This webinar examines the ethical challenges of using immunotherapy in sarcoma where evidence is limited or uncertain. The session will address how clinicians are considering the use of immunotherapy in the absence of strong data, balancing honesty, hope, and informed consent. It will also explore the ethical limits of patient-driven requests, including considerations of potential harm, cost, and equitable care.
A final roundtable discussion with consumer input will highlight practical approaches to shared decision-making and values-based care in this evolving and uncertain treatment landscape.
A/Prof Jeremy Lewin practices as a medical oncologist at Peter Mac and the Medical Director of ONTrac at the Peter Mac Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Service. In addition, A/Prof Lewin serves as the medical oncology lead of the sarcoma group at Peter Mac and sits on the scientific advisory committee of the Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association.
Dr Connolly's clinical and research focus is on improving outcomes for sarcoma patients through translational research, multidisciplinary care, and education. She completed a dedicated sarcoma clinical-research fellowship at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse (2020–2021) and a translational sarcoma PhD at the Children’s Medical Research Institute (2021–2025), applying mass spectrometry-based proteomics to rare sarcoma tissue samples. She has established national and international collaborations with institutions including WEHI, the Garvan Institute, Hudson Institute, and MD Anderson Cancer Center, contributing to multi-centre translational studies and guideline development for ultra-rare sarcomas.
Her research achievements include over 27 peer-reviewed manuscripts since 2020, leadership of international multidisciplinary working groups on genetic predisposition in sarcoma, and multiple clinical and translational projects funded through the ANZSA Sarcoma Research Fellowship. Dr Connolly is also active in oncology education, contributing to ESMO, MOGA, and RACP programs, and co-leading the ESMO International Virtual Mentorship Programme.
Dr Vladimir Andelkovic specialises in the treatment of bone and soft tissue sarcomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), and hepatobiliary cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma. As a member of the Sarcoma Multidisciplinary Teams at both Princess Alexandra and The Wesley Hospitals, Dr Andelkovic is deeply integrated into specialised clinical networks. He is a member of the Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association and the Connective Tissue Oncology Society, and he serves as a Principal Investigator on several clinical trials.
Dr Andelkovic is heavily involved in Phase I research at Icon South Brisbane, focusing on the development of emerging cancer therapies. His commitment to advancing the field extends to medical education, serving as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland.
Professor Clare Delany has 15 years' experience as a Clinical Ethicist at the Children’s Bioethics Centre at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. She works as a consultant clinical ethics to health institutions who do not have their own embedded clinical ethicist. She is a nationally accredited mediator specialising in tertiary education settings, and in situations in clinical care where disagreements or misunderstandings prevent collaborative and respectful communication in the interests of a patient’s health and wellbeing.
At the University of Melbourne, Clare is a Professor of Academic Integrity and Professional Ethics in the Department of Medical Education, Melbourne Medical School. In Research Ethics, Clare chairs the University of Melbourne Central Human Ethics Subcommittee.
In 2023, Rob was diagnosed with Stage Three Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma in his right thigh. In addition to standard treatment, Rob was offered a place on SARC32, a clinical trial which added immunotherapy to both his preoperative radiation treatment and to his postoperative care. He is now 30 months clear of sarcoma. During his ninth month post-surgical review, he was diagnosed with unrelated prostate cancer and was surprised by the vast difference in the resources, options and support for prostate cancer patients in contrast with those diagnosed with sarcoma. This became a motivating factor in accepting an opportunity to join ANZSA as a CAP member and do what he can to advocate for resources and opportunities to enhance diagnosis, treatment and support for current and future sarcoma patients.
Rob holds a PhD from Charles Sturt University in the area of health taxation and had a career assisting governments with reforms of taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugar to better influence consumption behaviours. He hopes that with his research, analysis and writing skills that he can contribute as a consumer, and on behalf of other consumers, to the valuable work being done by ANZSA and many others the sarcoma community.
