Takeda (Australia)

Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is the first approved novel agent for salvage treatment of relapsed or refractory (R/R) classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). In this study, a literature-based analysis was undertaken to assess, via an indirect treatment comparison, the comparative efficacy of BV to salvage chemotherapy as treatment for R/R cHL patients following ASCT. This comparative effectiveness research was undertaken to support a reimbursement submission for BV to the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. Retrospective analysis of individual patient data from four data sources demonstrated that the use of BV as first salvage treatment in cHL patients relapsing or progressing post-ASCT achieved improvements in both clinical response and overall survival. More specifically, BV was associated with an incremental improvement of 22% in overall response rate compared to salvage chemotherapy. Five-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 92·2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 85·5-99·3%] and 32·2% (95% CI: 19·1-54·6%) respectively for BV, compared to 30·5% (95% CI: 22·2-42·0%) and 3·2% (95% CI: 1·1-8·9%) respectively for salvage chemotherapy. The encouraging results from this conservative analysis have the potential to support informed clinical management and funding decisions for the first salvage of cHL patients demonstrating recurrence after ASCT.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: As the population ages the prevalence of dementia increases and children are increasingly experiencing family members and older friends living with dementia. Unfortunately, stigma about living with dementia is common. Increasing understanding about dementia among children has the potential to reduce this stigma. This paper reports on the qualitative findings of Project DARE (dementia knowledge, art, research and education), a school-based, multi-modal, arts program designed to increase understanding about dementia among children aged 8-10 years. METHODS: A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to understand students' experience of the intervention. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes emerging from interviews with randomly selected students (n = 40) who had taken part in the program. RESULTS: The data analysis generated three themes related to students' awareness of dementia and experiences of the program: (1) nurturing empathy, (2) memory loss is complex, (3) learning about dementia through the arts to promote resilience. These themes show that the intervention increased students' awareness of dementia, and empathy towards people who are both directly and indirectly affected by dementia. CONCLUSIONS: Although dementia education can be viewed as too sensitive for primary aged students, the current study demonstrates that such initiatives are feasible and can be effectively implemented with this age group. SO WHAT?: Changing student's beliefs about dementia can positively impact their relationships with people living with dementia.

<h3></h3> How do we help people imagine their future—both in life and in death—while they’re still well? And how is it that our <i>Dying to Know</i> campaign invites people into conversations about death and dying that are not only deeply engaging and eye-opening, but often filled with laughter? <i>Dying to Know</i> is a public health campaign that’s been running for over 14 years. Each August, people across Australia host gatherings that spark meaningful conversations about end-of-life planning, values, and experiences. Every year, around 200 events are registered with the campaign, and this September, we’re excited to share insights from these community-led events with conference delegates. Increasing the number of advance care directives in Australia requires a holistic approach—one that celebrates the many ways people engage with death and dying. These conversations should begin not in hospitals or nursing homes, but around kitchen tables, in local libraries, and within communities—before a diagnosis or crisis occurs. Our presentation will showcase powerful, moving, and often humorous stories from this year’s <i>Dying to Know</i> events. These gatherings help surface people’s values, stories, and experiences. One surprising insight we’ve discovered is that many people feel more comfortable discussing these topics with strangers before opening up to family and friends. The campaign focuses on three core goals: Normalising conversations about end-of-life to make them easier and more accessible. Providing education and resources on advance care planning and related documentation. Challenging social stigma around death and dying to foster a more open and accepting culture. This year, we’re adding a fourth goal: launching a <b>national seed grant program</b> to support the creation of new <i>Dying to Know</i> events. We hope this initiative will further fuel community engagement and inspire delegates to get involved in the 2026 campaign. <i>Dying to Know</i> is run by <b>Proveda</b>, a Sydney-based charity whose vision is for everyone—especially older Australians and those living with disabilities, mental health challenges, or dementia—to feel a sense of belonging and connection. We believe in the power of collective expertise and community-led action. This will be our first time attending the Advance Care Planning International Conference, and we’re eager to connect grassroots efforts with professionals working in the field. We promise to bring stories that are funny, heartwarming, and transformative—stories that show what’s possible when communities come together to talk about life, death, and everything in between. Thank you—we’re dying to share more with you!

This study utilized Feminist Participatory Action Research in collaboration with community service organizations (CSOs) in Western Australia to assess knowledges, capacities and capabilities regarding climate justice. Through surveys, interviews, and workshops, CSO workers explored organizational responses to climate change and social justice. Participants self-reported a low-to-medium understanding of climate justice and a desire for capacity building, especially in decolonial practice. Half of participating organizations had policies regarding climate change and social justice and engaged in climate advocacy, but identified a lack of sectorial and organizational leadership. Participants recommended opportunities for CSOs to operationalize climate justice and disaster resilience via climate justice mainstreaming, partnerships and collective activism. CSOs prioritized co-producing a Climate Justice and Resilience Toolkit as a social innovation to embed climate justice and disaster resilience across CSO operations. This demonstrates the significance of collaboration in addressing the social injustices of climate change and fostering innovative outcomes for CSOs.