Breakthroughs and Hope at NANOS 2025
Annual Neuro-Oncology Conference in Christchurch Highlights Progress and Partnership
Delegates at the 3rd Annual Conference of the NZ Aotearoa Neuro-Oncology Society (NANOS) in Christchurch
NANOS organising committee (L to R): Prof Gabi Dachs, Dr Melissa James, Dr Kate Gardner, Dr Catherine Han, Dr Anna Arns, Dr Thomas Park
Christchurch, New Zealand – 18 May 2025
The 2025 New Zealand Aotearoa Neuro-Oncology Society (NANOS) Annual Conference convened over two energising days, 17–18 May, in Christchurch, bringing together leading clinicians, researchers, patients, caregivers, and advocates from across Aotearoa and beyond. With 30 presentations and two major keynote addresses, the event proved to be another step forward for New Zealand’s growing neuro-oncology community.
Hosted at the University of Otago, Christchurch campus, the conference emphasised collaboration, compassion, and cutting-edge science. The programme began with a Patient Focus session which included a presentation by Māori kaitiaki, Theona Ireton, and an update on the advocacy work of Brain Tumour Support NZ, presented by charity chair Chris Tse.
L to R: Anna Kerr, Henri Kerr, Chris Tse
Hearing the voices of patients and caregivers always creates a powerful impact at NANOS. In a heartfelt session, Henri Kerr and Caleb Jackson shared their lived experiences dealing with a brain tumour. Henri’s wife Anna and Caleb’s mum, Alice, provided the caregiver perspective. Their testimonies underscored the importance of patient inclusion - "nothing about us, without us."
A standout theme was the urgent need for a national brain tumour registry. Presenters Holly Wilson, Dr Catherine Han, and Dr Thomas Park highlighted the current data gaps, especially for benign tumours and Māori and Pasifika populations. A proposed pilot in Auckland, aligned with the Cancer Control Agency’s CanShare program, aims to change this.
The afternoon session began with several quickfire scientific presentations from some of New Zealand’s top brain tumour researchers. From the lab to the clinic, research updates were both hopeful and honest. Dr Dorothy Lombe of Palmerston North presented interim data on a glioblastoma trial using a cocktail of repurposed drugs targeting the Renin-Angiotensin System. Early results from 21 enrolled patients showed that tumour progression remains a significant challenge, causing 9 patients to discontinue treatment.
Alice and Caleb Jackson with Chris Tse
Another major advance came from Auckland City Hospital, where methylation profiling—previously sent overseas at high cost—is now available locally. Dr Clinton Turner reported faster, more affordable diagnostics, which could significantly improve treatment timelines and accuracy.
Two keynote speakers captivated attendees. Dr Craig Gedye from Adelaide challenged current clinical trial paradigms, offering innovative solutions for more efficient and effective clinical trials in brain cancer, while Professor Bryan Day from Brisbane introduced revolutionary antibody drug conjugate therapies targeting glioblastoma and medulloblastoma. His message was clear: the future of brain tumour treatment is already unfolding.
The conference also featured innovative intersections of medicine and art, including a session on “graphic medicine,” showcasing comics as tools for storytelling and healing, presented by Professor Neal Curtis.
Adding a splash of colour to proceedings, a Brainy Beanies pop-up stall proved popular with delegates keen to support Brain Tumour Support NZ’s signature fundraising and awareness-raising campaign. The stall was a prelude to the week long Brainy Beanies Christchurch exhibition which ran the following week at the Pūmanawa Community Gallery in the Arts Centre.
As the NANOS community looks ahead to hosting the Asian Society of Neuro-Oncology conference in Auckland in 2028, the Christchurch gathering affirmed that New Zealand is a growing participant in the global neuro-oncology conversation.
L to R: BTSNZ chief executive Sarah Verran, Dr Slavka Kudrnova, Rebecca Lissiman