment combinations to identify the most effective options across ovarian cancer subtypes. Four additional trials are due to open soon, covering both endometrial and ovarian cancers, including a first‑in‑human study for ovarian cancer. Further trials are also in early feasibility discussions.
Medical Oncologist Dr Prachi Bhave, who works across both Austin Health and Mercy, notes that the impact will be far‑reaching, sharing, “This new collaboration is an extremely exciting change that has been a long time in the making. It’s wonderful that Mercy patients can now access trials at Austin Health, rather than travelling further afield and seeing an entirely new treating team. It also creates new opportunities for our neighbouring hospitals and rural partners, including The Northern Hospital, Bendigo and Albury.”
By bringing gynae‑oncology trials closer to home, this collaboration is helping ensure more women can access cutting‑edge treatments while staying connected to the care teams and support services they know and trust.