Program details for the 25th AGITG Annual Scientific Meeting
*Times are listed as NZDT. This program is subject to change.
Monday November 13, 2023
AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY
This workshop focusses on practical approaches that enable equity and inclusion in clinical trials. There are opportunities to network with other study coordinators from Australia and New Zealand as well as acquire knowledge about decentralised models in clinical trials, and cultural inclusion and practices for genetics and biobanks in Indigenous patients.
IN-PERSON ONLY
The Meihana Model is a framework to enhance the relationship between Māori patients and their clinical and research teams. It has been specifically designed to be used by both non-Māori and Māori health practitioners. This workshop will explore using the Meihana model to improve research design and encourage research participation. We propose that the Meihana model will help researchers achieve their own research goals, and more importantly, encourage successful research participation for Indigenous participants in Australia and Aotearoa that can improve cancer outcomes.
IN-PERSON ONLY
Whakawhānaungatanga: Getting to know each other - A combined session for CommNETs and ATITG members to meet, present and workshop clinical trial proposals.
6:30pm
Avon Room, Christchurch Town Hall
Networking Event
Join us to meet this year’s International Invited Faculty and network with AGITG members. This event welcomes a unique blend of generations, aiming to foster connections between the energetic youth and experienced elders.
Enjoy canapes, drinks and take in the breathtaking views of Victoria Park and the iconic Christchurch Town Hall foundation.
Address: Christchurch Town Hall, 86 Kilmore Street, Christchurch Central City
Tuesday November 14, 2023
7:15am – 8:25am
Auditorium 4
Breakfast Session: Mihi Whakatau
Mana whenua will welcome delegates to Ōtautahi Christchurch by Mihi Whakatau. The Mihi will acknowledge the arrival of delegates on the whenua of the Kai Tahu Iwi by senior members of the Iwi. The Mihi might offer support for the work of the delegates, recognise the importance of coming together as a community of researchers, and the importance of our mahi to help whanau affected by cancer. The Mihi Whakatau has a formal structure and Māori leaders from within AGITG will speak for delegates, if requested. The Mihi will be immediately followed by sharing food (breakfast). Don’t miss this special breakfast session - this is where the ASM formally begins.
1. Local iwi welcome
2. Response from ASM Strategic Rōpu
3. Waiata (song) by AGITG members
8:30am – 9:30am
Auditorium 4 
Opening Plenary: Navigating Paths to Equity in GI Cancer Research
The Opening Plenary will set the scene for a lively and practice changing meeting that explores an equity focus for trial design and practice. Starting with views from both sides of the Tasman, this session bookends a conference rich with different perspectives.
Taiporohenui: Cease the Tide of Wrongdoing - Keynote by Jonathan Koea, University of Auckland, New Zealand
Indigenous Equity – This is a Crisis - Keynote by Lisa Jackson Pulver, University of Sydney, Australia
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Chairs: Ben Lawrence, Jonathan Koea
9:30am – 10:00am
Exhibition Hall E1
Morning tea
10:00am – 12:00pm
Auditorium 4
Session 1: Gastric Cancer (Early: Adenocarcinoma and NET)
This multidisciplinary session opens with a focus on Familial CDH1 mutant gastric cancer from the perspective of patients, clinicians and researchers, followed by an engaging keynote from Katherine Garman on achieving diversity and inclusion in translational research. A surgical spotlight on gastric NETs and updates on AGITG early gastric trials will round out the Gastric Cancer session.
1. Translation: Familial CDH1 Mutant Gastric Cancer
a. Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC): Achieving Equity Through a Shared Vision - Parry Guilford, Karyn Paringatai
b. Kotahitanga - For familial Gastric Cancer - Eryn Gardner, Jeremy Rossaak
2. Translational Keynote: Diversity and Inclusion in Translational Gastric Cancer Research - Katherine Garman
3. Surgical Spotlight: Gastric NETs – When to Resect? - Janice Pasieka
4. Early Gastric Trials:
a. NEOCREATE - Amitesh Roy
b. SSGXXII - John Zalcberg
5. Best of Abstracts: Treatment intensification and outcomes post neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy (NACRT) or perioperative chemotherapy and surgery in patients with early-stage oesophago-gastric cancers (OGC) - clinical audit - Lavanya Lingam
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Chairs: Nick Clemons, Kate Clarke, Iain Ward
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Exhibition Hall E1
Lunch
12:30pm – 1:00pm
Exhibition Hall E1
Poster viewing and discussion session - David Goldstein
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Auditorium 4
Session 2: Pancreatic Cancer – Contemporary Issues and MDT Collaboration
This session showcases Professor Diane Simeone distilling current advances in pancreatic cancer. We welcome two community leaders in NETs presenting on how to best partner with patients, followed by two HPB surgeons discussing how to improve regional access via collaborative MDM and telehealth. The session closes with a thought-provoking MDM highlighting two First Nations pancreatic cancer patients, discussing issues, contemporary opinions and the difficulties in navigating the nuances of tailoring individualised treatment.
1. United across the Ditch to Enhance Research and Patient Outcomes - Meredith Cummins (CEO of NECA), Michelle Sullivan (CEO of NECNZ)
2. ANZ MDM in Action:
Delivering Complex Surgical Oncology Care to Regional Areas: A Case Study - Pranavan Palamuthusingam
Improving Equity for Rural and Indigenous Populations - Saxon Connor
3. Surgical Keynote: New Platforms to Improve Survival in Pancreatic Cancer - Diane Simeone
4. MDT Case Workshop: Two curative intent cases of pancreatic cancer
5. Early Pancreas Trials:
a. MASTERPLAN + microbiome and RANDOMS substudies - Andrew Kneebone
b. NEO-IMPACT - Lorraine Chantrill
c. DYNAMIC-PANCREAS - Belinda Lee
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Chairs: Amitesh Roy, Manju Chandrasegaram, Milton Kirkwood
3:00pm – 3:30pm
Exhibition Hall E1
Afternoon tea
3:30pm – 5:30pm
Auditorium 4
Session 3: Biliary Tract and Liver Cancer (Early)
This session delves into the multidisciplinary armamentarium for biliary tract and liver cancers. Invited international liver cancer expert, Professor Laura Dawson, will deliver her keynote talk on Radiation Therapy in modern treatment approaches. Other presentations address our ASM theme, and how AGITG early GI trials fit in the worldwide space. Expert surgeons debate a complex cholangiocarcinoma scenario, and we go head-to-head on where limited tissue goes for vital translational research. We welcome upper GI trial updates, and your interaction and questions.
1. Equity in Cancer Clinical Trial Participation in Australia - Kathy Kyung You
2. Radiation Keynote: Rising Role of Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Liver Cancer - Laura Dawson
3. MDT debate (Surgical Case and Translational Case)
4. Early Other UGI Trials:
a. ACME-ABC - Dan Croagh
b. SOCRATES - Alan Wigg
c. ICEMELT - Golo Ahlenstiel
5. AGITG Early GI Cancer Trials Portfolio - How do these fit into the International Context? - Marc Besselink
6. Best of Abstracts: Targeting drug-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma with microRNA-based therapeutics - Tasnuva Kabir
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Chairs: Natalie Collier, David Lau, Jas Samra, Lara Lipton
5:45pm – 7:15pm
Exhibition Hall E1
Welcome Reception
When the afternoon session ends, please join us in the Exhibition Hall for the Welcome Reception. Enjoy drinks and canapes while networking with the ASM sponsors and your fellow delegates, before venturing out into Christchurch to catch up with your colleagues and friends.
Wednesday November 15, 2023
7:15am – 8:25am
Waitaki Room
Keynote Breakfast Session: Using Equity to Enhance Research in GI Cancer
Join us for an informative breakfast session on using equity to enhance GI cancer research. This session explores how equity is built into the research design and its pivotal role in the clinical trials. The session features an insightful presentation by Parry Guilford and a virtual contribution by Bishal Gyawali.
Equity in GI Cancer: Role of Clinical Trials - Keynote by Bishal Gyawali, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada (virtual)
Building Equity into the Design of GI Cancer Research - Keynote by Parry Guilford, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Chairs: Rochelle Hutson, Sharon Pattison
8:30am – 10:30am
Auditorium 4
Session 1: Upper GI and HPB Cancer (Advanced) – Progress in Trials and Management
This session traverses the current and future trends in clinical trials and management of HCC and biliary cancer, as well as a multi-disciplinary panel discussion of challenging pancreatic cancer cases. The session blends local experts covering current evidence with practical clinical management of cases in a rapidly changing field. The session will also showcase progress in the current AGITG UGI trials portfolio.
1. Lessons in Equity from Liver Transplant in HCC - Louise Barbier
2. MDM – You Cannot Research Well What You Haven’t Seen - Rob Ramsay
3. Medical Oncology Keynote: Managing Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer in the Era of Precision Medicine - Current Practice and Future Directions - Niall Tebbutt
4. MDT Case Workshop: Three palliative intent UGI/HPB cases
5. Advanced UGI and HPB Trials:
a. INTEGRATE IIA/B - Nick Pavlakis
b. ASCEND - Andrew Dean
c. PALEO - Amitesh Roy
d. GENESCREEN 5-FU - Stephen Ackland
6. Best of Abstracts: Histopathological correlation with Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging from MR-simulator and MR-Linac in oesophageal and gastric cancer - Su Chen Fong
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Chairs: Marjan Naeini, Chris Jackson, Saxon Connor
10:30am – 11:00am
Exhibition Hall E1
Morning tea
Attendees will be able to choose one session to attend.
Session sponsored by
the Platinum Sponsor
Management of advanced biliary cancers
This session will address contemporary issues in the management of biliary cancers. This rare and poor outcome cancer is associated with high morbidity and mortality and continues to be a challenge to effectively manage. This session provides new insights into pathways to improve care. Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy - A/Prof Lara Lipton Surgical perspective about the role of neo-adjuvant treatment in biliary cancer management - Prof Jonathan Koea Update on immunotherapy and BIL-PPP (trial update + real world evidence) - Prof Niall Tebbutt AGITG-Pancare supported biliary tract study (ACME) - Dr Daniel Croagh Optimal care of biliary cancers. The AGITG clinical biliary project - Prof John Zalcberg Q&A Chair: David Goldstein
Session sponsored by
the Gold Sponsor
Treatment of early stage esophagogastric cancers in the era of immunotherapy
This session will focus on the management of early stage esophago-gastric cancer in the era of immunotherapy. A multi-disciplinary panel of local experts will discuss current guidelines, clinical equipoise and how best to individualise treatment in this groups of patients with curable disease. This session will have a real world case discussion and provide new insights into pathways to improve patient care. Burden of disease and case presentation – Amitesh Roy Treatment individualization in the curative setting, current guidelines and local practice – Matt Burge Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy v perioperative chemo – Sweet-Ping Ng KN 577 and beyond - Chris Karapetis Panel discussion Chair: Amitesh RoyPartnering with patients to impact cancer care
This session aims to foster insightful dialogue and patient-centred perspectives on cancer care. Eleonora Feletto will discuss the importance of collaboration with General Practice for enhanced cancer care. Craig Underhill will delve into the world of tele-trial programs, bringing clinical trials to the patient's doorstep thus making trials accessible to regional and remote people. Chris Jackson will address drug access challenges in New Zealand. The session will close with a Best of Abstracts presentation. Working with General Practice to improve cancer care: A bowel cancer screening example - Eleonora Feletto (virtual) Tele-trial programs in Australia – Bringing the clinical trial to the patient - Craig Underhill Drug access in NZ - Chris Jackson Best of Abstracts: Using computer adaptive testing to assess Quality of Life in cancer clinical trials - Brendan Mulhern Panel discussion Chair: Nick Pavlakis12:00pm – 1:00pm
Exhibition Hal E1
Lunch
12:30pm – 1:00pm
Exhibition Hal E1
Poster viewing and discussion session - Stephen Ackland
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Auditorium 4
Session 2: New Concepts – Looking to Our Future
The New Concepts Symposium is designed as a novel way to reach out to a wider spectrum of the group. This session provides an opportunity for delegates to present embryonic new concepts for feedback and discussion with the audience, as well as comments from invited faculty in terms of perspective and international interest.
1. Reflecting on the Meihana Model in Clinical Trials - Kimi Henare
2. New Concepts Symposium - Reviewed by International Invited Faculty
Concept 1: i-BOXOFFICE ‐ Immunotherapy - Biliary neoplasm, OXaliplatin, Fluorouracil, Folinic acid, nal‐Irinotecan ChemothErapy for late / advanced tumours A randomised, phase 1b study - Andrew Dean
Concept 2: FOLFOX and nivolumab combined with Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC): Phase 2 trial in advanced gastric carcinoma - Tim Price
Concept 3: Randomised Phase 3 Trial of personalized versus standard dosing of 5-fluorouracil in first line chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer - Alex Flynn
3. Advanced Other Trials:
a. OXTOX - Haryana Dhillon
b. STOPNET - Matthew Burge
c. NABNEC - Lorraine Chantrill
d. CONTROL NETS TR - Ben Lawrence
4. Opportunities for Collaboration: The Cancer Australia Genomics Cancer Clinical Trials Initiative (GCCTI) - Katrin Sjoquist
5. Outstanding Site Award (Regional, Rural and Remote Areas)
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Chairs: Sina Vatandoust, Michael Lee, Sweet Ping Ng
3:00pm – 3:30pm
Exhibition Hall E1
Afternoon tea
3:30pm – 5:30pm
Auditorium 4
Session 3: Colorectal Cancer (Advanced)
This session will open with Kimi Henare discussing patient and data safety in translational studies, ensuring ethical research. Vicki Whitehall will deliver a keynote talk on New Approaches to Enhancing Immunotherapy Efficacy for KRAS Mutant Colorectal Cancers, shedding light on prognosis, trends and treatment response. The session also features AGITG advanced colorectal trials, an international portfolio review by Prof Leonard Saltz, a Best of Abstracts presentation, and awarding of the Outstanding Site Award (Metropolitan) and the Christine Aiken Memorial Award.
1. Māori Involvement in Cancer Genomics Research - Kimi Henare
2. Translational Research Keynote: New Approaches to Enhancing Immunotherapy Efficacy for KRAS Mutant Colorectal Cancers - Vicki Whitehall
3. Advanced Colorectal Trials:
a. VADER - Niall Tebbutt
b. RESOLUTE - Jeanne Tie
c. ALT-TRACC - Shehara Mendis
4. Overseas review of AGITG portfolio: How do these fit into the International Context? - Leonard Saltz
5. Best of Abstracts: GPX2 loss sensitises colorectal cancers to radiotherapy and chemotherapy - Natalia Vukelic
6. Outstanding Site Award (Metropolitan) & Chris Aiken Award & Early Career Researcher
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Chairs: Jeff Cuff, Deme Karikios, Simon Wilkins
6:30pm – 7:00pm
Waitaki Foyer
Pre Dinner Drinks
7:00pm – 11:00pm
Waitaki Room
Gala Dinner
Thursday November 16, 2023
7:15am – 8:25am
Waitaki Room
Keynote Breakfast Session: The Value and Challenges of Equitable Access to GI Cancer Research and Care
Value(s) Lost: The Costs of Inequity in Clinical Care and Research - Keynote by Leonard Saltz, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
Living Our Values – Fairness, Equity and Access in Cancer - Keynote by Chris Jackson, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Chairs: Tim Price, Jeanne Tie
8:30am – 10:30am
Auditorium 4
Session 1: Rectal Cancer (Early) – Management in Evolution
This session encompasses the multi-disciplinary management of rectal cancer, including a multi-disciplinary workshop for challenging rectal cases. The evolving paradigms of rectal cancer management will be highlighted, as well as an educational (and entertaining) surgical vs medical debate. The session will also showcase AGITG trials in the early rectal cancer space, and present one of the best abstracts.
1. The Road We Travel: GI Cancer Outcomes for Māori, and the Centralisation Problem - Jason Gurney
2. Radiation Oncology Keynote: The Evolving Role of Radiation for Rectal Cancer - Andrew Kneebone
3. MDT Case Workshop
4. MDT Debate (Surgery vs. Medical Oncology)
5. Early Rectal Trials:
a. SPAR - Michael Jameson
b. RENO - Chris Karapetis
6. Best of Abstracts: Investigating peripheral CD8+ T cell tolerance in colorectal cancer - Avraham Travers
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Chairs: Meredith Johnston, Susan Woods, Cori Behrenbruch, Ankit Jain
10:30am – 11:00am
Exhibition Hall E1
Morning tea
11:00am – 1:00pm
Auditorium 4
Session 2: Colon Cancer (Early)
In this session, Melanie Poxton will explore decentralised trials and translational projects, while Andrew Hill’s keynote address covers equitable trial design through peri-operative care studies. The MDT Case Workshop offers practical insights, and the Early Colon trials present cutting-edge research. Finally, Jonathan Loree provides an overseas review of AGITG's portfolio, placing it in an international context.
1. Taking the Trial to the Patient: Designing a Decentralised Trial or Translational Project - Melanie Poxton
2. Surgery Keynote: Principles of Equitable Trial Design from Studying Peri-Operative Care - Andrew Hill
3. MDT Case Workshop
4. Early Colon Trials:
a. ROLACART-1 - Andrew Stevenson
b. DYNAMIC-III - Jeanne Tie
c. NEO-POLEM - Tim Price
d. ASCOLT - Mark Jeffrey
5. Overseas review of AGITG portfolio: How do these fit into the International Context? - Jonathan Loree
6. Best of Poster Award & Runner-up; Best New Concept & Runner-up
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Chairs: Suellyn Centauri, Zee Wan Wong, Rachel Purcell
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Exhibition Hall E1
Lunch
1:30pm – 2:00pm
Exhibition Hall E1
Poster viewing and discussion session - Robert Ramsay
2:00pm – 3:35pm
Auditorium 4
Closing Plenary: Te Wero (The Challenge) – Solutions to drive equitable outcomes
The Final Plenary session encourages us to reflect on what we have learnt from the conference proceedings. It sets the direction of travel for AGITG, how we will think about equity, how we incorporate it in clinical and research practice and how AGITG trials are designed going forward.
1. Hoea Rā Te Waka Nei - George Laking
2. Bridging the Gap: Clinical Trials and the Australian Cancer Plan - Equity in Focus – Claire Howlett, Deputy CEO, Cancer Australia
3. Kāwanatanga, Tino Rangatiratanga, Ōritetanga - Equitable-Translational Research - Kimi Henare
4. We Can’t Fix What We Don’t Know: Small Steps to Move DEI Forward - Cheri Ostroff (virtual)
5. Bridging the Gap in Regional Outcomes - Craig Underhill
6. Panel Discussion
7. AGITG Chair to outline key initiatives for AGITG that will be implementing to improve equity in research - Lorraine Chantrill
8. Hand over to 2024 Convenor - Ben Lawrence
9. Meeting close with Karakia - Kimi Henare
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Chairs: Ben Lawrence, Chris Jackson, Kimi Henare