Eminent pathologist Richard Scolyer reveals heartbreaking cancer update months after experimental immunotherapy
Professor Scolyer, 58, was diagnosed with the aggressive and incurable glioblastoma in 2023 and initially given just eight months to live.
However, after undergoing experimental immunotherapy based on melanoma research, his cancer remained at bay for 18 months.
In a social media post on Monday, Professor Scolyer confirmed a recent MRI scan had shown further progression of the tumour on the left side of his brain.
'While this may not be the best direction to be heading with my changes, amazingly (to me), I still seem keen to keep living, loving and having fun, whenever possible,' he wrote on social media.
Acclaimed melanoma expert and former Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer, 58, has shared a heartbreaking update that his cancer has advanced once more.
X /@ProfRAScolyer
'I feel like there are quite a few people on my team (including my family & friends) and they make me happy and proud.'
The prominent cancer researcher, jointly named Australian of the Year in 2024 alongside fellow Melanoma Institute Australia co-director Professor Georgina Long, has remained remarkably candid and optimistic throughout his treatment journey.
In February, Professor Scolyer announced the cancer had returned, prompting him to undergo surgery in March to remove as much of the tumour as possible.
He later explained that while the procedure successfully removed a significant portion of the mass, 'little tentacles' remained and would require additional treatment to 'mop up' the remaining cancer cells.
'Depending on what the scan shows … that will help choose what are the next forms of therapy that I can have to see where we need to go from here,' he said at the time.
Scolyer was diagnosed with incurable glioblastoma in 2023 and initially given just eight months to live but under experimental immunotherapy, his cancer remained at bay for 18 months.
X /@ProfRAScolyer
He also acknowledged the emotional and physical toll of ongoing treatment, admitting he had been feeling 'a little up and down' due to side effects, though he continued to cherish time spent with his wife Katie and their children.
'Sometimes I'm happy to have fun, but some of the therapies have knocked me around a bit, so I can't do some of the things I love doing,' he said.
'I'm still having a fun time at home with my kids, they've been very kind, as well as my beautiful wife Katie has, who's been using her incredible intellect to help me speak to different doctors about various options that are available.'
Professor Scolyer said he expects to undergo another operation and remains hopeful about future treatments.
'Fingers crossed this operation isn't so bad and we can move forward with the next form of therapy and hopefully push things along faster to try and get things open up for many, many patients who have got glioblastoma,' he said.
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It is vitally important that we continue to monitor the levels of exposure in potentially vulnerable populations, especially in pregnant women in agricultural communities, as their infants continue to be at risk," said Virginia Rauh, ScD, senior author on the study and the Jane and Alan Batkin Professor of Population and Family Health at Columbia Mailman School. The data strongly suggest that one of the fundamental problems of CPF exposure is altered differentiation of neuronal tissue, says Dr. Peterson. "That happens early in pregnancy, when neurons develop in the cortex and differentiate into cortical gray matter—densely packed nerve cells which process information—and underlying white matter—which is mostly nerve fibers that connect neurons," he says. "All these abnormalities can contribute to poor motor function in these kids. The contributing mechanisms seem to be the inflammation and oxidative stress that CPF and other pesticides produce." 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Prior studies by other groups have linked maternal CPF exposure to lower birth weight, smaller head size, abnormal newborn reflexes, and neurodevelopmental issues in toddlers—including autism, inattention, and lower intelligence. CPF was banned from home use in the U.S. in 2001, but it is still used as an agricultural pesticide. A 2020 ban on food crops was reversed in 2023. The EPA wants to continue to allow CPF residues in certain food crops, including apples, strawberries, asparagus, tart cherries, citrus, and peaches. "It's in our food supply," cautions Dr. Peterson. "And other chemicals used in the home act in similar ways and almost certainly increase inflammation and oxidative stress. This is why it is important to do these studies about the chemicals in our environment to protect children's health." Editor's note: An embargoed copy of the study can be obtained from JAMA Neurology (mediarelations@ or CHLA can provide a copy. About Children's Hospital Los Angeles Children's Hospital Los Angeles is at the forefront of pediatric medicine and is the largest provider of hospital care for children in California. Since its founding in 1901, CHLA has delivered a level of pediatric care that is among the best in the world. Ranked one of the top 10 children's hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Children's Hospital Los Angeles provides comprehensive and compassionate care to one of the largest and most diverse pediatric patient populations in the country. The hospital is the top-ranked children's hospital in California and the Pacific U.S. region for 2024-25. A leader in pediatric research, CHLA is among the top 10 children's hospitals for research funding from the National Institutes of Health. The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles supports the full continuum of research, translating scientific discoveries into life-changing treatments for patients around the globe. As a pediatric academic medical center, CHLA is also home to one of the largest graduate education programs for pediatricians in the United States. The hospital's commitment to building stronger, healthier communities is evident in CHLA's efforts to enhance health education and literacy, introduce more people to careers in health care, and fight food insecurity. To learn more, follow CHLA on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and X, and visit View source version on Contacts CHLA Contact: Lorenzo Benet e: lbenet@ Sign in to access your portfolio
