Letter To The TON

Dearest Readers,

The TON (Thrombosis Only Nerds) is abuzz with the impending soiree that will be held in the capital of ancient Siam (or otherwise known as ISTH 2024 Bangkok).  Yours truly is certainly ready for some #Learnings (shout out to my Kiwi sisters…you know who you are xoxo) and my trunks are packed for some serious heat (so much to unpack in that statement, but I was referring to my luggage trunk and the weather).  For those whom are attending, please grab me for a selfie as I promenade through the conference halls or the at the TRIBE Sky Beach Club for the ISTH networking event…that’s right, an indoor beach club in the middle of Bangkok!

Not to be outdone, THANZ will also be throwing a soiree of sorts for our 30^th Anniversary!!!  (Happy 30^th THANZ!!!!)  The THANZ 30^th Dinner will be held on the Saturday after the THANZ Workshop at Gerard’s (which our awesome THANZ LOC members, Michelle Spanevello and Jane Mason, have arranged).  For those of you that are thinking of attending BLOOD 2024 Brisbane, please consider signing up for the Workshop and the Dinner!  Can I just throw it out there that surely the THANZ President have to do shots on behalf of THANZ given it’s a 30^th birthday?  For the TON *raise your fists*

I will now leave you to read the newsletter in peace and I promise that once I finish Season 3 of Bridgerton I will go back to writing like a normal person.  Maybe…

Yours Truly,

Danny "Whistledown" Hsu

Presidents Report

By:  James McFadyen

I hope everyone had a relaxing Christmas and New Year period. Although the holiday period seems a distant memory, I hope 2024 is a rewarding and productive year for the THANZ community. Indeed, 2024 will mark the 30^th anniversary of THANZ which is a wonderful milestone for our society and the thrombosis and haemostasis community in Australia and New Zealand. To this end, plans are currently afoot regarding how best to celebrate this at the Blood meeting in Brisbane. I know our councillor, and local organising committee member for Blood, Jane Mason has been busy with preparations for the Blood meeting. I am sure we will have an array of outstanding international and national speakers and accompanying programme. Similarly, Dom Pepperell is busy planning the THANZ workshop which, as always, is a terrific way to start the Blood meeting. I hope you can all make Blood and the THANZ workshop, and make sure you tick the THANZ box when registering for Blood!

Otherwise, it is important to note that THANZ has been very active in the new year regarding policy development. Indeed, Chee Wee Tan has formed working groups to develop intravascular device guidelines which will encompass central venous access devices and inferior vena cava filters. I look forward to the development and, hopefully publication, of these guidelines which aside from filling an important clinical need, will continue to raise THANZ’s profile and showcase the expertise of the THANZ membership. In addition, with the looming rollout of four factor prothrombin complex concentrate, Huyen Tran is leading the effort to update our previously published warfarin reversal guidelines in light of this change. I must also mention that Ross Baker has initiated the formation of the AUSNZBled steering committee to help address the important issue of bleeding disorders of unknown cause. I know a number of THANZ members are involved in this essential initiative which I am sure will ultimately provide important new insights into this area of unmet clinical need.

A critical aspect of THANZ’s success and growth over the last 30 years is the fact that we have a diverse membership encompassing basic scientists, laboratory scientists, pharmacists and clinicians. An aspect being discussed by council is how we can best support emerging researchers from all domains and we hope to be able to announce some developments on this front in the coming months. Lastly, our amazing secretariat, Megan Sarson, has been leading the charge on the redesign of the THANZ website. I must thank the THANZ members who have volunteered their time on this important endeavour.

I look forward to seeing you all in Bangkok for ISTH where there will no doubt be a strong contingent of THANZ research on show.

2024 S&E Funding Round and International Collaboration Grant

The 2024 Research and Travel grant funding round closed at the end of April and the S&E Trustees are now reviewing the appications. We hope to have results by the end of June.

But in the meantime, the 2024 S&E International Collaboration Grant  will be open soon. This will probably be the final year for this grant, as it is funded from the ISTH Legacy Fund donation (made as a result of the ISTH meeting in Melbourne in 2019), so if you've ever thought about making an application this is the time to put it together!

The THANZ International Collaboration Grant, which aims to facilitate collaborations between our members and Asian colleagues, will be open between 29th May and 31st July.

This AUD$10,000 International Collaboration Grant is open to:

• THANZ members who wish to travel to an institution in a country in Asia to impart specific T&H skills and knowledge; or
• Non-THANZ members, including early to mid career researchers and physicians, who reside in an Asian country and wish to travel to collaborate with a THANZ member, who has specific expertise in particular aspects of T&H, at their institution, in either Australia or New Zealand. Although applicants from all Asian countries can apply, preference will be given to applicants from Asian countries who qualify for ISTH Reach the World status. See https://www.isth.org/page/rtwcountries.

Applications for this grant will be accepted for travel before the end of 2025.

All applications must be made by submitting the on-line application form via the THANZ web site.  Grants will be confirmed by mid September.

New membership categories and fees

As we look forward to celebrating 30 years of THANZ this year and to further support existing and potential future members, as previously discussed at the AGM, THANZ Council have proposed changes to the constitution.

The main change is to re-structure the membership categories, which in turn will allow for a more equitable membership fee structure to encourage a broader representation to THANZ. We recognise the importance of laboratory scientists, researchers, nurses, post-doctoral students, pharmacists and allied health personnel in enhancing the THANZ community and are keen to increase their representation to the organization. We hope that these changes further reduce or remove the barriers associated with joining and contributing to THANZ.

Please find a summary of the Membership categories and fee structure below which can also be found on our website under the ‘Membership’ tab.

Individual Membership to THANZ is available to those working or studying actively in clinical and/or laboratory science in the field of thrombosis and haemostasis. You must also be a resident of Australia or New Zealand, or have a permanent appointment here whilst working overseas.

Individual membership comprises 3 categories and the membership period runs from July to June.

Category A

Clinical and/or laboratory haematologists with fellowship (FRACP, FRCPA or equivalent NZ/international qualification), or other specialists with fellowship qualifications.

Cost for AUS: $132 (GST inclusive), Cost for NZ: $120 (GST exempt)

Category B

Scientists, including laboratory scientists and research scientists, post-docs and trainees in clinical and/or laboratory haematology, nurses, pharmacists, educators or other allied health professionals.

Cost for AUS: $66 (GST inclusive), Cost for NZ: $60 (GST exempt)

Category C

Students who are enrolled in an undergraduate degree, i.e. medicine or other health discipline, or enrolled in a Masters or PhD program, or a retired person who has previously been a  member of THANZ.

Cost for AUS: Free,  Cost for NZ: Free

Blood 2024 and THANZ Workshop

Register for Blood and the Workshop here

And remember that early bird registration ends on 7th August

Fibrinolysis Down Under

By:  Cherry Keragala

As an active THANZ council member, as well as representing our members and community we also strive to offer opportunities to improve haemostasis and thrombosis related care in our practice. As an early career clinician-scientist, much of my research has been in the area of fibrinolysis and I have been lucky enough to be mentored by the celebrated Prof. Robert Medcalf; a world leader in this area. Together, we are both delighted to announce that we have been successful in securing competitive ISTH funding to run a local fibrinolysis fundamental scientific research workshop aimed at an Asia-Pacific audience and open to you all!

‘Fibrinolysis Down Under’, Fundamental Aspects and Translational opportunities, will be held on November 11^th to 14^th this year in the picturesque town of Byron Bay in New South Wales. The program will feature a diverse range of keynote speakers and moderators who will discuss the latest advances in the field. This workshop is open to everyone with a specific focus on early and mid-career researchers in the region with opportunities for networking and establishing research collaborations. Subject to funding and sponsorship, we aim to provide travel bursaries to students and early career post-doctoral students to this meeting.

Although the conference program is still being finalised, the following topics will be covered during the meeting. 

1. Cell and platelet surface plasminogen activation
2. New assays for fibrinolysis
3. The role of fibrinolysis in immunity and inflammation
4. New indications for anti-fibrinolytic agents: basis and clinical aspects
5. Ischaemic stroke: Animal models, new thrombolytic agents, adjunctive treatments and predictive tests
6. Malignancy

Please find the official link to the meeting below and on the THANZ website and look out for program updates and registration commencement dates. Places will be limited as this is designed to be a small, intimate meeting so make sure you register early! We hope to see there!

https://www.eventcreate.com/e/fibrinolysis

As we look forward to celebrating 30 years of THANZ this year and to further support existing and potential future members, as previously discussed at the AGM, THANZ Council have proposed changes to the constitution.

Highlights of ASH Asia-Pacific Review

By:  Cherry Keragala

Do you feel anxious and overwhelmed at the thought of attending ASH and having to contend with thousands of delegates and numerous parallel sessions? But at the same time have an immense sense of ‘fear of missing out’ (FOMO) if you don’t get to the premier haematology conference of the year? Well…consider ‘Highlights of ASH’ in the Asia-Pacific as your low stress alternative.

This year, Highlights of ASH in Asia-Pacific was held in our own backyard, Sydney, over the weekend of February 16-17^th at the Sydney International Convention Centre.

The two full days comprised a comprehensive review of significant scientific updates in clinical and translational haematology research and summarised key trials and abstracts presented at ASH in San Diego 2023. The content was collated and presented in easy-to-follow topic streams with interactive audience polls and Q&A sessions. There were no parallel or competing presentations and the ‘lunch with an expert’ on both days also provided an opportunity to network and get a topic leader’s opinion on those ‘difficult’ patients we all have. Notable topics included Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Including Chronic Myeloid Leukemia presented by our very own A/Prof. David Ross from Adelaide as well as Transfusion Medicine: Blood Banking and Apheresis by Prof. Erica Wood. A Special Education Session on CAR T- Cell Therapy was presented by Dr. Matthew Frank from Standford University, Dr. Loretta Nastoupil from MD Anderson Cancer Centre and Dr. Robin Sanderson from King’s College in London was also very well received.

In all, Highlights of ASH this year gave me the opportunity to have great weekend away in Sydney with friends and colleagues while benefitting from some clinical and scientific updates on the side.

Highlights of Ash in the Asia-Pacific in 2025 will be held in Yokohama, Japan from February 22-23…so you better book those flights soon!

Pathology Update 2024 - Answers in Adelaide - A Review

By:  Nicola Eaddy

The RCPA website encourages Fellows to attend Pathology Update and/or at least one specialist society meeting each year, and for those of you on top of the RCPA CPDP – the hours spent come under Category A: Educational Activities.   The college holds an alliterative update each year – and 2024 encouraged us to find Answers in Adelaide.

 I attended and as I arrived in the blue skies of Adelaide, from the damp weather of Auckland, was glad I had.  The Adelaide Convention centre was an excellent venue and central to all accommodation.  I must also say the catering was some of the best at a conference I had experienced.

There was a preconference supervisors workshop held, which was one of the reasons I attended – held the day prior for three hours (afternoon tea included!)  It was free to register for and covered a number of helpful topics, including Performance and motivation in adult learners and supporting trainees and supervisors. The college also updated us   on topics – including the Online training portal which is coming soon and will thankfully make the trainee and supervisors paperwork obsolete.  My personal highlight was the very very honest, promoting registrar understanding of the requirements for success in consultant roles talk by The AP coordinator from Victoria.   Attendance at this workshop gives accreditation as an RCPA supervisor for five years - much easier and far more enjoyable than the online modules.

The conference proper started the following day – with the time differences I was awake at the crack of dawn and enjoyed a stroll along the river with my fellow jetlagged New Zealanders.  We were somewhat perturbed at the nature warning signs (see photos) but kept alert and safe!

There were approximately 1300+ registrants and eight streams to attend – with some combined streams. The conference started with meet the Chief Examiner sessions for the registrars – everyone timetabled an hour, except for some reason AP who needed two.   Rebecca Adams did a lovely job of reassuring and educating the nervous exam candidates and I would encourage you to let your trainees go to Path Update if possible the year they are exam candidates. I was impressed with the number and quality of the invited international speakers for each stream with Haematology   having Professor Catherine Hayward from McMaster University in Canada, who is an expert on clinical and laboratory evaluation of bleeding disorders and Professor Letticia Qunitanilla-Martinez, a haematopathologist based in Germany with more than 300 publications, mostly around lymphoproliferative disorders, and on the clinical advisory committee for the WHO blue books.

Both of these speakers earnt their airfare doing two talks during the conference.  Professor Hayward covering topics closer to THANZ members’ hearts with Lab diagnosis of congenital and acquired coagulopathies including challenging rare bleeding disorders in an hour and a half. Following it up with diagnostic testing for platelet function disorders. 

The local speakers were also of excellent quality – and I congratulate Dr Ashwini Bennett for her session on interesting coagulation cases.

The social programme includes a welcome cocktail party the first evening, and a “Stand Up Soiree” post admission of new fellows. No, there is no dancing, but the food never ran out.

Pathology Update should be on the radar of Pathology fellows who work in the lab and supervise trainees. I was very impressed and congratulate the organising committee on a job well done.  This is a local conference which makes attendance much easier. Did I find answers in Adelaide – yes I think I did.

Welcome New Members

Please welcome new members-

Susan, Andrew, Tina, Robert, Lejla, Felanita, Molika, Clare, Sobna, Shujun, Hafsa, Vidya, Alexandra, Erin, Soakimi, Thomas, Anoinette, Steven, Wai Yen, Gabriel, Louise, Ramesh, Matthew, Tatenda, Travis, Kenny, Caitlyn and Vera

THANZ S&E Travel Grant Report  

By:  Yvonne Kong

With the support of the THANZ Science and Education Travel Grant, I was able to pursue a research placement at the Università di Pavia with the Alessandra Balduini Lab. Prof Balduini’s lab is one of the world leaders in megakaryocyte biology, and it was a great privilege to spend almost three months learning from the team. I was particularly interested to learn the group’s silk 3D bone marrow model, which has been shown to predict the in vivo response to eltrombopag in patients with MYH9 disorders.

It was fascinating to learn how to produce this model, which requires three weeks for a single experiment. Silk cocoons are boiled, solubilised, and combined with salt particles to generate a sponge that is non-thrombogenic and capable of supporting megakaryocyte development. After waiting (sometimes impatiently!) for haematopoietic stem cells to differentiate, the derived megakaryocytes are seeded onto the sponge. This system is then perfused to harvest the in vitro produced platelets. The model can therefore be used to study both platelet and megakaryocyte phenotype alterations due to genetic perturbations in the megakaryocyte.

Now at the end of my time in Pavia, I am eager to put these new skills to use and implement this model on return home to Sydney. Having the skills and the opportunity to use this in vitro bone marrow model will greatly assist my PhD research, focussing on the role of platelet endoplasmic reticulum proteins and their contributions to platelet dysfunction. A big thank you to THANZ for this wonderful opportunity to learn in beautiful Pavia, it has truly been a life-changing experience!

THANZ Representatives

We are grateful to the THANZ members who continue to represent the Society across a range of organizations and committees.

HOW Collaborative Satellite Symposium at ISTH

You are invited to register for an ISTH satellite symposium discussing haematology in obstetrics and women's health. Topics will include management of postpartum haemorrhage, pulmonary embolism in pregnancy, iron deficiency in women, and management of anticoagulant-associated bleeding. Speakers include Professor Beverley Hunt, Dr Jameela Sathar, Dr Angela Weyand and A/Prof Bundarika Suwanawiboon. The symposium is hosted by the Haematology in Obstetrics and Women's Health (HOW) Collaborative.

Register here

Changes are afoot

Earlier this year we foreshadowed that THANZ was planning a new web site. These plans have progressed and we are now in the midst of designing and implimenting a new, fresh web site.

Our thanks go to those members who volunteered to take part in the initial workshops to develop a desighn concept and who have provided stunning images  for us to use.

We hope the new site will go live at the end of June and we will send out information by email on what to expect and what you will need to do closer to that date. In the meantime, if you do not currently receive 'General Business' emails from us, please log in to the Member Centre and click the "Forgottent Password" link Click here if you've forgotten your password and make sure you have updated the 'Email Subscriptiuon Options' in the 'Update my Details' tab so you do not miss any important information.

There is, however,  one important thing we can share now.  With the move happening so close to the end of our membership year, we have decided not to send out emails in June to remind you to renew your membership as we ususally do. Instead, once the new site is live, we'll send out renewal reminders then.

Watch out for membership renewal notices in July!

Thanks to our Corporate Sponsor - Novo Nordisk

Our continued thanks go to Novo Nordisk for their on-going support of THANZ