Prof Translational Research & Medical Oncology @Sydney_Uni Medical Director @MelanomaAus 2024 Australian ofthe Year @AusoftheYear Fulbright Alum @FulbrightAUS
Sydney, New South Wales
Joined May 2018
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I am delighted to share that the results of the INTerpath-001 trial have been published in the @NEJM. It was a privilege to lead this study as first author and chair of the steering committee, together with medical oncology colleagues from around the world and at @MelanomaAus.
The trial tested a personalised therapeutic cancer vaccine, as distinct from a preventative vaccine, combined with pembrolizumab. It was given to people with melanoma who had already had surgery but were at high risk of the cancer coming back.
The therapy is made for each person, based on the changes found in their own tumour.
Adding the personalised therapy to pembrolizumab reduced the risk of the cancer returning or of death by 58% compared with pembrolizumab alone, from 6 months after the start of therapy.
This result rests on science, and science rests on facts. It stands on more than a century of incremental discovery and innovation, with each generation building on the last.
What I love most is the spirit of exploration: we never assume we have it right, and we keep learning and refining. Go #science!
None of this would be possible without the patients and families who took part, and the teams at every site who worked so generously together across many countries.
Thank you to everyone involved. This is what global collaboration looks like, and I am so grateful to be part of it.
Read the full paper > bit.ly/48IDpk8
#intismeran #CancerVaccine @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @Science_Academy @AAHMS_health @FulbrightAUS @NthSydHealth @ausoftheyear
Looking forward to presenting updated STX-001 clinical data at Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Annual Meeting @sitcancer
#SITC26
@MelanomaAus @Sydney_Uni
Strand is bringing two presentations to #SITC26 this week, covering our programs STX-001 and STX-003.
Fresh off her late-breaking presentation at ESMO, @ProfGLongMIA of @MelanomaAus will be presenting updated Phase I data on STX-001’s durable, systemic anti-tumor activity.
As our first clinical program, STX-001 provided preliminary evidence that a therapy injected directly into a tumor may activate the immune system throughout the body. It helped lay the foundation for STX-003, our flagship clinical program that just dosed its first cohort of patients in ASCENT-1.
Trial principal investigator, @MLJohnsonMD2 of @SarahCannonDocs, will present on the design of ASCENT-1, which is evaluating STX-003 as a systemically delivered, programmable self-replicating mRNA engineered to switch on selectively inside tumors.
📅 Friday, November 6 | Phoenix Convention Center
📢 STX-001 oral: 4:55–5:05 pm MT, West Building-300 Level, 301BC
🧬 STX-003 poster: North Building-Lower Level, Exhibition Halls 4-6
You can find more details here: businesswire.com/news/home/2…
We’ll see you there.
It was a great honour to present the results of the phase 3 INTerpath-001 clinical trial at the #ESMO26 Congress in Madrid.
This international trial included 1137 patients, across 157 sites, whose melanoma had been surgically removed, but who were at very high risk of it returning. The trial showed adding #intismeran autogene, an mRNA based individualised neoantigen therapy, to pembrolizumab reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 42%.
This is the first phase 3 study to show that a treatment built from the unique ‘fingerprint’ of a patient’s own tumour can reduce the risk of recurrence or death from cancer. That fingerprint is read by sequencing the tumour, then a ‘wanted poster’ of the cancer is made as mRNA, showing the immune system exactly what to look for and attack. Having succeeded in melanoma, this proof of concept could mark the beginning of a foundational shift in how we treat cancer.
Read more >melanoma.org.au/news/persona…
A huge thank you to all patients and teams involved.
@myESMO @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @Science_Academy @AAHMS_health @FulbrightAUS @NthSydHealth @ausoftheyear
Thrilled to share that our international collaboration has just been published in Nature Medicine!
We analysed data from 1,038 patients across 26 centers worldwide treated with neoadjuvant immunotherapy for melanoma on trials and as standard therapy. It confirms what we’ve hoped: trial results translate into everyday practice.
Key findings:
*Patients whose tumors responded well to immunotherapy before surgery (a “major pathological response”) had outstanding 5-year survival: 98.8% with PD-1 therapy alone, 97.9% with combination therapy
*Continuing immunotherapy after surgery gave these responders no extra benefit
*Immunotherapy before surgery also worked in melanoma types that are traditionally harder to treat — BRAF-mutant, acral, in-transit, & oligometastatic disease
Our next step is to identify who needs less treatment (avoiding unnecessary toxicity) and who needs a different approach. This is real progress toward personalised care and being tested in the NeoIRENIE Trial.
Deep thanks to our incredible global team of collaborators.
Read here > rdcu.be/5v2zLTxGN18a
#MelanomaResearch #Immunotherapy #Oncology
@Sydney_Uni @syd_health @ausoftheyear @Science_Academy @FulbrightAUS @AAHMS_health @NthSydHealth
“I’m excited and honoured to receive this Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Scientific Research. This is recognition for science and medicine which really has changed lives. It really is a team effort and I’m proud to lead a team of such talented and committed people.
Above all thank you to the patients who consent to go on clinical trials and participate in research. It makes a huge difference.
Melanoma is Australia’s cancer and we have the highest incidence in the world. The work we have done in melanoma has gone on to help other cancers. When we learn from melanoma we keep changing the face of cancer and its treatment everywhere.”
@eurekaprizes @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @NthSydHealth @Science_Academy @AAHMS_health @FulbrightAUS @ausoftheyear
We’re proud to share that Prof Georgina Long AO, MIA Medical Director and translational researcher at @Sydney_Uni has been awarded the UNSW 2026 Eureka Prize for Scientific Research, recognising outstanding curiosity-driven research which has led to significant discovery or advancement of knowledge.
Prof Long has led international clinical and translational research efforts that have delivered effective drugs for advanced melanoma, which have transformed melanoma care and improved outcomes for advanced melanoma patients, and also impacted other cancers.
The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are the country’s most comprehensive national science awards, recognising the achievements of scientists, researchers, and science communicators at all career stages.
At Sydney Town Hall this evening, twenty-one 2026 Eureka Prizes were awarded, celebrating some of the nation’s brightest minds, and spanning research & innovation, leadership, science engagement and school science.
Congratulations to all finalists and prize winners.
What an inspiring night for Australian science!
@ProfGLongMIA
@eurekaprizes #eurekaprizes @syd_health
Professor Georgina Long AO (Bluesky @gvlongphdmd) retweeted
"What if you could train your own body to wipe out melanoma?"
The 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes recognise the outstanding homegrown scientists, innovators and communicators that turn tomorrow's ideas into today's breakthroughs.
Professor Georgina Long AO is a finalist for the UNSW Eureka Prize for Scientific Research, recognising her work combining clinical trials with laboratory science to deliver breakthroughs that are improving melanoma survival.
The Eureka Prizes will be announced during a live broadcast event on Thursday 3 September at Sydney Town Hall, and you're invited to attend online. Register for the livestream here > bit.ly/4xP4pcy
@austmus @eurekaprizes @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @UNSW @ProfGLongMIA #EurekaPrizes #NationalScienceWeek
An honour and a pleasure to be an invited speaker at the University of Perugia, invited by my colleague Prof Mario Mandalà.
I spoke about neoadjuvant #immunotherapy and our fast-track approach to finding experimental drug therapies for patients in the "Third Space” - those resistant to standard treatment - starting with #melanoma.
I also had the privilege of visiting the library in the Rectory, meeting university leadership, and being shown original 1500s books by the extraordinary anatomist Andreas Vesalius. A remarkable moment of history alongside the science.
Grateful for the opportunity to share this work and connect with colleagues pushing the same goal: getting cures to patients faster.
#Perugia #MelanomaResearch #NeoadjuvantTherapy #CancerResearch #Oncology #DrugDevelopment #AndreasVesalius
@UniperugiaNews @MelanomaAus @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @Science_Academy @AAHMS_health @fulbright_australia @ausoftheyear @NthSydHealth
Professor Georgina Long AO (Bluesky @gvlongphdmd) retweeted
NEW PODCAST FOR CLINICIANS: How multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) and clinical trials are transforming melanoma care.
As melanoma treatment becomes increasingly complex, multidisciplinary collaboration has never been more important.
In this episode of 'Melanoma Insights for Professionals', our expert panel discusses how MDTs support clinical decision-making, optimise patient care and create opportunities for clinical trial participation. The podcast also explores the pivotal role of clinical trials in advancing melanoma care and the emerging innovations shaping the future of treatment.
This podcast is for healthcare professionals. Search for 'Melanoma insights' on Spotify or your favourite podcast app or listen via the Melanoma Education Portal > bit.ly/4bltjrj
#ClinicalEducation #MDT #ClinicalTrials #melanoma #podcast
INNOVATE in Naples, Italy - an inspiring meeting to attend each year!
A small group of innovators, incl medical oncology colleagues with deep expertise in drug development, came together to plan how we can cure cancer more quickly. One of my favourite think-tanks of the year.
I spoke about the NeoIRENIE clinical trial for #melanoma, now open at @MelanomaAus. A/Prof Ines da Silva presented her framework for understanding immunotherapy resistance.
This is the work we do to find a cure for those in the "Third Space”, patients resistant to all our standard therapies.
#INNOVATE #MelanomaResearch #ImmunotherapyResistance #DrugDevelopment #OncologyResearch #CancerResearch #MedicalOncology
@IstTumori @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @Science_Academy @AAHMS_health @FulbrightAUS @ausoftheyear
Professor Georgina Long AO (Bluesky @gvlongphdmd) retweeted
Ahead of Professor Richard Scolyer AO’s State Memorial Service this Monday, his friends and colleagues, @ProfGLongMIA AO and Dr Kerry Crotty, share their reflections on Richard’s extraordinary spirit, his exceptional contributions to the fields of melanoma and pathology, and his lasting legacy.
Read full story in @australian > theaustralian.com.au/health/…
@Sydney_Uni @ausoftheyear
Professor Georgina Long AO (Bluesky @gvlongphdmd) retweeted
Immunotherapy Vodcast Series Ep.5: Hype vs Reality: The Future of Immunotherapy
In our fifth and final episode of our special vodcast series, Redefining Immunotherapy: Lessons from Melanoma, our experts - including Prof Georgina Long AO, Prof Alexander Menzies, A/Prof Ines Silva and A/Prof Matteo Carlino - discuss the future of immunotherapy, separating hype from reality and exploring the next frontier of cancer treatment.
From cellular therapies and personalised cancer vaccines to mRNA technology and biomarker-driven treatment selection, the panel examines the innovations that could reshape melanoma care over the next decade and the challenges that remain before these therapies become routine clinical practice.
This special edition vodcast is suitable for Medical Oncologists, Oncology Nurses and other health professionals.
Watch via YouTube > bit.ly/4eI4aZS or search for 'Melanoma Insights for Professionals' on Spotify, or your favourite podcast app.
#Vodcast #Immunotherapy
Vale Richard.
I am deeply saddened to lose such a cherished colleague. Richard was a truly extraordinary pathologist - the 'pathologists' pathologist' - who also made generous time for clinicians navigating complex diagnostic cases, understanding that an accurate tissue diagnosis was critical to patient care. His knowledge was vast, his skill exceptional, with an unparalleled eye for accurate tissue diagnoses, and the precision to apply decades of experience where it mattered most.
He shared his expertise widely: through consultation on external specimens, through diagnostic and classification frameworks now used worldwide, and as a devoted teacher and mentor. Richard has left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of working alongside him.
My thoughts are with Richard's family during this difficult time, particularly his wife Katie and children Emily, Matthew, and Lucy.
See tribute on @MelanomaAus website > melanoma.org.au/news/vale-ri…
Professor Georgina Long AO (Bluesky @gvlongphdmd) retweeted
In our fourth episode of our special vodcast series, Redefining Immunotherapy: Lessons from Melanoma, our experts provide their perspectives on Melanoma Treatment Strategy.
Drawing on decades of combined clinical experience, the panel explores how treatment paradigms are shifting from decisions around monotherapy versus combination immunotherapy, to increasingly nuanced conversations about treatment duration, rechallenge after progression and retreatment following toxicity.
The panel of experts including Prof Georgina Long AO, Prof Alex Menzies, Assoc Prof Matteo Carlino and Assoc Prof Ines da Silva, deliver candid expert debate, practical insights and clinical nuance as they explore the evolving landscape of immunotherapy treatment decisions in melanoma care.
The panel discusses:
• when to stop immunotherapy and why less treatment may sometimes be enough
• how PET complete metabolic response (CMR) is influencing treatment duration decisions
• rechallenge strategies after progression or immune-related toxicity
• managing patients after ipilimumab/nivolumab toxicity
• the growing move from adjuvant to neoadjuvant treatment approaches.
The discussion also tackles the biology behind durable immune responses, the role of surveillance imaging, and the emerging concept of “definitive immunotherapy”, highlighting how melanoma continues to lead the way in reshaping cancer care.
This special edition vodcast from “Melanoma Insights for Professionals” is suitable for Medical Oncologists, Oncology Nurses and other health professionals.
Watch on YouTube> bit.ly/3PIfsE1
If you missed our earlier episodes, take a look on YouTube or search “Melanoma Insights” in Spotify or your favourite podcast app.
#Immunotherapy #Vodcast @ProfGlongMIA
A strong day for melanoma at #ASCO26. I presented the 1st-ever #neoadjuvant immunotherapy trial in primary melanoma with visible melanoma. Responses just like stage III #melanoma — 65% major pathological response rate. 60% complete pathological response - no residual cancer at surgery. Will require a complete paradigm shift to leave the primary melanoma - but feasible!
@MelanomaAus colleagues Matt Carlino and Rebecca Johnson presented too: Matt on 5-yr data from KEYNOTE-942, a randomised trial of pembro +/- personalised mRNA vaccine V940 in high-risk resected melanoma. A 49% reduction in risk of recurrence or death vs pembro alone, sustained at 5 yrs. A vaccine built from a patient's own tumour mutations, still working.
And Rebecca Johnson presented SN-OPT, the first tool to integrate clinical complexity and facility capacity for specialist cancer nurse allocation. Reproducible, data-driven, and already shown to support equitable access to nursing care including for regional and socioeconomically disadvantaged patients. A model with real potential across cancer streams and countries.
Three studies. Science and systems, moving together.
@ASCO @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @Science_Academy @AAHMS_health @FulbrightAUS @ausoftheyear
