11 September 2024:

Our 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting was a vital platform for advancing cutting-edge research in radiation therapy and enhancing collaboration among researchers from Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

More than 250 delegates joined together for the TROG Cancer Research 36^th ASM, held in our hometown of Newcastle, NSW from 12-15 March 2024.

Co-convened by Jane Ludbrook and Joerg Lehmann, the meeting offered a wide range of insightful presentations and workshops. International speakers shared their expertise on the latest advances in radiation therapy: Professor Stephane Supiot, from France, presented on vascular remodelling during radiotherapy at low and ultra-high dose rates (FLASH) while Professor Stephen Kry, from the United States, presented at plenary sessions on both Head & Neck Cancer and Radiobiology

The breadth of knowledge shared during the event was further enriched by the participation of more than 50 speakers, including distinguished guests Gerry Adams, Haryana Dhillon, Harriet Gee, Fiona Hegi-Johnson, Deme Karikios, Michael Jameson, Susanne Rogers, and Craig Underhill. Each presentation added to the collective understanding of cancer treatment and research, fostering meaningful dialogue and new avenues of exploration.

TROG Cancer Research CEO Susan Goode described the ASM as a resounding success. The Clinical Research Education Workshop (CREW) and Technical Research Workshop (TRW) each hosted groups of 61 while the RANZCR SMART workshop attracted 37 participants, enabling the exchange of ideas and practical learning experiences. Read a summary of the workshops here.

Welcome to new TROG President

During the ASM, we welcomed Associate Professor Purnima (Puma) Sundaresan as the new TROG President. Puma is a consultant Radiation Oncologist at Westmead Hospital in Sydney, Associate Professor at the University of Sydney and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  During her time as a TROG Director, she has demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities, having served on numerous committees within TROG and externally. She took the baton from former President Professor Trevor Leong, who is continuing on the Board of Directors for a transition period.

Associate Professor Georgia Halkett was also appointed onto the TROG Board of Directors during the Annual General Meeting. Georgia is a Senior Research Fellow at Curtin University and is Co-Lead for the Cancer Domain in the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute and we welcome her fresh perspectives. Dr. Melissa James was re-elected as the New Zealand representative, reaffirming her pivotal role in fostering collaborations and partnerships within the region.

Celebrating Research Award winners

The ‘Black tie on the beach’ themed Gala Dinner was an opportunity to recognise the achievements of the TROG team, as well as the TROG membership for their hard work and commitment to cancer research.

We congratulate the following winners of the 2024 TROG Research Awards:

• Trial Excellence award: Professor Shankar Siva and the groundbreaking FASTRACK II trial team. Initiated in 2016, FASTRACK II was designed to offer an alternative for patients with kidney cancer who were not suited to surgery. This study was implemented across eight centres in Australia and the Netherlands to investigate the effectiveness of Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) and assess its associated side effects. The study’s success positions SABR as an excellent option, especially for patients with larger inoperable kidney tumours, where alternative treatments are limited.
• Emerging Researcher award: Dr Lachlan McDowell who has been a member of the TROG Head, Neck and Skin Working Party since 2017 and was elected to the role of Deputy Chair in 2020. He has been a member of the TROG Scientific Committee since 2022 and is the TROG representative on the Head & Neck Cancer International Group (NHCIG), serving as Co-Chair Young Investigator Subcommittee since 2020 and Deputy Chair of the Guidelines and Protocols Subcommittee.
• Outstanding Contribution to Radiation Therapy Quality Assurance Award: Associate Professor Nick Hardcastle, Physical Sciences Research Lead at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and current Chair of the TROG New Techniques and Technologies Committee. Nick has served as Trial Physicist on multiple clinical trials including but not limited to NIVORAD, DECREASE, FASTRACK II, RESOLUTE and SOCRATES, making significant contributions to the development and conduct of the radiation therapy quality assurance program. He has both contributed to and led multiple TROG working groups allowing for the incorporation of new and complex technology into TROG clinical trials.

Many thanks to the Organising and Program Committees for their tireless efforts in curating a program that encapsulated the latest radiation therapy developments in cancer research and clinical practice.

We also extend our gratitude to all the ASM sponsors, particularly major sponsors Varian, Elekta and ICON, as well as ASN Events, whose support ensured the meeting’s success.

View the presentations and photos from the 2024 ASM.

Register now for our 2024 ASM: Registrations are now open for the TROG Cancer Research 37th Annual Scientific Meeting being held in Brisbane, Queensland from 18-21 March 2025.