Melanoma Institute Australia

23/05/2026

At the 2026 Australasian Skin Cancer Congress in Brisbane this weekend A/Prof Alexander van Akkooi, melanoma surgical oncologist and MIA faculty member, delivered a presentation titled ‘Update on the Role of Sentinel Node Biopsy and MSLT-3’.

Melanoma surgery has evolved over time. One significant change has been Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB), which replaced the much more invasive Elective Lymph Node Dissection (ELND) for patients with early-stage melanoma.

SLNB is used to check whether melanoma has spread to selected nearby lymph node(s). This helps doctors more accurately stage the cancer and identify patients who may benefit from additional therapies. SLNB plays an important role in guiding treatment decisions.

For patients with more advanced Stage III melanoma, treatment is also evolving. The MSLT-3 clinical trial is currently investigating whether less extensive surgery can be safely performed after neoadjuvant (pre-surgery) therapy. The trial is comparing standard Therapeutic Lymph Node Dissection (TLND) with a less invasive approach that removes only the affected “index” lymph node. The aim is to reduce the impact of surgery while maintaining excellent outcomes.

20/05/2026

Today is International Clinical Trials Day.

It’s an opportunity to express our deep gratitude to our extraordinary clinical research teams, and to the incredible patients and families who place their trust in research. Together, this partnership makes medical breakthroughs possible.

At Melanoma Institute Australia we continue to lead world-class clinical trials, with 53 clinical trials currently open. Clinical trial participants didn't just receive experimental treatments - they became willing contributors to medical discovery.

Under the guidance of our dedicated doctors, research nurses, and trial coordinators, these patients and families help make progress possible. Their courage and willingness to participate in research has helped transform melanoma from a disease with few options into one where long-term survival and cure is increasingly possible.

19/05/2026

Vodcast Ep. 2: Predict, Treat, Monitor: The Quest for Smarter Immunotherapy Decisions

In the second episode of our special vodcast series, 'Redefining Immunotherapy: Lessons from Melanoma', our experts tackle one of the biggest challenges in modern oncology: how do we make smarter immunotherapy decisions for individual patients?

The panel explores the real-world factors that shape treatment selection in advanced melanoma, and examine why predicting response to immunotherapy remains one of the field’s greatest challenges.

Blending practical clinical insight with emerging research, this 23 minute episode offers an insightful discussion on personalising immunotherapy in the pursuit of better outcomes, and ultimately, cure.

This special edition vodcast from “Melanoma Insights for Professionals” is for Medical Oncologists, Oncology Nurses and other health professionals.

Watch here > https://bit.ly/3PyXBPJ

In our second episode of our special vodcast series, Redefining Imm...

13/05/2026

Melanoma Institute Australia is seeking an experienced Clinical Trials Coordinator to manage all aspects of assigned melanoma clinical trials, ensuring compliance with state, national, and international regulations while protecting participant rights, safety, and data integrity.

The Clinical Trials Coordinator plays a vital role in supporting melanoma patients while contributing to groundbreaking cancer research. The role manages the day-to-day operations of assigned clinical trials, liaising with patients, investigators, clinicians, and fellow coordinators. This is an outstanding opportunity to advance your career at a globally recognised institution.

See the full list of criteria and apply here > https://bit.ly/4d7ddTv

Full time, Wollstonecraft (Sydney).
Applications close 1 June 2026.

Full time, Wollstonecraft (Sydney). Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation located in North Sydney. MIA is formally affiliated with the University of Sydney and collaborates with individuals at St Vincent's, Mater Health and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital to....

13/05/2026

We’re excited to launch our special vodcast series for clinicians - 'Redefining Immunotherapy: Lessons from Melanoma'. It's a compelling deep dive into the science, breakthroughs and future directions of immunotherapy, what these advances mean for cancer care more broadly, featuring world-leading experts from Melanoma Institute Australia.

New episodes will drop weekly over the next 5 weeks.

Episode 1: Beyond the Tumour: Rethinking Cancer in the Immunotherapy Era, is now streaming on Spotify, YouTube and the Melanoma Education Portal, or available to listen on your favourite podcast app.

Led by Prof Georgina Long AO, this first episode explores the revolutionary shift in cancer treatment from attacking the tumour directly to harnessing the power of the immune system itself. Through an engaging discussion, the panel unpacks how tumours evade immune detection, how checkpoint inhibitors work, and why immunotherapy has delivered unprecedented long-term outcomes for some patients.

Watch on YouTube> https://bit.ly/4dp6DGY

In this opening episode of Melanoma Institute Australia’s special vodcast series “Redefining Immunotherapy: Lessons from Melanoma”, our world-leading Medical...

12/05/2026

Today, on International Nurses Day, we highlight the theme 'Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.'

Last Thursday, we empowered almost 90 nurses involved in the care of patients with skin cancer during a full-day educational symposium jam-packed with sessions which explored how nurses shape patient outcomes across the full continuum of care.

These informative sessions included optimising outcomes for patients with inflammatory skin disease, targeted screening, the emerging role of TILs therapy, early warning signs of immunotherapy toxicity, mucosal melanoma, and educating with impact.

A huge thank you to all nurses who joined us. Stay tuned, a recording will be shared.


Cancer Nurses Society of Australia - CNSA

10/05/2026

And that's a wrap for Melanoma March 2026, and what a year it was!

16 community events + 181 'March Your Way' events.
4135 marchers.
68km of track walked across Australia.
That's over 23 million steps taken towards our goal of zero deaths from melanoma!

Protected by litres of La Roche-Posay sunscreen.
Fuelled by countless coffees and sausages.
Made possible by 241 generous volunteers.
So many dedicated fundraisers, with 322 Melanoma March claimed by those who exceeded $300 in fundraising.
Countless smiles, heartfelt emotions, and community support.
Reflected in 1179 photos shared in our online event photo albums. > https://bit.ly/48UX0ym
.. All of this led to $649,749 raised for melanoma research. What an incredible achievement!

Over the 15 years since it began, Melanoma March has raised close to $10 million for life-saving melanoma research.

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported! We couldn't do it without you. 💚💚💚

07/05/2026

Scanxiety is the anxiety experienced while awaiting the results of a scan. It is very normal feeling regardless of whether the scans are for diagnosis, treatment monitoring, or as part of a routine check-up.

To help you understand and manage scanxiety, we've put together a Patient Support Fact Sheet that includes some very practical tips and information on resources available.

Please download the fact sheet here > https://bit.ly/4nfItD3

05/05/2026

Healthcare professionals - don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear from one of the world’s foremost authorities on photoprotection! Registrations close this Sunday 10 May!

Join Melanoma Institute Australia for an exclusive educational evening chaired by Prof Pascale Guitera and featuring international guest Prof Henry Lim - a global leader whose research has shaped how UV protection is understood and applied worldwide.

This is a unique chance to gain cutting-edge, evidence-based insights and engage directly with Prof Lim on real-world clinical challenges in photoprotection for high-risk patients.

Join us on the evening of Thursday 14 May - in person at The Poche Centre in Sydney, or online via livestream.

See all details and register now > https://bit.ly/4914yzJ

Thanks to our Official Sunscreen Partner La Roche-Posay for supporting this event.

05/05/2026

Melanoma Institute Australia is seeking an Administrative Assistant to support the Operations Team overseeing the development of the Roadmap for a National Targeted Melanoma Screening Program.

The role is a full time position, based at the Daffodil Centre at The University of Sydney Camperdown campus, and is hybrid (work from home and the office).

This is a unique opportunity to join a globally recognised institute. You'll be part of a collaborative team that is making a very real difference to thousands of Australians, now and in the future.

Read more about the role and apply here > https://bit.ly/4tRaUK3

Applications close 27 May 2026, unless a suitable candidate is found before.

30/04/2026

Family and friends often play a critical 'carer' role throughout a person's melanoma journey, taking on additional responsibilities, and providing emotional and social support.

We know caring for someone can be very stressful and challenging, so we've created a 'Caring for a loved one with melanoma' brochure, which provides valuable tips.

Download this free resource, or send it to a loved one > https://bit.ly/4eQl74O