Anti-PD1 immunotherapy pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®) has been registered by the TGA
20 April 2015
MSD announced that its anti-PD1 immunotherapy pembrolizumab (trade name KEYTRUDA®) has been registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the treatment of the most deadly form of skin cancer – advanced metastatic melanoma. Australia is the first country in the world to register KEYTRUDA for the first line treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma in adults. This will change the future of treatments for all melanoma patients in Australia.
Associate Professor Georgina Long from Melanoma Institute of Australia (MIA) explained that Australian clinicians and institutes have been involved in the clinical trials of anti-PD1 for over three years.
“We are proud to have been involved in the development of this medicine and that hundreds of Australian patients with advanced melanoma have been treated with pembrolizumab. This drug is being investigated for use in other cancers. It is vital we continue to do research such as this to improve the outcomes for cancer patients.”
MIA and affiliates will continue to lobby on behalf of the Australian community to ensure anti-PD1 is added to the PBS which would make it accessible for all Australians with advanced melanoma without delay.
MIA researchers feature on prestigious Highly Cited Researchers 2020 List
The highly anticipated annual list is the “who’s who” of the scientific elite from across the globe.
Game On Mole is back this summer!
The uniquely Aussie awareness campaign ‘Game On Mole’ is back for its second year – with a new look but same important message.
RCPA recognition for Professor Richard Scolyer.
Professor Richard Scolyer receives The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Distinguished Fellow Award.
Professor Georgina Long hands on baton of SMR Presidency
Professor Long cites as a highlight of her 2-year Presidency, the phenomenal research output by SMR members who have continued to lead the cancer field despite the impact of COVID-19.
City2Surf 2020
Join in the fun of the virtual event, and together we can run over melanoma!
Top melanoma experts from MIA
Melanoma Institute Australia features prominently in the latest ‘Expertise in Melanoma’ world rankings, released by Expertscape.
Melanoma Supportive Care Needs research study.
Participate in our online survey and help us understand the support needs of melanoma patients and carers.
New data reveals long-term benefit of adjuvant therapy for Stage III melanoma.
New online melanoma risk calculators critical to saving lives
Clinicians and their patients now have access to three online risk calculators developed by researchers at Melanoma Institute Australia.
Professor Richard Scolyer receives University of Sydney Alumni Award.
MIA's Co-Medical Director Professor Richard Scolyer has received The University of Sydney Alumni Award for International Achievement.
Uniting together despite the distance
More than 120 MIA clinicians, researchers and staff came together online to share research highlights.
Professor Richard Scolyer recognised in The Pathologist's 2020 Power List.
For the 2nd consecutive year, MIA's Co-Medical Director Professor Richard Scolyer has been selected in the top 100 best, brightest, and most powerful advocates of pathology by The Pathologist.
Important Update: Masks required at Poche Centre
As of Monday 27th July all patients and carers/family members coming into The Poche Centre will be required to bring their own mask.
A Critical Nexus:The Clinician and the Researcher.
In a recent issue of Cancer Cell journal, Prof Georgina Long AO and Prof Richard Scolyer discuss the challenge of bringing together clinical work and scientific research to underpin successful cancer research.
New online calculator launched to determine risk of spread of melanoma
Clinicians around the world now have access to a new online calculator that predicts the risk that a patient’s primary melanoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Queen's Birthday Honour for Professor Georgina Long
Professor Long has been appointed as an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia (General Division) for distinguished service to medicine, particularly, to melanoma clinical and translational research, and to professional medical societies.
Danny's inspiring survival story
“I had a complete response within about six months. All of my tumours disappeared."
MIA in the spotlight at ASCO virtual conference
‘We are extremely proud of our ongoing contribution to the global effort to save lives from melanoma, with Dr Silva’s prestigious award proof that we continue to lead the way,'
Professor Richard Scolyer achieves h-index of 100
MIA's Co-Medical Director, Professor Richard Scolyer, has achieved a Google Scholar h-index of 100.
See how we connected at Melanoma March Virtual 2020
We know what Melanoma March means to our community, so when we had to cancel our physical events, we created Melanoma March Virtual so that everyone across Australia could still connect to honour loved ones and support each other.