Download 2015 annual report

2015 ANNUAL REPORT
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
Front Cover
Close up of orange gerbra petals and green stamen.
Photographer: Charlotte Lake
Level 6, Lifehouse
119-143 Missenden Road
CAMPERDOWN NSW 2050
Locked Bag 5577
CAMPERDOWN NSW 1450
T | +61 2 8071 4880
E | [email protected]
www.anzgog.org.au
ABN 69 138 649 028
GO for Gynae
www.goforgynae.org.au
www.facebook.com/goforgynae
© 2016
This report, or any part thereof, cannot be reproduced without the permission of
the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group. All rights reserved.
OVERVIEW | 1
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3. Gynaecological cancer
4. Who we are
5. From the Chair
7. 2015 Highlights
9.
Mary’s story
11. Strategic goals
12. Clinical research portfolio
26. Build capacity for research
30. Leader in research
36. Financial sustainability
45.
Measuring our performance
48. Research grants
49.
Financial statements
53.
Board of Directors
55. People on our committees
56.
Our structure
57. Centres participating in ANZGOG trials
59. Trial reach & operations
60.Publications
61.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
Registration & legislation
OVERVIEW | 2
GYNAECOLOGICAL CANCER
Gynaecological cancers originate in the female reproductive system.
The main types of gynaecological cancers are ovarian, uterine, cervical and vulvar.
Rarer types are vaginal cancer, fallopian tube cancer and placental cancer (which is pregnacy-related).
57%
Every day
in Australia
15
women
4.7 women
will die from a
gynaecological
cancer
cancer today
are diagnosed with a
gynaecological
of women
with ovarian
cancer
will not
survive 5 years
after
diagnosis
While survival across all cancers has improved by 19% over the past 25 years,
the relative survival for all gynaecological cancers improved by just 7%.
up
22%
Endometrial cancer incidence
has risen 22% in the last
Women who carry a mutation in
their BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes
20 years, partly due to have an approximately
20%
the rise in obesity.
1 in 23 women
greater risk of developing
risk being diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer by the age of 85
The highest incidence of all
gynaecological cancers is
found in remote and very remote
areas, second only
to major cities.
ovarian
cancer
than women with normal BRCA genes.
1.7x
Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander
women are more likely
to be diagnosed with gynaecological cancers particularly uterine and cervical - than non-Indigenous women.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
WHO WE ARE
The Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group was
established in 2000 by a network of dedicated gynaecological cancer
specialists and researchers. They wanted Australian women with a
gynaecological cancer to have the same access to clinical trials and the
latest treatment opportunities as women overseas.
The ANZGOG network includes members from over 50 hospitals across
Australia and New Zealand. The Group is committed to conducting
research to improve the prevention, early detection and treatment of
women with gynaecological cancers.
“Virtually every advance
in cancer survival has
been made on the back
of clinical trials.”
A/Prof Alison Brand,
ANZGOG Chair
ANZGOG was formed with the charitable purpose of improving the
outcomes and quality of life for women with gynaecological cancers
through conducting and promoting cooperative clinical trials and
undertaking multidisciplinary research into causes, prevention and
treatments of gynaecological cancer.
The Group is also involved in promoting public education and awareness
of gynaecological cancers and their treatment, and generating funds for
research.
ANZGOG works in collaboration with the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre at
The University of Sydney and research centres in other states.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
OVERVIEW | 4
Associate Professor Alison Brand, Chair ANZGOG
Once again the ANZGOG Annual
Report gives me a chance to
celebrate the many successes
we have had over the past year,
to thank the many people who
have given generously of their
time, energy and intellect to our
organisation and to reflect upon
the challenges and opportunities
that face us in the future.
In relation to successes, we have
been able to establish several new
initiatives including:
-- New Research Fund – this
aims to fund the start-up of
new research projects from our
researchers, prior to developing
them into full clinical trials which
could subsequently obtain
government or pharma funding.
The first grant round was
held in 2015, with a maximum
of $100,000 earmarked for
distribution. Three studies were
identified and two are now in
development. The 2016 grant
round begins in July 2016.
OVERVIEW | 5
-- OASIS (Ovarian cancer Alliance
for SIgnal-seeking Studies) – an
initiative to test new targeted
therapies against molecular
sub-types of ovarian cancer in
a series of innovative signalseeking Phase II studies.
This is an alliance between
ANZGOG’s clinical researchers,
the laboratory researchers of
the Australian Ovarian Cancer
Study, and Ovarian Cancer
Australia’s consumer advocates.
We believe it is a model that is
unprecedented amongst any
cancer group in Australia, in
bringing together scientists,
clinicians and consumers to
enable funding and development
of small, nimble trials that will
determine the effectiveness
of many new targeted ovarian
cancer drugs as they are being
developed. With the assistance
of two long–term members (a
consumer, Karen Livingstone
and a clinical researcher Prof
Michael Quinn), we have secured
philanthropic funding of $1.1m
to conduct up to three of these
studies in the next two years.
-- Development of a series
of collaborative pharma
relationships, thereby fostering
a wider range of studies available
for women in Australia. The first
pharma collaborative study, the
Abbvie Velia study will open at 24
ANZGOG member sites in 2016.
Trials are our core business. In
2015, we had 12 trials open in
endometrial, ovarian, cervical and
QOL in 59 sites across Australia
and New Zealand. We put 534
patients on these trials. 2016 will
see us open a further five trials in
endometrium, ovary and QOL.
Funding is often the limiting factor
in opening trials. In 2015, we were
successful in obtaining funding for
ICON9 from Cancer Australia for
an international ovarian cancer trial
with our frequent collaborators
in the UK. Our total trial funding
from 2002 until 2015 now stands
at $11.7m and a further $4.4m in
grants supporting the development
of clinical trials.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
FROM THE CHAIR
It is indicative of the calibre of
the work we do, that, for the past
five years, all ANZGOG trial grant
applications to the NHMRC or
Cancer Australia have eventually
received funding. However,
we cannot rest on our laurels.
Infrastructure support from Cancer
Institute NSW has been withdrawn
as of April 2016 and this will have
a significant effect on our trial
operations and development
activity unless alternate funding is
obtained.
Engaging our members is also an
important part of the work we do.
At 31 December 2015, we had 739
members from all Australian States
and Territories and all parts of New
Zealand. These members include
doctors, scientists, consumers,
trial co-ordinators, nurses, data
managers, exercise physiologists,
health economists and
biostatisticians. We engage with
them through our Annual Scientific
Meeting and various workshops in
April and our Annual Development
Day in October, through webbased communications (fortnightly
alerts, bi-annual trials news, special
bulletins and this annual report)
and through involvement in various
committees and the tumour type
working groups.
Our efforts to become financially
sustainable have continued
through our fundraising arm, ‘Go
for Gynae’. The results this year
have been outstanding. Michael
Quinn and 18 of his best mates
cycled from Land’s End to John
O’Groats and raised $135,000 for
ANZGOG.
Throughout Gynaecological Cancer
Awareness month (September), 277
members and supporters walked
10,000 steps a day to raise $72,500
for ANZGOG. Heather Hawkins was
our Go Step for Gynae ambassador
and we thank her for her support.
Also in September in Sydney,
we again shared an evening of
fun, friendship and laughter with
Comedy for Cancer Downunder
and raised $65,000. Many thanks to
Jean Kittson, Tommy Dean, Rebecca
De Unamuno and Mark Humphries
who donated their time to put on
yet another fantastic evening. Many
thanks also to the fantastic MC of
the night, Shelly Silberman. Plans
are afoot to have a similar comedy
extravaganza in Melbourne in 2016.
Our Consumer group continues to
be a force to be reckoned with.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
Their activities include participating
in awareness, fundraising and
reviewing studies in development
through the Consumer Advisory
Panel. They have also been working
on their own consumer-led study,
which has a quality of life focus.
They plan to present their study
concept to the RAC in 2016 for
consideration as an ANZGOG trial.
I would like to take this opportunity
to thank all ANZGOG members
who have contributed to another
successful year of clinical research
in Australia and New Zealand.
I am very grateful that, despite
hectic work and life commitments,
members continue to devote so
much time and energy to our
organisation. I would also like to
thank our staff who are passionate
about helping us take ANZGOG
forward. I look forward to yet more
successes in the future.
A/PROF ALISON BRAND | CHAIR ANZGOG
MD, MMEd, FRCS(C) FRANZCOG CGO
Gynaecological Oncologist
Director, Department of Gynaecological
Oncology, Westmead Hospital
OVERVIEW | 6
2015 HIGHLIGHTS
Symptom Benefit Trial closes
The Symptom Benefit Study closed
to recruitment 31 December. 948
patients were recruited with strong
support from all our international
partners as well as from many sites
in Australia and New Zealand.
Inaugural Queensland WORTH Event
ANZGOG’s ‘Women of the
Roundtable’ series has been a
successful initiative by bringing
together women leaders. At the
Sofitel Gold Coast, 23 inspiring
Queensland women committed
to raise funds and awareness for
gynaecological cancer research.
FEBRUARY
APRIL
Inaugural Ambassador Induction Day
Nine inspiring gynaecological
cancer survivors and carers from
around Australia came together
to share their stories and discuss
the importance of research.
All had very different cancer
journeys – from gynae cancer
type to diagnosis, treatment
and survivorship. ANZGOG
Ambassadors are available to speak
at local community and other
events.
Clinical trials information video released
JANUARY
Women of the Roundtable - Sydney
Commonwealth Bank hosts
‘Women of the Roundtable’ event,
reaching out to women leaders
in business, government and the
media.
MARCH
Annual Scientific Meeting
The ASM featured Dr Keiichi
Fujiwara of Japan speaking on
surgery and intraperitoneal
chemotherapy and Prof Charlie
Gourley of Edinburgh speaking on
patient selection for chemotherapy
and anti-angiogenic drug therapy.
OVERVIEW | 7
The clinical trials video features
A/Prof Alison Brand, ANZGOG Chair
and Director of Gynaecological
Oncology at Westmead Hospital,
discussing the importance of
clinical trials and types of cancer
clinical research trials and studies
being conducted. Ovarian cancer
survivor Cheryl Waller, gives a brief
insight into her cancer journey and
her experience taking part in a trial.
JUNE
Over 700 members
Membership of ANZGOG reaches
701 people from clinical, pure
research, consumer and allied
therapy areas.
Jeannie Ferris Award
Professor Michael Friedlander,
AM and Bridget Whelan, received
the 2015 Jeannie Ferris Cancer
Australia Award. Named after
South Australian Senator Jeannie
Ferris, who died of ovarian cancer
in 2009, the award recognises
outstanding people who have
made contributions to improving
outcomes for women with
gynaecological cancers.
Guys GO ride for Gynae raise $135,000
MAY
Women in Focus host N.E.D.
Commonwealth Bank Women in
Focus hosts a screening of N.E.D.
(No Evidence of Disease) at the
Colonial Theatre, Sydney for
CommBank staff and customers.
Hunters Hill Art Gallery
An art exhibition and dinner eat . see . act - was held with the
support of artists Vanessa Ashcroft,
Gillian Johnston, Gail Edmonds
and other exhibitors at the Gallery
to raise awareness and funds for
ANZGOG’s research.
Professor Michael Quinn, AM,
and 17 of his friends cycled the
length of the UK – Land’s End to
John O’ Groats – to raise funds for
ANZGOG’s gynaecological cancer
research. The Guys GO ride for
Gynae team raised $135,000 for
ANZGOG’s New Research Fund.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
Go step for Gynae Ambassador
Heather Hawkins, ovarian cancer
survivor, signs up as the 2015
GO step for Gynae Ambassador.
Heather is no stranger to taking
10,000+ steps a day. In 2015 she
was the first woman to finish the
North Pole Marathon and also
completed the World Marathon
Challenge – 7 marathons, on 7
continents, in 7 days.
JULY
ECHO Trial opens
Professor Sandi Hayes is committed
to improving the lives of those
diagnosed with cancer through the
prescription of exercise. ECHO is
a trial that seeks to assist women
physically and psychosocially
throughout their chemotherapy for
ovarian cancer through exercise.
Melbourne - Women of the Roundtable
Channel Nine, Melbourne hosts
‘Women of the Roundtable’ event.
AUGUST
Velia Study
Velia ovarian cancer study
collaboration confirmed with
Abbvie and ANZGOG. Recruitment
to commence in early 2016.
ANZGOG Mega Raffle
Aurora Expeditions donated a
‘Wild Scotland’ Tour with a total
prize value of $19,000. All proceeds
from the raffle go to ANZGOG’s
gynaecological cancer research.
The prize was drawn 26 November
2015 and won by a member of the
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse hospital
staff.
5th OCCC
SEPTEMBER
International Gynaecological Cancer
Awareness Month
New ANZGOG Fellows
Two new fellows – Peey Sei Kok,
Medical Oncologist, Australia and
Kristina Lindemann, Gynaecological
Oncologist, Radium Hospital in
Oslo, Norway.
New Research Fund Grants
The inaugural New Research
Fund grant applications invited
from members. Twelve concepts
submitted for peer review, eight
accepted for further development
and three prioritised for New
Research Fund support dependent
on final feasibilities. A total
of $100,000 applied to assist
investigators in 2015.
NOVEMBER
5th Ovarian Cancer Consensus
Conference was attended by
Prof Michael Quinn, AM, Prof
Michael Friedlander, AM and
Assoc Professor Alison Brand from
ANZGOG in Tokyo.
DECEMBER
Comedy for Cancer, Fairground Follies
Over $65,000 was raised with
amazing support from comedians,
sponsors and donors.
OCTOBER
GO step for Gyane
270 people stepped out for the
cause in September and October.
People from all over Australia
participated and took 10,000
steps every day for 30 days to
raise $63,427 for ANZGOG. Over
28,380,000 steps were recorded on
the website - more than half way
around the globe
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
ICON9 Trial receives funding
This Phase III ovarian cancer
trial received funding from
Cancer Australia and is part of
an international collaboration for
ANZGOG.
OASIS receives funding
The exciting new initiative for
ANZGOG, OASIS – Ovarian cancer
Alliance for SIgnal Seeking Studies
– received a major philanthropic
grant to enable the start-up of two
innovative Phase II studies.
OVERVIEW | 8
I was diagnosed with Stage 3
Ovarian Cancer in June 2012. It
came as a shock as I had little-tono symptoms. I had been having
a little difficulty urinating and my
girth was expanding – however
I just put those things down to
motherhood and a middle-age
spread.
In hindsight, I do remember one
day feeling a movement in my
abdomen and thinking how it
felt like the first movements of
pregnancy, which was really odd.
OVERVIEW | 9
That must have been how quickly
the tumour was growing.
I’m pretty healthy and only go to
the doctor for annual Pap test and
breast check. When I told her that
I was having trouble urinating she
suggested I have an internal checkup, felt a lump in my abdomen
and sent me off for an ultrasound.
The ultrasound took forever and
the stenographer asked me a
thousand questions and by the end
of it I knew they had discovered
something sinister.
I knew I had ovarian cancer.
Within two weeks I had debulking
surgery, followed by 5 months of
chemotherapy … and then I went
into remission!
I was only 47 when I was diagnosed
and my surgeon suggested that as
this was quite young for ovarian
cancer diagnosis, I might have a
mutation in my BRCA1 gene. It
turns out he was right.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
MARY’S STORY
I have two daughters – one has had
the genetic test and has the gene
fault, the other doesn’t want to
take the test at this stage.
It’s horrible that the BRCA1 ovarian
cancer gene is prevalent in my
family, however knowing that it
exists means that my kids (and their
kids) will be able to make informed
decisions about reducing their risk
of developing ovarian cancer.
Knowing my BRCA1 status, I
decided to have a preventative
mastectomy and reconstructive
surgery and it was during this time
that my CA125 protein level – the
marker used to detect signs of
ovarian cancer – began to rise. In
November 2014, just days after my
reconstructive surgery, a PET scan
indicated that secondary cancers
had returned in a number of places.
It was at this time my Oncologist
recommended that I participate in
a gynaecological cancer clinical trial
– OVAR2.21.
I have been on the trial since
December 2014 and participating
merely involves a blood test and
treatment every three weeks and a
CT scan every three months.
I will continue with this treatment
until it stops working – and it will
one day.
Each woman responds differently
to chemotherapy, however,
since being on the trial I haven’t
experienced any side effects apart
from occasionally feeling tired and
having dry eyes. I do everything
I did before diagnosis – I still
exercise regularly, I go out on the
weekends, see my friends. My
quality of life is excellent. I feel
great.
“I feel so lucky to be on a
trial. As a nurse, I know that
the clinical trials are the only
way to find new treatments
for ovarian cancer. This is
important for me and the other
amazing women diagnosed
with gynae cancer who I
have met along the way. It’s
also vital that effective new
treatments are available for
my daughters if they need it.”
The clinical trials nurse who is
looking after me is incredible. She
books all my appointments and
sends me reminders, including
calling me on the day.
I feel so lucky to be on a trial. As
a nurse, I know that the clinical
trials are the only way to find new
treatments for ovarian cancer. This
is important for me and the other
amazing women diagnosed with
gynae cancer who I have met along
the way. It’s also vital that effective
new treatments are available for my
daughters if they need it.
It’s a randomised drug trial and I’m
not 100% sure which arm or what
drug combination I was initially
given, however it’s working for me.
Overall my tumours have shrunk by
78% ... and continue to shrink.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
OVERVIEW | 10
STRATEGIC GOALS
1. Undertake a diverse portfolio of clinically important research
in gynaecological cancer that has the greatest potential to
improve patient outcomes.
2. Build capacity for translational research in gynaecological
cancer through the development of a national
gynaecological cancer biobank.
3. Build capacity for gynaecological cancer research in
Australia through collaboration with relevant national and
international groups with a focus on Asia.
4. Be recognised as the leader in gynaecological cancer
research in Australia and New Zealand by clinicians,
consumers and cancer organisations.
5. Become a financially sustainable organisation, not reliant on
grant funding for core business by 2018.
Looking to
2018
ANZGO G S t r ategic Plan & Action
STRATEGIC GOALS | 11
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
CLINICAL RESEARCH PORTFOLIO
GOAL 1:
Undertake a diverse portfolio of clincally important research in
gynaecological cancer that has the greatest potential to improve
patient outcomes.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
UNDERTAKING A DIVERSE PORTFOLIO OF CLINICAL TRIALS
Clinical trials and other research
studies which focus on improving
patient outcomes are a priority
research area for ANZGOG.
WHAT IS A CLINICAL TRIAL?
Many years of laboratory work go into developing a drug for use
in patients. But before a drug can be approved for wider use, these
new treatments first need to be shown to be effective and safe in
the controlled setting of clinical trials.
It’s not only new drugs that are tested in clinical trials. Researchers
also study new combinations of old drugs. Researchers also study
combinations of existing drugs, or doses of existing drugs and
different surgical or radiation treatments, to see if they are more
effective than standard treatments.
There are three main types of clinical trials:
• Phase I – trials with small patient numbers testing whether a
new treatment is safe and finding the best drug dose to use
• Phase II – trials with a slightly larger number of patients testing
how well a new treatment works
• Phase III – large-scale trials with many patients comparing a
new treatment with the current standard treatment.
Normally, a treatment must pass all three phases – and be
approved by the regulatory authorities – before doctors are allowed
to offer it to patients routinely.
Along with large Phase III clinical
trials, the Group is interested in
developing pilot and early phase
trials with a translational focus.
Translational research helps
make scientific findings useful
and practical when applied to
everyday treatments of patients.
The OASIS initiative funded in
2015 with a major philanthropic
grant is a significant step towards
conducting early phase trials with a
translational focus.
ANZGOG is also well placed to
focus on Quality of Life studies
and our experience with studies
such as Symptom Benefit, MOST
and OvQuest shows this is a very
relevant study area for patients. The
PeNTAGOn study, another ANZGOG
study that focuses on Quality of
Life, has recently completed and
results will be available in 2016.
As well as testing treatments, clinical trials are carried out to look at
new ways to prevent or detect cancer. Trials conducted by ANZGOG
have changed standards of treatment, identified drug combinations
to extend life and improved women’s quality of life while in
treatment.
Information about ANZGOG’s current clinical trials are available on
www.anzgog.org.au or patients can speak to their oncologist. A list
of all clinical research studies being conducted in Australia can also
be found at www.australiancancertrials.gov.au and for Australia and
New Zealand on www.anzctr.org.au.
STRATEGIC GOALS CLINICAL RESEARCH PORTFOLIO | 13
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
ICON8
OVARIAN
“I remain hopeful that this trial will be the most important trial
this decade to set the gold standard for adjuvant therapy in the
wider population.”
With gynaecological malignancy
being my major therapeutic
interest, and a track record of
being able to recruit well to ovarian
cancer trials, I jumped at the
chance to be the national Principal
Investigator (PI) on this study.
Ever since the results of GOG182ICON5 showed that essentially,
all intravenous chemotherapy is
equal, there has been a challenge
to look at novel ways to administer
chemotherapy drugs.
GOG172 published the same
year, showed that improvement
was possible, in patients who had
undergone optimal debulking
surgery, with intraperitoneal
chemotherapy with a significant
improvement in overall survival.
Although not universally accepted,
this has become standard practice
in many centres in Australia.
For patients who have not been
optimally debulked, an important
landmark study (JGOG 3016) was
presented at ASCO (American
Society of Clinical Oncology) 2012.
It demonstrated that carboplatin
every three weeks with paclitaxel
weekly produced a survival
advantage seemingly equivalent to
intraperitoneal chemotherapy in
Japanese patients.
Again this has not been universally
accepted for the global population
but ICON 8 has allowed this
hypothesis to be tested in nonJapanese ethnic groups.
I remain hopeful that this trial will
be the most important trial this
decade to set the gold standard
for adjuvant therapy in the wider
population.
It was easy to recruit to this trial,
as this was the trial that everybody
wanted to see performed. The team
at the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre
were utterly indispensable and I
could not be more grateful for their
assistance over the last few years.
I again extend my thanks to
everybody at ANZGOG for giving
me this opportunity and to the
UK team for all their support in
assisting my first attempt as a
national PI.
Dr Andrew Dean
Medical Oncologist
St John of God, WA
REFERENCES
Bookman MA, et al. GOG0182ICON5: 5-arm phase III randomized
trial of paclitaxel (P) and carboplatin
(C) vs combinations with
gemcitabine (G), PEG-liposomal
doxorubicin (D), or topotecan (T) in
patients (pts) with advanced-stage
epithelial ovarian (EOC) or primary
peritoneal (PPC) carcinoma. J Clin
Oncol. 2006;24(18S): Abstract 5002.
Intraperitoneal Cisplatin and
Paclitaxel in Ovarian Cancer
Deborah K. Armstrong, M.D., Brian
Bundy, Ph.D., Lari Wenzel, Ph.D.,
Helen Q. Huang, M.S., Rebecca
Baergen, M.D., Shashikant Lele,
M.D., Larry J. Copeland, M.D., Joan
L. Walker, M.D., and Robert A.
Burger, M.D. for the Gynecologic
Oncology Group. N Engl J Med
2006; 354:34-43
Isonishi S, et al. Randomized
phase III trial of conventional
paclitaxel and carboplatin (cTC) versus dose dense weekly
paclitaxel and carboplatin (dd-TC)
in women with advanced epithelial
ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary
peritoneal cancer: Japanese
Gynecologic Oncology. ASCO 2008.
Abstract 5506.
ANDREW DEAN | Principal Investigator
Initiated Internationally | In Follow-up
24 Sites / 70 Patients
[email protected]
An international Phase III randomised Intergroup trial led by
the MRC (UK) of dose-fractionated chemotherapy compared to
standard 3 weekly chemotherapy, following immediate primary
surgery or as part of delayed primary surgery, for women with
newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary
peritoneal cancer.
There are two ANZGOG substudies investigating (i) specific
polymorphisms that may be associated with neurotoxicity and,
(ii) the effect of HE4 monitoring and response to treatment.
FUNDING: Cancer Australia $514,482 (2013-2015)
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
STRATEGIC GOALS CLINICAL RESEARCH PORTFOLIO | 14
ECHO
OVARIAN
“There is still much work to
do in the research, advocacy
and clinical setting before
standard cancer care is
likely to incorporate routine
prescription of the drug,
exercise.”
These studies have also
demonstrated that when exercise
prescription is progressive and
individualised, it is safe and
feasible during and beyond cancer
treatment.
Prof Sandi Hayes, ECHO Principal Investigator
While some may know that one
of the benefits of exercise is
reduced risk of developing certain
cancers, such as breast cancer and
colorectal cancer, most remain
unaware of how important exercise
is following a cancer diagnosis.
Findings from over three decades
of research clearly demonstrate
that exercise during and beyond
treatment for cancer incurs
substantial fitness, health, function
and quality of life benefits.
Further, in the past 10 years, studies
have also shown that exercise
during treatment for cancer is
associated with reduced number
and severity of treatment-related
adverse effects such as fatigue,
pain and lymphoedema, improved
ability to adhere to prescribed
adjuvant therapy and may also
improve overall survival and reduce
risk of cancer recurrence.
SANDI HAYES | Principal Investigator
Initiated in Australia | Recruiting
4 Sites / 11 Patients
[email protected]
ECHO is a Phase III, randomised, controlled trial evaluating the effect
of an exercise intervention among women undergoing chemotherapy
for ovarian cancer. This trial will identify whether incorporation of
an exercise program into the current standard of care for women
undergoing chemotherapy for primary ovarian cancer is an effective
and cost-effective way to improve health outcomes in this patient
group.
There is still much work to do in
the research, advocacy and clinical
setting before standard cancer
care is likely to incorporate routine
prescription of the drug, exercise.
In the research setting, this is in
part about demonstrating safety,
feasibility and benefit of exercise
beyond the breast cancer setting.
The ECHO trial is chipping away at
this agenda.
Women receiving chemotherapy
for ovarian cancer at four
Brisbane-based hospitals have
the opportunity to participate
in the ECHO clinical trial that
evaluates the effect of exercise
during chemotherapy for ovarian
cancer on physical wellbeing,
chemotherapy adherence and
survival.
We hope to secure funding in the
near future that will enable ECHO
to be rolled out as a national
clinical trial.
Professor Sandi Hayes
Exercise Scientist & Epidemiologist
Queensland University of Technology
FUNDING: Cancer Australia and Cancer Council Australia start-up
funding $600,000 (2014-2016).
STRATEGIC GOALS CLINICAL RESEARCH PORTFOLIO | 15
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
OVAR 2.21
We completed recruitment for
this international collaboration
in August 2015 and are now
comfortably settling into following
up patients on maintenance
bevacizumab.
Most patients have completed
the chemotherapy-containing
portion of the study and 36 of the
76 randomised patients remain
on maintenance bevacizumab.
Nationally and internationally the
serious event rate and the serious
adverse events (SAEs) of special
interest have all tracked well within
expected frequencies and there
have been no serious unexpected
events related to the study drug
(SUSARs).
We are eternally indebted to
our clinical trial co-ordinators
and data managers for their
outstanding support during this
study. Having made a significant
contribution to this international
collaborative effort, we now have
the opportunity to think about
OVARIAN
new concepts for sub-studies,
which we invite from the ANZGOG
membership.
When I was asked to undertake
the PI role for Australia for this
study I was apprehensive as to the
workload and my ability to face
up to the challenges. Thanks to
the staff at the NHMRC Clinical
Trials Centre and the ANZGOG
Fellows, I have managed to meet
most expectations and have been
pleasantly surprised that it has not
been as onerous as I expected.
“Having made a significant
contribution to this
international collaborative
effort we now have the
opportunity to think about
new concepts for sub-studies
which we invite from the
ANZGOG membership.”
The best aspect for me has been
the chance to debate the finer
points of a protocol and safety
considerations. I have learnt an
enormous amount from all the
people involved in the conduct of
this study.
Dr Catherine Shannon
Medical Oncologist,
Mater Adult Hospital, QLD
CATHERINE SHANNON | Principal Investigator
Initiated Internationally | Closed
21 Sites (ANZ) / 76 Patients (ANZ)
[email protected]
A prospective randomised Phase III trial of carboplatin/gemcitabine/
bevacizumab vs. carboplatin/pegylated liposomal doxorubicin/
bevacizumab in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian
cancer. An ENGOT/GCIC trial.
FUNDING: AGO Germany.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
STRATEGIC GOALS CLINICAL RESEARCH PORTFOLIO | 16
REZOLVE
The REZOLVE trial aims to
determine whether intraperitoneal
bevacizumab is a safe and effective
treatment to delay the reaccumulation of ascites in women
with chemotherapy resistant
ovarian cancers.
Many patients with advanced
recurrent ovarian cancer have a
build-up of fluid in their abdomen
(ascites) in the last months of life
which causes significant symptom
burden including abdominal pain,
bloating, nausea, loss of appetite
and vomiting. There are no
effective treatments easily available
in Australia and the fluid needs
to be drained frequently. This
usually requires either admission to
hospital or outpatient attendance
to a radiology department for
ultrasound guided drainage.
The procedure has a number of
adverse effects including pain and
discomfort, exacerbation of cancer
cachexia through loss of proteins,
and inability to drain ascites can
occur as a result of loculation
(creation of small pockets) of fluid
after having multiple procedures.
The symptoms of ascites and the
adverse effects associated with
frequent drainage of large volumes
of ascites can have a major impact
on quality of life. By delaying the
reaccumulation of fluid we hope
to limit the burden of both the
symptoms of ascites and the side
effects from drainage.
What inspires me about REZOLVE
is the possibility of finding better
treatments that can benefit patients
with advanced ovarian cancer and
help manage symptoms which
can be difficult to treat. When
Professor Michael Friedlander first
described the idea it struck me as a
really simple, elegant idea that had
real potential.
STRATEGIC GOALS CLINICAL RESEARCH PORTFOLIO | 17
OVARIAN
“What inspires me about REZOLVE is the possibility of finding
better treatments that can benefit patients with advanced ovarian
cancer and help manage symptoms which can be difficult to treat.”
After a great start recruitment has
slowed. It’s been challenging to
keep up the enthusiasm, although
hearing stories and seeing
outcomes for those women who
have benefitted keeps us all going!
Opening new sites has been slower
than hoped but we are delighted
that Westmead opened the study
last year, and are hoping that the
Royal Adelaide Hospital will open
in coming months.
The support and enthusiasm from
so many corners has been a real
encouragement. The study staff
at sites as well as the central team
have ‘flown the flag’ and provided
feedback that has been really
valuable, and greatly appreciated.
Although that enthusiasm is not
unprecedented, the additional
support from ANZGOG members
in many different roles who are not
directly involved in the study has
been appreciated.
To me it demonstrates the value of
cooperative groups; I was aware
of this but experiencing it first
hand through leading a study has
reinforced this.
I’d love see a phase III trial
comparing intraperitoneal
bevacizumab to standard
treatment, if REZOLVE is a positive
trial. I’m currently involved with
other research projects with
ANZGOG and in other cancer sites,
which I hope to continue to be
involved with.
While we are yet to publish results,
we do have an ASCO Abstract from
2014 for reference:
Sjoquist K, Friedlander M, Mileshkin
L, Quinn M, Goh J, Shannon C,
Bowtell D, Plebanski M, Yip S,
Carlton K, Gillies K, Martyn J,
Gebski V, ANZGOG, NHMRC CTC.
The REZOLVE phase II trial to
evaluate the safety and potential
palliative benefit of intraperitoneal
bevacizumab in patients with
symptomatic ascites due to
advanced, chemotherapy-resistant
ovarian cancer. American Society
of Clinical Oncology 50th Annual
Meeting; 30 May–3 Jun; Chicago:
Journal of Clinical Oncology; 2014.
p. abstract TPS5627.
Dr Katrin Sjoquist
Senior Research Fellow/Medical Oncologist
NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, NSW
KATRIN SJOQUIST | Principal Investigator
MICHAEL FRIEDLANDER | Study Co-Chair
Initiated in Australia | Recruiting
6 Sites / 13 Patients
[email protected]
A Phase II study to evaluate the safety and potential palliative benefit
of intraperitoneal bevacizumab in patients with symptomatic
ascites due to advanced chemotherapy resistant ovarian cancer.
FUNDING: Seed funding from Sydney University and Ovarian Cancer
Research Foundation. Cancer Australia funding $277,958 (2013-2016)
and Cancer Australia funding $119,280 (2014-2017).
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
SYMPTOM BENEFIT
OVARIAN / QUALITY OF LIFE
Clinical trials for women with
recurrent ovarian cancer
traditionally use a reduction in
tumour size, a fall in CA125 levels
and time to progression to measure
the benefit of chemotherapy,
but do not typically document
whether patients have a significant
improvement in their symptoms.
Developing an instrument to
measure symptom benefit in
clinical trials of chemotherapy in
patients with recurrent ovarian
cancer (ROC) was identified as a
high priority by the Gynecologic
Cancer InterGroup (GCIG) and
was the impetus for the Symptom
Benefit Study.
The primary aim of the GCIG
Symptom Benefit was to validate an
instrument we developed which we
called MOST (measure of ovarian
cancer symptoms and treatment
concerns). This includes 35 items
that allow patients to report
their symptoms and degree of
improvement over time as well as
report side effects associated with
treatment.
Secondary aims included
establishing criteria to define a
clinically significant subjective
improvement as well as developing
a prognostic model to improve
stratification in clinical trials and
also identify patients who progress
rapidly and who do not benefit
from further chemotherapy.
The design was a prospective,
international, longitudinal cohort
study led by ANZGOG and
NHRMC Clinical Trials Centre in
collaboration with the GCIG and
was conducted in nine countries.
Prof Michael Friedlander, AM, Symptom Benefit Principal Investigator
The target population were
women starting chemotherapy
for platinum-resistant ROC as
well as patients with potentially
platinum sensitive ROC who had
received three or more lines of
chemotherapy.
The Symptom Benefit Study closed
to recruitment after recruiting
948 patients from around the
world and the results are currently
being analysed. Validating the
instrument is a complex process
and this analysis is in progress
but preliminary results are very
encouraging.
We expect that the MOST will
prove to be a validated and robust
measure of treatment effects in
recurrent ovarian cancer, and will
be incorporated into clinical trials.
Professor Michael Friedlander, AM
Medical Oncologist
Prince of Wales Hospital, NSW
MICHAEL FRIEDLANDER | Principal Investigator
Initiated in Australia | Closed to recruitment
142 Sites / 948 Patients
[email protected]
A prospective observational cohort study in women with platinum
resistant /refractory ovarian cancer who are about to commence their
next line of chemotherapy. This study was conducted in 11 countries.
This is a large international study that recruited patients from around
the world and was carried out by many of the GCIG trials groups.
FUNDING: Seed funding from ANZGOG donors. Cancer Australia grant
for $514,482 (2014-2016).
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
STRATEGIC GOALS CLINICAL RESEARCH PORTFOLIO | 18
MOST-OPAL
Patients with advanced ovarian
cancer have a high risk of
recurrence after first-line treatment
and are routinely followed-up in
the clinic every three months after
the completion of treatment.
The aims of follow-up include detecting recurrence, providing
psychological support and
managing the late side effects of
surgery and chemotherapy.
MOST is a 35 item questionnaire
administered to women during
follow up after chemotherapy.
Participants are asked to complete
the questionnaire every three
months from 6-24 months postdiagnosis.
We hypothesise that it will be a
value-add to clinical follow-up and:
1. Will improve the detection of
the symptoms of recurrence.
2. Capture the adverse effects
associated with first line therapy.
OVARIAN / QUALITY OF LIFE
In addition, MOST will document
the late effects of treatment and
their impact and identify patients
who require interventions to
manage late effects. Introducing
a more rigorous and quantitative
approach to detection of symptoms
and side effects will compliment
clinical follow-up and potentially
lead to better patient care
particularly for patients not being
followed-up in specialist centres.
MOST was integrated into the
OPAL trial being led by Professor
Penny Webb which is investigating
the influence of lifestyle factors on
prognosis in women with newly
diagnosed ovarian cancer.
Now closed to recruitment, almost
900 women have been enrolled
into the MOST follow-up study and
the results will be analysed in late
2016.
Professor Michael Friedlander, AM
Medical Oncologist
Prince of Wales Hospital, NSW
3. Document the trajectory of
symptoms of recurrence and
side effects of prior treatment
over time.
4. Will be more effective than
‘routine’ clinical follow-up alone
in identifying problems that
could be overlooked during a
short follow-up consultation.
Improved detection of symptoms
of recurrence by the MOST could
identify which patients who
should be considered for second
line chemotherapy rather than
rely on CA125 alone and clinical
assessment which may miss
symptoms.
MICHAEL FRIEDLANDER | Principal Investigator
Initiated in Australia | Closed to recruitment
<900 Patients
[email protected]
To (i) investigate the acceptability of the MOST questionnaire
and its ability to detect symptoms of recurrence and (ii)
document the frequency and impact of late-effects of treatment
in women with advanced ovarian cancer during follow up after
completion of first line chemotherapy.
FUNDING: BUPA Health Foundation Grant, 2013 for $120,000.
STRATEGIC GOALS CLINICAL RESEARCH PORTFOLIO | 19
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
OvQUEST
Developed under the banner of
ANZGOG and Ovarian Cancer
Australia (OCA), the OvQuest study
aims to better understand the
concerns and challenges faced by
women who have been treated for
ovarian cancer.
After finishing treatment for
ovarian cancer, most women have
a number of unique health needs.
In the short term, they are often
troubled by side-effects of their
treatment and worried about the
risk of their cancer coming back.
OVARIAN / QUALITY OF LIFE
Recruitment is now closed in
Australia, the USA, UK and Canada
and will be closing mid-2016 in
Germany. Future analyses will
include patterns of follow-up care,
complementary and alternative
medicine use and supportive care
needs.
“This study aims to fill the
gap in research to better
understand the health related
quality of life in ovarian cancer
survivors.”
Dr Kate Webber
Medical Oncologist
National Centre for Cancer Survivorship,
NSW
For some women, side-effects may
persist or new health problems
might arise in the longer term.
Many also experience psychological
and practical problems after cancer
that can affect their quality of life.
This study aims to fill the gap in
research to better understand the
health related quality of life in
ovarian cancer survivors, as well
as their specific symptoms and
concerns, physical activity levels
and the relationship between
physical activity and symptoms.
Over 1,000 women internationally
have completed the OvQuest
survey to date. Preliminary results
reveal high rates of common issues
such as symptoms of peripheral
neuropathy (78%), clinically
significant levels of fatigue (57%),
mood disturbance (43%) and
moderate-severe insomnia (23%).
Almost two thirds of respondents
were overweight or obese (63%)
and 38% reported low physical
activity, both of which were found
to be independently associated
with symptom burden, quality of
life and supportive care needs.
KATE WEBBER | Principal Investigator
Initiated in Australia | Closed to recruitment
>1000 Patients (183 ANZ)
[email protected]
This internet-based survey explores the self-reported quality of life
and ongoing symptoms and concerns of patients who have been
diagnosed and treated for ovarian cancer. It will help define the extent
of the problems that women face after treatment, in order to assist
in developing interventions and treatments to address these unmet
needs. The survey is open to all women living six months or more
beyond a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and treated with chemotherapy.
During recruitment it was available to consumers through the
ANZGOG and Ovarian Cancer Australia websites.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
STRATEGIC GOALS CLINICAL RESEARCH PORTFOLIO | 20
PeNTAGOn
QUALITY OF LIFE
“The incredible warmth and
passion of nurses and peer
volunteers on this study has
been phenomenal.”
I am passionate about finding
ways to best support patients
through their cancer journey that
addresses not only physical but
also psychosocial issues they face
along the way.
I’m also interested in designing
models of care that offer evidencebased, cost-effective ways of
delivering high quality, patientcentred cancer care.
The PeNTAGOn project came about
after working with doctors and
nurses, and talking with patients
about how to best help women
who receive radiotherapy treatment
for gynaecological cancer.
We went through a rigorous
development period, gathering
evidence, liaising with stakeholders,
and pilot testing the support
program to make sure it was
acceptable to women and feasible
in clinical practice.
The PeNTAGOn study is
testing whether women with
gynaecological cancer have less
distress after receiving support
from a specialist nurse and
telephone calls from a woman who
herself has experienced treatment
for this cancer.
Prof Penny Schofield
PeNTAGOn Principal Investigator
The greatest challenge for this
trial, and its greatest achievement,
has been the involvement of peer
volunteers with the clinical team.
The incredible warmth and passion
of nurses and peer volunteers on
this study has been phenomenal.
Future research could investigate
whether this program works for
patients with other types of cancer,
and the economic benefits of such
a support program.
Professor Penny Schofield
Behavioural Scientist
Swinburne University, VIC
PENNY SCHOFIELD | Principal Investigator
Initiated in Australia | Closed to recruitment
8 Sites /306 Patients
[email protected]
A nurse-led psychosocial intervention with peer support to reduce the
needs in women being treated with radiotherapy for gynaecological
oncology: a RCT.
FUNDING: Cancer Australia / Beyond Blue (2009-2010): $232,600;
National Health & Medical Research Council (mid 2011-mid 2015):
$1.13M.
STRATEGIC GOALS CLINICAL RESEARCH PORTFOLIO | 21
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
OUTBACK
I was inspired to design this study
along with my colleagues at Peter
Macallum Cancer Centre after
reviewing our previous treatment
results and determining that
certain groups of women being
treated for cervical cancer were not
doing so well with our standard
chemoradiation treatment particularly in women where the
cancer had spread to their lymph
nodes.
Although the chemoradiation we
were giving was controlling the
disease well in the pelvis where
the primary was, a significant
percentage were relapsing
elsewhere in the body. Hence it
was imperative to test if adding
more chemotherapy to the
chemoradiation could improve
survival rates.
We initially designed it as a 40
patient pilot trial, but on talking to
others at national and international
meetings it became apparent that
others had the same question as
us. In order to conclusively answer
the question, the trial ended up
being designed as an international
Phase III trial involving 780 women.
CERVICAL
We want to determine if giving
women with locally advanced
cervical cancer four cycles of
additional chemo after their
standard chemoradiation treatment
will improve their changes of longterm survival and cure.
There have been many challenges
with the trial. These have included:
1.Persuading pharma to give us
a supply of the chemotherapy
drugs for the trial. These were
old, tried and true chemo drugs
and so of less interest to pharma.
2.Getting a grant to support
the trial - had to submit it to
NHMRC three times before it was
successful.
‘There has been an
enormous degree of goodwill,
collaboration and support
from around the world to get
the trial open and nearly fully
recruited.”
In the future I would like to see lots
more clinical trials - particularly
keen to see trials arise from
our home grown basic science
inventions in gynae cancer.
Associate Professor Linda Mileshkin
Medical Oncologist
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC
3.Trying to get the trial open in
countries in the world which have
the biggest burden of cervical
cancer - this has been due to
regulatory hurdles, insurance
issues, bureaucracy and lack
of trial infrastructure in some
of these countries. We have
managed to open in China,
Singapore and Saudi Arabia
but not in the countries I would
have really liked to see it open
including India and Columbia.
LINDA MILESHKIN | Principal Investigator
Initiated in Australia | Recruiting
265 Sites (15 ANZ) / 682 Patients (136 ANZ)
[email protected]
A prospective, multicenter, randomised Phase III international trial led
by ANZGOG. The trial aims to establish overall survival and failurefree survival of patients with high-risk and advanced stage cervical
carcinoma, treated after surgery with concurrent radiotherapy and
chemotherapy, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy, in comparison
with patients treated with pelvic radiation alone.
FUNDING: NHMRC/Cancer Australia $1,472,781 (2013-2017).
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
STRATEGIC GOALS CLINICAL RESEARCH PORTFOLIO | 22
STATEC
ENDOMETRIAL
“I am very excited that
ANZGOG is conducting its first
surgical trial.”
To date the greatest challenge
with trial is opening it! Because
the sample size of this trial is
large (over 2,000 patients), it can
only be successfully completed in
collaboration with international
colleagues from the UK (who
are the lead cancer co-operative
group), the Netherlands, Norway
and Korea. Whist we obtained our
NHMRC funding relatively quickly,
others have not been so fortunate
and we have had to delay the start
of the trial for this reason.
We are now, however, on track for
opening the trial in early 2016.
A/Prof Alison Brand, STATEC Principal Investigator
STATEC is a surgical trial looking at
the role of more extensive surgery,
i.e. lymph node removal, in the
treatment of endometrial cancer,
and comparing it to less extensive
surgery but with the addition of
chemotherapy and radiotherapy
instead.
Surgical trials are notoriously
difficult to design, fund and
execute, for a number of reasons.
However, our surgical cancer
treatments should undergo the
same rigorous assessment of
benefit that we demand from other
treatments. As a surgeon, I am very
excited that ANZGOG is conducting
its first surgical trial. Endometrial
cancer incidence is rising rapidly,
due to the aging population,
and the obesity epidemic, so
it is important that we refine
our treatments, to give the best
possible outcomes to our patients,
whilst minimising the harms and
toxicities of treatment.
STRATEGIC GOALS CLINICAL RESEARCH PORTFOLIO | 23
With this study, we hope to finally
lay to rest the question of whether
lymph node removal in endometrial
cancer is of benefit to patients in
terms of survival. Because of the
particular trial design, we will also
be able to determine, that, if the
survival is similar in both arms of
the study, which arm of the study
provides the patient with a better
quality of life.
I would like to acknowledge
the enthusiasm of my surgical
colleagues in taking on this trial,
both within Australia and New
Zealand, and overseas.
I hope to see more surgical trials
... there are so many questions to
answer, given that surgery is such
a major part of the treatment of all
gynaecological cancers.
Associate Professor Alison Brand
Gynaecological Oncologist & Director,
Department of Gynaecological Oncology,
Westmead Hospital, NSW
ALISON BRAND | Principal Investigator
Initiated Internationally | In Start-up
[email protected]
A randomised trial of non-selective versus selective adjuvant therapy
in high risk apparent Stage I endometrial cancer.
FUNDING: NHMRC $1,171,183 (2015-2019)
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
feMMe
With an estimated 2,650 women
diagnosed with endometrial
cancer in Australia in 2016 with
endometrial cancer, it is the
most common gynaecological
cancer. With the obesity epidemic,
incidence rates for endometrial
cancer in young women under 40
years of age currently increase by
1% per annum. Current treatment
includes a total hysterectomy
requiring 14,000 hospital bed days
per annum in Australia. While
highly effective, radical surgery
carries significant side effects for:
-- young women who still wish
to have children and would
irrevocably lose fertility and
-- women with severe medical
co-morbidities and/or morbid
obesity who are at risk for
surgical complications and in
whom surgery is unsafe.
Mirena, a levonorgestrel-releasing
intrauterine device, has an
established role in the conservative
management of endometrial cancer
and is used on a case-by-case basis
for patients who wish to retain
fertility or to those who are unfit
for major pelvic surgery on medical
grounds.
ENDOMETRIAL
“The gains of a successful project will include the reduction of
hospital bed days, radical surgery, surgical complications and
their associated costs.”
A published meta-analysis
demonstrated a 68% complete
pathological response rate in
women treated with Mirena.
Information on the prediction of
response (who will benefit; who
will not benefit from Mirena) is
currently not available anywhere.
Metformin is the most widely used
anti-diabetic medication in the
world and evidence suggests it is
also an anticancer drug.
The feMMe trial is a randomised
Phase II clinical trial including
Mirena with or without Metformin.
Participants who have “early” EAC
or Endometrial Hyperplasia with
Atypia, who either a) are young
and wish to retain fertility, or b)
are unsuitable for surgery due to
medical co-morbidities.
This study targets a steadily
increasing population of morbidly
obese, young or multi-morbid
patients with “early” EAC that is
currently under-researched. The
gains of a successful project will
include the reduction of hospital
bed days, radical surgery, surgical
complications and their associated
costs. It will allow an increasing
number of women to maintain their
fertility and have children.
The close of 2015 saw 55 patients
enrolled on the feMMe trial. This
was a significant improvement from
the end of 2014 with a total of 27.
Recruitment had been a challenge
but now with more sites open that
issue has been resolved. The trend
for 2016 is looking good with an
enrolment rate of 3-4 patients a
month.
Prepared by
Vanessa Taylor
Clinical Trial Manager
Queensland Centre for Gynaecological
Cancer Research
ANDREAS OBERMAIR | Principal Investigator
Initiated in Australia | Recruiting
13 Sites / 55 Patients
[email protected]
A Phase II Randomised Clinical Trial of Mirena® ± Metformin ±
Weight Loss Intervention in Patients with Early Stage Cancer of the
Endometrium.
FUNDING: Lord Mayors Community Trust; UQ Academic Title Holders
Grant; Cherish Women’s Cancer Foundation; RBWH Foundation;
Cancer Australia; ANZGOG.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
STRATEGIC GOALS CLINICAL RESEARCH PORTFOLIO | 24
PARAGON
The PARAGON Trial is investigating
the role of anastrazole, an
antiestrogen in women
with recurrent/metastatic
potentially hormone responsive
gynaecological cancers. The basket
design of this trial was well ahead
of its time when the trial concept
was first submitted to ANZGOG in
April 2009 and has proven to be
very successful and a model for
future trials in uncommon cancers.
Hormonal therapy is more
attractive than chemotherapy for
treatment of women with recurrent
gynaecological cancers where the
objective of treatment is palliation
and prolongation of progression
free survival. Hormonal therapy
is generally well tolerated and in
contrast to chemotherapy can be
administered for prolonged periods
with relatively little cumulative
toxicity. Hormonal therapy is widely
accepted to be standard of care in
women with hormone responsive
breast cancer and is used instead
of chemotherapy in women with
hormone receptor positive breast
cancer.
There is some evidence to support
hormonal therapy in a wide
range of gynaecological cancers
but it has been very difficult to
investigate the role of hormonal
therapy, particularly in women
with uncommon and rare subtypes
of gynaecological cancers, as
there is a strong disincentive for
investigators to submit multiple
ethics applications for uncommon
tumours and to open studies at
sites where the expectation is that
they might only recruit one or two
patients a year.
RARE CANCERS
PARAGON had a unique design
that increased the likelihood of
successfully recruiting patients
throughout Australia and it
was also opened in the UK and
Belgium. Investigators were able
to submit a single protocol and
ethics application that included all
eligible patients with potentially
hormone responsive recurrent
gynaecological cancers. This meant
that all centres around the country
could participate and there would
not be any barriers to prevent
patients in regional and rural
Australia participating in the trial.
These are currently being prepared
for publication. A very important
component is the laboratory based
research which will investigate the
predictors of clinical benefit to
anastrazole.
The study has been very successful
in its recruitment and will close to
recruitment in June 2016. Almost
350 patients have been recruited to
the different cohorts.
Professor Michael Friedlander, AM
Medical Oncologist
Prince of Wales Hospital, NSW
In view of the success of this trial
we are also working on a follow up
PARAGON 2 which will investigate
whether it is possible to increase
the response to aromatase
inhibitors by combining them
with other drugs that potentially
overcome resistance to hormonal
therapy.
We have analysed the results of
anastrazole in three subsets to
date:
1.Asymptomatic patients with
a rising CA125 after 1st line
chemotherapy.
2.Patients with Platinum Resistant
recurrent ovarian cancer.
3.Patients with metastatic
endometrial cancer.
MICHAEL FRIEDLANDER | Principal Investigator
Initiated in Australia | Recruiting
47 (23 ANZ) Sites / 265 (15 ANZ) Patients
[email protected]
A Phase II study of anastrozole in women with potentially hormone
sensitive recurrent gynaecological cancers. This study is being led by
ANZGOG but also being carried out in the United Kingdom and other
groups have also expressed interest in joining.
FUNDING: Cancer Australia funding $546,676.
STRATEGIC GOALS CLINICAL RESEARCH PORTFOLIO | 25
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
BUILD CAPACITY FOR RESEARCH
GOAL 2:
Build capacity for translational research in gynaecological cancer
through the development of a national gynaecological cancer
biobank.
GOAL 3:
Build capacity for gynaecological cancer research in Australia
through collaboration with relevant national and international
groups with a focus on Asia.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
GCIG REPORT
Twice each year ANZGOG sends
six members to GCIG to participate
in discussions about clinical trials
in development around the world.
These members take part in
sessions on ovarian, endometrial,
cervical and rare gynaecological
cancers as well as new initiatives
such as the Cervix Cancer
Research Network. Other areas
of focus are symptom benefit,
translational research, statistics and
harmonisation of trial operations
internationally.
One of ANZGOG’s goals is to
ensure our lead investigators
regularly participate in the GCIG
and introduce future leaders to this
international forum.
Dr Jim Coward, Medical Oncologist
Mater Medical Research Institute
In 2015 ANZGOG Chair Alison
Brand, Director of Research Michael Friedlander and Research
Advisory Committee Chair - Linda
Mileshkin attended along with
Clare Scott, who has been Chair of
the GCIG Translational Committee
for the last two years.
Other ANZGOG members
attending in 2015 were Jim
Coward, QLD; Peter Sykes, NZ;
Pearly Khaw, VIC; Alison Davis,
ACT; Diana Adams, NSW; Jeff Goh,
QLD. These members all serve on
Tumour Type Working Groups or
the Research Advisory Committee.
Val Gebski, Statistican and Julie
Martyn, Operations at NHMRC
Clinical Trials Centre also attended
as harmonization and statistics
representatives.
5TH GCIG OVARIAN CANCER CONCENSUS CONFERENCE
Prof Michael Quinn, AM,
A/Prof Alison Brand and Prof
Michael Friedlander, AM were
the nominated representatives
to attend the 5th International
Ovarian Cancer Consensus Meeting
in Tokyo in November 2015.
Consensus meetings have a
strict format, requiring diligent
preparation and a willingness to
achieve consensus. The organising
committee met for two years by
monthly teleconference to develop
the consensus questions and to
choose appropriate speakers.
The meeting is structured by
presenters and discussants
forwarding their ideas on the
agreed topics beforehand so that
they can be modified prior to
the meeting. For the first time,
rare tumours were included for
discussion.
STRATEGIC GOALS BUILD CAPACITY FOR RESEARCH | 27
The topics discussed in Tokyo were:
-- What are the most important
factors to be evaluated prior to
initial therapy? What are the
most important factors to be
evaluated specifically in recurrent
disease? Are there specific
considerations for special patient
subpopulations?
-- What defines the clinical
subgroups that should be used
for comparator studies? What
different control arms could be
considered for trials of first-line
therapy? What should be the
endpoints for first-line trials?
-- What are the subgroups for
clinical trials in recurrent ovarian
cancer? What are the control
arms for clinical trials in recurrent
ovarian cancer? What are the
endpoints for clinical trials in
recurrent ovarian cancer?
-- What are the research issues/
needs unique to rare ovarian
tumour types? What should be
investigated in rare epithelial
ovarian cancer, germ cell tumours
and sex cord stromal tumours?
Are randomized trials possible in
these rare tumours?
Following the initial presentations
of the topics, breakout groups
worked on the wording for
recommendations and met again
the following morning where the
revised statements were again
defended and discussed.
On the last day the final draft
statements were then voted on
by all attending and almost 100%
consensus on all the statements
was achieved.
The final consensus statements,
and accompanying evidence
base for the statements, will be
published in the International
Journal of Gynaecological Cancer
in 2016.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
NEW RESEARCH FUND
ANZGOG launched its New
Research Fund Grant program in
May 2015.
The goal of the program is to foster
new research ideas from ANZGOG
members, providing funding to
support pilot studies, innovate substudies, seed funding to start a trial
and also to encourage early career
researchers develop new ideas.
Members are invited annually to
submit their research ideas for
grant support. The first step in
this process is peer review by the
Research Advisory Committee for
quality of the idea and feasibility
of study plan then adoption as an
ANZGOG study. Once this step is
completed the studies are reviewed
by the New Research Fund grant
panel and prioritised for funding.
In 2015, twelve concepts were put
forward to the Research Advisory
Committee for peer review and
eight were accepted as ANZGOG
studies for further development.
$100,000 was made available
from the New Research Fund to
assist investigators in 2015 and
three projects were identified
for support. These included new
studies by Michelle Williams of
Auckland Hospital, Chee Lee of St
George Hospital and Bo Gao of
Westmead Hospital.
ANZGOG is now working with
these investigators to develop
these studies.
The New Research Fund Grant
Panel is led by A/Prof Peter Sykes
Gynaecological Oncologist,
University of Otago, New Zealand.
It has eight members representing
a range of specialties including
medical oncology, gynaecological
oncology, radiation oncology
and experience in ovarian,
cervical, endometrial cancers and
translational research.
The Fund is supported by ANZGOG
public fundraising effort with
donations from individuals and
companies as well as philanthropic
organisations helping to ensure we
can support new projects annually.
Make a donation to ANZGOG’s
New Research Fund at
www.anzgog.org.au/donate
OUR RESEARCH SELECTION PROCESS
ANZGOG has a well-developed
peer review process for selecting
which studies it will support for
development.
Research ideas or concepts are
called for submission and review
as part of the Annual Scientific
Meeting. These concepts are first
assessed to determine if it provides
all the required information for
review. The submitting investigator
is also asked to present their idea
to the entire Scientific Meeting and
answer questions about the study
idea.
The concept is then reviewed by a
Tumour Type Working Group and
the Research Advisory Committee
which may adopt the concept for
further development.
ANZGOG has three Tumour Type
Working Groups – ovarian, cervical
and endometrial – with members
from a range of disciplines from
across Australia. These committees
report to the Research Advisory
Committee. This peak group within
ANZGOG is led by a senior and
experienced researcher and draws
its membership from the best
gynaecological cancer researchers
in Australia.
Once the Research Advisory
Committee approves a concept
for development or adopts a
trial from an overseas group
to be carried out in Australia
by ANZGOG, the development
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
of the study is supported with
statistical, data management and
project management skills through
ANZGOG’s relationship with the
NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre or
ANZGOG’s Project Manager Clinical
Research for OASIS stidies.
Funding to help develop studies
may be sourced through
ANZGOG’s public and philanthropic
fundraising. In addition, it is
determined anually, via input from
the Research Advisory Committee
and the Board of Directors, which
studies are sufficiently developed
to be submitted for NHMRC or
Cancer Australia project grants.
STRATEGIC GOALS BUILD CAPACITY FOR RESEARCH | 28
“Ovarian cancer has
traditionally been thought of
as a single disease and is still
treated that way. The last five
years has seen a revolution
in our understanding of the
biology of ovarian cancers.
We now understand why a
one size-fits-all approach
to treatment must and can
change.”
Each year 1,400 women are
diagnosed with ovarian cancer –
almost 1,000 of these women will
die within five years (43% survival
five years from diagnosis). Survival
has not improved in decades
and lags well behind breast (89%
survival five years from diagnosis)
and other cancers.
OASIS – Ovarian cancer Alliance
for SIgnal Seeking clinical trials –
brings internationally recognized
laboratory and clinical researchers,
patients and advocates together
to advance a series of innovative,
targeted clinical trials that link
molecularly-defined subsets of
ovarian cancer patients to newly
developed cancer drugs. OASIS
is a powerful collaborative effort
designed to effect change more
quickly and with greater flexibility
that is usual in clinical research.
OASIS combines the capabilities
of the Australian Ovarian Cancer
Study (AOCS), the Australia New
Zealand Gynaecological Oncology
Group (ANZGOG) and Ovarian
Cancer Australia (OCA), the leading
laboratory, clinical and consumer
ovarian cancer groups nationally.
Project leaders are all ANZGOG
members and represent leading
research institutions and hospitals
in Australia. The OASIS Project
Manager is funded for three years
and is based at ANZGOG.
If just one of the OASIS trials is
successful in identifying a new
treatment signal, it will be a
powerful demonstration of the
OASIS research model – operating
smart, cost effective and efficient
studies. We hope this will then
open opportunities for Centre of
Research Excellence grant funding
from NHRMC, further public and
private philanthropic funding,
and identify OASIS as the ‘go
to’ group for this type of rapid
gynaecological cancer clinical
trials accompanied by translational
research.
WORKING WITH ASIA
ANZGOG has developed a range
of links with Asia. This includes
developing relationships with
investigators in countries such as
India, Korea, China, Singapore and
Japan, through the Gynecologic
Cancer InterGroup.
The OUTBACK trial has opened in
both Singapore and China through
relationships developed by Assoc
Professor Linda Mileshkin and new
studies are in development with the
Singapore Group.
STRATEGIC GOALS BUILDING CAPACITY FOR RESEARCH | 29
In 2015 ANZGOG invited Dr Keiichi
Fujiwara, from Saitama Medical
University, International Medical
Centre in Japan as guest keynote
speaker at the 2015 Annual
Scientific Meeting. Dr Fujiwara is
Chairman of the Department of
Gynecologic Oncology and has
been involved in clinical trial for
gynaecologic cancer activity in
Japan and internationally since
2002.
His main interest is surgery and
chemotherapy for gynaecological
cancers, especially intraperitoneal
chemotherapy for ovarian cancer
as well as development of new
anticancer agents. This was a focus
of his talks at the Annual Scientific
Meeting.
Dr Keiichi Fujiwara
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
LEADER IN RESEARCH
GOAL 4:
Be recognised as the leader in gynaecological cancer research in
Australia and New Zealand by clinicians, consumers and cancer
organisations.
LEADER IN RESEARCH AND AWARENESS
As the national gynaecological
cancer research organisation,
ANZGOG has greatly improved
communications to the broader
gynaecological cancer community –
members, stakeholders, consumers
and the general public.
In 2015 ANZGOG developed a
fundraising brand ‘GO for Gynae’,
engaged with women leaders
in the corporate, media and
government sectors through its
WORTH program – Women of the
Roundtable Hub – and increased its
membership significantly.
ANZGOG has the potential to
play a stronger role, not only
in undertaking gynaecological
cancer research, but also in raising
awareness of the importance of
research in improving patient
outcomes. Social media, the
internet and communications are
key to raising this awareness.
Leading IT provider Atlassian is
providing pro-bono support to
re-develop the ANZGOG website
to provide greater access to clinical
trials information for women and
specialists.
Saatchi & Saatchi Wellbeing is also
developing a significant public
campaign to raise awareness
about the need for funding for
gynaecological cancer research.
ANZGOG has developed a range
of publications which keep its
stakeholders in touch with its
activities.
MEMBERSHIP
ANZGOG is a network of dedicated
gynaecological cancer clinical
specialists, pure researchers and
allied therapists, who together
conduct research to find the best
treatments for women with a
gynaecological cancer.
MEMBERSHIP BY SPECIALITY
180
160
140
120
100
80
ANZGOG has grown from 423
members in 2010 to 701 members
by 30 June 2015. Numbers
continue to climb as the Group
achieves its strategic goals.
Membership is provided in
three categories - Full Members,
Community Members and Industry
Members.
60
40
20
0
MEMBERSHIP BY REGION
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
ACT
STRATEGIC GOALS LEADER IN RESEARCH | 31
NSW
NT
QLD
SA
TAS
VIC
WA
NZ
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
CONNECTING WITH WOMEN WITH GYNAE CANCER
CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT
ANZGOG continued to raise
awareness about gynaecological
cancer and research in the
community throughout 2015.
In October we conducted a public
information session in Sydney,
inviting consumers, carers,
health practitioners and the
wider community to learn about
the benefits of participating in
a clinical trial and the latest in
gynaecological cancer research.
CONSUMER VIDEOS
ANZGOG launched a nine-minute
video titled, ‘Taking part in a clinical
trial’, in 2015.
The video features ANZGOG Chair,
A/Prof Alison Brand, explaining
what clinical trials are and the
benefits of participating. Ovarian
cancer survivor and clinical trial
participant, Cheryl Waller, also
provides a heartfelt account of her
cancer journey and being a patient
on an ANZGOG trial.
We will be releasing more videos as
part of a series in 2016, including
one on gynaecological cancer
symptoms and treatment.
You can view the ‘Taking part
in a clinical trial’ video at www.
goforgynae.org.au/research.
COMMUNICATIONS
We continue to distribute
ResearcHER – our bi-annual
consumer news sheet – to
ANZGOG supporters, members
and cancer support groups across
Australia and New Zealand. The
publication features inspiring
stories about consumers, people
assisting ANZGOG’s research and
activities, and also provides details
about current clinical trials.
The GO for Gynae Facebook page
remained a strong communications
channel and attracted an additional
2,000 page likes in 2015. The
GO for Gynae Twitter page also
continued to grow in popularity
throughout the year.
The GO for Gynae website provides
the latest information about GO
for Gynae activities, campaigns,
community events and ANZGOG’s
research. Visit us at
www.goforgynae.org.au.
Participants at the inaugural Ambassador Induction Day, February 2015
STRATEGIC
LEADER GYNAECOLOGICAL
IN GYNAECOLOGICAL
CANCER GROUP
RESEARCH | 34
AUSTRALIA GOALS
NEW ZEALAND
ONCOLOGY
AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
The ANZGOG Ambassador Program
has been developed to further
extend our reach in the community.
It aims to build awareness of
gynaecological cancers and clinical
trials – particularly in regional and
remote areas – and raise funds to
further ANZGOG’s important work
in this area.
ANZGOG Ambassadors are
gynaecological cancer survivors,
family or friends or people from
cancer support groups. They are
also people who truly believe in the
work that ANZGOG conducts and
therefore want to actively support
our clinical research work.
We launched the program in
February at an Induction Day for
Ambassadors. At the end of the
day our new Ambassadors were
equipped with the information,
skills and resources to increase
knowledge and understanding
of gynaecological cancer clinical
research within their communities,
including how to access clinical
trials as a patient and where to go
for support.
For more information about the
program contact Sarah Hope on
[email protected].
2015 ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING
Contemporary Management
of Gynaecological Cancer was
ANZGOG’s Annual Scientific
Meeting 2015, held on 25 – 28
March on the Gold Coast.
Over 170 medical oncologists,
gynaecological oncologists,
radiation oncologists, cancer
researchers, study coordinators,
nurses and consumers came
together from across Australia
and New Zealand to consider
the current trends in research
and treatment of gynaecological
cancers.
International keynote speakers, Dr
Keiichi Fujiwara, Gynaecological
Oncologist from Japan’s Saitama
Medical University and Professor
Charley Gourley, Medical
Oncologist from Edinburgh Cancer
Research Centre gave excellent
presentations on ‘surgery and
intraperitoneal chemotherapy’ and
‘patient selection for chemotherapy
and anti-angiogenic drugs’
focusing on the management of
ovarian cancer.
Leading medical, gynaecological
and radiation oncologists from
Australia and New Zealand also
led stimulating and insightful
discussions highlighting the
contemporary management
of endometrial cancer through
radiotherapy, chemotherapy, open
surgery, minimal invasive surgery
and sentinal node detection.
Other scientific sessions included
‘Survivorship and Genetics’ and
‘Bench meets Bedside’ where the
experience and knowledge from
the panel of experts contributed
to much discussion and debate
on managing survivorship issues
faced by patients and their families,
stratifying patients through genetic
profiling, discerning who needs a
Molecular MDT and translating preclinical findings into the clinic.
A highlight of this year’s meeting
was the inaugural Pure Science
Symposium, held as part of the
conference and was organized by
Associate Professor Clare Scott
and Dr Pam Pollock. Translation of
Molecular targets was the theme.
STRATEGIC GOALS LEADER IN GYNAECOLOGICAL CANCER RESEARCH | 37
Delegates at the 2015 ANZGOG Annual Scientific Meeting
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
Workshops now a regular feature
of the Annual Scientific Meeting
The Annual Scientific Meeting is a
platform to engage, support and
educate the study coordinators,
nurses and consumers involved
with ANZGOG research and
activities. During the conference,
there were specialsed workshops
organised to promote the
professional development, training
and skills of these groups. In 2015
they included the:
Every year, at the ANZGOG
Scientific Meeting, researchers
are encouraged to submit their
clinical trial concepts for review by
the ANZGOG Research Advisory
Committee for consideration as
future ANZGOG trials.
Concept development workshop
Leading investigators working
with an investigator’s new idea
to develop it for presentation to
ANZGOG for support and possible
funding.
This year’s conference had an
overall celebratory atmosphere
as ANZGOG marked 15 years of
amazing achievement and success.
Radiation oncology workshop
Continuing the successful series
of workshops conducted by Pearly
Khaw and Lisa Sullivan.
GCP refresher training
A bi-annual workshop available to
all ANZGOG members
Fifteen new trial concepts were
submitted and 11 concepts
presented at the conference. There
were also 15 ‘Free Abstracts’ that
were shared at the meeting.
ANZGOG had significant
achievements to celebrate
including $14 million worth
of research grants, 19 clinical
trials, over 3,000 patients
recruited and a membership
of 650 multidisciplinary
members as at March 2015.
A/Prof Charlie Gourley, International Keynote
ANZGOG ASM 2015 Delegate
Gynae-oncology nurses workshop
A tradition at ANZGOG ASM’s
and a well-attended opportunity
for gynae oncology nurses to get
together following the success of
the nurses workshop at IGCS.
Consumer workshop
ANZGOG’s very committed and
involved consumer and community
committee participate in education
and information sessions.
Mrs Helene O’Neill, Chair, ANZGOG CCC
A/Prof Philip Beale, ANZGOG Director
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
STRATEGIC GOALS LEADER IN RESEARCH | 34
2015 ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING
PLATINUM SPONSOR
SPONSOR FOR INSPIRING
INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER
ANZGOG’s Annual Scientific
Meeting brings together national
and international experts in
gynaecological medicine, radiation
and surgical oncology, as well as
our partners in the pharmaceutical
industry. The ongoing support of
Roche is integral to the success
of the Annual Scientific Meeting
and enables attendees to learn
about the latest developments
in gynaecological cancer, and
provides education and capacity
building opportunities amongst
members and industry personnel.
Helping to bring significant
international speakers to Australia
to exchange knowledge with
Australia and New Zealand
researchers is essential in
contributing to the overall
education of delegates and
the growth of capacity in the
gynaecological cancer research
field. AstraZeneca supported
international guest speaker Charlie
Gourley, Medical Oncologist,
Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre,
UK.
TRADE SPONSORS
BEST OF THE BEST
COFFEE CART
STRATEGIC GOALS LEADER IN RESEARCH | 35
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
GOAL 5:
Become a financially sustainable organisation, not reliant on grant
funding for core business by 2018.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
ANZGOG is partly reliant on
infrastructure funding from Cancer
Australia and Cancer Institute
NSW to support its administration
and development of clinical trials.
However, government funding is
like to become increasingly more
difficult to obtain.
One of ANZGOG’s strategic goals is
to be financial sustainable and not
dependent on government grants
for everyday operations by 2018.
To achieve this we have set targets
for fundraising and net surplus
within our strategic and business
plans.
David Rogers was appointed as
Finance Director and Chair of
the Audit, Risk and Compliance
committee in 2015. His experience
is as audit partner with professional
services firm KPMG included two
years as Chairman of the firm’s
Audit Committee. Mr Rogers
is joined on the committee by
Rachael Sutton, Holman Webb and
ANZGOG Honorary Solicitor along
with Professor Philip Beale, Chris
O’Brien Lifehouse and Royal Prince
Alfred Hospital.
ESTABLISHING Fundraising
‘go FOR gYNAE’
ANZGOG established its
fundraising initiative, GO for
Gynae, to grow awareness of
gynaecological cancers and the
need for research funding in
response to its need to develop a
financially sustainable future.
GO for Gyane has developed into
a range of fundraising promotions
which feature health and fitness
and fundraising, community
support, corporate sponsorship
of events and public donation
appeals.
These funds are to be sourced
through a number of fundraising
avenues, including corporate
sponsorship, philanthropic grants,
private donations and bequests.
DONATE TO ANZGOG’S RESEARCH
WWW.GOFORGYNAE.ORG.AU/DONATE
STRATEGIC GOALS FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY | 37
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Throughout 2015, community
support of ANZGOG’s activities and
research continued to grow.
Thanks to our communications,
campaigns, events and member
network – all of which raise
awareness about gynaecological
cancer and ANZGOG’s research ANZGOG has been approached by
numerous individuals, community
groups and corporates offering
their support through activities and
fundraisers.
Their engagement as fundraising
volunteers has also helped forge
relationships between ANZGOG
and the volunteers’ wider
communities.
We plan to expand our community
engagement over the next two
years through organised events
and community relations programs.
DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS
ANZGOG thanks the 1,459 individuals and organisations that
supported us in 2015 - all of whom helped us achieve our goal
of improving the lives of women with gynaecological cancer. We
would like to recognise the significant support received from the
following donors and from the people who have remembered
ANZGOG in their will.
David & Caroline Bernshaw
John Bowers
Charlie Brown
Brown Forman’s GROW Group
Robert Browne
Trisha Bui
David Byram
Freda Campbell
Kara Caplan
Laina Chan
Ella Clark
Robert Dindas
Ken Doggett
PUC Friendship
Ross Gallagher
Katrina Graham
Hester Greenfield
Anton Harding
Stuart Harding
Susan Harris
Susie Hope
Timothy Horkings
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
Kate Koch
David Levin
Lan Luo
John McBain
Anne McEniery
John Middleton
Lauren Murphy
Roshini Nayyar
Ralph Peters
Faulding Pty Ltd
William Scott
Jane Sherrard
William Sherrard
Debra Singh/Fantastic Furniture
Penny Spencer/Spencer Travel
Bewley Stares
Siobhan Toohill
Peter Tzannes
Rose Varga
Kate White
John Williams
STRATEGIC GOALS FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY | 38
‘GO FOR GYNAE’ CAMPAIGN
Go for Gynae, the fundraising
brand of ANZGOG, conducted its
first ever event in August 2014. It
is community-focused and a call to
action to help increase awareness
and raise funds for gynaecological
cancer research.
The campaign aims to encourage
women to recognise the symptoms
of gynaecological cancer, take
control of their health, and reach
out to the community to help raise
awareness and funds for research.
Throughout 2015 we hosted a
number of successful fundraising
events under the banner of “GO
for Gynae.” Events such as Eat. See.
Act., Comedy for Cancer, Guys GO
Ride for Gynae, GO step for Gynae
and a film night showing ‘No
Evidence of Disease’ at the Colonial
State Theatre in Sydney were held.
The brand also has a strong
presence on social media through
our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
pages and on our website where
our team and members keep in
touch with our supporters and
those with a gynaecological cancer.
The sites provide up to date
information and have been great
communication tools with the
public.
Our Facebook page now has over
4,000 followers which is more than
double the number in 2014.
BROWN FORMAN’S GROW GROUP
Throughout 2015, Brown-Forman’s
GROW group (Growing Remarkable
and Outstanding Women)
continued to make extraordinary
contributions to GO for Gynae and
ANZGOG’s New Research Fund.
Over the years, GROW has held
an array of fundraisers - from
gold coin collections to auctions
and cocktail events - cumulatively
raising over $32,000 to fund new
and exciting research.
Our warmest thanks to Shelly
Silberman, the GROW group, and
Brown-Forman for their ongoing
support.
This year we had two fabulously
committed ambassadors, Fashion
designer Charlie Brown and world
marathon runner and ovarian
cancer survivor, Heather Hawkins.
GO step for Gynae participants Dr Diana Adams, Heather Hawkins and Penny Kemp
STRATEGIC
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
| 43
AUSTRALIA NEW
ZEALANDGOALS
GYNAECOLOGICAL
ONCOLOGY GROUP
GO for Gynae Ambassadors
Journalist Helen Tzarimas and Fashion Designer Charlie Brown
GO STEP FOR GYNAE
GO Step for Gynae this year was
a fabulous success with over 270
people stepping out and stepping
up for the cause in September and
October.
Its purpose is to raise awareness
and funds for ANZGOG while
improving participants’ health by
taking 10,000 steps a day.
People from all over Australia
participated and went walking
(10,000 steps) every day for 30 days
to raise funds for ANZGOG. A total
of $63,427 was raised, smashing
our target of $50,000.
This was an amazing achievement
and we hope to make the event
bigger and better next year.
GUYS GO RIDE FOR GYNAE
Guys GO Ride has been heralded
as ANZGOG’s most successful
community fundraiser ever, with
over $135,000 being raised for
research into gynaecological
cancers.
What an effort by 18 men, riding
the length of the UK to achieve
such an amazing result.
“Our biggest challenge is now
to think of how we can beat
Land’s End to John O’Groats! All
suggestions welcome!“
Special thanks to all of the riders
and their supporters for all of their
efforts and dedication to the cause.
GUYS GO RIDE FOR GYNAE SUPPORTER
“We could not have had a better
bunch of guys doing their utmost
to raise money for Gynaecological
Cancer Research,” said Prof Quinn.
“One case of pneumonia, two
blokes with cardiac irregularities
and seven slightly mature men
falling off their bikes (including
me). It was a great testament to
good humour, gutsy determination
and to having an A-type personality.”
ANZGOG’s event was part of an
international movement called
“Globeathon” where participants
in over 80 countries made history
by walking in solidarity with each
other in support of the millions of
women and their families who are
affected by gynaecological cancer.
Guys GO ride for Gynae team
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
STRATEGIC GOALS FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY | 40
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING
We are grateful for the generosity of those people who made GO for
Gynae their charity of choice for their fundraising efforts. Community
fundraising in 2015 included participation in challenge events and face-toface events.
Brown-Forman’s GROW Group Trivia NIght
Dusk Gronow ran the Gold Coast Half-Marathon for cervical cancer research
Oatlands Ladies Golf at the ‘Barbara Koch Memorial Trophy’ Day
STRATEGIC GOALS FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY | 46
STRATEGIC
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
| 43
AUSTRALIA NEW
ZEALANDGOALS
GYNAECOLOGICAL
ONCOLOGY GROUP
WOMEN OF THE ROUNDTABLE
ANZGOG’s ‘Women of the
Roundtable’ series has been a
successful initiative, helping to
raise awareness of gynaecological
cancers, by bringing together
female leaders to make a difference
for women with a gynaecological
cancer. The Roundtable is a forum
for these women to share their
ideas, knowledge and experiences.
The Roundtable has helped
ANZGOG explore new avenues for
awareness and fundraising.
EAT. SEE. ACT
eat.see.act was a unique event
supported by the Hunters Hill
Gallery and Le Village Restaurant
where the community came
together on the eve of ‘World
Ovarian Cancer Day 2015’ to raise
funds for gynaecological cancer
research.
Helen Tzarimas, ABC news reporter
and advocate for ANZGOG spoke
about gynaecological cancers
and the importance of raising
awareness.
The most recent Roundtable
gathering was held at the Marriott
Gold Coast in October 2015 and
was attended by 20 inspiring
women. They passionately
discussed our goals and challenges,
and have suggested many potential
new ideas. The group have already
held a major event in March 2016
to raise awareness and funds for
gynaecological cancer research.
‘NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE’ SCREENING
N.E.D. (No Evidence of Disease) is a
multi-award winning documentary
about an amazing band whose
members also happen to be
gynaecological oncologists. It is a
powerful story of the journey the
band and their patient’s take which
inspires women and men to make a
stand for gynaecological cancer.
The screening was held in May
2015 at the Commonwealth
Bank’s Colonial Theatre. The
event included the film followed
by a lively panel discussion with
ANZGOG Member and Medical
Oncologist, Sally Barron-Hay; ABC
Journalist, Helen Tzarimas; ovarian
cancer survivor, Penny Kemp and
ANZGOG Executive officer, Alison
Evans .
The event was proudly supported
by the Commonwealth Bank and
their Women in Focus program.
ANZGOG has held Roundtable
forums in Sydney, Melbourne and
the Gold Coast.
We are pleased to continue
our partnership with the
Commonwealth Bank for the
‘Women of the Roundtable’
initiative.
WOMEN OF THE ROUNDTABLE
NATIONAL PARTNER
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
STRATEGIC GOALS FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY | 42
COMEDY FOR CANCER DONWUNDER
Comedy for Cancer Downunder
is the brainchild of two wonderful
longstanding ANZGOG supporters,
Shelly Silberman and Cathy McRae.
The 2015 event, held on 26
September at Fairground Follies in
St Peters, was as fabulous and as
colourful as ever and guests who
attended the event had an absolute
ball.
Cocktails were served on arrival by
Brown Forman. Comedians Jean
Kittson, Tommy Dean, Rebecca De
Unamuno, Mark Humphries and
Jacki Loeb (via YouTube), brought
the house down with their wit and
frivolity.
A number of celebrity guests
were in attendance including GO
for Gynae Ambassador fashion
designer Charlie Brown, design
and fashion school owner Leanne
Whitehouse, ABC newsreader
Helen Tzarimas and actress Zoe
Carrides. Heather Hawkins spoke
about surviving ovarian cancer and
her ultra marathon challenges, and
ANZGOG Chair, Associate Professor
Alison Brand, spoke about
ANZGOG’s research and the need
for continued support.
In total, over $65,000 was raised on
the night through our live auction
- which was expertly run by the
wonderful ‘Mr Sold’ (AKA Scott
Gibbons) - a silent auction, raffle
and Great Horse Race (on a notso-speedy antique carousel). Prizes
offered included cycling in Austria,
accommodation in five star villas in
Bali and the Sheraton Mirage Gold
Coast, a holiday and flights to New
Zealand, Jan Logan jewellery, clay
pigeon shooting, fabulous artworks
and even a cocktail party at home
for 10 people.
PLATINUM PARTNER
MAJOR SUPPORTERS
We would like to thank our
Platinum Partner, Fantastic
Furniture, for ‘decking out’ the
stage with some of their fabulous
living room furniture (which was
later sold at the live auction).
Sincere thanks also to our event
partners Pollard Productions,
GROW, Peak Tours, Karaniya
Experiences, The Artistry, Aurora
Expeditions and European Catering
and those organisations who
donated items for the live and
silent auctions.
Photos: Halyucinations Studio.
MC Shelly Silberman
Guests cheering on ‘The Great Horse Race’
Rebecca De Unamuno
Tommy Dean
STRATEGIC GOALS FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY | 43
COMEDY FOR CANCER DOWNUNDER
SPONSORS
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
OUR ORGANISATION
----
Measuring our performance
Governance
Reach
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
MEASURING OUR PERFORMANCE
ACTIONS
MEASURABLES/OUTPUT
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
SG1 – A diverse portfolio of clinically important research in gynaecological cancers
Grow diversity of research
portfolio to include earlier
phase clinical trials
In partnership with
government and
collaborators we
continue to increase
the opportunities for
women to participate in
gynaecological cancer
clinical trials
Number of ovarian cancer
trials underway
2
1
3
5
4
Number of endometrial cancer
trials underway
1
1
1
2
2
Number of cervical cancer
trials underway
1
1
1
1
1
Number of Quality of Life
studies underway
1
1
1
5
4
Number of other trials
including rare tumour studies
underway
2
2
2
1
1
Increase the number of
gynaecological cancer clinical
trials conducted annually
7
7
9
14
12
Increase the number of clinical
sites actively participating in
gynaecological cancer clinical
trials (including international
sites conducting ANZGOG
collaborative trials)
65
216
330
427
474
141
516
864
696
534
12
9
15
29
15
-
ICON7
SCOTROC 4
-
-
$1,345,925
$871,103
$1,495,458
$2,139,104
$1,253,266
$24,324
$826,499
$733,842
$517,998
$535,000
Increase participation in
clinical trials by women
affected with gynaecological
cancer
Translating research into
practice
Publications of research
results
Trials changing clinical practice
Develop independent
cancer clinical trials to
the stage of applying for
grant and other funding,
in collaboration with the
NHMRC Clinical Trials
Centre
Government grants received
for research and research
support
Clinical trials design and
protocol development
Number of new concepts
presented to ANZGOG
14
12
17
15
25
Number of concepts in
development with ANZGOG
11
7
9
4
4
Number of people attending
Annual Scientific Meetings
154
172
142
227*
174
Increase in clinical
professionals joining as
members
413
435
493
591
701
Increase the professional
capacity to conduct
clinical trials in Australia
through member growth,
education and training in
clinical trials design
Other funding provided for
infrastructure
*joint meeting with ASGO.
OUR ORGANISATION | 45
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
ACTIONS
MEASURABLES/OUTPUT
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
-
-
Identified for
2014/15
Action in
2014/2015
Fin Year
On hold
pending
updated
strategy
SG2 - Establish a national gynaecological cancer biobank
Build capacity for
translational research
in gynaecological
cancer through the
development of a national
gynaecological cancer
biobank
Establish a working group
to explore the options and
identify steps to achieve
SG3 – Build gynaecological cancer research capacity
Build collaboration with
national organisations
Number of collaborations
with other cancer clinical trials
groups
2
3
2
3
3
Build collaboration with
international groups
working in gynaecological
cancer research
Increase in international sites
conducting ANZGOG trials
11
127
164
369
378
Number of collaborations with
international gynaecological
cancer groups
10
14
16
19
13
1
3
2
3
2
Twice annual ResearcHER for
consumers and the general
public
-
-
Introduced
Achieved
Achieved
Twice annual TRIALS – indepth
news on gynaecological
cancer trials for members and
cancer professionals
-
-
Introduced
Achieved
Achieved
DGOG - Holland , AGO Germany, GINECO - France,
EORTC - Belgium , ICORG
– Ireland, RTOG – USA, PMH
– Canada, NSGO _ Denmark,
MITO – Italy, NSGO – Sweden,
JGOG – Japan, GOTIC - Japan,
GOG - USA, COGI – USA,
HOG – USA, SGCTG - Scotland,
UCL – United Kingdom, CRUK
- United Kingdom, MRC –
United Kingdom.
International keynote speakers
at Annual Scientific Meetings
SG4 – Recognised as the leader in gynaecological cancer research
Communicate the breadth
of ANZGOG’s research
focus
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
OUR ORGANISATION | 46
MEASURING OUR PERFORMANCE
ACTIONS
MEASURABLES/OUTPUT
We support new research
ideas with funding to get
started
New research grants awarded
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
-
-
1
1
1
Raising awareness of
clinical trials amongst
consumers
Number of participants
in consumer information
sessions in person and
through webinars
61
108
117
-
58
Number of likes on Facebook
(established 21 July 2014)
-
-
-
1,755 likes
3,733 likes
Number of community cancer
networks communicated with
-
-
74
78
74
Raising awareness of
clinical trials amongst the
public
Number of general public
reached via informaton events
600
Growing capacity of
consumer supporters
Conduct two education and
training programs for our
consumer advisory panel
annually
-
Achieved
Achieved
Achieved
Achieved
Number of Volunteer
Ambassadors supporting
ANZGOG
5
5
8
13
12
$71,299
$84,919
$227,537
$135,031
$365,932
$155,728
$149,136
$130,818
$131,665
$120,145
1
1
2
2
0
SG5 – Financial sustainability
Growing support from
non-government sectors
for gynaecological cancer
research
Increase in donations,
bequests, community support
Increase in corporate
sponsorship
Number of bequests per
annum
Supporting infrastructure
costs with grants (excludes
direct ASM, Trials and
Fundraising costs)
Percentage of infrastructure
costs supported by grants
and cost recovery (Note: Two
year time delay on some cost
recovery)
60.5%
90.6%
119.7%
97.5%
73.1%
Growing and maintaining
our investments to cover
12 months of operational
expenditure, in order to
secure us against future
funding shortfalls
Months of operational
expenditure covered by cash
reserves
7.1
17.1
17.4
15.3
19.2
2.4%
3.2%
2.8%
3.9%
2.5%
ANZGOG staff, headcount
excluding casuals
4
2
3
5 [2.9 FTE]
5 [3.2 FTE]
CTC staff working on
ANZGOG trials
9
9
11
10
[7.8 FTE]
8
Investment return per annum
Our People
In collaboration with
the NHMRC Clinical
Trials Centre we have an
engaged and skilled paid
workforce
OUR ORGANISATION | 47
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
RESEARCH GRANTS
GOVERNMENT GRANT SUPPORT
ANZGOG has a collaborative
agreement with the University
of Sydney, NHMRC Clinical Trials
Centre (CTC), for the development
and operation of many of its clinical
trials, in particular those trials
supported by government grants.
These grants are administered by
the University of Sydney for the
benefit of ANZGOG.
RESEARCH PROJECT FUNDING
In 2015 trial funds were
administered by the University of
Sydney for:
In 2015, $1,788,266 was received
for ANZGOG’s research bringing
the total received since 2002 to
$16,170,407.
SYMPTOM BENEFIT: $201,862
- National Health and Medical
Research Council
SUPPORT FOR CLINICAL TRIALS
Funds provided by Cancer Institute
New South Wales and Cancer
Australia to support gynaecological
cancer research infrastructure and
developed are also administered by
the University of Sydney, NHMRC
Clinical Trials Centre and therefore
not reported in the financial
accounts of ANZGOG unless
transferred in support of specific
expenses incurred by ANZGOG.
Grants contributing to ANZGOG
research infrastructure costs during
the 2015 year are:
ECHO: $98,000 - Cancer Australia
-- Cancer Australia, Support for
ICON8: $84,000 - Cancer Council
New South Wales
OUTBACK: $374,204 - National
Health and Medical Research
Council
These grants fund the research
program developed independently
by ANZGOG volunteer principal
investigators and administered
by individual Trial Management
Committees, with participants from
a range of supporting disciplines
and collaborations to provide the
best skills to support the trial.
Ovar 2.21: $520,772 - AGO Group,
Germany
ICON6: $37,652 - Medical Research
Council, UK
Clinical Trials, $460,000 ($230,000
NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre
to assist with development
of new studies and $230,000
to ANZGOG for infrastructure
support).
-- Cancer Institute, New South
OVAR 16: $19,459 - GSK –
GlaxoSmithKline
Wales, $100,000 (100% for
NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre).
GOVERNMENT GRANTS RECEIVED BY YEAR
3,000,000
2,500,000
2,000,000
1,500,000
1,000,000
500,000
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Grants - Infrastructure
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Grants - Research Projects
OUR ORGANISATION | 48
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BALANCE SHEET - YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE
2015
2014
$
$
1,157,765
877,068
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
227,165
151,881
1,384,930
1,028,949
5,806
4,411
Available-for-sale financial assets
184,663
193,647
Total non-current assets
190,469
198,058
1,575,399
1,227,007
166,432
106,157
22,289
8,514
Total Current Liabilities
188,721
114,671
Total Liabilities
188,721
114,671
1,386,678
1,112,336
10,304
19,087
447,157
330,265
74,393
48,893
854,824
714,091
1,386,678
1,112,336
Total current assets
Non-Current Assets
Plant and equipment
Total Assets
Current Liabilities
Trade and other payables
Employee benefits
Net Assets
Equity
Available-for-sale financial assets reserve
New Research Fund reserve
Beneficiary Fund reserve
Retained Surplus
TOTAL EQUITY
OUR ORGANISATION | 49
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
INCOME STATEMENT - YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE
2015
2014
$
$
Grants
474,219
483,010
Donations & bequests
295,855
135,031
Annual Scientific Meeting
Revenue
284,459
227,941
Other fundraising
70,077
36,045
Interest & other income
29,393
34,254
1,154,003
916,281
(56,154)
(37,799)
Administration expenses
(151,668)
(107,745)
Annual Scientific Meeting
(170,746)
(141,919)
(68,409)
(30,916)
Total Revenue
Expenses
Trial expenses
Fundraising expenses
Employee benefits expenses
(354,229)
(296,569)
Occupancy expenses
(17,496)
(17,913)
Travel expenses
(45,917)
(30,655)
(1,556)
(2,311)
(705)
(1,460)
287,123
248,994
Finance expenses
Depreciation expense
NET SURPLUS for the year
ANNUAL INCOME AND SURPLUS TO YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE
KEY:
INCOME
$
SURPLUS
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
1,000,000
900,000
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
OUR ORGANISATION | 50
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE
2015
2014
$
$
Receipts from grants
535,528
483, 291
Receipts from donations
295,855
135,031
Receipts from Sponsorships, Annual Scientific Meeting conference, insurance
recoveries and other revenue
297,232
163,852
Cash flows from operating activities
Interest received
15,644
15,536
(861,462)
(659,831)
282,797
137,879
Payment for purchase of plant and equipment
(2,100)
(3,447)
Net cash outflow from investing activities
(2,100)
(3,447)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
280,697
134,432
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
877,068
742,636
1,157,765
877,068
Payments to suppliers and employees
Net cash inflow from operating activities
Cashflow from investing activities
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE YEAR
OUR ORGANISATION | 51
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
Tel: +61 2 9251 4100
Level 11, 1 Margaret St
Fax: +61 2 9240 9821
Sydney NSW 2000
www.bdo.com.au Australia
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
To the members of Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group,
Report on the Financial Report
We have audited the accompanying financial report of Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group, which
comprises the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2015, the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive
income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, notes comprising a
summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information, and the directors declaration.
Directors’ Responsibility for the Financial Report
The directors of the company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in
accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012
(ACNC Act) and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial
report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on our audit. We conducted our audit in
accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Those standards require that we comply with relevant ethical
requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial report is free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial
report. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material
misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor
considers internal control relevant to the company’s preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view
in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an
opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of
accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the directors, as well as evaluating the
overall presentation of the financial report.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our qualified
audit opinion.
Basis for Qualified Opinion
Cash donations are a significant source of fundraising revenue for Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group.
Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group has determined that it is impracticable to establish control over
the collection of cash donations prior to entry into its financial records. Accordingly, as the evidence available to us
regarding fundraising revenue from this source was limited, our audit procedures with respect to cash donations had to
be restricted to the amounts recorded in the financial records amounting to $295,855. We therefore are unable to express
an opinion whether cash donations for Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group recorded are complete.
Qualified Opinion
In our opinion, except for the possible effects of the matter described in the Basis for Qualified Opinion paragraph, the
financial report of Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group has been prepared in accordance with Division
60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012, including:
(a) giving a true and fair view of the company’s financial position as at 30 June 2015 and of its financial performance and
cash flows for the year ended on that date; and
(b) complying with Australian Accounting Standards and Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits
Commission Regulation 2013.
BOO East Coast Partnership
Paul Cheeseman
Partner
Sydney, 21 September 2015
BDO East Coast Partnership ABN 83 236 985 726 is a member of a national association of independent entities which are all members of BDO (Australia) Ltd ABN 77
050110 275, an Australian company limited by guarantee. BDO East Coast Partnership and BDO (Australia) Ltd are members of BDO International Ltd, a UK company
limited by guarantee, and form part of the international BOO network of independent member firms. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation, other than for the acts or omissions of financial services licensees.
NOTE: A complete copy of the ANZGOG Annual Financial Statements 2015 is available on the Australian Charities
and Not-for-profits Commisssion website www.acnc.gov.au.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
OUR ORGANISATION | 52
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS AT 30 JUNE 2015
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ALISON BRAND (Chair)
Alison Brand
Alison Brand is a gynaecological oncology surgeon, Director of Gynaecological Oncology
at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of
Sydney. She has been involved in ANZGOG since it was established in 2000 and has since
held key positions within the group. She is a member of the Cancer Australia Gynaecological
Cancer Advisory Group and has chaired or been a member of several working parties for
the development of national gynaecological cancer guidelines. She is Senior Editor for the
International Journal of Gynaecological Cancer. She is passionate about participation in clinical
trials as a way to improve the lives of women with gynaecological cancers.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR PHILIP BEALE
Philip Beale
Philip Beale is Director of Cancer Services and Director of Palliative Care, Sydney Local Health
District, Head of Medical Oncology Department at Concord Hospital, Senior Staff Specialist at
RPA, and at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and Associate Professor at the University of Sydney. He
has a special interest in ovarian, breast, colorectal and upper gastrointestinal cancers and is
involved in Phase I, II and III clinical trials for all of these cancers and is the PI in several breast
and ovarian cancer trials. He has published more than 100 peer reviewed papers. He is on the
ANZGOG RAC and Quality Assurance committee and is a member of the AGITG and ANZBCTG
trials groups.
DR DAVID BERNSHAW
David Bernshaw is a clinician at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. He works principally
in clinical research and clinical trial activities. He has been involved in the introduction
and development of concurrent chemo-radiation schedules and of imaged gynaecology
brachytherapy in particular. He has a specific interest in the recovery and rehabilitation of
women post treatment and supportive care throughout their cancer journey. David was
educated in Melbourne, Australia and graduated from Monash University in 1973. He is dually
qualified in Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology.
David Bernshaw
MS SUE BREW
Sue Brew has been a member of the ANZGOG Study Coordinators’ committee since its
inception in 2005 and accepted the position as committee chair in 2011. She has been a Study
Coordinator in the Department of Medical Oncology, Calvary Mater Newcastle since 1996 and
also recently served as member of Hunter New England Human Research Ethics Committee for
a period of 8 years 2006-2014.
Sue Brew
Michael Friedlander
PROFESSOR MICHAEL FRIEDLANDER, AM
Michael Friedlander is conjoint Professor of Medicine at the University of NSW and a medical
oncologist at the Royal Hospital for Women and the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney. He
has been very involved at a national as well as international level in the organisational aspects
of gynaecological oncology for more than 30 years and has a strong track record with over
250 publications and many peer reviewed research grants. Michael has received many awards
in recognition of his contribution to gynaecological cancer research including the Order
of Australia (AM) in 2011, the Rob Sutherland AO Make a Difference Award by the Cancer
Institute NSW and in 2015 the Jeannie Ferris Cancer Australia Recognition Award to recognise
outstanding contribution to improving outcomes for women with gynaecological cancers.
Michael is the founding Chair of ANZGOG.
DR JEFFREY GOH
Jeffrey Goh
OUR ORGANISATION | 53
Jeff Goh is a Senior Staff Medical Oncologist (part-time) at Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital
(RBWH), a Visiting Medical Oncologist at Greenslopes Private Hospital and ICON Chernside.
He is also a Senior Lecturer with the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Queensland. Jeff
has also been actively involved in clinical trials including his role as Principal Investigator in a
number of Phase I, II and III Gynaecological and Urological malignancy trials at Royal Brisbane &
Women’s Hospital and Greenslopes Private Hospital. He is currently a co-investigator for several
colorectal cancer and pulmonary malignancy trials. Jeff is chair of the ANZGOG QA committee.
His particular interests are in Gynaecological, Urological and colorectal malignancies.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS AT 30 JUNE 2015
MS KAREN LIVINGSTONE
Karen Livingstone has been a member of the Board of ANZGOG since 2007 and Chair of
ANZGOG’s Consumer and Community Committee. As a co-founder and former CEO of Ovarian
Cancer Australia, Karen brings considerable experience as a consumer representative across
many forums. In recognition of her valuable work Karen was awarded Research Australia’s
Advocacy Award in 2014. Being a high risk woman with BRCA 2 familial marker, Karen is
passionate about creating awareness for all women about gynaecological cancer.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR LINDA MILESHKIN
Linda Mileshkin is a clinical researcher who has achieved productive research output whilst
maintaining a significant and busy clinical role as a consultant medical oncologist, with a
particular interest in the treatment of gynaecological and lung cancers, as well as the supportive
care of people affected by cancer. She runs the only specialist Carcinoma of Unknown Primary
clinic at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. She is currently involved in multiple clinical
research projects involving people gynaecological and lung cancers, carcinoma of unknown
primary (CUP), as well as Phase I trials in multiple tumour types. Linda is currently the
international study chair for Outback, an international Australia-led NHMRC funded Phase III
trial in cervical cancer.
PROFESSOR DANNY RISCHIN
Danny Rischin is the Co-Director of the Division of Cancer Medicine at the Peter MacCallum
Cancer Centre, a consultant medical oncologist at the Mercy Hospital for Women and holds
an academic appointment as Professor of Medicine in the Sir Peter MacCallum Department
of Oncology and the Department of Medicine at the University of Melbourne. His major
clinical and research interests are in gynaecologic and head and neck cancers. In 2012 Danny
was presented with the ANZGOG Award for Outstanding Contribution. In addition, he was
a member of the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) scientific committee for
14 years, and received the TROG Cancer Research Trial Excellence Award in 2011. Danny
has published over 190 peer reviewed publications, with a major focus on clinical trials,
chemoradiation, and hypoxia targeting therapy. In 2011 he was appointed as an Associate
Editor of the leading oncology journal, the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Karen Livingstone
Linda Mileshkin
Danny Rischin
MR DAVID ROGERS (Non-executive Director of Finance)
David Rogers was with professional services firm KPMG for 37 years, including 27 years as a
partner in the Australian firm. His career has included audit partner and lead partner for many
significant companies in a wide range of sectors. In addition, David was a member of the firm’s
National Board of directors for 6 years from 2005 to 2011 including 2 years as Chairman of
the firm’s Audit Committee and was prior to his retirement leader of the firm’s global audit
transformation project. David is currently a director and honorary treasurer of the Royal Motor
Yacht Club Broken Bay.
David Rogers
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR CLARE SCOTT
Clare Scott is a Medical Oncologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Royal Women’s
Hospital and Laboratory Head at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research,
studying drug resistance in ovarian cancer. She has 15 years’ experience in clinical cancer
genetics, including working in Familial Cancer Clinics and in treating breast and ovarian cancer.
In the lab, she focuses on ovarian biology, including the role of apoptosis in infertility and on
developing targeted therapies for ovarian cancer in novel ovarian cancer models. She has been
awarded a Clinical Fellowship from the Victorian Cancer Agency (2011) and the Sir Edward
Dunlop Cancer Research Fellow from the Cancer Council Victoria (2012).
Clare Scott
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR PETER SYKES
Peter Sykes is a gynaecological oncologist and Head of Department, Obstetrics and
Gynaecology, Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New
Zealand. He completed his initial training in Bristol, UK and has worked on both Australia and
New Zealand. His interest area of clinical research in the epidemiology and management of
gynaecological cancer has involved a steady record of publication in clinical gynaecological
oncology. He is on the ANZGOG Research Advisory Committee and has been Program Chair of
the ANZGOG Scientific Meetings since 2014.
NOTE: Ms Rachel Sutton joined the Board as Honorary Solicitor in October 2015.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
Peter Sykes
OUR ORGANISATION | 54
PEOPLE ON OUR COMMITTEES
ANZGOG had 701 members as at 30 June 2015.
RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Linda Mileshkin - Chair
Alison Davis - Deputy Chair
Diana Adams
Rhonda Beach
Philip Beale
David Bowtell
Alison Brand
Jim Coward
Peter Fong
Michael Friedlander
Val Gebski
Peter Grant
Anne Hamilton
Sandi Hayes
Pearly Khaw
Ganessan Kichenadasse
Peey-Sei Kok
Wanda Lawson
Kristina Lindemann
Donna Long
Julie Martyn
Tarek Meniawy
Pamela Pollock
Felicia Roncolato
Sam Saidi
Katrin Sjoquist
Martin Stockler
Peter Sykes
Michelle Vaughan
Penelope Webb
Sonia Yip
TUMOUR TYPE WORKING GROUPS
Ovarian
Philip Beale - Chair
Sumitra Ananda
David Bowtell
Kathryn Chrystal
Jermaine Coward
Anna deFazio
Michael Friedlander
Alison Hadley
Michelle Harrison
Peey-Sei Kok
Janine Lombard
Tarek Meniawy
Anthony Richards
Clare Scott
Catherine Shannon
Bryony Simcock
Michelle Wilson
Endometrial
Diana Adams - Chair
Yoland Antill
Eva Baxter
Rhonda Farrell
Andrea Garrett
Mahesh Iddawela
Pearly Khaw
Ganessan Kichenadasse
Srinivas Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan
Kristina Lindemann
Pamela Pollock
Amanda Spurdle
Michelle Vaughan
Cervical
Anne Hamilton - Chair
Vivek Arora - Co-Chair
Peter Fong
Alessandra Francesconi
Jeffrey Goh
Ken Jaaback
Karen Lim
Ming-Yin Lin
Kailash Narayan
Felicia Roncolato
Sam Saidi
Sonia Yip
David Bernshaw - Chair
Alison Brand
Cathy McRae
Julijana Trifunovic
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
Jeffrey Goh - Chair
Philip Beale
Alison Brand
Philip Chan
Alison Davis
Belinda Egan
Alison Hadley
Michelle Harrison
Pearly Khaw
Raj Ganendra
Christopher Steer
Alison Brand - Chair
Michael Quinn
Michael Freidlander
Danny Rischin
Carol Johnson
AUDIT, RISK & COMPLIANCE
David Rogers - Chair
Philip Beale
Rachael Sutton ( joined Oct 2015)
Alison Evans
STUDY COORDINATORS COMMITTEE
Sue Brew - Chair
Jenny Campbell
Steven Duffey
Belinda Egan
Kim Gillies
Donna Long
Julie Martyn
Margot Osinski
Alison Richards
Joanne Youd
ANZGOG STAFF
Alison Evans
Executive Officer
[email protected]
Sarah Hope
Development & Communications
[email protected]
Heshani Nesfield
Projects Officer - Membership
[email protected]
Karen Livingstone - Chair
Helene O’Neill - Deputy-Chair
Rhonda Beach
Penny Kemp
Wanda Lawson
Pennie Stoyles
Cheryl Waller
OUR ORGANISATION | 55
Peter Sykes - Chair
Diana Adams
Sumitra Ananda
Alison Brand
Sue Brew
Alison Davis
Viet Do
Alison Evans
Rhonda Farrell
Raj Ganendra
Jeffery Goh
Pearly Khaw
Ganessan Kichenadasse
Kate Murphy
Pamela Pollock
Clare Scott
Kate Webber
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
QUALITY ASSURANCE COMMITTEE
CONSUMER & COMMUNITY
COMMITTEE
ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING
STEERING COMMITTEE
Sara-Jo Maloney
Accounts Administration
[email protected]
Julijana Trifunovic
Project Manager - Campaigns &
Events
[email protected]
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
OUR STRUCTURE
Physicians
Surgeons
Nurses
Specialist
Researchers
Consumers
ANZGOG
Members
Data
Managers
Allied
Therapies
50 Hospitals across
Australia & New Zealand
Research
Women with Gynaecological
Cancer & their Families
Research
Advisory
Executive
Management
Team
Fundraising
Quality
Assurance
Board of
Directors
Study
Coordination
Consumer
Advisory
Information
Audit, Risk
& Compliance
Administration
Nominations
Scientific
Meetings
Operations
Executive
Other Operating
Centres
Collaborative
Coordinating Centre
NHMRC CLINICAL
TRIALS CENTRE
University of Sydney
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
OUR ORGANISATION | 56
CENTRES PARTICIPATING IN ANZGOG TRIALS
SYMPTOM
BENEFIT
MOST
l
l
ICON6
ICON8
OUTBACK
PARAGON
REZOLVE
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l
l
l
l
l
ECHO
PeNTAGOn
OVAR 2.21
feMMe
l
l
l
l
l
QUEENSLAND
Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
The Townsville Hospital
Nambour General Hospital
l
l
Gold Coast University Hospital
Mater Adult Hospital
l
Mater Private Hospital
l
l
l
l
l
Qld Centre for Gynaecological Cancer Research
l
l
The Wesley Hospital
Cairns Hospital
l
l
l
ICON Cancer Centre Wesley
Greenslopes Private Hospital
l
l
l
l
l
l
Princess Alexandra Hospital
l
NEW SOUTH WALES
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
l
l
Royal North Shore Hospital
l
Westmead Hospital
l
Prince of Wales Hospital
l
l
l
l
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse
l
Liverpool Hospital
Wollongong Hospital
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
Royal Hospital for Women
l
l
St George Hospital
l
l
Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital
l
l
l
Coffs Harbour Health Campus
l
Lismore Base Hospital
l
Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital
l
The Tweed Hospital
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
Campbelltown Hospital
l
Armidale Hospital
l
Port Macquarie Base Hospital
l
l
Riverina Cancer Centre
l
l
l
Newcastle Private Hospital
l
Manning Rural Referral
l
l
l
l
ACT
Canberra Hospital
l
l
l
l
VICTORIA
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
l
Footscray Hospital
Frankston Hospital
l
Border Medical Oncology
l
The Royal Women’s Hospital
l
Mercy Hospital for Women
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
Monash Medical Centre - Moorabbin
OUR ORGANISATION | 57
l
l
l
The Andrew Love Cancer Centre
Ballarat Oncology
l
l
Monash Medical Centre - Clayton
Bendigo Hospital
l
l
l
l
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
SYMPTOM
BENEFIT
MOST
l
l
ICON6
ICON8
OUTBACK
PARAGON
REZOLVE
ECHO
PeNTAGOn
OVAR 2.21
feMMe
TASMANIA
Royal Hobart Hospital
Hobart Private Hospital
Launceston Hospital
l
l
l
l
l
l
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Royal Adelaide Hospital
l
Flinders Medical Centre
l
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
l
Calvary Hospital for Women, North Adelaide
l
l
l
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
l
St John of God Hospital, Subiaco
l
l
l
l
l
St John of God Hospital, Bunbury
l
l
King Edward Memorial Hospital
l
l
NEW ZEALAND
Auckland Hospital
Christchurch Hospital
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
Palmerston North Hospital
Waikato Hospital
l
Wellington Hospital
l
l
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS
ICORG - Ireland
l
NRG Oncology
l
AGO - Germany
l
MITO - Italy
l
NSGO - Sweden
l
GINECO - France
l
ONLINE STUDY
- OvQuest
NOTE: Many of ANZGOG’s research sites have affiliated hospitals which refer patients to the
central hospital participating in the trial. Our thanks for their support.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
OUR ORGANISATION | 58
INTERNATIONAL REACH
TRIAL OPERATIONS
NHMRC CLINICAL TRIALS CENTRE
The Australia New Zealand
Gynaecological Group collaborates
with the NHMRC Clinical Centre
(CTC) to conduct its clinical trials.
The CTC is part of the medical
faculty of the University of Sydney.
The CTC conducts investigatorinitiated collaborative clinical trials
research across diverse therapeutic
areas including cancer. All trials
undertaken through the CTC are
conducted strictly according to
guidelines for clinical trials research
and conduct, and are audited by
regulatory authorities, sponsors
and the CTC itself.
CTC staff bring a variety of essential
skills and work collaboratively with
ANZGOG investigators, spanning
clinical leadership, trial design,
project management, biostatistical
analysis, data management,
monitoring, administration
and coordination and systems
development.
OTHER CENTRES
ANZGOG also works with a number
of other centres across Australia to
conduct non-CTC operated studies.
In 2015 these included the OvQuest
study – an online questionnaire,
the MOST study conducted
cooperatively with OPAL at QIMR
Berghofer in Queensland, feMMe
study with the Queensland Centre
for Gynaecological Cancer and
PenTAGoN, with Peter MacCallum
Cancer Centre in Victoria.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
PUBLICATIONS
DiSipio, Tracey, Janda, Monika, Hayes,
Sandra C., Reul-Hirche, Hildegard,
Ward, Leigh, & Obermair, Andreas
(2015). The Lymphedema Evaluation
in Gynecological cancer Study (LEGS):
Design of a prospective, longitudinal,
cohort study. Cancer Research Frontiers,
1(1), pp. 104-118.
Stelloo E, Bosse T, Nout RA, MacKay
HJ, Church DN, Nijman HW, Leary A,
Edmondson RJ, Powell ME, Crosbie EJ,
Kitchener HC, Mileshkin L, Pollock
PM, Smit VT, Creutzberg CL. Refining
prognosis and identifying targetable
pathways for high-risk endometrial
cancer; a TransPORTEC initiative. Mod
Pathol. 2015 Jun;28(6):836-44. doi:
10.1038/modpathol.2015.43. Epub 2015
Feb 27.
Peterlongo P, Friedlander ML,
Chenevix-Trench G; et al. KConFab
Investigators, Antoniou AC, Friedman
E. Candidate genetic modifiers for
breast and ovarian cancer risk in BRCA1
and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Cancer
Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2015
Jan;24(1):308-16. doi: 10.1158/10559965.EPI-14-0532. Epub 2014 Oct 21.
Floquet A, Vergote I, Colombo N, Fiane
B, Monk BJ, Reinthaller A, Calvert P,
Herzog TJ, Meier W, Kim JW, del Campo
JM, Friedlander M, Pisano C, Isonishi S,
Crescenzo RJ, Barrett C, Wang K, Mitrica
I, du Bois A. Progression-free survival by
local investigator versus independent
central review: comparative analysis of
the AGO-OVAR16 Trial. Gynecol Oncol.
2015 Jan;136(1):37-42.
Oza AM, Cook AD, Pfisterer J, Embleton
A, Ledermann JA, Pujade-Lauraine
E, Kristensen G, Carey MS, Beale P,
Cervantes A, Park-Simon TW, Rustin G,
Joly F, Mirza MR, Plante M, Quinn M,
Poveda A, Jayson GC, Stark D, Swart
AM, Farrelly L, Kaplan R, Parmar MK,
Perren TJ; ICON7 trial investigators.
Standard chemotherapy with or without
bevacizumab for women with newly
diagnosed ovarian cancer (ICON7):
overall survival results of a phase 3
randomised trial. Lancet Oncol. 2015
Aug;16(8):928-36.
Despierre E, Vergote I, Anderson
R, Coens C, Katsaros D, Hirsch FR,
Boeckx B, Varella-Garcia M, Ferrero
A, Ray-Coquard I, Berns EM, Casado
A, Lambrechts D, Jimeno A; European
Organisation for Research and
Treatment of Cancer-Gynaecological
Cancer Group (EORTC-GCG), Groupe
d’Investigateurs Nationaux pour
les Etudes des Cancers de l’Ovaire
(GINECO), Austrian Arbeitsgemeinschaft
für Gynäkologische Onkologie (A-AGO),
National Cancer Research Institute
(NCRI), Australia New Zealand
Gynaecological Oncology Group
(ANZGOG), and the Mario Negri
Gynecologic Oncology group (MaNGO).
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor
(EGFR) pathway biomarkers in the
randomized phase III trial of erlotinib
versus observation in ovarian cancer
patients with no evidence of disease
progression after first-line platinumbased Chemotherapy. Target Oncol.
2015 May 26. [Epub ahead of print]
Lee CK, Lord S, Grunewald T, Gebski
V, Hardy-Bessard AC, Sehouli J, Woie
K, Heywood M, Schauer C, Vergote I,
Scambia G, Ferrero A, Harter P, PujadeLauraine E, Friedlander M. Impact
of secondary cytoreductive surgery
on survival in patients with platinum
sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer:
analysis of the CALYPSO trial.Gynecol
Oncol. 2015 Jan;136(1):18-24. doi:
10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.09.017. Epub 2014
Oct 2.
Mahner S, Meier W, du Bois A, Brown
C, Lorusso D, Dell’Anna T, Cretin J,
Havsteen H, Bessette P, Zeimet AG,
Vergote I, Vasey P, Pujade-Lauraine
E, Gladieff L, Ferrero A. Carboplatin
and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin
versus carboplatin and paclitaxel in
very platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer
patients: results from a subset analysis
of the CALYPSO phase III trial. Eur J
Cancer. 2015 Feb;51(3):352-8. doi:
10.1016/j.ejca.2014.11.017. Epub 2014
Dec 17.
Gaffney DK, Suneja G, Ryu SY,
McCormick M, Plante M, Mileshkin L,
Small W Jr, Bacon M, Stuart G, Kitchener
H. The Cervix Cancer Research Network:
A Global Outreach Effort on Behalf of
the Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2015 Jul
1;92(3):506-8.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
Lee, Chee, Emma Gibbs, Felicia
T. Roncolato, Lucy Claire Davies,
Christine Le Maignan, Werner Meier,
Maria Angeles Arcusa Lanza et al.
“Development and validation of a
prognostic nomogram to predict overall
survival (OS) in platinum-resistant
ovarian cancer (PROC): An AURELIA
substudy.” Abstract in ASCO Annual
Meeting Proceedings, vol. 33, no. 15_
suppl, p. 5547. 2015.
Bamias, Aristotelis, Meletios A.
Dimopoulos, Flora Zagouri, Anne-Sophie
Veillard, Jens Kosse, Ana Santaballa,
Mansoor Raza Mirza et al. “Bevacizumab
(BEV) with or after chemotherapy (CT)
for platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian
cancer (PROC): Exploratory analyses of
the AURELIA trial.” Abstract in ASCO
Annual Meeting Proceedings, vol. 33, no.
15_suppl, p. 5551. 2015.
Trillsch, Fabian, Sven Mahner, Felix
Hilpert, Lucy Claire Davies, Elena GarciaMartinez, Gunnar Kristensen, Antonella
Savarese et al. “Prognostic and predictive
value of primary vs secondary platinum
resistance for bevacizumab treatment
in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer in
the AURELIA trial.” Abstract in ASCO
Annual Meeting Proceedings, vol. 33, no.
15_suppl, p. 5552. 2015.
Harrison, Michelle, and Michael
Friedlander. “Over half of all
gynaecologic cancers are rare: Barriers
and challenges to improving outcomes.”
In Cancer Forum, vol. 39, no. 1, p. 20.
2015.
Roncolato, Felicia T., Rachel O’Connell,
Florence Joly, Anne Lanceley, Felix
Hilpert, Aikou Okamoto, Eriko Aotani et
al. “Baseline predictors of early treatment
failure in patients with platinum
resistant/refractory (PRR) and potentially
platinum sensitive (PPS>= 3) recurrent
ovarian cancer (ROC) receiving>= 3 lines
of chemotherapy: The Gynaecologic
Cancer Intergroup (GCIG) Symptom
Benefit Study (SBS).” Abstract in ASCO
Annual Meeting Proceedings, vol. 33, no.
15_suppl, p. 5564. 2015.
Grogan, Suzi M., David Bernshaw, Ilona
Juraskova, Sylvia Penberthy, Linda R.
Mileshkin, Meinir Krishnasamy, Alison
C. Hocking, BSW Sanchia K. Aranda, and
Penelope E. Schofield. “Developing
an Evidence-Based, Nurse-Led
Psychoeducational Intervention With
Peer Support in Gynecologic Oncology.”
(2015).
OUR ORGANISATION | 60
REGISTRATION & LEGISLATION
The Australian Business Number (ABN) is 69 138 649 028.
ANZGOG operates under a
comprehensive legislative
environment, including the follow
state and federal laws:
The Australian Company Number (ACN) is 138 649 028.
The Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group is an
Australian public company limited by guarantee trading under the name
Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group or ANZGOG.
STATE
Northern Territory – Reference No. 2010-4117
Annual Holidays Act 1944 (NSW)
Anti-discrimination Act 1977 (NSW)
Charitable Fundraising Act 1991
(NSW)
Charitable Trusts Act 1993 (NSW)
Crimes Act 1900 (NSW)
Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW)
Health Records and Information
Privacy Act 2002 (NSW)
Long Service Leave Act 1955 (NSW)
Public Holidays Act 2010 (NSW)
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
(NSW)
Workers Compensation Act 1987
(NSW)
Workplace Injury Management and
Workers Compensation
Act 1998 (NSW)
Workplace Surveillance Act 2005
(NSW)
ANZGOG is a Health Promotion Charity.
FEDERAL
ANZGOG is registered for charitable fundraising in all States
and Territories of Australia:
Western Australia – Licence No. 21334
Queensland – Reg No. CH2213
New South Wales – Charitable Fundraising No. CFN/21451
South Australia – Licence No. CCP1765
Tasmania – File No. F1A-331
Australian Capital Territory – Licence No. 19000383
Victoria – Registration No. 11419.13
ANZGOG is endorsed as a deductible gift recipient under
Section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.
OUR BUSINESS | 61
A New Tax System (Goods and
Services) Act 1999
Age Discrimination Act 2004
Australian Charities and Not-forProfit Commission Act 2012
Charities Act 2013
Criminal Code Act 1995
Competition and Consumer Act
2010
Corporations Act 2001
Defamation Act 2005
Disability Discrimination act 1992
Fair Work Act 2009
Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act
1986
Income Tax Assessment Act 1997
Privacy Act 1988
Racial Discrimination Act 1975
Sex Discrimination Act 1984
Workplace Gender Equality Act
2012
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY GROUP