Vale Richard. I am deeply saddened to lose such a cherished colleague. Richard was a truly extraordinary pathologist - the 'pathologists' pathologist' - who also made generous time for clinicians navigating complex diagnostic cases, understanding that an accurate tissue diagnosis was critical to patient care. His knowledge was vast, his skill exceptional, with an unparalleled eye for accurate tissue diagnoses, and the precision to apply decades of experience where it mattered most. He shared his expertise widely: through consultation on external specimens, through diagnostic and classification frameworks now used worldwide, and as a devoted teacher and mentor. Richard has left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of working alongside him.  My thoughts are with Richard's family during this difficult time, particularly his wife Katie and children Emily, Matthew, and Lucy. See tribute on @MelanomaAus website >  melanoma.org.au/news/vale-ri…

Immunotherapy Vodcast Series Ep.5: Hype vs Reality: The Future of Immunotherapy In our fifth and final episode of our special vodcast series, Redefining Immunotherapy: Lessons from Melanoma, our experts - including Prof Georgina Long AO, Prof Alexander Menzies, A/Prof Ines Silva and A/Prof Matteo Carlino - discuss the future of immunotherapy, separating hype from reality and exploring the next frontier of cancer treatment. From cellular therapies and personalised cancer vaccines to mRNA technology and biomarker-driven treatment selection, the panel examines the innovations that could reshape melanoma care over the next decade and the challenges that remain before these therapies become routine clinical practice. This special edition vodcast is suitable for Medical Oncologists, Oncology Nurses and other health professionals. Watch via YouTube > bit.ly/4eI4aZS or search for 'Melanoma Insights for Professionals' on Spotify, or your favourite podcast app. #Vodcast #Immunotherapy

In our fourth episode of our special vodcast series, Redefining Immunotherapy: Lessons from Melanoma, our experts provide their perspectives on Melanoma Treatment Strategy. Drawing on decades of combined clinical experience, the panel explores how treatment paradigms are shifting from decisions around monotherapy versus combination immunotherapy, to increasingly nuanced conversations about treatment duration, rechallenge after progression and retreatment following toxicity. The panel of experts including Prof Georgina Long AO, Prof Alex Menzies, Assoc Prof Matteo Carlino and Assoc Prof Ines da Silva, deliver candid expert debate, practical insights and clinical nuance as they explore the evolving landscape of immunotherapy treatment decisions in melanoma care. The panel discusses: • when to stop immunotherapy and why less treatment may sometimes be enough • how PET complete metabolic response (CMR) is influencing treatment duration decisions • rechallenge strategies after progression or immune-related toxicity • managing patients after ipilimumab/nivolumab toxicity • the growing move from adjuvant to neoadjuvant treatment approaches. The discussion also tackles the biology behind durable immune responses, the role of surveillance imaging, and the emerging concept of “definitive immunotherapy”, highlighting how melanoma continues to lead the way in reshaping cancer care. This special edition vodcast from “Melanoma Insights for Professionals” is suitable for Medical Oncologists, Oncology Nurses and other health professionals. Watch on YouTube> bit.ly/3PIfsE1 If you missed our earlier episodes, take a look on YouTube or search “Melanoma Insights” in Spotify or your favourite podcast app. #Immunotherapy #Vodcast @ProfGlongMIA

A strong day for melanoma at #ASCO26.  I presented the 1st-ever #neoadjuvant immunotherapy trial in primary melanoma with visible melanoma. Responses just like stage III #melanoma — 65% major pathological response rate. 60% complete pathological response - no residual cancer at surgery. Will require a complete paradigm shift to leave the primary melanoma - but feasible! @MelanomaAus colleagues Matt Carlino and Rebecca Johnson presented too: Matt on 5-yr data from KEYNOTE-942, a randomised trial of pembro  /-  personalised mRNA vaccine V940 in high-risk resected melanoma. A 49% reduction in risk of recurrence or death vs pembro alone, sustained at 5 yrs. A vaccine built from a patient's own tumour mutations, still working.  And Rebecca Johnson presented SN-OPT, the first tool to integrate clinical complexity and facility capacity for specialist cancer nurse allocation. Reproducible, data-driven, and already shown to support equitable access to nursing care including for regional and socioeconomically disadvantaged patients. A model with real potential across cancer streams and countries. Three studies. Science and systems, moving together. @ASCO @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @Science_Academy @AAHMS_health @FulbrightAUS @ausoftheyear

Day 2 at #ASCO2026! A strong showing from @MelanomaAus. Here are our poster highlights with my great colleagues Ines da Silva & Alex van Akkooi.   My NeoIRENIE trial in progress - a trial designed to rapidly answer a critical question for the field can we use our biomarker that predicts who is in the ‘third space’ (those that dies for melanoma) and give them our best drugs upfront early-on in their cancer journey.  A true MIA multidisciplinary trial, and now open, expanding across Australia and internationally. MSLT-3  - Alex van Akkooi's MIA-led surgical trial opening globally.  Is less surgery OK for stage III neoadjuvant melanoma treated patients? Ines Da Silva’s leading work on the dynamic tool predicting recurrence on and off adjuvant immunotherapy in early-stage melanoma. She also presented on PD-1 vs Ipi Nivo in uveal melanoma which builds towards a melanoma oral on tomorrow. I was delighted to also present the updated brenetafusp (ImmTAC) data, a molecule that bridges T cells (immune cell) directly to tumour cells and showing activity in the 'third space’.  The #science is moving! #melanoma @ASCO @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @Science_Academy @AAHMS_health @FulbrightAUS @ausoftheyear

So proud to see my mentee Assoc Prof Ines da Silva chairing “Management of High-Risk Stage II Melanoma and Beyond: A Case-Based Multidisciplinary Discussion” at #ASCO26 in Chicago. The best part of this work is seeing the people you believe in step fully into their own. The 4th photo is the MIA crew together at ASCO after the “Rapid Melanoma Orals” - nine studies in melanoma and skin cancer. Three studies that caught my eye: Anti-PD1 working in basal cell carcinoma of the head and neck - often difficult to resect, so this matters. Intralesional daromun (L19IL2/L19TNF) - relapse-free survival benefit holding up beyond 3 yrs. Watching this one closely. Time of day for immunotherapy infusion? Another retrospective study, but this time, no difference. Science moving. Patients benefiting. Watch this space for Melanoma Orals on Monday and Melanoma Posters on Sunday. Drug development and curing #cancer is my passion. @ASCO @MelanomaAus @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @Science_Academy @AAHMS_health @fulbright_australia @ausoftheyear

Today in Chicago, I was honoured to be inducted as a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology  - FASCO. This recognition deepens my resolve. My focus remains on the 'third space’ i.e. those patients who still die from #melanoma and #cancer. They are the reason for every trial, every discovery, and every late night. Pictured with the all new Fellows, and with 3 melanoma colleagues. Proud, grateful, and more motivated than ever! #ASCO2026 @ASCO #FASCO @MelanomaAus @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @ausoftheyear @Science_Academy @FulbrightAUS @AAHMS_health

In our third episode of our special vodcast series, Redefining Immunotherapy: Lessons from Melanoma, our experts focus on one of the most important challenges in modern cancer care: immunotherapy toxicity. From subtle early warning signs to life-threatening immune-related adverse events, this episode explores how clinicians can better predict, recognise and manage toxicity while still maximising the life-saving potential of immunotherapy. Led by @ProfGLongMIA, the panel of experts - including Prof Alex Menzies, A/Prof Matteo Carlino and A/Prof Ines da Silva - share real-world insights from decades of combined experience, including: • how to educate patients to improve early reporting of symptoms • when to pause treatment and why “less can be more” • practical approaches to managing colitis, hepatitis, pneumonitis and neurological toxicities • the evolving role of steroids, infliximab and targeted immunosuppression • why early intervention can improve both quality of life and survival outcomes. Packed with nuanced clinical discussion, relatable patient scenarios and candid expert debate, this episode delivers valuable insights for healthcare professionals using immunotherapy across melanoma and other cancer settings. Watch on YouTube> bit.ly/3PSadBF. If you missed our earlier episodes, take a look on YouTube or search “Melanoma Insights” in Spotify or your favourite podcast app. #Immunotherapy #Vodcast

Vodcast Ep. 2: Predict, Treat, Monitor: The Quest for Smarter Immunotherapy Decisions In the second episode of our special vodcast series, 'Redefining Immunotherapy: Lessons from Melanoma', our experts tackle one of the biggest challenges in modern oncology: how do we make smarter immunotherapy decisions for individual patients? The panel explores the real-world factors that shape treatment selection in advanced melanoma, and examine why predicting response to immunotherapy remains one of the field’s greatest challenges. Blending practical clinical insight with emerging research, this 23 minute episode offers an insightful discussion on personalising immunotherapy in the pursuit of better outcomes, and ultimately, cure. This special edition vodcast from “Melanoma Insights for Professionals” is for Medical Oncologists, Oncology Nurses and other health professionals. Watch here > bit.ly/4wEpab1 #Immunotherapy #Vodcast

Thrilled to announce Redefining Immunotherapy, a brand new vodcast series I’m hosting alongside 3 brilliant minds in medical oncology: Prof Alex Menzies, A/Profs Matteo Carlino & Ines da Silva. Ep 1 is LIVE now! Beyond the Tumour: Rethinking Cancer in the Immunotherapy Era. 25 min that might change how you think about it. 5 episodes – 1 released each week. Zero filter. youtu.be/WmKQmDmTWvY?si=EHWv… via @YouTube #Melanoma #MedicalOncology #Immunotherapy #OncologyVodcast @MelanomaAus @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @Science_Academy @ausoftheyear @FulbrightAUS @AAHMS_health @MOGA_ORG

So great to see the @MelanomaAus team from around the world delivering important research results changing melanoma and cancer. @syd_health @Sydney_Uni @Science_Academy @AAHMS_health @FulbrightAUS @ausoftheyear

Fabulous #AACR2026 meeting, densely packed with science and research that will help us tackle the third space in cancer - those people who are still dying from it today. So pleased to present work in how we are tackling the third space at @MelanomaAus.

Honoured to deliver the 2026 Ann Moyal Lecture at the National Library of Australia last night. Breakthroughs don't come from certainty. They come from courage in the third space - the uncharted territory between what we know and what we must discover. That's where hope lives. That's where the work happens. Watch lecture> youtube.com/live/g7OVAegMENM… @MelanomaAus @Sydney_Uni @ausoftheyear @AAHMS_health @Science_Academy @FulbrightAUS @SydneyMedsoc

A warm welcome to the melanoma specialists of the future! #fellowship

Fabulous Sydney Sunday morning for Melanoma March 2026 - the 15th year of Australia-wide marches. Our goal is to cure more people with #melanoma by raising funds for critical research & clinical #trials, remember loved ones and those living with melanoma, and put ourselves at @MelanomaAus out of a job by raising awareness that most melanoma is preventable by following sun safety. I love a good swim, run, cycle, basketball game, swim at the beach, but we can do it safely: shade, clothing, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Critically, drugs we develop in melanoma impact other #cancer. melanomamarch.org.au @Sydney_Uni @ausoftheyear @AAHMS_health @Science_Academy @FulbrightAUS @SydneyMedsoc

It’s time to bid farewell and say a huge thank you to our amazing 2025 @MelanomaAus Immuno-Oncology fellows – Dr Rubens Sperandio, Dr Julia Ressler and Dr Francis Proulx-Rocray. Over the past 12 months, as part of our MIA fellowship program, these three outstanding medical oncologists have worked hard alongside our Clinical Trials team and our advanced practice nurses, gaining experience in clinical research and immunotherapy treatment for melanoma and complex skin cancer patients. #fellowship #immunotherapy #oncology #melanoma

Proud to contribute my piece “The Weight of a Human Life” to the book of essays from Australians with ideas @theausinstitute “A Time for Bravery: What Happens when Australia Chooses Courage?”    I drew on my experience as a professor, medical leader, oncologist, and researcher working in the ‘Third Space’ - which is the unforgiving territory where patients are dying, existing drugs do not work, and hope drives action.   In this essay, I explore themes of action in uncertainty, giving real hope, and balancing ethical responsibility with experimental medicine. australiainstitute.org.au/st… @MelanomaAus @Sydney_Uni @ausoftheyear @Science_Academy @FulbrightAUS @AAHMS_health

Thrilled to celebrate three outstanding colleagues at @MelanomaAus! Huge congratulations to Professor Alex Menzies, Professor Sydney Ch’ng and Professor Serigne Lo on their well-deserved promotions to Professor at @sydney_uni. All exceptional researchers who are making a real difference in #melanoma research. @SerineLo #AlexMenzies @drsydneychng @Science_Academy @FulbrightAUS @AAHMS_health @ausoftheyear