As the Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group (AGITG) celebrate their 30th anniversary, join them for their Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) and be a part of the event that is changing the odds for people with gastro-intestinal (GI) cancer.
Widely known throughout Australasia as the premier meeting in the GI cancer space, the AGITG ASM provides a forum where, on behalf of GI cancer patients, the enigmatic nature of gastro-intestinal cancer is challenged. The program and shared exchange of knowledge is designed to uncover the mysteries of the 10 GI cancers and meet the challenges facing health professionals in the treatment of these cancers.
Taking place 12-15 October, this meeting marks a special milestone – 30 years of AGITG research, commemorating achievements of the past three decades and looking ahead to the future through innovative research and breakthroughs.
Hosted virtually, the AGITG ASM provides a fantastic opportunity to connect with experts in the GI oncology field and discuss the latest updates with the brightest minds. The innovative virtual platform will enable connection between colleagues across borders and boundaries and connect industry sponsors directly with delegates through one-on-one video meetings at the virtual booths.
From 4 October, the platform will be available to all delegates, so take advantage of the interactive platform and use it to view poster abstracts, schedule meetings and bookmark the sessions you don’t want to miss. Delegates will also be able to network across disciplines with topics in radiation oncology, medical oncology, surgery, and translational research bringing together a range of healthcare clinicians.
The first day of the ASM will connect study coordinators at the AGITG Study Coordinator Workshop and Combined Consumer and Study Coordinator Forum. Study coordinators and research nurses play a critical role in the conduct of research and vital clinical trials, so this half day program is a great opportunity to virtually connect with other researchers and our Consumer Advisory Panel.
Hear from researchers and consumers on a range of topics including Adaptive Trial Designs, Statistics and Data Management, Conducting Clinical Trials in New Zealand, and Project Management in Clinical Trials.
The following day will commence with an opening plenary session ‘Back to the Future: using the retrospectoscope’ as an ode to the 30th anniversary celebrations. The session will be led by AGITG pioneers as they reflect on the communication, collaboration, inclusivity, and multidisciplinary strengths of AGITG over 30 years. It is a session not to be missed.
The three-day program also features presentations from local AGITG experts and several internationally renowned invited faculty. The first keynote presentations for instance will be presented by the Head of the Medical Oncology Unit at Ospedale San Martino, Professor Alberto Sobrero, on the evolutions and revolution of GI cancer trials over the past 30 years. An insightful keynote session on practical genomics in GI cancer will also be presented by Professor Julien Taieb from Georges Pompidou European Hospital in Paris and Dr Kortnye Smith from Ballarat Cancer Care.
As part of the Translational Science Symposium, delegates will also see presentations from Associate Professor Jonathan Loree from the Canadian Cancer Trials Group, Professor Jerome Galon from France and Associate Professor Jayesh Desai from Melbourne, with the closing plenary session focusing on AGITG into the Future: Strategy, Culture and Trial Design.
This AGITG ASM is not only a place for learning and connecting, but a platform where new research ideas and concepts can be brought forward and developed. The New Concepts Symposium provides an opportunity for delegates to present embryonic new concepts for feedback and discussion with delegates, as well as comments from invited faculty. Recipients of the Best of New Concepts Awards are announced on the Friday of the ASM. Many winning concepts from past Symposiums have later become successful submissions to the GI Cancer Institute’s Innovation Grant, which provides up to $200,000 for AGITG research.
During the ASM, AGITG will also recognise excellence in poster presentations with the Best of the Best Poster Session. Posters are displayed in the virtual ASM platform, where delegates can even send their questions through to the poster team. Four posters are then chosen for presentation in the Best of the Best Session, with the winner receiving a $3,500 prize and framed certificate. With the impressive quality of the research and new concepts being presented this year, these sessions will no doubt be a highlight of the meeting.
The AGITG ASM is also the perfect opportunity to recognise members for the outstanding contributions made to research this year and acknowledge them for their dedication. Eight awards will be presented to health professional and trial sites on the final day of the meeting, including the awarding of $500,000 worth of funding to the recipients of the community-funded Innovation Grant and new Gastric Cancer Research Grant.
This meeting would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors. Their support is a crucial part of facilitating the exchange of knowledge and development of innovative ideas that makes the meeting so valuable.
There is still time left to register for the AGITG ASM. You can either register for the whole event or one day, and AGITG member receive a discounted rate, plus the meeting recordings will be available for 12 months to all delegates. There’s also a $50 Special Registration Offer for Study Coordinators, Fellows, Registrars, Scientists and Nurses! Take advantage of connecting with colleagues, exchanging knowledge and hearing from internationally renowned speakers, regardless of distance!
To find out more and to register for the October event, visit asm.gicancer.org.au.
Source: AGITG
