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Melanoma and Surgical Oncology Research

Specialising in surgical oncology, our research focusses on patients diagnosed with melanoma or complex skin cancers.  Our research work has been on the staging and multidisciplinary treatment of early stage (I-III) melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). This includes the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), locoregional therapies, the role of lymph nodes dissections, metastasectomy surgery, as well as current advances within adjuvant and neo-adjuvant strategies. Patients with melanoma and complex skin cancers are recruited for the Melanoma Institute Australia Research Database and the Melanoma Institute Australia Biospecimen Bank for Melanoma Research. 

Our Research Team

Associate Professor Alexander C.J. van Akkooi Surgical Oncologist
Associate Professor Robyn Saw Surgical Oncologist
Associate Professor Jonathan Stretch Plastic Surgeon
Associate Professor Sydney Ch'ng Plastic Surgeon
Dr Kerwin Shannon Surgical Oncologist
Dr Thomas Pennington Surgical Oncologist
Dr Michael Rtshiladze Plastic Surgeon
Dr David Coker Surgical Oncologist
Natalie Osborne Clinical Nurse Consultant
Marcella Yudo Clinical Nurse Specialist
Emel Fikri Clinical Nurse Specialist

Selected Grants

Amount awarded Grant and project details
$2,023,376 MRFF 2020 Efficient Use of Existing Medicines , 2021-2025
NADINA Phase 3 trial comparing response driven neo-adjuvant combination of ipilimumab + nivolumab versus adjuvant nivolumab.
Investigators: Long G, McArthur G, Menzies A, Spillane A, Carlino M, Gyorki D, Saw R, Lo S, Morton R.
$120,000 Sydney Cancer Partners, 2023
ProCel Study  - Perioperative PROpranolol and CELecoxib in stage III melanoma: modifying the melanoma microenvironment to reduce metastatic risk
Investigators: Damian D, Saw R, Wilmott J, Ferguson A, Gupta R, Lyons JG, Zilberg C
$35,000 Sydney Cancer Partners, 2023
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: characterising and modifying the tumour microenvironment to reduce risk of progression and skin cancer
Investigators: Damian D, Fuller, Ferguson A, Saw R, Lyons JG, Zilberg C

Our Publications

2023

Al-Rikaby A, Sulaiman A, Thompson JR, Saw RPM, Boyle F, Taylor N, Carlino MS, Morton RL, Nieweg OE, Thompson JF, Bartula I. Telehealth follow-up consultations for melanoma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: Patient and clinician satisfaction. Cancer Med. 2023 Dec;12(23):21373-21388. doi: 10.1002/cam4.6679. Epub 2023 Nov 6.
Blankenstein SA, Bonenkamp JJ, Aarts MJB, van den Berkmortel FWPJ, Blank CU, Blokx WAM, Boers-Sonderen MJ, van den Eertwegh AJM, Franken MG, de Groot JWB, Haanen JBAG, Hospers GAP, Kapiteijn EW, van Not OJ, Piersma D, van Rijn RS, Suijkerbuijk KPM, van der Veldt AAM, Vreugdenhil G, Westgeest HM, Wouters MWJM, van Akkooi ACJ. Is a History of Optimal Staging by Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in the Era Prior to Adjuvant Therapy Associated with Improved Outcome Once Melanoma Patients have Progressed to Advanced Disease? Ann Surg Oncol. 2023 Jan;30(1):573-586. doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-12600-2. Epub 2022 Oct 6.
Boshuizen J, Vredevoogd DW, Krijgsman O, Ligtenberg MA, Blankenstein S, de Bruijn B, Frederick DT, Kenski JCN, Parren M, Brüggemann M, Madu MF, Rozeman EA, Song JY, Horlings HM, Blank CU, van Akkooi ACJ, Flaherty KT, Boland GM, Peeper DS. Author Correction: Reversal of pre-existing NGFR-driven tumor and immune therapy resistance. Nat Commun. 2023 Feb 7;14(1):672. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-35852-2. Erratum for: Nat Commun. 2020 Aug 7;11(1):3946.
Chow O, Robbins E, Kapur R, Pennington TE. Unicentric Castleman's disease imitating metastatic melanoma: A case report. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2023 Aug;109:108577. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2023.108577. Epub 2023 Jul 28.
Conway JW, Marsh-Wakefield F, Nahar KJ, Lo SN, Vergara IA, Gide TN, Attrill GH, Braden J, Carlino MS, Saw RP, Thompson JF, Spillane AJ, Shannon KF, Shivalingam B, Menzies AM, Palendira U, Wilmott JS, Long GV, Scolyer RA, Da Silva IP. The association between melanoma liver metastases (mets) and the systemic anti-tumor immune profile. Cancer Research, 83(7_Supplement), 81. Apr 04, 2023. doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.Am2023-81
Egeler MD, van Leeuwen M, Fraterman I, van den Heuvel NMJ, Boekhout AH, Lai-Kwon J, Wilthagen EA, Eriksson H, Haanen JB, Wilgenhof S, Ascierto PA, van Akkooi ACJ, van de Poll-Franse LV. Common toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapy in the treatment of melanoma: A systematic scoping review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2023 Mar;183:103919. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.103919. Epub 2023 Feb 1.
Franke V, van Akkooi ACJ. Neoadjuvant Relatlimab and Nivolumab for Resectable Melanoma. Advanced Melanoma, (Jan 04 2023). 
Fuzi J, Meller C, Ch'ng S, Dusseldorp J. The Emerging Role of Artificial Intelligence Tools for Outcome Measurement in Facial Reanimation Surgery: A Review. Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med. 2023 Nov-Dec;25(6):556-561. doi: 10.1089/fpsam.2022.0424. Epub 2023 Sep 29.
Gjorup CA, Pires da Silva I, Martin L, Stretch JR, Scolyer RA, Long GV, Hong A. Definitive treatment with PD-1 blockade and radiation therapy of unresected primary desmoplastic melanoma of the nose. Melanoma Res. 2023 Oct 1;33(5):422-424. doi: 10.1097/CMR.0000000000000905. Epub 2023 Aug 3.
Gonzalez M, Akkooi ACJV, Spillane AJ, Ch'ng S, Shannon KF, Stretch J, Rtshiladze MA, Pennington T, Saw RPM, Menzies AM, Rawson RV, Martin L, Guitera P, Gregorio MJ, London K, Kapoor R, Hsiao E, Lo SN, Scolyer RA, Long GV. A phase 2 study to determine the pathological (path) response to neoadjuvant nivolumab (nivo) and relatlimab (rela) in high-risk stage II cutaneous melanoma: NeoReNi II. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 41, no. 16_suppl, (Jun 01 2023): TPS9610-TPS10, doi:10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.TPS9610
Gupta R, Strbenac D, Satgunaseelan L, Cheung VK, Narayanappa H, Ashford B, Mitchell J, Thind A, Palme CE, Ch'ng S, Low TH, Wykes J, Willet CE, Chew T, Yang J, Ranson M, Clark JR. Comparing Genomic Landscapes of Oral and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: Quest for Novel Diagnostic Markers. Mod Pathol. 2023 Aug;36(8):100190. doi: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100190. Epub 2023 Apr 18.
Harry Huang Y, Uyulmaz S, Khoo L, Ch'ng S. Complex head and neck microsurgery/neurosurgery in Gray platelet syndrome. ANZ J Surg. 2023 May;93(5):1388-1389. doi: 10.1111/ans.18208. Epub 2022 Dec 15.
Hoefsmit EP, Völlmy F, Rozeman EA, Reijers ILM, Versluis JM, Hoekman L, van Akkooi ACJ, Long GV, Schadendorf D, Dummer R, Altelaar M, Blank CU. Systemic LRG1 Expression in Melanoma is Associated with Disease Progression and Recurrence. Cancer Res Commun. 2023 Apr 20;3(4):672-683. doi: 10.1158/2767-9764.CRC-23-0015.
Holtkamp LHJ, Lo SN, Thompson JF, Spillane AJ, Stretch JR, Saw RPM, Shannon KF, Nieweg OE, Hong AM. Adjuvant radiotherapy after salvage surgery for melanoma recurrence in a node field following a previous lymph node dissection. J Surg Oncol. 2023 Jul;128(1):97-104. doi: 10.1002/jso.27245. Epub 2023 Mar 27.
Huis In 't Veld EA, Boere T, Zuur CL, Wouters MW, van Akkooi ACJ, Haanen JBAG, Crijns MB, Smith MJ, Mooyaart A, Wakkee M, Sewnaik A, Strauss DC, Grunhagen DJ, Verhoef C, Hayes AJ, van Houdt WJ. Oncological Outcome After Lymph Node Dissection for Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol. 2023 Aug;30(8):5017-5026. doi: 10.1245/s10434-023-13306-9. Epub 2023 Mar 29.
Huis In TVEA, Boere T, Zuur CL, Wouters MW, van Akkooi ACJ, Haanen J, Crijns MB, Smith MJ, Mooyaart A, Wakkee M, Sewnaik A, Strauss DC, Grunhagen DJ, Verhoef C, Hayes AJ, van Houdt WJ. ASO Visual Abstract: Oncological Outcome After Lymph Node Dissection for Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol. 2023; 30(9):5774-75. doi:10.1245/s10434-023-13399-2. 
Hurrell MJL, Low TH, Ch'ng S, Clark JR. Fascio-cutaneous and fascio-periosteal free flaps for treatment of intermediate stage osteoradionecrosis of the jaws. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2023 Aug;136(2):128-135. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2022.12.002. Epub 2022 Dec 17.
Irawati N, Every J, Dawson R, Leinkram D, Elliott M, Ch'ng S, Low H, Palme CE, Clark J, Wykes J. Effect of operative time on complications associated with free flap reconstruction of the head and neck. Clin Otolaryngol. 2023 Mar;48(2):175-181. doi: 10.1111/coa.14000. Epub 2022 Nov 16.
Jeong YJ, Thompson JF, Ch'ng S. Epidemiology, staging and management of mucosal melanoma of the head and neck: a narrative review. Chin Clin Oncol. 2023 Jun;12(3):28. doi: 10.21037/cco-23-16.
Kennedy OJ, Kicinski M, Valpione S, Gandini S, Suciu S, Blank CU, Long GV, Atkinson VG, Dalle S, Haydon AM, Meshcheryakov A, Khattak A, Carlino MS, Sandhu S, Larkin J, Puig S, Ascierto PA, Rutkowski P, Schadendorf D, Boers-Sonderen M, Di Giacomo AM, van den Eertwegh AJM, Grob JJ, Gutzmer R, Jamal R, van Akkooi ACJ, Robert C, Eggermont AMM, Lorigan P, Mandala M. Prognostic and predictive value of metformin in the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer 1325/KEYNOTE-054 phase III trial of pembrolizumab versus placebo in resected high-risk stage III melanoma. Eur J Cancer. 2023 Aug;189:112900. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.04.016. Epub 2023 Apr 29. PMID: 37277264.
Lee H, Ferguson AL, Quek C, Vergara IA, Pires daSilva I, Allen R, Gide TN, Conway JW, Koufariotis LT, Hayward NK, Waddell N, Carlino MS, Menzies AM, Saw RPM, Shklovskaya E, Rizos H, Lo S, Scolyer RA, Long GV, Palendira U, Wilmott JS. Intratumoral CD16+ Macrophages Are Associated with Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Metastatic Melanoma Treated with Combination Anti-PD-1 and Anti-CTLA-4 Therapy. Clin Cancer Res. 2023 Jul 5;29(13):2513-2524. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-22-2657.
Lee R, Mandala M, Long GV, Eggermont AMM, van Akkooi ACJ, Sandhu S, Garbe C, Lorigan P. Adjuvant therapy for stage II melanoma: the need for further studies. Eur J Cancer. 2023 Aug;189:112914. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.05.003. Epub 2023 May 8.
Lim SY, Shklovskaya E, Lee JH, Pedersen B, Stewart A, Ming Z, Irvine M, Shivalingam B, Saw RPM, Menzies AM, Carlino MS, Scolyer RA, Long GV, Rizos H. The molecular and functional landscape of resistance to immune checkpoint blockade in melanoma. Nat Commun. 2023 Mar 18;14(1):1516. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-36979-y.
Long GV, Kirkwood JMM, Hoeller C, Grob J-J, Weber JS, Taube JM, Mohr P, Van Akkooi ACJ, Loquai C, Dutriaux C, Chiarion-Sileni V, Tenney DJ, Dolfi S, Tang H, Ritchings C, Lobo M, Campigotto F, Wang W, Gastman B, Del Vecchio M. Association of biomarkers (BMs) with efficacy of adjuvant nivolumab (NIVO) vs placebo (PBO) in patients with resected stage IIB/C melanoma (CA209-76K). Journal of Clinical Oncology, 41, no. 16_suppl, (Jun 01 2023): 9504-04, doi:10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.9504. 
Lucas MW, Rozeman EA, Versluis JM, Menzies AM, Eriksson H, van de Wiel B, Scolyer R, van Thienen HV, Mallo H, Gonzalez M, Landman L, Torres Acosta A, Grijpink-Ongering L, Haanen JBAG, van Akkooi ACJ, Long GV, Blank CU. 1096P Prolonged follow-up confirms durability of favorable outcomes after neoadjuvant ipilimumab plus nivolumab in melanoma. Annals of Oncology, 34(Oct 2023): S660-S61, doi:10.1016/j.annonc.2023.09.2230. 
Mao Y, Gide TN, Adegoke NA, Quek C, Maher N, Potter A, Patrick E, Saw RPM, Thompson JF, Spillane AJ, Shannon KF, Carlino MS, Lo SN, Menzies AM, da Silva IP, Long GV, Scolyer RA, Wilmott JS. Cross-platform comparison of immune signatures in immunotherapy-treated patients with advanced melanoma using a rank-based scoring approach. J Transl Med. 2023 Apr 13;21(1):257. doi: 10.1186/s12967-023-04092-9.
Mikiver R, Bagge RO, Marchetti MA, Akkooi ACJV, Coit DG, Ingvar C, Isaksson K, Scolyer RA, Thompson J, Varey A, Lyth J, Bartlett E. Population-based validation of the melanoma institute australia (MIA) and the memorial sloan-kettering cancer center (MSKCC) predictive tool for sentinel node status in patients with melanoma. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 41, no. 16_suppl, (Jun 01 2023): 9571-71, doi:10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.9571. 
Miller JR 3rd, Lo SN, Nosrati M, Stretch JR, Spillane AJ, Saw RPM, Shannon KF, Nieweg OE, Ch'ng S, Kim KB, Leong SP, Thompson JF, Scolyer RA, Kashani-Sabet M. Improving Selection for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Among Patients With Melanoma. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Apr 3;6(4):e236356. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.6356.
Noori O, Pereira JL, Stamou D, Ch'ng S, Varey AH. Vasopressors improve outcomes in autologous free tissue transfer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2023 Jun;81:151-163. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2022.08.069. Epub 2022 Aug 27.
Ong JS, Seviiri M, Dusingize JC, Wu Y, Han X, Shi J, Olsen CM, Neale RE, Thompson JF, Saw RPM, Shannon KF, Mann GJ, Martin NG, Medland SE, Gordon SD, Scolyer RA, Long GV, Iles MM, Landi MT, Whiteman DC, MacGregor S, Law MH. Uncovering the complex relationship between balding, testosterone and skin cancers in men. Nat Commun. 2023 Oct 3;14(1):5962. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-41231-8.
Papanikolas MJ, Hurrell MJL, Clark JR, Low TH, Ch'ng S, Elliott MS, Palme CE, Wykes J. Anterolateral thigh, radial forearm and superficial circumflex iliac perforator flaps in oral reconstruction: a comparative analysis. ANZ J Surg. 2023 May;93(5):1335-1340. doi: 10.1111/ans.18239. Epub 2023 Jan 11.
Paver EC, Ahmed T, Burke H, Saw RPM, Stretch JR, Spillane AJ, Shannon KF, Vergara IA, Elder DE, Lo SN, Thompson JF, Scolyer RA. Prognostic Significance of Incipient Ulceration in Primary Cutaneous Melanoma. JAMA Dermatol. 2023 Dec 1;159(12):1359-1367. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.4193.
Rawson RV, Vergara IA, Stretch JR, Saw RPM, Thompson JF, Lo SN, Scolyer RA, Busam KJ. Representativeness of initial skin biopsies showing pure desmoplastic melanoma: implications for management. Pathology. 2023 Mar;55(2):214-222. doi: 10.1016/j.pathol.2022.12.346. Epub 2023 Jan 6.
Reijers I, Dimitriadis P, Menzies AM, Kapiteijn E, Van der Veldt AAM, Suijkerbuijk KPM, Hospers GAP, Van Houdt W, Saw R, Broeks A, Cornelissen S, Grijpink-Ongering L, Pennington T, Colebatch A, van de Wiel B, Scolyer R, van Akkooi ACJ, Long GV, Blank CU. 1095P Associations between baseline biomarkers and 3-year survival in the PRADO trial testing neoadjuvant ipilimumab and nivolumab in stage III melanoma. Annals of Oncology, 34(Oct 2023): S660, doi:10.1016/j.annonc.2023.09.2229. 
Reijers I, Menzies AM, Versluis JM, Saw RPM, Houdt WJv, Kapiteijn E, Veldt AAMVD, Suijkerbuijk K, Eriksson H, Hospers G, Klop WMC, Lopez-Yurda MI, Grijpink-Ongering LG, Gonzalez M, Spillane AJ, Scolyer RA, Wiel BAvd, Akkooi ACJV, Long GV, Blank CU. The impact of response-directed surgery and adjuvant therapy on long-term survival after neoadjuvant ipilimumab plus nivolumab in stage III melanoma: Three-year data of PRADO and OpACIN-neo. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 41, no. 16_suppl, (Jun 01 2023): 101-01, doi:10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.101. 
Reijers ILM, Rao D, Versluis JM, Menzies AM, Dimitriadis P, Wouters MW, Spillane AJ, Klop WMC, Broeks A, Bosch LJW, Lopez-Yurda M, van Houdt WJ, Rawson RV, Grijpink-Ongering LG, Gonzalez M, Cornelissen S, Bouwman J, Sanders J, Plasmeijer E, Elshot YS, Scolyer RA, van de Wiel BA, Peeper DS, van Akkooi ACJ, Long GV, Blank CU. IFN-γ signature enables selection of neoadjuvant treatment in patients with stage III melanoma. J Exp Med. 2023 May 1;220(5):e20221952. doi: 10.1084/jem.20221952. Epub 2023 Mar 15.
Riordan E, Yung A, Cheng K, Lim L, Clark J, Rtshiladze M, Ch'ng S. Modeling Methods in Craniofacial Virtual Surgical Planning. J Craniofac Surg. 2023 Jun 1;34(4):1191-1198. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000009187. Epub 2023 Feb 20.
Rowse BM, Yu ACX, Faulkner H, Sandler G, Howle JR, Ch'ng S, Rao PJ, Varey AHR. Does preoperative imaging for scalp non-melanocytic skin cancer accurately predict invasion of the cranial vault? A systematic review and meta-analysis. ANZ J Surg. 2023 Jul-Aug;93(7-8):1970-1977. doi: 10.1111/ans.18566. Epub 2023 Jun 11.
Sawyer AJ, Patrick E, Edwards J, Wilmott JS, Fielder T, Yang Q, Barber DL, Ernst JD, Britton WJ, Palendira U, Chen X, Feng CG. Spatial mapping reveals granuloma diversity and histopathological superstructure in human tuberculosis. J Exp Med. 2023 Jun 5;220(6):e20221392. doi: 10.1084/jem.20221392. Epub 2023 Mar 15.
Schoenfeldt T, Thompson JF, Lo S, Drzewiecki KT, Stretch J, Saw RPM, Spillane A, Shannon K, Uren RF, Chakera AH, Nieweg OE. Prognostic Significance and Management of Sentinel Nodes in the Triangular Intermuscular Space of Patients with Melanoma. Ann Surg Oncol. 2023 Apr;30(4):2354-2361. doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-12840-2. Epub 2022 Dec 3.
Seth R, Agarwala SS, Messersmith H, Alluri KC, Ascierto PA, Atkins MB, Bollin K, Chacon M, Davis N, Faries MB, Funchain P, Gold JS, Guild S, Gyorki DE, Kaur V, Khushalani NI, Kirkwood JM, McQuade JL, Meyers MO, Provenzano A, Robert C, Santinami M, Sehdev A, Sondak VK, Spurrier G, Swami U, Truong TG, Tsai KK, van Akkooi A, Weber J. Systemic Therapy for Melanoma: ASCO Guideline Update. J Clin Oncol, (Aug 14 2023): Jco2301136, doi:10.1200/jco.23.01136. 
Stassen RC, Maas C, Van der Veldt AAM, Lo S, Saw R, Varey A, Scolyer R, Long GV, Thompson J, Rutkowski P, Keilholz U, van Akkooi ACJ, Verhoef C, van Klaveren D, Gruenhagen D. 1120P Development and external validation of a clinical prediction model to predict recurrence-free survival and melanoma-specific survival in patients with melanoma after sentinel lymph node biopsy. Annals of Oncology, 34(Oct 2023): S674, doi:10.1016/j.annonc.2023.09.2254. 
Stratigos AJ, Garbe C, Dessinioti C, Lebbe C, van Akkooi A, Bataille V, Bastholt L, Dreno B, Dummer R, Fargnoli MC, Forsea AM, Harwood CA, Hauschild A, Hoeller C, Kandolf-Sekulovic L, Kaufmann R, Kelleners-Smeets NWJ, Lallas A, Leiter U, Malvehy J, del Marmol V, Moreno-Ramirez D, Pellacani G, Peris K, Saiag P, Tagliaferri L, Trakatelli M, Ioannides D, Vieira R, Zalaudek I, Arenberger P, Eggermont AMM, Rocken M, Grob J-J, Lorigan P. European consensus-based interdisciplinary guideline for invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Part 1: Diagnostics and prevention-Update 2023. European Journal of Cancer, (Jul 28 2023), doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2023.113251. 
Thompson JF, Hyngstrom J, Caracò C, Zager JS, Jahkola T, Bowles TL, Pennacchioli E, Hoekstra HJ, Moncrieff M, Ingvar C, van Akkooi A, Sabel MS, Levine EA, Henderson M, Dummer R, Rossi CR, Kane JM 3rd, Trocha S, Wright F, Byrd DR, Matter M, MacKenzie-Ross A, Kelley MC, Terheyden P, Huston TL, Wayne JD, Neuman H, Smithers BM, Desai D, Gershenwald JE, Schneebaum S, Gesierich A, Jacobs LK, Lewis JM, O'Donoghue C, Sardi A, McKinnon JG, Slingluff CL, Farma JM, Schultz E, Scheri RP, Vidal-Sicart S, Testori AAE, Scolyer RA, Elashoff DE, Cochran AJ, Faries MB. Regarding: Predicting Regional Lymph Node Recurrence in The Modern Age of Tumor-Positive Sentinel Node Melanoma. Ann Surg Oncol. 2023 Jul;30(7):4359-4360. doi: 10.1245/s10434-023-13570-9. Epub 2023 May 6.
Thompson JR, Fu H, Saw RPM, Sherman KA, Beedle V, Atkinson V, Boyle F, O'Sullivan NA, Martin LK, Bartula I. Supportive care needs in Australian melanoma patients and caregivers: results from a quantitative cross-sectional survey. Qual Life Res. 2023 Dec;32(12):3531-3545. doi: 10.1007/s11136-023-03492-0. Epub 2023 Jul 31.
Thompson JR, Salam RA, Hanna S, Dieng M, Saw RPM, Bartula I. A systematic review with evidence mapping of supportive care interventions for melanoma patients and caregivers. Cancer Med. 2023 Jun;12(12):13758-13773. doi: 10.1002/cam4.6012. Epub 2023 Apr 29.
van Akkooi A, Astratinei V, van Elst K, Steuten L. Adjuvant immune checkpoint blockade revisited; the need to consider more factors and involve all stakeholders. EJC Skin Cancer, 2(Dec 06 2023), doi:10.1016/j.ejcskn.2023.100014. 
van Akkooi AC, Hauschild A, Long GV, Mandala M, Kicinski M, Govaerts AS, Klauck I, Ouali M, Lorigan PC, Eggermont AM. COLUMBUS-AD: phase III study of adjuvant encorafenib + binimetinib in resected stage IIB/IIC BRAF V600-mutated melanoma. Future Oncol. 2023 Sep;19(30):2017-2027. doi: 10.2217/fon-2023-0414. Epub 2023 Sep 4.
van Akkooi ACJ, Blank C, Eggermont AMM. Neo-adjuvant immunotherapy emerges as best medical practice, and will be the new standard of care for macroscopic stage III melanoma. Eur J Cancer. 2023 Mar;182:38-42. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.01.004. Epub 2023 Jan 11.
Vellano CP, White MG, Andrews MC, Chelvanambi M, Witt RG, Daniele JR, Titus M, McQuade JL, Conforti F, Burton EM, Lastrapes MJ, Ologun G, Cogdill AP, Morad G, Prieto P, Lazar AJ, Chu Y, Han G, Khan MAW, Helmink B, Davies MA, Amaria RN, Kovacs JJ, Woodman SE, Patel S, Hwu P, Peoples M, Lee JE, Cooper ZA, Zhu H, Gao G, Banerjee H, Lau M, Gershenwald JE, Lucci A, Keung EZ, Ross MI, Pala L, Pagan E, Segura RL, Liu Q, Borthwick MS, Lau E, Yates MS, Westin SN, Wani K, Tetzlaff MT, Haydu LE, Mahendra M, Ma X, Logothetis C, Kulstad Z, Johnson S, Hudgens CW, Feng N, Federico L, Long GV, Futreal PA, Arur S, Tawbi HA, Moran AE, Wang L, Heffernan TP, Marszalek JR, Wargo JA. Author Correction: Androgen receptor blockade promotes response to BRAF/MEK-targeted therapy. Nature. 2023 Jan;613(7945):E3. doi: 10.1038/s41586-022-05632-x. Erratum for: Nature. 2022 Jun;606(7915):797-803.
Venchiarutti RL, Pearce A, Mathers L, Dawson T, Ch'ng S, Shannon K, Clark JR, Palme CE. Travel-associated cost savings to patients and the health system through provision of specialist head and neck surgery outreach clinics in rural New South Wales, Australia. Aust J Rural Health. 2023 Oct;31(5):932-943. doi: 10.1111/ajr.13021. Epub 2023 Jul 27.
Vergara IA, Aivazian K, Carlino MS, Guminski AD, Maher NG, Shannon KF, Ch'ng S, Saw RPM, Long GV, Wilmott JS, Scolyer RA. Genomic Profiling of Metastatic Basal cell Carcinoma Reveals Candidate Drivers of Disease and Therapeutic Targets. Mod Pathol. 2023 Apr;36(4):100099. doi: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100099. Epub 2023 Jan 10.
Versluis JM, Menzies AM, Sikorska K, Rozeman EA, Saw RPM, van Houdt WJ, Eriksson H, Klop WMC, Ch'ng S, van Thienen JV, Mallo H, Gonzalez M, Torres Acosta A, Grijpink-Ongering LG, van der Wal A, Bruining A, van de Wiel BA, Scolyer RA, Haanen JBAG, Schumacher TN, van Akkooi ACJ, Long GV, Blank CU. Survival update of neoadjuvant ipilimumab plus nivolumab in macroscopic stage III melanoma in the OpACIN and OpACIN-neo trials. Ann Oncol. 2023 Apr;34(4):420-430. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2023.01.004. Epub 2023 Jan 18.
Yan MK, Cust AE, Soyer HP, Janda M, Loewe K, Byars G, Fishburn P, White P, Mahumud RA, Saw RPM, Herschtal A, Fernandez-Penas P, Guitera P, Morton RL, Kelly J, Wolfe R, Mar VJ. Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the use of melanoma surveillance photography to the Improve early detection of MelanomA in ultra-hiGh and high-risk patiEnts (the IMAGE trial). Trials. 2023 Mar 29;24(1):236. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07203-5.
Zijlker LP, Bakker M, van der Hiel B, Bruining A, Klop WMC, Zuur CL, Wouters MWJM, van Akkooi ACJ. Baseline ultrasound and FDG-PET/CT imaging in Merkel cell carcinoma. J Surg Oncol. 2023 Apr;127(5):841-847. doi: 10.1002/jso.27193. Epub 2022 Dec 27.
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