2020 Pre-Conference Workshops Announced

2020    MASCC is pleased to announce four exciting Pre-Conference Workshops to be held at the 2020 MASCC/ISOO Annual Meeting. All of the workshops will take place on Thursday, June 25, from 8:00 to 11:00 AM. Workshop attendance requires registration in addition to registration for the Annual Meeting. Register at the official 2020 Annual Meeting website. Early-bird registration rates (for both the conference and the workshops) are in effect until March 10.

Managing Immuno-Oncology Toxicities: Models of Care
Chair: Bernardo Rapoport, MD
Immuno-oncology is a rapidly evolving field, and immune checkpoint inhibitors are becoming a standard of care for a variety of tumors. However, their clinical success is associated with substantial toxicities, which differ from those associated with conventional chemotherapy and require rapid and appropriate recognition and treatment. This workshop is designed to keep healthcare professionals up to date on the assessment and management of adverse events associated with these new therapies. Through case studies and discussion, speakers will address the basic mechanism of action of immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CTL4, anti PD1/PDL1 antibodies, and others) and their interactions with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies, and anti-angiogenic agents. The workshop will also provide an overview of the current and potential uses of these agents, a summary of the main immune-related adverse events, and recommendations for management and optimization of patient outcomes. New clinical tools will also be considered. This workshop is presented by the Immuno-Oncology Subgroup of MASCC’s Study Group on Neutropenia, Infection, and Myelosuppression.

Mucositis Research Workshop: Advances in Research and Practice
Chair: Sharon Elad, DMD, MSc
The overall goal of the workshop is to bring together basic, translational and clinical researchers in an informal setting to stimulate discussion and advance the understanding of mucositis. This year’s workshop includes both recent advances on immunotherapy-induced gastrointestinal mucositis and heavy ion-beam radiotherapy related mucositis, as well as future directions in research. It will also offer practical clinical tools, including technical, communication, and diagnostic tools. Presentations will feature appliances for the management of oral mucositis and new manifestations of oral mucositis post proton-beam radiotherapy. Additionally, to explore communication issues, role-play sessions will simulate clinical situations and encourage audience participation in the decision-making and ethical dilemmas illustrated by these scenarios. Several top abstracts will be selected for oral presentation, giving young investigators an opportunity to showcase their cutting-edge research and receive feedback from experts in the field. This workshop will provide an opportunity for face-to-face discussions to promote collaborative research, international research networks, and the forming of multidisciplinary teams to pursue new research and funding opportunities. This workshop is presented by the Mucositis Study Group.

Oral Supportive Care for Older Adults with Cancer: How Do They Eat? What Do They Eat?
Chairs: Kıvanç Bektaş Kayhan, PhD, DDS, and Christopher Steer, MBChB, MD, FRCOG
This workshop will explore practical aspects and key issues in oral care and nutrition assessment of older adults with cancer. Three distinct perspectives will be represented: those of the oncologist, the dietitian, and the dentist. Oncology-related topics will include risks for orodental and nutritional problems in older adults with cancer and geriatric assessment as a supportive care strategy. Dietary topics will include nutritional issues and the role of the dietitian on the multidisciplinary team, nutritional assessment, and interventions, such as dietary modifications. Dental topics will include the impacts of poor oral health, how dentists assess oral health, and interventions for preventing and managing oral healthcare problems in this patient group. A practical interactive workshop is planned to ensure that participants learn the basics of oral health and dietary assessment. Oral health assessments are not currently performed routinely as part of a comprehensive geriatric assessment. The workshop will conclude with a group discussion of which oral health assessments can be recommended and a strategy for integrating this into routine care. This workshop represents a collaboration between MASCC Study Groups on Geriatrics, Oral Care, and Nutrition and Cachexia.

Standards and New Technologies for the Monitoring and Management of Patient-Reported Toxicities during Active Treatment and Follow-up
Chairs: Corina van den Hurk, PhD, and Sangeeta Agarawal RN, MS, CAS
This workshop will address current and best practices for monitoring and management of patient-reported symptoms and will evaluate the emerging role of technology in this area. Speakers will review current practices, demonstrate new technologies, and discuss ways to guide patients in symptom self-management. Small-group discussions will consider such topics as new therapies, toxicities, and tools, guidelines, and management strategies from the perspective of such fields as dermatology, neurology, and geriatrics. Other topics will include multidisciplinary coordination and management, emerging themes, supportive care models, and opportunities for international collaboration. In addition, there will be a live demonstration of the latest technological advances in this area, including the use of artificial intelligence, chatbots, and virtual reality walkthroughs. The workshop will conclude with the generation of an outline for a paper on guidelines and a framework for incorporating technological advances for monitoring and management of patient-reported toxicities in daily clinical practice. This workshop represents a collaboration between three MASCC Study Groups: Geriatrics, Neurological Complications, and Oncodermatology.

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