ANZUP ANNUAL REPORT 2017
ANZUP RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Scientific Advisory Committee: Ian Davis The ANZUP Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) is constituted to ensure broad representation from the relevant disciplines representing our stakeholders and members. The SAC sets the scientific agenda for ANZUP and oversees the activities of its various subcommittees. Nominations for SAC membership are made by various groups or professional societies and appointments are made and reviewed annually by the Board. This year we welcomed Craig Gedye to SAC membership as he took on the role of chair of the renal cell cancer subcommittee. We are also glad to welcome George Hruby representing radiation oncology, after the departure of Jarad Martin early in 2016. We are grateful to Jarad for his substantial and ongoing contributions to ANZUP. The SAC meets regularly by teleconference and since its inception has held an open face-to-face meeting at the Annual Scientific Meeting every year. All ANZUP members are invited and welcome to attend that meeting. The SAC held an additional face-to-face meeting on 25 November 2016, which included its regular agenda but also set aside time for two key activities: (1) operational planning for SAC and subcommittee processes, such as concept development and progression, prioritisation of projects, and assessment of grant or fellowship applications; and (2) strategic planning to improve member engagement, enhance the functions of the Translational Subcommittee and the Quality of Life and Supportive Care Subcommittee, expand our capabilities in various areas, and consider how best to support poorlyresourced sites. This was a very productive meeting that was well received by the SAC members and resulted in useful outcomes for ANZUP. The four disease-specific SAC subcommittees (prostate, renal, bladder (urothelial) and germ cell) continue to be active and productive. Membership of these subcommittees is open to any interested ANZUP member. The committees meet quarterly by teleconference. The work of the subcommittees has been enhanced and substantially increased since the institution of the annual face-to-face Concept Development Workshops (CDWs). These CDWs have been a rich source
OPEN SAC MEETING, 2016 ASM
of ideas and opportunities, especially for our more junior researchers. We have also benefited from the support ANZUP has been able to provide for seed funding of research through the Below the Belt Research Fund. The non-diseasespecific committees (the Translational Research committee; and the Quality of Life and Supportive Care committee) continue meet as required, usually to provide effective and timely input for specific concepts and protocols. The Consumer Advisory Panel is represented on the SAC and each of its subcommittees, has input directly at Board level, and provides input and investigators on grant applications, while providing valuable input and feedback on development of trial and other documents. ANZUP is privileged to have the expert input of all its committee members and of the CAP. I thank all SAC and subcommittee members for their generous donations of time and expertise.
Bladder Cancer Subcommittee: Dickon Hayne The ANZUP Bladder Cancer Subcommittee strives to promote research activities leading to better outcomes for bladder cancer patients. In addition to our core business of building and diversifying our clinical trials portfolio we are currently extending our activities to include audit, cancer data projects, guidelines and advocacy.
Clinical Trials BL-12 (NAB paclitaxel vs paclitaxel second line in a metastatic setting) is very close to meeting its accrual target. This fantastic achievement is a credit to ANZUP and its members and another example of a successful collaboration with our colleagues at the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG).
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