Uniting our global researchers for melanoma

28 October 2016

Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) is bringing to Sydney some of the world’s leading melanoma researchers and clinicians today for the Australasian Melanoma Conference.

More than 380 researchers, clinicians, nurses and students are attending the two-day conference held at the Sofitel Wentworth in Sydney. The conference, hosted by MIA, is bringing together some of the greatest minds in melanoma research to showcase current practice and research innovation that will make a difference to the lives of melanoma patients.

MIA’s Associate Professor Robyn Saw, Chair of the Australasian Melanoma Conference, says this year’s event is an opportunity for physicians and researchers to learn about ground-breaking research and revolutionary melanoma treatment.

“The conference is a truly unique opportunity to build strong Australasian collaboration and to acquire information and knowledge to use in every day practice,” Associate Professor Saw says.

During the conference, MIA’s Associate Professor Jonathan Stretch AM is launching the new eBook Melanoma Principles & Practice, an interactive multi-touch e-textbook on melanoma care and treatment aimed at specialists.

Written and designed by MIA, the eBook is set to become an ultimate resource on melanoma, delivering specialists a seamless experience that supplements the text with interactive visual supports to build a multi-dimensional level of understanding that would not be possible from a printed book.

The Conference features a number of international keynote speakers. Dr Vernon Sondak from the Moffitt Cancer Center in the US is discussing melanoma in children and how to improve diagnosis and management, as well as communication with the young patient and their family.

Associate Professor Jennifer Wargo from MD Anderson Cancer Center is discussing her research on how gut flora – known as the microbiome – play a role in determining how well a patient responds to treatment.

“There is emerging evidence regarding the role of the microbiome in response to melanoma therapy, and it is quite likely that we will modify the microbiome to enhance responses to therapy in the upcoming months and years,” says Associate Professor Wargo.

Professor John Thompson AO from MIA is reporting on the new electronic clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of melanoma.

“Things are moving quickly in melanoma management. A comprehensive systematic review of the evidence was timely," Professor Thompson says. “Extensive use of the new guidelines will help to ensure that clinicians have access to the latest evidence-based recommendations when diagnosing and caring for people with melanoma."

More than 30 speakers are presenting at the Australasian Melanoma Conference, including a contingent of MIA experts such as Professor Richard Scolyer and Professor Georgina Long, as well as other eminent Australians in the field such as Professor Grant McArthur and Dr Mark Shackleton from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

Delegates are sharing insights and key learnings on social media throughout the day using the hashtag #MelanomaConf2016.

The Australasian Melanoma Conference is proudly sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb, MSD, Novartis, Sonic Healthcare, Amgen, Laverty Pathology and Pierre Fabre Australia.