International collaboration has long been central to progress in melanoma research, bringing together the expertise needed to solve increasingly complex clinical challenges. Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) is continuing that commitment through a major research collaboration in Europe led by Medical Director, Professor Georgina Long AO.

Over the next three months, Professor Long will work with some of Europe’s leading cancer research and treatment centres, including the Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, the Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale in Naples and the University of Perugia, advancing collaborative research in melanoma and neoadjuvant immunotherapy. She will also be visiting the laboratories of major biotech companies she has collaborated with to develop drugs to reach MIA’s goal of ‘zero deaths from melanoma’.

“We are delighted to welcome Professor Georgina Long to the Champalimaud Foundation. She is one of the world’s foremost leaders in melanoma and immunotherapy, and her visit provides an outstanding opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between our teams and Melanoma Institute Australia. Together, we share a commitment to translating world-class science into better outcomes for patients, and this partnership reinforces the international collaborations that make this possible.”

– Dr. João Silveira Botelho, Vice President, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon

The collaboration reflects the increasingly international nature of cancer research and MIA’s longstanding partnerships with centres of excellence across Europe and around the world. By bringing together leading clinicians and researchers, these collaborations accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into improved outcomes for patients.

“As one of the world’s leading figures in melanoma and immunotherapy, we are pleased to welcome Professor Georgina Long to the University of Perugia. Her visit is a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and strengthen the ties with Melanoma Institute Australia. We look forward to the conversations ahead.”

– Associate Professor Mario Mandala, Director of Medical Oncology, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, University of Perugia

Advancing the next generation of melanoma research

Professor Long will participate in INNOVATE (International Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Across Cancers) in Naples in July 2026, a global meeting of leading clinicians and scientists focused on advancing neoadjuvant immunotherapy across multiple cancer types. The meeting brings together experts from institutions including the Netherlands Cancer Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard, and University of Milan.

Professor Long will be joined by MIA colleague Associate Professor Ines da Silva reflecting MIA’s leadership in the rapidly evolving field of neoadjuvant therapy.

Building on a landmark international partnership

The collaboration builds on the success of the landmark NADINA Phase III clinical trial, co-led by Professor Long and the Netherlands Cancer Institute. The study demonstrated a 68 per cent reduction in the risk of melanoma recurrence for patients with stage III melanoma treated with neoadjuvant combination immunotherapy compared with standard adjuvant treatment.

The results changed international clinical practice and led directly to the Australian Government listing combination immunotherapy on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), making this treatment accessible to eligible Australians.

The next challenge is understanding why some patients do not respond to neoadjuvant therapy and developing more effective treatments for them. Addressing these questions will require continued international collaboration between the world’s leading melanoma researchers and clinicians.

“It is a privilege to collaborate with Professor Georgina Long and Melanoma Institute Australia. Professor Long’s work has helped shape modern melanoma treatment worldwide, and welcoming her to Naples brings together two research communities at the forefront of neoadjuvant immunotherapy. This partnership exemplifies how international collaboration accelerates innovation and ultimately benefits patients.”

– Professor Paolo Ascierto, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples

Continuity of leadership

During Professor Long’s research collaboration in Europe, Professor Angela Hong, Deputy Medical Director and a leading radiation oncologist, will serve as Acting Medical Director.

Professor Long will remain actively involved in MIA’s research programs throughout her time overseas and will return to Sydney in October 2026.

“The extraordinary progress we’ve made in melanoma over the past decade has been driven by collaboration, but the next breakthroughs will require us to think even more broadly. To continue improving the effectiveness of immunotherapy, we need to look beyond individual tumour types and learn from cancer biology across the whole field of oncology.

My vision is what I describe as the ‘third space’, the place where clinicians, scientists, data experts and researchers from different institutions, disciplines and countries come together to ask the questions no one group can answer alone. That is where the next generation of discoveries will happen. By working together internationally, we can accelerate innovation, better understand why some patients still don’t respond to treatment, and ultimately improve outcomes for many more people affected by cancer.”

– Professor Georgina Long