Pioneering Researcher Richard Scolyer Dies After Brain Cancer Battle
His experimental immunotherapy helped spur early clinical trials in the United States and new funding for brain cancer research, his family said.
- On Sunday, Professor Richard Scolyer, a world-renowned melanoma pathologist and former Australian of the Year, died at age 59. Scolyer gained global attention for undergoing experimental immunotherapy for his aggressive glioblastoma.
- Alongside colleague Professor Georgina Long, Scolyer became the first glioblastoma patient to receive pre-surgery combination immunotherapy. The pair applied successful skin cancer protocols to his brain tumour, hoping to defy the 14-month median survival rate.
- Recognized as a national treasure, Scolyer and Long were named joint 2024 Australians of the Year for revolutionizing melanoma treatment. Their work spurred a $5.9 million federal commitment to establish the Richard Scolyer Chair in Brain Cancer Research.
- Throughout his illness, Scolyer maintained courageous advocacy, completing 250 Parkruns and cycling the Tour de Cure. He documented his journey to provide transparency and hope, amassing thousands of followers while pushing for clinical trials.
- In a final farewell, Scolyer expressed hope his participation would benefit future patients, stating he wanted to be remembered as an Australian who "gave it a crack." He is survived by his wife, Katie, and three children.
34 Articles
34 Articles
Renowned cancer researcher Richard Scolyer dies at 59 after testing experimental brain tumour therapy on himself
The Australian pathologist and 2024 Australian of the Year pioneered a world-first treatment for his own glioblastoma, helping launch new clinical trials before his death
Pioneering Researcher Remembered as Cancer Fight Ends
The family of a world-renowned pathologist say his legacy will live on through his melanoma research and the inspirational way he dealt with his own brain cancer diagnosis. Richard Scolyer, the 2024 Australian of the Year, will be honoured with a state funeral after his death on Sunday at the age of 59. He helped save the lives of thousands of people through his groundbreaking work on skin cancer. Along with colleague Georgina Long, he took mela…
Richard Scolyer leaves a unique legacy of pioneering brain cancer research
Professor Richard Scolyer, renowned pathologist and joint Australian of the Year (2024), has died at the age of 59. Scolyer captured the attention of Australians and the world when he volunteered to undergo a world-first experimental treatment for brain cancer. This not only extended the duration of his life, but provided scientists with a wealth of knowledge that will help shape the future of brain cancer therapy. In an open letter Scolyer inte…
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