Professor Richard Scolyer, 2024 Australian of the Year, Dies at 59 After Battle with Brain Cancer
Professor Richard Scolyer, co-director of the Melanoma Institute of Australia and joint 2024 Australian of the Year, has died after a three-year battle with glioblastoma. He was 59.
"I've spent the past three years being open and honest about my journey with glioblastoma... to provide hope and inspiration that we can and should continue to push boundaries to propel the cancer field forward."
Key Details of His Diagnosis and Treatment
- Diagnosed with IDH wild-type glioblastoma in June 2023.
- Underwent experimental treatment: Received combination immunotherapy (nivolumab and ipilimumab) before surgical removal of the tumor, followed by a personalized cancer vaccine and radiotherapy — but no chemotherapy.
- This marked the first time immunotherapy was used pre-surgery for glioblastoma, based on melanoma research Scolyer and colleagues had developed.
- The tumor showed signs of recurrence in March 2025.
- Scolyer died in late 2025 or early 2026 (exact date not specified).
A Legacy That Transformed Cancer Care
Scolyer's contributions to medicine were profound and far-reaching:
- Co-authored more than 800 peer-reviewed publications.
- Helped develop melanoma immunotherapy that increased five-year survival for metastatic melanoma from less than 5% to 55%.
- A case study documenting his own treatment was published in Nature Medicine in early 2025.
- A clinical trial for combination immunotherapy in glioblastoma patients began in February 2026, with three patients already enrolled.
- The Australian government committed A$5.9 million to establish the Richard Scolyer Chair in Brain Cancer Research at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse.
Scolyer's Final Message
In a posthumously published letter, Scolyer urged researchers to "stay inquisitive and brave" and called for continued funding for science and medical research.
"Stay inquisitive and brave."
Personal Life
Scolyer is survived by his wife Katie and children Lucy, Matt, and Emily.