Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials (MASC Trials) have had a busy few months with many activities including a name change, the establishment of a Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) Interest Group, clinical trials, new partnerships and more.
If you would like to be profiled in our newsletter, please get in touch.
Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials
The National Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials group in melanoma and skin cancer has undergone a name change; Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials Limited (MASC Trials, formerly Australia and New Zealand Melanoma Trials Group - ANZMTG) is supported through capacity building funding from Cancer Australia. The group has also expanded its work to include skin cancer, not just melanoma, which presents an expansion for MASC membership. If you have an interest in melanoma and skin cancer, please email hello@masc.org.au to join for free.
Australasian Merkel cell carcinoma Interest Group (AMIGOs)
Under the aegis of MASC Trials, the Australasian Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) Interest Group (AMIGOs) including a dedicated patient advocacy group, was established to improve patient outcomes through the conduct of quality research to generate evidence to guide treatment for MCC.
MASC Trials is currently working with the AMIGOs study teams in the development and setup of two new trials which have both secured funding and will open shortly:
I-MAT—A randomised, placebo-controlled, phase II trial of adjuvant Avelumab in patients with early stage Merkel cell carcinoma (Study Chair - Dr Wen Xu, Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane QLD).
GoTHAM—A phase Ib/II study of combination Avelumab with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy and conventional fractionated radiotherapy in patients with advanced Merkel cell carcinoma (Study Chair – Associate Professor Shahneen Sandhu, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne VIC).
On 1 May 2019, Bavencio (Avelumab) was listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for the indication of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), saving patients up to $150,000 per year. This was strongly supported and facilitated by the AMIGOs, and is a great outcome for Australian patients affected by this aggressive disease.
MASC Trials- AMIGOs were represented at the announcement. Pictured here: the Honourable Greg Hunt MP (Minister for Health), Professor Jonathan Pincus (Chair, Australasian MCC Patient Advocacy Group), Ms Elizabeth Paton (CEO, MASC Trials).
MASC Trials is currently working with AMIGOs to engage clinicians and researchers with an interest in MCC in several upcoming events. If you are interested in MCC and would like to become an AMIGOs member, please contact amigos@melanoma.org.au.
Find out more at: www.amigos.org.au.
MASC x AOMA
MASC Trials are also currently working with the AOMA study teams on the development of several new trial ideas including the establishment of the Australian arm of an international registry recording treatment and follow up for patients diagnosed with ocular melanoma which has been recently funded and will open shortly:
07.17 AOMA –Uveal Melanoma Registry– A Prospective Natural History Study in Uveal Melanoma (Study Chair—Associate Professor Anthony Joshua, Chair, Australasian Ocular Melanoma Alliance (AOMA) in Sydney NSW)
A dedicated AOMA website has been launched, providing up to date clinical information and links and resources for clinicians and for patients with ocular melanoma, which will include links to upcoming clinical trials which patients may access. To check out the website see www.aoma.org.au.