$3.4 million grant for QIMR

The Queensland Institute of Medical Research has received a $3.43 million grant from Atlantic Philanthropies to further its work in developing a treatment for cancer without harmful side effects.

Peter Beattie, Queensland premier, said the grant would be used to establish a cell-based cancer therapy research centre within QIMR's new comprehensive cancer research centre.

"QIMR is currently developing and trialling new methods for the treatment of cancer, based on harnessing the patient's own immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells. Preliminary results indicate that these treatments may prove effective against different forms of cancer without detrimental side effects.

"This project has tremendous potential to benefit people here and around the world, with the clinical trials to involve patients with advanced melanoma, leukaemia, lymphoma and prostate cancer," Mr Beattie said.

"Approximately 15 of QIMR's 460 scientists will be working on this research, in the first instance, with more being employed over the next few years."