Connecting minds and sharing knowledge to improve melanoma outcomes

 

The Melanoma Research and Therapy Special Interest Group brings together clinicians and researchers from across New Zealand to tackle the big challenges in melanoma care.

Our goals are to:

  • Reach consensus on current issues and turn solutions into action

  • Raise standards of care by promoting and driving melanoma research

Past meetings

9 October 2025
Auckland (NZSO)
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Topics discussed:

  • Age against the Machine: understanding Melanoma in the context of the aging human bodys  
 

 

7 October 2024
Auckland (NZSO)
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Topics discussed:

  • Cutaneous cancer clinical trials: pearls, pitfalls and possibilities 
  • Management of immune checkpoint inhibitor induced colitis 

21 September 2023
Auckland (NZSO)

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Topics discussed: 

  • Adjuvant and neo-adjuvant therapy and contemporary melanoma surgery  
  • Real-world outcomes of immunotherapy for melanoma brain metastases in New Zealand

4 November 2022
Online
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Topics discussed: 

  • Improving access to clinical trials in New Zealand
  • Research into DNA and RNA signatures associated with melanoma resistance to Keytruda

27 November 2020
Online
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Topics discussed: 

  • Advocating for funded adjuvant treatment in New Zealand
  • Melanoma research: An update from MASC Trials
 
26 June 2020
Online
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Topics discussed: 

  • National melanoma immunotherapy database  
  • Feedback on Pharmac Special Authority criteria: Temporary removal of specified dose regimen for nivolumab and pembrolizumab during COVID crisis  
  • Collaborative use of new genomic technologies to monitor melanoma 
 
8 November 2019
Auckland
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Topics discussed: 

  • Pharmac changes to funding criteria for pembrolizumab and nivolumab for advanced melanoma 
  • National immunotherapy database
 
14 June 2019
Auckland
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Topics discussed: 

  • Increasing clinical trials in New Zealand and improving access
  • Auditing and standardisation of immune checkpoint inhibitor data
 
15 March 2018
Auckland
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Topics discussed: 

  • Results of sentinel node data international trials and their application in New Zealand 
  • Melanoma tissue banking practices in New Zealand 
Please contact us for highlights and outcomes of past meetings.