2018 Concept Development Workshops

OTHER NEWS 2018 CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

ANZUP’s Concept Development Workshops (CDWs) continue to serve as a great vehicle for bringing people together, scanning the horizon for new opportunities, and brainstorming proposals with a view to developing fully-fledged ANZUP trials. This year ANZUP once again supported CDWs across the four disease subcommittees.

Although concepts can be brought to the various subcommittees at any time of the year, the workshops are an increasingly important part of ANZUP’s core business and most new concepts are discussed at one in the first instance. The invaluable feedback enables research to be further developed into high quality, innovative proposals.

Renal 11 April 2018

The Renal Concept Development Workshop was held in Sydney with a wonderful multidisciplinary panel including CAP members who contributed to the day’s discussion.

Seven proposals were presented at the workshop with one already progressing to discussions with a potential funding partner. If successful it is planned to submit to Ethics later this year.

SAUSAGE ROLLS AND SWOT ANALYSIS AT THE RENAL CDW

Bladder 20 April 2018

The Bladder Concept Development Workshop was held in Sydney with a superb line-up of multidisciplinary clinical experts in attendance including surgical and medical oncologists, nurses, statisticians, health economists, psychologists and clinical trial operations. Nine proposals were presented at the workshop, including a penile cancer concept. The day concluded with a brainstorming session with everyone contributing to the discussion, highlighting the truly collaborative nature of the ANZUP CDWs.

IAN DAVIS AND MARTIN STOCKLER AT THE BLADDER CDW

Germ Cell 30 April 2018

The Germ Cell Concept Development Workshop was also held in Sydney with 19 members attending across multiple disciplines including medical oncologists, psychologists, statisticians and clinical trial operations staff.

Discussions focused on potential concepts to be explored, key topics including hypogonadism in testis cancer and updates on potential and current collaborations. There was also a demonstration of the iTestis National GCT Database.

2018 CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

Prostate 15 May 2018

The Prostate Concept Development Workshop was held in Melbourne with 37 multidisciplinary members in attendance. Twelve proposals were presented on the day with a plan to continue discussions around several of those concepts at the Prostate Cancer Subcommittee. It is hoped at least one of these concepts will progress to a full protocol in the near future.

The CDW also provided an opportunity for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) to talk about their research strategy consultation process.

PROSTATE CDW

I strongly encourage all trainees to consider attending the next CDW in your area of interest

By Edmond Kwan

As a junior ANZUP member, I often felt perplexed with how one gets more actively involved in such a large and complex organisation. The idea of contributing was daunting, and seemingly out of reach. Recently, I realised this could not be further from the truth.

This year, encouraged by senior colleagues, I attended the ANZUP Concept Development Workshops (CDW) for the Renal Cancer and Prostate Cancer subcommittees. What an experience! Never have I encountered such a fantastic gathering of great minds across so many diverse disciplines, all driven by the singular mission of improving the lives of patients affected by urogenital cancers through clinical trials.

Whether someone was presenting a fully-developed randomised Phase III trial protocol, or a small concept dreamt up whilst sipping a glass of pinot on a lazy Sunday afternoon, it didn’t matter. The room never failed to give their undivided attention, unwavering passion, and their cumulative years of wisdom and knowledge to light the way forward. The highlight for me was the rapid-fire, intellectual banter between health professionals who are true masters of their craft, with unrivalled experience and expertise that left me stunned at every exchange. I also marvelled at our consumer representatives, who, time after time, provided unique insights at critical junctures, reshaping a great concept into a phenomenal concept. What a gift!

I strongly encourage all ANZUP members to come along to the next CDW in their area of interest. Whether you are there as a spectator or a presenter, you will not regret it. At the centre of every CDW is a strong culture of mentorship. Find a mentor to champion your concept and guide you through the process. Watch as your ideas are taken from infancy, into something that gains tremendous traction and becomes tangible in the space of 20 minutes. If you do not have your own concept, no worries. Whilst the community is tight-knit, extra hands are always needed, and forever welcome. There will always be ways you can contribute.

Look forward to seeing you at the next CDW!