St Vincent’s Leads National First in Bone Repair Trial for Cancer Patients

At St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, clinical trials are not just advancing science — they’re transforming lives. In a national first, Haematologist Dr Georgia McCaughan is leading a groundbreaking study that could change the way we treat bone damage in patients with multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer.

Each year, around 1,800 Australians are diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a disease that not only attacks the blood but also weakens the bones. While current treatments aim to slow bone deterioration, many patients still suffer painful fractures and skeletal complications.

Now, Dr McCaughan and her team are exploring a bold new approach: using the osteoporosis drug romosozumab to actively repair bone damage — not just delay it.

“This is about more than slowing the disease,” says Dr McCaughan. “We’re investigating whether we can actually reverse some of the damage and give patients a better quality of life.”

The trial, conducted in collaboration with the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, is the first in Australia to target sclerostin, a protein that blocks bone formation and is found in high levels in myeloma patients. By inhibiting sclerostin, romosozumab may help stimulate new bone growth — a potential game-changer for patients living with this debilitating condition.

“Even with current treatments, 45% of myeloma patients still experience serious skeletal issues, including fractures,” Dr McCaughan explains. “These complications cause significant pain and are linked to a higher risk of death. We hope this trial is a stepping stone toward improving survival and long-term outcomes.”

This innovative research is part of St Vincent’s broader commitment to pioneering clinical trials that push the boundaries of medicine and deliver real hope to patients.