Melanoma Masterclass celebrates Australian luminaries who have transformed melanoma treatment worldwide
13 February 2018
The extraordinary contribution of Australia’s most distinguished clinicians and researchers in the field of melanoma is being celebrated today at a symposium hosted by Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA).
More than 350 clinicians and researchers have gathered at The Ultimate Melanoma Masterclass in Sydney to learn from the luminaries as well as hear a comprehensive review on the latest advances in research and clinical management of melanoma.
Professors John Thompson AO, Richard Kefford AM, Stan McCarthy AO, Peter Hersey and Roger Uren have transformed the diagnosis, treatment and management of melanoma during their long and remarkable careers.
“Their lifetime of achievements are truly remarkable and we are excited that they will share their wisdom at today’s event,” said MIA Conjoint Medical Director Professor Richard Scolyer.
MIA Conjoint Medical Director Professor Georgina Long added, “Through their collective brilliance, they have not only cared for and changed the lives of many thousands of patients but they have also changed the way melanoma patients are managed worldwide.”
Individually and collectively, the five have made key discoveries and transformed global melanoma patient care, including the development of therapies, procedures and diagnostic tests that have become clinical practice worldwide, introducing novel treatments in patients with advanced melanoma and exploring targeted treatments and new immunotherapies.
In addition to hearing from the luminaries, renowned surgical oncologist from the MD Anderson Cancer Center in the US, Professor Jeffrey Gershenwald, is also presenting at the symposium on the future of melanoma prognosis and staging.
The other speakers at the event, all MIA clinicians/researchers, will round out the program presenting on a range of topics including the causes, prevention and diagnosis of melanoma as well as giving promising updates on the latest treatments for early and advanced melanoma.
“Through this symposium, we are bringing together the country’s best melanoma specialists to collaborate and share knowledge. This truly is the ultimate masterclass in melanoma,” Professors Scolyer and Long added.
The Celebrated Luminaries
- Professor John Thompson AO has long been a world leader in melanoma research. He pioneered the novel technique of isolated limb infusion with cytotoxic agents for melanoma, a simpler, less costly form of treatment than conventional isolated limb perfusion, but one that is equally effective. A former liver transplant surgeon, Professor Thompson is the author of more than 700 peer-reviewed articles. He stepped down as Executive Director of MIA in 2016 after 18 years in the position and plans to retire from clinical work at the end of this year.
- Professor Richard Kefford AM’s research has played a seminal role in revealing the genetics of melanoma. He has authored more than 300 journal publications, chapters and books. He has been an investigator on more than 50 clinical trials including many that explore new immunotherapies to modify the actions of the immune system. He was named Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year in the 2017 Cancer Institute NSW Premier Awards. Professor Kefford is winding down his clinical work although he will continue his research projects for a few more years.
- Nuclear medicine physician Professor Roger Uren is renowned for the development of lymphatic mapping in the management of patients with melanoma. His pioneering use of lymphoscintigraphy shed important new light on lymphatic drainage pathways and was adopted worldwide. He recently retired from clinical practice.
- Professor Peter Hersey is recognised as a pioneer of immunotherapy for melanoma in Australia and in focusing on properties of melanoma cells that make them resistant to therapies. He has authored over 340 peer reviewed publications on melanoma and has been involved in conduct of over 50 clinical trials in melanoma. He has finished up clinical practice but continues to conduct research in the twilight of his career.
- Known as the “guru” of pathology in Australia, Professor Stan McCarthy AO has dedicated more than 50 years to the public health system as a senior staff specialist and histopathologist, firstly at Sydney Hospital and later at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He is considered a world authority on melanoma pathology and although he retired in January 2018, he will continue to lend his considerable expertise to difficult cases into the future.
Melanoma Patients Australia Symposium - Webinar 2
Join us at the 2nd Melanoma Patients Australia webinar 'Psychological Health & Wellbeing'.
City2Surf 2020
You're invited to be a C2S charity superstar, and together we can run over melanoma!
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.
Melanoma meets its match.
A must-read personal account by Garry Maddox in The Sydney Morning Herald of how immunotherapy is revolutionising melanoma treatment.
Next Steps for National Screening Program for Melanoma
On Friday, a publication that lays out the steps needed to find out if a systematic screening program for melanoma would benefit all Australians was published in the Australia & New Zealand Journal of Public Health.