In this special podcast recorded from the 2024 Australasian Melanoma Conference, we hear from our international keynote speakers, Prof Susan Swetter and Prof Olivier Michelin, about what excites them in the field of melanoma research.

Interviewed by AMC2024 Co-Chairs, Prof Georgina Long AO and Prof Richard Scolyer AO, our guests provide their multidisciplinary perspectives and highlight the importance of working together to make an impact in melanoma prevention and patient care.

Dermatologist Prof Swetter discusses the evolving role of AI in dermatology and the clinical diagnosis of melanoma, and highlights the opportunity for improved prevention strategies in the US to reduce the incidence of melanoma.

Prof Michelin explores how we’re tackling advanced melanoma, in particular to maximize our current treatment tools and manage drug toxicities. He also discusses expanding access to neoadjuvant therapies and the potential of TIL therapies, alongside AI advancements in histopathological diagnosis to personalise treatment approaches.

This podcast is suitable for multidisciplinary healthcare professionals and researchers.

SPEAKERS

• Prof Georgina Long AO - Co-Medical Director, Melanoma Institute Australia | Chair, Melanoma Medical Oncology and Translational Research, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal North Shore Hospital, The University of Sydney |2024 Joint Australian of the Year

• Prof Richard Scolyer AO - Co-Medical Director, Melanoma Institute Australia | Pathologist, Melanoma Institute Australia, Senior Staff Specialist, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital | Clinical Professor, The University of Sydney |2024 Joint Australian of the Year

• Prof Susan Swetter - Professor of Dermatology, Co-Director of the Pigmented Lesion/Melanoma and Cutaneous Oncology Programs, Stanford University Medical Center and Cancer Institute | Chair, National Comprehensive Cancer Network Melanoma Panel

• Prof Olivier Michelin - Chair, Department of Oncology and the Precision Oncology Service, Geneva University Hospital | Co-Director, Swiss Cancer Centre Léman| Vice-Coordinator, Translational Research Centre in Onco-Hematology

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (October 2024) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

MIA’s Education Program is proudly supported through unrestricted educational grants from MSD, Bristol Myers Squibb and HEINE.

Comprehensive infrastructure is essential to driving research progress and improving patient care.

In this podcast, A/Prof Sydney Ch’ng leads an insightful discussion on the groundbreaking research infrastructure that underpins the many groundbreaking achievements at Melanoma Institute Australia. The discussion highlights the Institute’s clinical trial program, translational research, biospecimen bank and melanoma research database, offering a closer look at the critical elements driving progress.

This podcast is suitable for multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, researchers and clinical trials staff.

SPEAKERS

• A/Prof Sydney Ch’ng - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon and Head & Neck Surgeon, Melanoma Institute Australia | Associate Professor of Surgery, The University of Sydney

• Prof Helen Rizos - Cancer Cell Biologist and Research Lead in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences at Macquarie University | Faculty Member, Melanoma Institute Australia

• A/Prof Serigne Lo - Senior Biostatistician, Melanoma Institute Australia | Associate Professor of Biostatistics, The University of Sydney

• Maria Gonzalez - Director of Clinical Care, Melanoma Institute Australia

• Dr Nicole Caixeiro - Head of the Biospecimen Bank, Melanoma Institute Australia

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (August 2024) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

LINKS

• 2024 Australasian Melanoma Conference
• Melanoma Education Program

MIA’s Education Program is proudly supported through unrestricted educational grants from MSD, Bristol Myers Squibb and HEINE.

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy is transforming patient care in the field of melanoma. New research recently presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting is set to change melanoma treatment protocols globally, and likely to have significant impact on treatment for other cancers too.

In this podcast, A/Prof Matt Carlino leads an engaging discussion with MIA’s Prof Georgina Long AO, A/Prof Alex Menzies and A/Prof Alex van Akkooi as they discuss the pivotal results from the NADINA trial and how this will undoubtedly change the standard of care for Stage III melanoma patients. They also discuss the practical implications for implementing this treatment regime, including relevant patient populations, toxicity, impacts for surgery and future directions.

This podcast is suitable for Medical Oncologists, Surgical Oncologists, Pathologists, Researchers, GPs Oncology Nurses and other healthcare professionals. It is produced by Melanoma Institute Australia.

SPEAKERS

• A/Prof Matteo Carlino - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia, Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals | Clinical Associate Professor, The University of Sydney
• Prof Georgina Long AO - Co-Medical Director, Melanoma Institute Australia | Chair, Melanoma Medical Oncology and Translational Research, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal North Shore Hospital, The University of Sydney
• A/Prof Alexander Menzies - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal North Shore and Mater Hospitals | Associate Professor of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Sydney
• A/Prof Alexander van Akkooi - Associate Professor in Melanoma Surgical Oncology, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, The University of Sydney

PUBLICATIONS

• Blank C, Lucas MW, Scolyer RA, et al. Neoadjuvant Nivolumab and Ipilimumab in Resectable Stage III Melanoma. N Engl J Med 2024. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2402604
• Patel SP, Othus M, Chen Y, et al. Neoadjuvant–Adjuvant or Adjuvant-Only Pembrolizumab in Advanced Melanoma. N Engl J Med 2023;388:813-823.

FURTHER EDUCATION

• Podcast: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy: Revolutionising melanoma treatment

• Video: The critical role of standardised pathological assessment in neoadjuvant therapy for melanoma: A guide for Pathologists

• Conference: 2024 Australasian Melanoma Conference

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (2024) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

MIA’s Education Program is proudly supported through unrestricted educational grants from MSD, Bristol Myers Squibb and HEINE.

Biomarkers are revolutionising our understanding of melanoma by providing valuable information about a patient's unique tumour characteristics which can help guide clinical decision making.

In this podcast, A/Prof Alex Menzies leads a multidisciplinary discussion on the current state of biomarker application and future prospects of biomarkers in melanoma care. They discuss emerging liquid biomarkers, such as ctDNA, MIA’s personalised immunotherapy platform that is trying to predict the likelihood of response and select patients for treatment, and the role of the gut microbiome as a potential biomarker in response and toxicity.

This podcast from Melanoma Institute Australia is suitable for Medical Oncologists, Surgical Oncologists, Researchers, GPs and other healthcare professionals.

LINKS:

• 2024 Australasian Melanoma Conference

• Melanoma Risk Prediction Tools

• Melanoma Education Portal

SPEAKERS

• A/Prof Alexander Menzies - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal North Shore and Mater Hospitals | Associate Professor of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Sydney

• A/Prof Ines Silva - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and Blacktown Hospital | Research Scientist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney

• Prof Helen Rizos - Cancer Cell Biologist and Research Lead in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences at Macquarie University | Faculty Member, Melanoma Institute Australia

• A/Prof James Wilmott - Senior Scientist, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney| Faculty Member, Melanoma Institute Australia

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (April 2024) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

MIA’s Education Program is proudly supported through unrestricted educational grants from MSD, BMS and HEINE.

Mucosal melanoma is a rare and aggressive form of melanoma that arises from the mucous membrane.

In this podcast, we focus on mucosal melanoma of the head and neck. Led by A/Prof Sydney Ch’ng, our multidisciplinary experts discuss how it differs from cutaneous melanoma, staging of mucosal melanoma, management of the disease and future treatments.

The discussion concludes with a case study to summarise key learnings.

This podcast is suitable for Plastic Surgeons, Surgical Oncologists, Dermatologists, Medical Oncologists, Pathologists, GPs, Nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Register now to attend the 2024 Australasian Melanoma Conference, hosted by Melanoma Institute Australia.

SPEAKERS

• A/Prof Sydney Ch’ng - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon and Head & Neck Surgeon, Melanoma Institute Australia | Associate Professor of Surgery, The University of Sydney
• Prof Georgina Long AO - Co-Medical Director, Melanoma Institute Australia | Chair, Melanoma Medical Oncology and Translational Research, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal North Shore Hospital, The University of Sydney
• A/Prof Raewyn Campbell - Rhinologist and Anterior Skull Base Surgeon |Associate Professor, Macquarie University
• Dr Robert Rawson - Pathologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
• Prof Angela Hong - Radiation Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia | Clinical Professor, The University of Sydney

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (March 2024) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

MIA’s Education Program is proudly supported through unrestricted educational grants from MSD, BMS and HEINE.

Diagnostic uncertainty in the context of cutaneous melanoma can have significant impact on patient care.

In this podcast, our multidisciplinary experts, led by Dr Adrian Quek, discuss the challenges faced in classifying melanocytic lesions that fall into a diagnostic grey area, and explore the terminology, evolving classifications and the impact of diagnostic uncertainty on patient outcomes.

From molecular changes to clinical perspectives, this engaging discussion provides a comprehensive exploration of the complexities surrounding borderline lesions, and emphasises the need for experienced multidisciplinary professionals in ensuring accurate diagnoses and ideal management.

This podcast is suitable for Pathologists, Dermatologists, Surgeons, Oncologists, GPs and other healthcare professionals.

Register now to attend the ⁠2024 Australasian Melanoma Conference⁠, hosted by Melanoma Institute Australia. RESOURCES

• Video: How to diagnose borderline cutaneous melanocytic lesions

• Paper: Yeh, I. New and evolving concepts of melanocytic nevi and melanocytomas. Modern Pathology. 2020;33:1-14.

• Nevus/Melanocytoma/Melanoma: An Emerging Paradigm for Classification of Melanocytic Neoplasms?. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2011;135(3): 300–306.

SPEAKERS

• Dr Adrian Quek - Skin Cancer GP, Melanoma Institute Australia and Chatswood Skin Cancer Clinic
• A/Prof Robyn Saw - General Surgeon, Melanoma Institute Australia | Head of Department in Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital | Associate Professor in Surgery, The University of Sydney
• Prof H. Peter Soyer - Chair in Dermatology and Director of the Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland
• Dr Andrew Colebatch - Staff Specialist in Anatomical Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (November 2023) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

MIA’s Education Program is proudly supported through unrestricted educational grants from MSD, Bristol Myers Squibb and HEINE.

For more clinical education from MIA, sign up to the Melanoma Education Portal.

With the advent of effective medical therapies for melanoma, a pertinent question has arisen: When should we scan our patients?

In this podcast, our multidisciplinary experts, led by A/Prof Sydney Ch’ng, discuss the balance of whether we should be more aggressive in our pursuit of identifying potential metastases or exercise caution to avoid unnecessary scans, radiation exposure and patient anxiety. The discussion concludes with a case study to summarise key learnings.

This podcast is suitable for Medical Oncologists, Oncologists, Surgeons, GPs, Oncology Nurses and other healthcare professionals.

RESOURCES

Melanoma Risk Prediction Tools

SPEAKERS

• A/Prof Sydney Ch’ng -  Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon and Head & Neck Surgeon, Melanoma Institute Australia, Associate Professor of Surgery, The University of Sydney 

• A/Prof Alexander Menzies -  Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia, Royal North Shore and Mater Hospitals | Associate Professor of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Sydney

• A/Prof Alexander van Akkooi - Associate Professor in Melanoma Surgical Oncology, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, The University of Sydney

• Dr Edward Hsiao - Radiologist and Nuclear Medicine Specialist, Mater Imaging
• Dr Kevin London - Nuclear Medicine Specialist, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead | Clinical Senior Lecturer, The University of Sydney

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (September 2023) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

For more practice-changing education, visit our Melanoma Education Portal.

MIA’s Education Program is proudly supported through unrestricted educational grants from MSD, Bristol Myers Squibb and HEINE. 

Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) plays a key role in assessing the prognosis of melanomas.

In this fireside chat from our new SNB Training Program (Sentinel Node Biopsy: From guidelines to practice), MIA’s Prof Georgina Long AO, Prof John Thompson AO and A/Prof Sydney Ch’ng discuss:

• the history of SNB in the management of melanoma
• its current role in the stratification of patients into those who may benefit from adjuvant therapies verses those for whom active surveillance is more appropriate
• other potential benefits of SNB, including the likelihood of SNB itself reducing the risk of nodal recurrence.

This podcast is suitable for Surgeons, Medical Oncologists, General Practitioners and other healthcare professionals.

SPEAKERS

• A/Prof Sydney Ch’ng - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon and Head & Neck Surgeon, Melanoma Institute Australia | Associate Professor of Surgery, The University of Sydney
• Prof Georgina Long AO - Co-Medical Director, Melanoma Institute Australia | Chair, Melanoma Medical Oncology and Translational Research, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal North Shore Hospital, The University of Sydney
• Prof John Thompson AO - Emeritus Professor of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, The University of Sydney | Senior Surgeon, Melanoma Institute Australia

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (July 2022) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.