Another successful AGITG Preceptorship was recently conducted, this time centred on Oesophago-Gastric Carcinoma. The event took place on 23 and 24 August 2024 at the stunning Crowne Plaza Sydney, Coogee Beach, and was expertly convened by medical oncologists Associate Professor Fiona Day and Associate Professor Amitesh Roy.
Thank you to AGITG research fellow, Dr John Mak, for his recap of this year’s Preceptorship event.
The general quality of presentations was outstanding. Preceptees demonstrated high-level understanding of the study results and excellent critical appraisal skills. Each session was further consolidated by engaging MDT case presentations and discussions, with valuable insights from the panel of preceptors and AGITG Community Advisory Panel member, Geoff Parnell. Given the morbidity associated with both the disease and treatment, a recurring theme was the need to personalise management based on a mutual understanding of the treatment goals and toxicity profiles. This was particularly highlighted by robust discussions around the role of pre-operative chemoradiotherapy in the current landscape, especially in light of the TOPGEAR interim analysis and recent ESOPEC readout.
We would also like to thank our excellent line up of invited speakers. Professor Adnan Nagrial delivered an exciting overview of novel targeted therapies in development, including antibody drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies and T cell engagers. It was certainly heartening to hear the breadth of research that is currently being undertaken, both locally and internationally, to improve outcomes for patients with oesophago-gastric cancers. Associate Professor Brendan Mulhern from the Cancer Quality of Life Expert Service Team (CQUEST) followed with an expert commentary into the necessity for incorporating quality of life measures in esophago-gastric cancer trials, and the nuances in selecting the most suitable PROMs.
We were also delighted to be joined by Hayley Batchelor (Clinical Nurse Specialist in upper GI cancers) and Jennifer Haughton (Clinical Lead Oncology Dietitian), who highlighted the physical, psychological and nutritional challenges faced by patients as they navigate their diagnosis, treatment and at times confusing healthcare system. Their passion in supporting and improving quality of life for their patients certainly shone through and served as excellent examples for all attendees at the preceptorship.
Thank you to AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb and MSD for your sponsorship of this year’s Preceptorship.
For more information, members can visit www.AstraZeneca.com.au.
You can learn more about Bristol Myers Squibb’s indications for the treatment of GI Cancers here.
For more information about MSD, please visit www.mymsd.com.au
Thank you to all participants, Convenors and Preceptors
- Associate Professor Amitesh Roy, medical oncology
- Associate Professor Fiona Day, medical oncology
- Dr Shehara Mendis, medical oncology
- Professor Chris Karapetis, medical oncology
- Professor Nick Pavlakis, medical oncology
- Dr Meredith Johnston, radiation oncology
- Professor Andrew Barbour, surgery
- Professor Rajvinder (Raj) Singh, interventional endoscopy
- Dr Derrick Siu
- Dr Joanna Lee
- Dr John Mak