Revolutionary cancer treatment on agenda

Australia has the chance to lead the way for a potentially revolutionary cancer treatment that could "cure" leukaemia.

Health Minister Greg Hunt says the "early signs are good" for a new treatment called CAR-T.

The immunotherapy, which is being used in the United States, uses a patient's own blood to fight their cancer.

"Australia now has the prospect of helping lead the world with a new treatment called CAR-T which cannot just keep patients going, but can potentially cure them," Mr Hunt told reporters on Friday.

The Medical Services Advisory Committee will be examining the safety and effectiveness of the treatment during the next month.

If the committee approves the treatment, Mr Hunt said it was vital to make it affordable enough.

"The advice is very positive but they still have to do all of their assessments. But if they approve it, we will implement it," Mr Hunt said.

"I think what you see is we have a partnership between the Commonwealth and the states to ensure that if this therapy is approved, the patients that need it can get it.

"I won't pre-empt the timing of the medical authorities but my job is to help them to produce this outcome as soon as possible."