The Victorian Cancer Biobank (VCB) is marking 20 years at the forefront of cancer research – a milestone that underscores its role as one of Australia’s most powerful engines for life-saving discovery.
Since 2006, the VCB has supported nearly 400 research projects and 150 clinical trials, helping drive breakthroughs in early detection, personalised treatments and next-generation technologies that are changing how cancer is diagnosed and treated.
Backed by the Victorian Government, the VCB has also delivered strong economic value, generating an estimated $1.59 return for every dollar invested while positioning the state as a global hub for cancer research and innovation.
But at its core, the VCB is powered by people. More than 42,000 Victorians have donated tissue and blood samples, building a repository of over half a million biospecimens that are accelerating life-saving discoveries.
Cancer Council Victoria CEO Todd Harper AM said the Biobank’s impact is significant with around 40 per cent of cancer research worldwide reliant on donated samples.
"The Victorian Cancer Biobank is one of our most important enablers of cancer research – turning generosity into life-saving discoveries,” Mr Harper said.
“Biobanking is the backbone of modern cancer research and precision medicine. For 20 years, the VCB has helped transform how we understand, detect and treat cancer, and its importance will only grow.
“This milestone belongs to the donors, researchers and clinicians, and all our consortium partners who have helped build a resource – in our very own backyard – that is critical to the future of cancer care.”
VCB General Manager Dr Wayne Ng said the Biobank’s unique, state-wide model, which spans 14 hospitals, has been key to its success and influence.
“The Victorian Cancer Biobank is a unique collaborative research infrastructure that enables rapid access to high-quality biospecimens that might otherwise take years to collect,” Dr Ng said.
“Every sample donated is a gift to cancer research and to future patients. It allows researchers to better understand cancers through sophisticated technologies and develop treatments that improve cancer care.
“As we look ahead, the VCB will play a central role in accelerating the next generation of breakthroughs – supporting advances in genomics, precision oncology and biomarker-driven diagnostics, alongside less invasive monitoring and AI-enabled tools for early detection.”
The real-world impact of the VCB is evident in innovations already transforming cancer detection, support and care.
Dr David Atkins, CEO and Managing Director of Rhythm Biosciences, said VCB biospecimens were critical to developing ColoSTAT – a new blood-based test designed to improve detection of colorectal cancer and management of colonoscopy.
“VCB samples were integral in allowing us to validate our research and achieve accreditation, bringing an accessible cancer testing option closer to people in need,” Dr Atkins said.
The test is already helping address major gaps in cancer detection. By offering a simple blood test, including at-home collection in special cases, ColoSTAT has the potential to reach people who avoid or face challenges accessing traditional screening options.
By helping triage and identify those most in need of further investigation, the test has the potential to reduce pressure on overstretched healthcare systems while ensuring people with cancer are diagnosed earlier, when the disease is most treatable and survival rates are significantly higher.
“It’s a clear example of how the VCB accelerates innovation and helps get life-saving technologies into the hands of clinicians and the community sooner,” Dr Atkins said.
At WEHI, Professor Marie-Liesse Labat is using VCB samples to push the boundaries of understanding lung cancer – one of the deadliest cancers worldwide.
“Access to VCB samples has been essential. We simply couldn’t do this level of research without it,” Professor Labat said.
“Working with well-annotated human tissue allows us to understand how tumours evolve and interact with the immune system, which is key to developing more personalised treatments.”
Professor Labat’s work is at the cutting edge of cancer research, moving beyond tumour cell-focused approaches to examine how the surrounding immune environment also shapes disease progression and treatment response.
This deeper understanding is helping researchers identify more precise biomarkers and design smarter clinical trials – paving the way for treatments tailored to individual patients, not just their cancer type. This would lead to more effective therapies, fewer side effects and significantly improved survival rates, particularly in cancers that are currently difficult to treat.
“Biobanking allows us to link discoveries in the lab to real patient outcomes. That’s what ultimately changes care,” she said.
For Biobank donor Gabby Trevisan, the impact of the VCB is deeply personal. Diagnosed unexpectedly with a rare retroperitoneal sarcoma in 2024, she made the decision to donate her tumour to support future research.
“I didn’t hesitate,” Ms Trevisan said. “How are we going to find cures if researchers don’t have tissue to study? Without samples, there are no breakthroughs.”
She said donating gave her a sense of purpose during an uncertain time.
“It was a way to create something positive out of a really challenging experience,” she said.
“Especially knowing my cancer was rare, I wanted to help make sure others in the future have better options.”
Her story reflects the collective impact of thousands of donors whose contributions are driving progress in cancer research – turning individual experiences into discoveries that benefit patients everywhere.
Looking ahead, the VCB will play a significant role in delivering the Victorian Cancer Plan 2024-2028 and the Australian Cancer Plan, with a focus on expanding access to biospecimens, strengthening data capabilities and supporting research into low-survival and rare cancers.
Mr Harper said continued investment will be key to unlocking the next wave of breakthroughs.
“Investing in biobanking is investing in better outcomes for all Victorians affected by cancer, now and in the future,” he said. “The impact of the past 20 years has been extraordinary, but in many ways, it’s only the beginning. Its significance will continue to grow as we move further into a biomolecular and data-driven era of healthcare.”