3D-Printed Bone Trial at Sydney Cancer Lab Following $7.7 Million Donation
In the world of medical innovation, a groundbreaking trial is making waves in the field of jaw reconstruction. Known as the PIONEERS program, this initiative is funded by the Lang Walker Family Foundation and the Cancer Institute NSW, and is taking place at the Integrated Prosthetics and Reconstruction (IPR) Lab in Camperdown, the only place in Australia testing this kind of implant in live patients.
The PIONEERS trial works by creating a patient-specific 3D-printed scaffold designed from a digital model of the individual’s jaw. This scaffold encourages the patient's own bone to grow into the implant, thereby reconstructing complete sections of the jaw without the need for metal plates. This approach leverages advanced digital technologies and 3D printing to tailor the implant precisely to the patient's anatomical features, enabling better surgical planning and execution.
Unlike traditional jaw reconstruction methods, which are complex, invasive, and frequently result in lifelong complications, the PIONEERS trial offers several benefits. The technique eliminates the need for metal plates, reduces surgical complexity, promotes natural bone growth into the implant, potentially leading to stronger and more natural healing, and is customized to each patient’s anatomy. Additionally, it aims to overcome problems related to invasiveness and the use of foreign materials by using bioactive scaffolds.
The first human patient to receive the printed implant was Walter, a man who lost part of his jaw to cancer. This year, he became the first person in the world to receive the printed implant, marking a significant milestone in the trial. The trial has also extended into veterinary medicine, being used to treat jawbone tumors in dogs, showcasing its versatility and potential for broader application.
The trial is the largest gift in the hospital's history, with the Walker Family Foundation, led by Sue Walker and their children Blake, Chad, and Georgia, having donated a total of $12.9 million. The late Lang Walker, a property tycoon, was known for pairing landmark developments with philanthropy. His family's company, Walker Corp, has a $40 billion pipeline of projects across Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. They were listed at #38 on Forbes Australia's 50 Richest list this year, with an estimated fortune of US$1.7 billion.
As the trial progresses, a Phase II feasibility trial is scheduled to begin in 2027, testing the device without the use of bone grafts or metal plates. A final multi-centre pivotal trial is expected to begin in the future, comparing the printed implant with standard jaw reconstruction methods across hospitals nationwide. The lab has also partnered with medical device company KLS Martin Australia in 2023 and expanded trials to include dental implants printed into the bone structure in 2024.
In May 2025, IPR was named a core research partner in the $238 million SMART CRC national initiative. The hospital acquired a high-temperature 3D printer in 2020 to begin early bone cancer research. PIONEERS successfully reconstructed an entire section of jawbone in a preclinical setting in 2023, and a veterinary trial treating dogs with jaw tumours using the same printed bone started in 2025. The printed bone - called PIONEERS - has gone through four years of testing and is now in its first clinical trial.
The PIONEERS 3D-printed synthetic bone trial represents a significant innovation in jaw reconstruction by providing a customized, less invasive, and biologically integrated alternative to traditional reconstructive surgeries. As the trial continues, the potential benefits for patients worldwide are vast, offering hope for a future where complex surgeries can be simplified and recovery times improved.
The PIONEERS 3D-printed synthetic bone trial, a groundbreaking medical innovation, is leveraging technology to revolutionize the treatment of medical-conditions like cancer, particularly jaw reconstruction. This trial, led by the Integrated Prosthetics and Reconstruction (IPR) Lab, is using science to create customized implants that promote natural bone growth and eliminate the need for metal plates, potentially leading to stronger and more natural healing.
