The Governance of the Young SIOG Interest Group is proud to circulate the new issue of our quarterly newsletter. This tool aims at helping Young SIOG members stay tuned about relevant research and initiatives in the field of geriatric oncology.

Nicolò M L Battisti (UK/IT) - chair
Melissa Loh (USA/MY) – vice-chair
Enrique Soto Perez (MX)
Fabio Gomes (UK/PT)
Nina Neuendorff (DE)
Gabor Liposits (DK)

(left-to-right / top-to-bottom)

As an interest group within SIOG our specific aims are:

• To establish a collaborative network of young researchers and clinicians
• To facilitate mentorship of young researchers by more experienced investigators in the field
• To promote education and advocate for geriatric oncology in our institutions and countries

You can connect and collaborate with the group through several platforms:

Gabor Liposits (1982) is a clinical oncologist working as a consultant at the Department of Oncology, Western Hospital Trust in Denmark and leading the lower GI/GYN oncology section. He earned his medical degree from the University of Pecs in Hungary (2006) and completed his training in clinical oncology (2011).
Later he became board certificated clinical oncologist in Denmark, Norway and Sweden and worked in Denmark and in Norway since 2012. He became interested in geriatric oncology in 2014 and was a member of Frailty and Cancer Research Group led by Siri Rostoft focusing on research and development of geriatric oncology in Norway. He earned the certification in medical oncology by European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) in 2015 and participated at the SIOG Advanced Course in Treviso in 2017. He currently serves as a member the Young SIOG governance and the ovarian cancer committee at the Danish Medicines Agency.
He authored publications in peer-reviewed journals and reviewed papers for Acta Oncologica and Journal of Geriatric Oncology. His areas of interest besides geriatric oncology are gastrointestinal and gynaecological malignancies, cancer cachexia and nutrition, sarcopenia, supportive and palliative care, translational and clinical research.

Young SIOG activities at SIOG2019

During the past SIOG2019 meeting in Geneva, the Young SIOG group led on several activities and sessions. From the workshop on comprehensive geriatric assessments, to poster walks and an informal dinner and drinks in town.

Communication with older cancer patients using geriatric assessment
Mohile et al. published a cluster-randomized clinical trial which confirmed that providing a geriatric assessment summary and guided recommendations to oncologists can improve communication about aging-related concerns. (read here)

COVID-19
Whilst no research specific on older cancer patients has yet been published, SIOG has built a working group and the Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG) has recently published practical recommendations to inform care delivery for older patients with cancer during the COVID-19 crisis. (read here)

The Young SIOG group continued the work to develop and publish collaborative papers across several topics within geriatric oncology.

The latest publication focused on the COVID-19 pandemia, as the care of older cancer patients is particularly at risk. Young SIOG members around the globe shared their experience and country-specific guidance in a recently published paper led by Enrique Soto Perez (read here).

Here is an update on what is ongoing:

• Immunotherapy in older NSCLC patients
• Systemic treatment options in older patients with cancer
• Radiation oncology mini-review
• Physical function: Joint paper between Young SIOG and NAH

Several other papers have been published by the group over the last 2 years <More>

Find new collaborations
The Young SIOG continues to promote and disseminate a database of members enlisting their clinical and research interests. You can find colleagues to collaborate and also add/change your details directly here. Moreover, we may find you and share invitations that match your interests.

Write and raise awareness
The Young SIOG supports young members of our Society to collaborate on scientific paper writing under the supervision of senior members in the field of geriatric oncology. Moreover, we invite you to submit your work to Journal of Geriatric Oncology. If you would like to set-up a team of authors for a Young SIOG-led paper on a particular topic, please contact Melissa Loh (kahpoh_loh@urmc.rochester.edu), our liaison within the SIOG Publication Committee, to make the necessary arrangements.

Showcase your work and get peer support
The Young SIOG wants to promote all our achievements and showcase its members. Please contact Fabio Gomes (fabio.gomes@christie.nhs.uk) if you would like to be featured in the ‘meet the member’ or the ‘research highlight’ sections. Lastly, if you wish to brainstorm an idea or a project with other young members and some senior mentors, please contact Melissa Loh (kahpoh_loh@urmc.rochester.edu) about our regular online YSIOG Forums, which are open to all.

We hope to see you all soon!