ANZSA Newsletter - December 2024

In this issue we are pleased to share with you all the latest news and research updates from the Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association since our last edition. 

Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

This year, the meeting was held in Brisbane alongside the 22^nd International Society of Limb Salvage General Meeting. Over the two days, we heard from local and international sarcoma specialists, researchers, and clinicians who shared case studies, discussed current research, and highlighted recent developments in the field.

The first day featured the inaugural Consumer Connection event, led by ANZSA’s Consumer Advisory Panel (CAP). The event provided an opportunity for sarcoma patients, carers, and survivors to connect with experts while learning about the latest advancements in treatment and research. Key highlights included Marianne Phillips discussing Ewing Sarcoma trials, sarcoma survivor Harry Mullen sharing his inspiring story, and experts such as Fiona Maclean, Richard Boyle, and Angela Hong providing insights into tumour identification, treatment strategies, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach.

The day also included cutting-edge updates on osteosarcoma from our international guest speaker paediatric oncologist at Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus in Villejuif, France, Dr Nathalie Gaspar. We also heard from Angela Hong on soft tissue sarcoma treatments, along with a deep dive into retroperitoneal sarcoma by David Gyorki. The Great Debate sparked lively discussion on the role of clinical trials in sarcoma treatment, with Marianne Phillips’ motion passing almost unanimously. The day concluded with a panel discussion on multidisciplinary care, followed by the ANZSA AGM where new board directors Joanna Connor and Vivek Bhadri were announced.

On the final day, international guest speaker Professor Paul Huang, the leader of the Molecular and Systems Oncology Group at the Institute of Cancer Research. He shared insights on the development of precision medicine in soft tissue sarcomas, the Global Sarcoma Accelerator Network, and trends from the UK’s data sets.

A special mention to all who submitted an Abstract/ePoster for the event. Following a competitive selection process, four outstanding presentations were delivered by Elizabeth Connolly, Karan Gupta, Claire Laurie, and Jacqui McGovern. The Choong Dickinson Poster Prize Award was presented to Jacqui McGovern by Wayne Nicholls for her work on Osteosarcoma 3D models and humanized bone microenvironments to study tumour remodelling and lung metastasis.           

ANZSA would like to extend a big thank you to all our guest speakers who contributed to the event and all our members who presented during the meeting. Thank you to all the members and consumers who attended, and we look forward to welcoming you next year in Hobart for the 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting on the 10 and 11th of October, Save the date!

                                Research Updates 

SU2C- SARC032 – Study published in The Lancet

Professor Angela Hong, Co-Chair of ANZSA’s Scientific Advisory Committee, has co-authored a groundbreaking study recently published in The Lancet Titled “Safety and Efficacy of Pembrolizumab, Radiation Therapy, and Surgery Versus Radiation Therapy and Surgery for Stage III Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Extremity (SU2C-SARC032): An Open-Label, Randomised Clinical Trial,” this study investigates an exciting new treatment approach for soft tissue sarcoma.

The research, which combines surgery, radiotherapy, and the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab, could revolutionise how we treat this sarcoma. By adding pembrolizumab, the study explores whether the immune system can be enhanced to better fight cancer, potentially improving outcomes for patients with stage III soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity.

Being published in The Lancet, one of the world’s foremost medical journals, is a significant achievement and highlights the importance of this research in advancing cancer treatment.

Read the full study here

ANZSA Members Convene at CTOS, the Premier Sarcoma Conference

In November, medical professionals, and scientists from around the world gathered at the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego, CA, to connect, collaborate, and share knowledge on the treatment of sarcomas.

David Gyorki, ANZSA director and Chair of the International Governance Committee for RESAR, shared updates on various  study outcomes using data from RESAR and its associated collaborations. The RESAR study is approaching a significant milestone with over 3,000 cases expected, marking an unprecedented registry in retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS), driving major advances in understanding, and treating this group of cancers.

At the conference, David Gyorki also presented data from his STRASS2 study, while Angela Hong and David Kirsch presented data from their SARC032 study. CTOS is the leading sarcoma conference, bringing together the brightest minds to collaborate and pave the way for the next groundbreaking study in the field.

Myxoid Liposarcomas (MLS) Registry- New site added

In addition to five other sites across Australia, the MLS registry has added a new site: Canberra Hospital. This study aims to evaluate the optimal local treatment strategies for MLS, with a particular focus on the role of radiation therapy in improving local control, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL).

Learn more about Our Sarcoma Research

New ANZSA board directors

Congratulations to our two new appointees to the ANZSA Board of Directors. All Directors were elected in a vote of confidence during our 2024 Annual General Meeting.

Dr Joanna Connor is a UK trained medical oncologist who relocated to Auckland in 2019. She specialises in breast and sarcoma and is clinical lead for sarcoma in medical oncology at Te Pūriri o Te Ora, Auckland Regional Cancer, and Blood Service.  As a current member of the ANZSA SAC committee, Joanna is passionate about improving sarcoma outcomes through research and healthcare networks.   

Dr Vivek Bhadri is a paediatric and adolescent medical oncologist based at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and Westmead Hospital in Sydney. He is also the medical lead for the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Youth Cancer Services at both sites with expertise in the management of younger sarcoma patients. He is particularly passionate about access to clinical trials through national and international collaborations and has facilitated links between paediatric and adult trial groups opening trials across the age spectrum.

Thank you, Marianne and Jayesh

ANZSA are saddened to announce the departure of founding members Marianne Phillips and Jayesh Desai from the board. Their over 15 years of dedication and invaluable contributions have been instrumental in shaping ANZSA. Since the beginning, they have played an integral part in the development and growth of ANZSA. We thank them for their service and wish them the best in their future endeavours and look forward to continuing working with them.

Registrations open for 2025 Journal Club

Following another successful year, we are excited to announce the return of the ANZSA Sarcoma Journal Club for 2025!  Registration is now open for all sessions in 2025. With five sessions scheduled throughout the year, we invite everyone to join us! Stay tuned for announcements on the hosts and speakers, who will be revealed closer to each session's date.

Register for 2025 ANZSA journal club here.

Introducing The Great Sarcoma Plankathon

July marks World Sarcoma month. In 2025 ANZSA will be launching the inaugural ‘Great Sarcoma Plankathon.’ We will band together to become plank heroes and raise a sweat, and vital and funds for crucial sarcoma research. This is a challenge for all ages and abilities to raise money to improve outcomes for those braving sarcoma.

We’d like you to sign up and start building a community of volunteers and participants to take part. The larger we can make our community, the more we can raise. You can also help by connecting us with potential corporate sponsors, or even local gyms, clubs or schools that might want to sign up.

Sign up and express your interest here. 

 Thank you to our donors

ANZSA would like to thank all of our generous donors for their significant contributions and donations towards sarcoma research this year. We rely heavily on these donations to continue our work and we cannot be more grateful for the support we have received so far. Every dollar helps and is invested in high-quality sarcoma research to find a cure and improve outcomes.

                                  Season’s Greetings

We wish everyone a peaceful and safe holiday season. Our office will be closed from the 23^rd of Dec to the 6^th of January.

Should you have any questions in regard to the content of this newsletter, please reach out to us at contact@sarcoma.org.au.