WEHI PhD Completion Seminar hosted by Peter Gibbs and Megan Dumas

Dr Richard To

Clinical Research Fellow & PhD Student -  Gibbs Laboratory, Personalised Oncology division – Cancer Research & Treatments Theme, WEHI

Personalised adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II colon cancer – a health economic analysis

 

L7W Seminar Room

Join via TEAMS

Including Q&A session

Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is a blood-based biomarker with evidence from a randomised controlled trial to reduce adjuvant chemotherapy utilisation in stage II colon cancer without compromising recurrence free survival compared to standard-of-care (SOC) practice. However, affordable access to ctDNA testing in Australia would require demonstration of economic value to secure taxpayer funded reimbursement.

During his PhD, Richard has developed a series of health economic models to evaluate the health and cost outcomes associated with incorporating ctDNA testing into adjuvant chemotherapy decision-making within the Australian healthcare system. His research also addresses concerns raised by Australian regulatory bodies regarding similar health technologies, including real-world compliance to testing results.

Richard is a final-year PhD student in the Gibbs Lab, supervised by Professor Peter Gibbs and Associate Professor Jeanne Tie. He has also been supervised by Dr. Koen Degeling at the Cancer Health Services Research Unit, University of Melbourne. As a practicing medical oncologist, Richard’s research focuses on securing reimbursement for emerging health technologies to ensure that patients can benefit from clinical trial findings.

All welcome!