ANZUP Cancer Trials Group

It’s been a busy 2024 to date at ANZUP.

#ANZUP24 ASM

The ANZUP 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting was held from 21 – 23 July 2024 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, led by co-convenors Matt Roberts and Aaron Hansen. The ASM theme of ‘Making Waves’ provided a platform to discuss and present the latest updates in GU cancer treatment, research and supportive care and to learn more about existing and planned ANZUP trials. The ASM attracted 485 attendees, our largest attendance ever.

Over the course of three days, delegates had the opportunity to engage with and learn from eight international experts and numerous national leaders in the research, diagnosis, treatment, and management of genitourinary (GU) cancers. The collegial spirit that defines ANZUP was evident throughout the program, which catered to professionals working in various aspects of GU cancers.

The diverse sessions included The Perfect Pitch, the popular MDT Masterclass, the Translational and Supportive Care breakfast sessions, the always well-attended Nurses Symposium, the thought-provoking plenary sessions, the important ANZUP Trials in Action session, and the anticipated debates and poster presentations, among many other informative sessions.

We were fortunate to have close to 100 speakers, panellists, session chairs, and poster presenters who contributed to an array of different sessions throughout the three days. This remarkable turnout reflects the diversity and breadth of ANZUP’s membership, which has grown to exceed 2,400 members.

Our international faculty played a vital role in providing a global perspective on the significant challenges faced by GU cancer experts. Their expertise and contributions were invaluable, and we extend our gratitude to Dr Cristiane Bergerot, Dr Elena Castro, Prof Paul Nguyen, Prof Ravindran Kanesvaran, Dr Rob Hamilton, and Prof Bertrand Tombal for their involvement in all aspects of the meeting.

This year’s ASM generated significant interest and participation on social media. With close to 2 million #ANZUP24 impressions and over 500 X posts, the engagement on X was impressive.

Once again our thanks to our hardworking and dedicated convening committee led by Matt Roberts and Aaron Hansen who really did an exceptional job engaging the membership. Was such a great buzz! Thank you also to our wonderful 2024 sponsors, without whom we could not host such a fantastic meeting.

We thank every speaker, sponsor, chair, delegate, participant, committee member and organiser for their valuable contributions to the success of #ANZUP24.

You can watch some videos from the ASM on the ANZUP YouTube channel here.

Our 2025 ASM is being held in Sydney from 20-22 July with the convening committee, ably led by Carole Harris. We look forward to seeing you in Sydney! You can hear from Carole on our YouTube channel here.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

ASCO 2024 Annual Meeting – June 2024
In June 2024 at the ASCO Annual Meeting - ANZUP presented two posters:

• PSA at 7 months is prognostic in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) treated with enzalutamide: landmark analysis of ENZAMET (ANZUP 1304) presented by Ronan Mclaughlin
• Circulating tumour DNA fraction as a predictor of treatment efficacy in a randomized phase 2 trial of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 (LuPSMA) versus cabazitaxel in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) progressing after docetaxel (TheraP ANZUP 1603) presented by Ed Kwan

Synchrony Fellowship Award 2024 - Dr Wee-Kheng Soo

ANZUP is pleased to announce Dr Wee-Kheng Soo from Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, has been awarded the 2024 Synchrony Fellowship.

Dr Soo's application: 'Developing a Quality of Life-derived Frailty Index and assessing the effects of Enzalutamide and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment on Frailty and Resilience in Prostate Cancer and Older Cancer Patients: insights from the ENZAMET and INTEGERATE randomised controlled trials', was reviewed by a multidisciplinary grant review committee, including members of our CAP.

Congratulations Dr Soo on this wonderful achievement!

We also would like to thank the Synchrony Foundation for their generous ongoing support of the Synchrony Fellowship. The total amount of funding received to date is $500,000, which has been spread over two fellowships supporting rising stars conducting clinical research in prostate and urogenital cancer

ANZUP APCCC Satellite Symposium
Last July, the APCCC Satellite Symposium brought together close to 30 experts from 14 APAC countries to discuss the real-world application of consensus statements from the APCCC held in St Gallen in 2022. A paper based on the summary of the discussions at the Symposium has now been published and you can read online: Management of advanced prostate cancer in the Asia-Pacific region: Summary of the Asia-Pacific Advanced Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference 2023.

2024 Annual Report

Our ANZUP 2024 Annual Report was released in June, reflecting on our activities and achievements of the past year. The report is a great showcase of the tireless commitment of our members, supporters and wider ANZUP community to improve outcomes for genitourinary cancer patients. You can read the report online here.

Our membership base is now over 2,400, and these healthcare professionals all take time out of their busy work and personal lives to help support ANZUP and make a difference to the lives of people affected by GU cancers.

We are always grateful to our dedicated and committed membership for their ongoing support and contributions to ANZUP.

OTHER NEWS

We also held our Ideas Generation Workshops (IGWs) in the first half of the year. The IGWs are where many of the seeds for ANZUP clinical trials are first sown, and they are important to grow and foster a pipeline of innovative ideas to be considered and prioritised with support from ANZUP moving forward.

The latter half of the calendar is looking to be equally busy. We are holding several member educational events, including the Best of GU on Wednesday 20 November in Sydney, the Bladder and Prostate Masterclass on 28 and 29 November in Sydney, together with our inaugural ‘111 Your Way’ fundraising event during October. Find out more information below.

ANZUP’s trial portfolio continues to grow. We currently have 4 ANZUP-led and 1 co-badged trial in recruitment, as well as 17 in follow-up, and many in development. You can read more about our trials on our website here.

ANZUP presented two posters at the ASCO Annual Meeting in June 2024:

• PSA at 7 months is prognostic in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) treated with enzalutamide: landmark analysis of ENZAMET (ANZUP 1304) presented by Ronan Mclaughlin
• Circulating tumour DNA fraction as a predictor of treatment efficacy in a randomized phase 2 trial of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 (LuPSMA) versus cabazitaxel in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) progressing after docetaxel (TheraP ANZUP 1603) presented by Ed Kwan

UPCOMING EVENTS

Best of GU Oncology Evening Symposium
Wednesday 20 November, Pier One Sydney
The Best of GU Evening Symposium is a collaboration between ANZUP and the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ). It features highlights from the ANZUP ASM and other GU meetings during the year, including the latest management, and clinical trials research in urogenital and prostate cancers.

The Symposium takes advantage of a smaller meeting, allowing networking in a friendly but focused environment. The program is structured to facilitate both audience participation and discussion.

The evening will be Convened by Carole Harris and Ian Davis, and feature a selection of key opinion leaders and experts.

Registration is FREE for ANZUP or USANZ members however places are strictly limited. Registrations are open online now.

Bladder and Prostate Masterclass Program

Thursday 28 – Friday 29 November 2024, Pullman Sydney Airport

The Bladder and Prostate Masterclass Program is a multidisciplinary educational program. Key highlights include:

• An in depth focus on trial design
• Clinical trials grant opportunities and grant submission process
• Trial coordination process
• Current trends in Prostate and Bladder Cancer Clinical Trials research, and
• Review of trials with rich data to workshop future applications of the data / ideation session.

The Masterclass will be Convened by Tahlia Scheinberg and Cam McLaren, and will feature an array of multidisciplinary mentors and speakers, and up to 50 participants (a mix of medical, radiation, and urology trainees) will be supported with return airfares and accommodation to participate. We also have 2 spaces available for those outside of Australia and New Zealand to attend. Applications are now open.

Introducing the 111 Your Way Below the Belt Fundraiser

ANZUP is excited to introduce a new fundraising challenge aimed to help grow our brand awareness and increase community support to achieve our mission. 111 Your Way Below the Belt is a personalised, individually run fundraising campaign which enables freedom for fundraisers to participate in a way that suits them best.

111 Your Way will raise funds for the 111 Australian and New Zealand people diagnosed with a form of Below the Belt cancer every single day.

This October, challenge yourself to complete 111 of any activity that fits into your life and skill level before the 1st of November (1/11) to raise awareness and funds for Below the Belt Cancers.  

It’s free to participate so sign up before 1^st October at https://www.belowthebelt111yourway.org.au/, be creative, start fundraising and have fun!