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Melanoma

US Focus Meeting 2026


📍 Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, 10950 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037

🗓️ April 10 - 11, 2026


Dear Colleagues and Friends,

We are delighted to extend our warmest invitation to the US Melanoma Focus Meeting 2026, to be held on April 10 - 11, 2026.

Centered around the theme “Updating Knowledge & Clinical Practice in 2026” this meeting provides pivotal collaboration aimed at advancing Melanoma research and patient treatment.

This meeting presents an opportunity for medical professionals to engage in the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and insights, as well as networking with leading experts. Engage in riveting presentations, participate in thought-provoking debates and roundtable discussions, and connect with peers at informal social gatherings.

Co-Chairs of the Melanoma US Focus Meeting 2026:

Michael-Davies

Michael Davies, MD, PhD
MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX


Charlotte-Ariyan

Charlotte E. Ariyan , MD, PhD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, NY


Supporters to be announced...
Interested in supporting this meeting? Get in contact:
charlotte.pilling@md-education.com

Agenda & Faculty

April 10, 2026 | Day 1  

07:00 AM
08:00 AM
08:45 AM
Registration Opens
Industry Supported Independent Expert Discussion
Coffee Break

Session I: Stage III - Adjuvant Therapy
Moderated by:

JG

Jeffrey Gershenwald, MD
MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX


09:05 AM
Personalizing Risk Assessment in Stage III Melanoma

JG

Jeffrey Gershenwald, MD
MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
09:25 AM
Adjuvant Therapy - Immune, Targeted, or None
April-KS-Salama-1
April K.S. Salama, MD
Duke Health, Durham, NC
09:45 AM
Personalized Strategies in Immunotherapy
Janice-Mehnert
Janice Mehnert, MD
NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
10:05 AM
10:25 AM
Panel Discussion
Coffee Break

Session II: Stage III - Neoadjuvant Therapy
Moderated by:

RA

Rodabe Amaria, MD
MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX


10:45 AM
Pathological Response Assessment
Michael-Tetzlaff-1
Michael Tetzlaff, MD, PhD
The University of California, San Francisco, CA
11:05 AM
Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy

RA

Rodabe Amaria, MD, PhD
MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
11:25 AM
Surgical Considerations

MF

Mark Faries, MD
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
11:45 AM
12:05 PM
12:50 PM
Panel Discussion
Industry Supported Independent Expert Discussion
Lunch Break + Faculty and Fellow Photo

Session III: Stage IV Treatments - Part 1
Moderated by:

MP

Michael Postow, MD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY


01:40 PM
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Current and Future
Michael-Postow
Michael Postow, MD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, NY
02:00 PM
Predictors of Response to Immunotherapy
Marcus-Bosenberg
Marcus Bosenberg, MD
Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
02:20 PM
Understanding Resistance to Immunotherapy for Melanoma

TG

Thomas F. Gajewski, MD
The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
02:40 PM
03:00 PM
03:20 PM
Panel Discussion
Coffee Break
Industry Supported Independent Expert Discussion

Session IV: Stage IV - Multidisciplinary Management
Moderated by:

Charlotte-Ariyan

Charlotte E. Ariyan, MD, PhD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY


04:05 PM
Role of Surgery
Charlotte-Ariyan
Charlotte E. Ariyan, MD, PhD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, NY
04:25 PM
Role of Radiation
Christopher-Barker-1
Christopher Barker, MD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, NY
04:45 PM
Management of CNS Disease
Isabella-Glitza-1
Isabella Glitza, MD
MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
05:05 PM
05:25 PM
Panel Discussion
Adjourn

April 11, 2026 | Day 2  

07:00 AM
08:00 AM
08:45 AM
Registration Opens
Industry Supported Independent Expert Discussion
Coffee Break

Session V: Stage IV Treatments - Part 2
Moderated by:

Allison-Warner

Allison Betof, MD, PhD
Stanford Medicine, CA


09:05 AM
Cellular Immunotherapy: Past, Present, and Future
Allison-Warner
Allison Betof, MD, PhD
Stanford Medicine, CA
09:25 AM
Intratumoral Therapy
Michael-Wong-1
Michael Wong, MD
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
09:45 AM
Molecular Targets and Therapies
Michael-Davies
Michael Davies, MD, PhD
MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
10:05 AM
10:25 AM
Panel Discussion
Coffee Break

Session VI: Uveal Melanoma
Moderated by:

SP

Sapna Patel, MD
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO


10:45 AM
Immunotherapy

SP

Sapna Patel, MD
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
11:05 AM
Hepatic Therapy
Jonathan-Zager-1
Jonathan Zager, MD
Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
11:25 AM
Liquid Biomarkers in Uveal Melanoma and Beyond
Ryan-Sullivan-1
Ryan Sullivan, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
11:45 AM
12:05 PM
12:50 PM
Panel Discussion
Latest Advances and Clinical Data in Gene Expression Profiling for Melanoma, Independent Expert Discussion Supported by SkylineDx
Lunch Break

Session VII: Rare Populations
Moderated by:

RC

Richard Carvajal, MD
Northwell Health, Long Island, NY


01:40 PM
New Paradigms for Mucosal Melanoma

KT

Katy Tsai, MD
The University of California, San Francisco, CA
02:00 PM
Molecular Targets/Therapies in Non-Cutaneous Melanoma

MM

Meredith McKean, MD
Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, TN
02:20 PM
Pediatric Melanoma
Vernon-Sondak
Vernon Sondak, MD
Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
02:40 PM
03:00 PM
03:20 PM
Panel Discussion
Coffee Break
Industry Supported Independent Expert Discussion

Session VIII: Emerging Research Areas
Moderated by:

Michael-Davies

Michael Davies, MD, PhD
MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

04:05 PM
Immunotherapy Toxicities

DJ

Douglas Johnson, MD
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
04:25 PM
Host Factors and the Microbiome

JM

Jennifer McQuade, MD
JMQ Oncology Advisors
04:45 PM
Melanoma Surveillance and Survivorship
Lesly_Ann-Dossett
Lesly Ann Dossett, MD
University of Michigan Health, Ann Arbor, MI
05:05 PM
05:25 PM
Panel Discussion
Adjourn

Charlotte Pilling
Project Manager

How long has Charlotte Pilling been in the business?

Charlotte Pilling has been with MD Education since 2024.

About Charlotte Pilling

As Project Manager at our Wigan office, I draw on my extensive background in customer-facing roles to ensure smooth communication and successful project delivery. With over 14 years of experience in customer service, I've built a strong foundation in client relations, problem-solving, and team coordination. My attention to detail, proactive approach, and passion for excellence are qualities I bring to every project, and I'm dedicated to supporting project teams.

Charlotte-Pilling 2