It was a great honour to present the results of the phase 3 INTerpath-001 clinical trial at the #ESMO26 Congress in Madrid.

This international trial included 1137 patients, across 157 sites, whose melanoma had been surgically removed, but who were at very high risk of it owed adding #intismeran autogene, an mRNA based individualised neoantigen therapy, to pembrolizumab reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 42%.

This is the first phase 3 study to show that a treatment built from the unique ‘fingerprint’ of a patient’s own tumour can reduce the risk of recurrence or death from cancer. That fingerprint is read by sequencing the tumour, then a ‘wanted poster’ of the cancer is made as mRNA, showing the immune system exactly what to look for and attack. Having succeeded in melanoma, this proof of concept could mark the beginning of a foundational shift in how we treat cancer.
Read more >melanoma.org.au/news/personali…

A huge thank you to all patients and teams involved.
@myESMO @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @Science_Academy @AAHMS_health @FulbrightAUS @NthSydHealth @ausoftheyear
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Thrilled to share that our international collaboration has just been published in Nature Medicine!

We analysed data from 1,038 patients across 26 centers worldwide treated with neoadjuvant immunotherapy for melanoma on trials and as standard therapy. It confirms what we’ve anslate into everyday practice.

Key findings:
*Patients whose tumors responded well to immunotherapy before surgery (a “major pathological response”) had outstanding 5-year survival: 98.8% with PD-1 therapy alone, 97.9% with combination therapy
*Continuing immunotherapy after surgery gave these responders no extra benefit
*Immunotherapy before surgery also worked in melanoma types that are traditionally harder to treat — BRAF-mutant, acral, in-transit, & oligometastatic disease

Our next step is to identify who needs less treatment (avoiding unnecessary toxicity) and who needs a different approach. This is real progress toward personalised care and being tested in the NeoIRENIE Trial.

Deep thanks to our incredible global team of collaborators.

Read here > rdcu.be/5v2zLTxGN18a

#MelanomaResearch #Immunotherapy #Oncology

@Sydney_Uni @syd_health @ausoftheyear @Science_Academy @FulbrightAUS @AAHMS_health @NthSydHealth
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“I’m excited and honoured to receive this Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Scientific Research. This is recognition for science and medicine which really has changed lives. It really is a team effort and I’m proud to lead a team of such talented and committed people.

Above all thank you to the patients who consent to go on clinical trials and participate in research. It makes a huge difference.

Melanoma is Australia’s cancer and we have the highest incidence in the world. The work we have done in melanoma has gone on to help other cancers. When we learn from melanoma we keep changing the face of cancer and its treatment everywhere.”

@eurekaprizes @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @NthSydHealth @Science_Academy @AAHMS_health @FulbrightAUS @ausoftheyear
We’re proud to share that Prof Georgina Long AO, MIA Medical Director and translational researcher at @Sydney_Uni has been awarded the UNSW 2026 Eureka Prize for Scientific Research, recognising outstanding curiosity-driven research which has led to significant discovery or e.

Prof Long has led international clinical and translational research efforts that have delivered effective drugs for advanced melanoma, which have transformed melanoma care and improved outcomes for advanced melanoma patients, and also impacted other cancers.    
 
The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are the country’s most comprehensive national science awards, recognising the achievements of scientists, researchers, and science communicators at all career stages.

At Sydney Town Hall this evening, twenty-one 2026 Eureka Prizes were awarded, celebrating some of the nation’s brightest minds, and spanning research & innovation, leadership, science engagement and school science.

Congratulations to all finalists and prize winners.
What an inspiring night for Australian science!

@ProfGLongMIA
@eurekaprizes #eurekaprizes @syd_health
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Professor Georgina Long AO (Bluesky @gvlongphdmd) retweeted
"What if you could train your own body to wipe out melanoma?"

The 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes recognise the outstanding homegrown scientists, innovators and communicators that turn tomorrow's ideas into today's breakthroughs.

Professor Georgina Long AO is a finalist ze for Scientific Research, recognising her work combining clinical trials with laboratory science to deliver breakthroughs that are improving melanoma survival.

The Eureka Prizes will be announced during a live broadcast event on Thursday 3 September at Sydney Town Hall, and you're invited to attend online. Register for the livestream here > bit.ly/4xP4pcy

@austmus @eurekaprizes @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @UNSW @ProfGLongMIA #EurekaPrizes #NationalScienceWeek
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An honour and a pleasure to be an invited speaker at the University of Perugia, invited by my colleague Prof Mario Mandalà.

I spoke about neoadjuvant #immunotherapy and our fast-track approach to finding experimental drug therapies for patients in the "Third Space” -   those reatment - starting with #melanoma.

I also had the privilege of visiting the library in the Rectory, meeting university leadership, and being shown original 1500s books by the extraordinary anatomist Andreas Vesalius. A remarkable moment of history alongside the science.

Grateful for the opportunity to share this work and connect with colleagues pushing the same goal: getting cures to patients faster.

#Perugia #MelanomaResearch #NeoadjuvantTherapy #CancerResearch #Oncology #DrugDevelopment #AndreasVesalius
 
@UniperugiaNews @MelanomaAus @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @Science_Academy @AAHMS_health  @fulbright_australia @ausoftheyear @NthSydHealth
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Professor Georgina Long AO (Bluesky @gvlongphdmd) retweeted
NEW PODCAST FOR CLINICIANS: How multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) and clinical trials are transforming melanoma care.

As melanoma treatment becomes increasingly complex, multidisciplinary collaboration has never been more important.

In this episode of 'Melanoma Insights for ert panel discusses how MDTs support clinical decision-making, optimise patient care and create opportunities for clinical trial participation. The podcast also explores the pivotal role of clinical trials in advancing melanoma care and the emerging innovations shaping the future of treatment.

This podcast is for healthcare professionals. Search for 'Melanoma insights' on Spotify or your favourite podcast app or listen via the Melanoma Education Portal > bit.ly/4bltjrj

#ClinicalEducation #MDT #ClinicalTrials #melanoma #podcast
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INNOVATE in Naples, Italy - an inspiring meeting to attend each year!
A small group of innovators, incl medical oncology colleagues with deep expertise in drug development, came together to plan how we can cure cancer more quickly. One of my favourite think-tanks of the year.
I IE clinical trial for #melanoma, now open at @MelanomaAus. A/Prof Ines da Silva presented her framework for understanding immunotherapy resistance.
This is the work we do to find a cure for those in the "Third Space”,  patients resistant to all our standard therapies.

#INNOVATE #MelanomaResearch #ImmunotherapyResistance #DrugDevelopment #OncologyResearch #CancerResearch #MedicalOncology

@IstTumori @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @Science_Academy @AAHMS_health  @FulbrightAUS @ausoftheyear
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Professor Georgina Long AO (Bluesky @gvlongphdmd) retweeted
Ahead of Professor Richard Scolyer AO’s State Memorial Service this Monday, his friends and colleagues, @ProfGLongMIA AO and Dr Kerry Crotty, share their reflections on Richard’s extraordinary spirit, his exceptional contributions to the fields of melanoma and pathology, and his full story in @australian > theaustralian.com.au/health/medical…

@Sydney_Uni @ausoftheyear
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Professor Georgina Long AO (Bluesky @gvlongphdmd) retweeted
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 no - 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
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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 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-rich…
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Professor Georgina Long AO (Bluesky @gvlongphdmd) retweeted
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 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
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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 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
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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 predrd 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
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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 ogether 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
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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 overy, 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
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Professor Georgina Long AO (Bluesky @gvlongphdmd) retweeted
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 isode 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
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