PaCCSC & CST Research Forum 2027

About the Forum

Next February, leading clinical trialists, researchers, healthcare professionals, and consumers will gather in Sydney for the PaCCSC & CST Research Forum 2027. In 2027, the Forum theme explores the scientific foundations that enhance the quality of care of people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

Clinical trials are critical for evaluating the efficacy and safety of the therapies we use in cancer symptom management and in palliative care. It is also essential that we evaluate how we work as multi-disciplinary teams, and how we communicate with patients and families.

Interpreting the evidence and incorporating the science into the treatment of patients can be complex and challenging. The forum will explore how we can design and deliver the right trials for the right people at the right time, with a focus on equity, inclusion of underserved populations, and emerging opportunities in genomics, precision medicine, and symptom-focused supportive care.

We are proud that the PaCCSC & CST Research Forum 2027 has ‘Consumers Included’ status provided by Cancer Voices ensuring that the perspectives of patients, survivors, carers, and other members of the public affected by cancer are part of the planning and program of the forum.

Register today

Registration

Members

PaCCSC and CST members can access member ticket prices via an access code. If you are already a PaCCSC or CST member, please look out for your email forum invitation with an access code. If you've not received your invitation, please email Yinyin Phyo at cst@uts.edu.au.

Purchase four or more tickets in one transaction for a further 10% discount.

Non-members

Non-members are welcome to join us for the forum. Non-member ticket prices are listed below. Register early to get the early bird rate. Purchase four or more tickets in one transaction for a 10% discount.

Please read the membership section below to find out how to become a member. If you have any questions about membership, please email cst@uts.edu.au.

Become a member

Our goal is to bring together a diverse and proactive membership who collaborate to propose solutions that address the symptoms that negatively impact the quality of life of people with cancer or life-limiting illnesses.

Become a PaCCSC or CST member to receive an email notification and a registration access code when registrations open. Membership is free - apply online today!

Apply for CST membership Apply for PaCCSC membership

Registration pricing

Please refer to the registration types below for pricing. Early bird ticket prices will be available until Friday 27 November. From then, standard ticket prices will apply. Please note that booking fees will be applied at the registration checkout. Ticket prices below are GST exclusive.

Discount

A 10% discount will be automatically applied at the checkout when you purchase four or more Full Registration (Two-day) tickets in single transaction.

REGISTRATION TYPE	EARLY BIRD TICKETS Until 27 November 2026 (GST exclusive)	STANDARD TICKETS From 28 November 2026 to 5 February 2027 (GST exclusive)
Full registration (two days)
PaCCSC & CST members	$310	$390
Non-members	$410	$490
Consumer advocate*	$190	$190
Day registration (day 1 or day 2)
PaCCSC & CST members	$190	$240
Non-members	$250	$300
Consumer advocate*	$100	$100

*If you are a healthcare consumer advocate or your organisation works with healthcare consumer advocates, please get in touch with us to request access to consumer advocate tickets.

How to register

Registrations are now open!

Register today

Abstract submission

We are delighted to announce that submissions are now open for the 2027 PaCCSC & CST Research Forum.

The 2027 theme, Access by design: Precision, equity and impact in cancer and palliative care trials, will explore how we can design and deliver the right trials for the right people at the right time, with a focus on equity, inclusion of underserved populations, and emerging opportunities in genomics, precision medicine, and symptom-focused supportive care.

We invite authors to submit abstracts for both oral and poster presentations aligning with these topics and other related topics.

Please send any questions about the abstract process by email to cst@uts.edu.au.

Key dates

Abstract submissions open: 21 July 2026
Early bird registration open: 21 July 2026
Abstract submissions close: 6 November 2026
Abstract outcome released: 20 November 2026
Early bird registrations close: 27 November 2026

Abstract submission details

Abstracts must be submitted using the online form accessible by the button below. Please select your preferred type of presentation or if you would like to be considered for both types:
- Oral presentation: Must be original research in cancer symptom management or palliative care, including results from a clinical trial, substudy, or pipeline towards a clinical trial. Oral presentations will be allocated 15-minutes (10-minute presentation plus 5-minutes for Q&A).
- Poster presentation: must be original research in cancer symptom management or palliative care.
- Must be original research.
- Must include study results of a trial or substudy or pipeline towards a clinical trial.
- References are not required.
- Abstracts reporting on studies at a very early stage or study protocols will not be accepted.
- Drugs should be referred to by their generic name. The use of trade names should be avoided unless necessary.
- The main source of funding of a study should be indicated at the end of the abstract.
- Must be original research.
- The main source of funding of a study should be indicated at the end of the abstract.
- If selected, posters must be printed in A1 or A0. For PaCCSC or CST endorsed studies, you may contact Yinyin Phyo to request the updated poster template by emailing cst@uts.edu.au.
Abstracts must be structured, and will be assessed, based on the following criteria: Maximum 300 words permitted for the main abstract text which must be structured using the following headings: Background, Aims, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. Please also include a Title, Authors and Funding information.

Please check your abstract to ensure correct spelling and grammar prior to submission.
- You may wish to draft your submission in a Word document first so that you can copy and paste into the online form.
- Click the button below to access and complete the online form.
- Any changes after submission (for example withdrawal of abstract, change of presenting author etc.) should be emailed to cst@uts.edu.au, including complete contact information of any new presenters.
- After the review process, the abstracts will be allocated to the Forum program, and all corresponding authors will be notified by email of the decision of the review panel by 20 November 2026.
Submit Abstract

Travel grants

2025 regional travel grant recipients Donna Brown and Meg Harrison

We are pleased to share that Cancer Symptom Trials (CST) is offering two $1,000 regional travel grants and complimentary registration for the PaCCSC & CST Research Forum 2027.

To be eligible for the travel grants you must:

Be an existing PaCCSC or CST member or have submitted a membership application before 6 November 2026; see link to membership applications on the forum website
Work in rural or regional Australia
Work at least 0.4FTE in oncology or palliative care as a clinician (or researcher whose research is predominantly in symptom management in an oncology or palliative population)
Have an interest in cancer symptom management or palliative care clinical research
Demonstrate how attending the conference will enhance your professional development and align with your current work or future goals
Have approval from your supervisor (to confirm your employment eligibility and for your employer to invoice for the travel grant funds)
Commit to writing a 500- to 1000-word article about your experience of attending the forum (editing support will be provided by the CST team)

Travel grants will be disbursed to your employer upon receipt of an invoice, with invoicing details to be provided at the time of notification.

Complimentary forum registration will also be given (valued at $390) with a discount code being issued upon confirmation of a travel grant. All travel bookings are to be made by the grant recipient, and no further funding will be provided if costs are greater than the grant amount.

Submit your expression of interest via the online travel grant form below by 6 November 2026.

This initiative is supported by CST’s infrastructure funding through Cancer Australia.

Apply for a travel grant

CST Emerging Trialist Award

Submit your nomination of an emerging trialist who has excelled in their cancer symptom research during 2025 or 2026.

Cancer Symptom Trials (CST) recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements and contributions of emerging clinical trial researchers.

We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting nominations for the Cancer Symptom Trials Emerging Trialist Award 2025-2026. You can nominate someone else or yourself!

The Award will be announced in Sydney on Wednesday 24 February at the PaCCSC & CST Research Forum 2027.

The winner will receive a certificate and $1000, which can be used for any research-related activity.

You can nominate an emerging clinical trial researcher who:

has held CST membership for at least 12 months
has undertaken research into cancer symptoms
has been a lead or participating investigator in their first or second clinical trial
is from any health discipline
is a student, early-career researcher, or mid-career researcher

And who has achieved a significant milestone such as:

funding received
ethics approval and site activation
recruitment - first patient in
recruitment - reached target
publication
presentation - oral and/or poster

If you have any questions, please email Yinyin Phyo.

Submit your nomination by 29 January 2027

International Convention Centre, Sydney. Coloured display image on roof.

Venue

Situated in the heart of Sydney, the ICC comprises a Convention Centre, Exhibition Centre, and Theatre. These state-of-the-art venues house a variety of events that are conveniently located for visitors and locals alike.

For visitor information including parking, accessibility, dining, places to stay, and things to do while you are in Sydney, please go to the ICC visitors page.

Find out more about the ICC

Accommodation

Some of the hotels located near the ICC:

Sofitel Darling Harbour – 12 Darling Drive, Sydney NSW 2000
Novotel Sydney Darling Square – 17 Little Pier Street, Darling Harbour NSW 2000
Hyatt Regency Sydney – 161 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000
PARKROYAL Darling Harbour – 150 Day Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour – 58 Bathurst Street, Sydney NSW 2000
W Sydney Hotel – 31 Wheat Road, Sydney NSW 2000

Forum planning committee

Professor Meera Agar, CST Chair
Professor Brian Le, PaCCSC Co-Chair
Associate Professor Tim Luckett, PaCCSC Co-Chair
Associate Professor Hannah Wardill, Co-convener

Dr Michael Chapman, Co-convener
Sue Dowe, Consumer advocate
Phil Lee, Consumer advocate
Dr Rayan Saleh Moussa, PaCCSC/CST/ITCC National Manager

Yinyin Phyo, Rapid Program Coordinator
Charmain Strauss, Senior Project Officer
Fran Hyslop, Research Assistant – PaCCSC
Vanessa Yenson, Research Assistant – CST

Highlights from 2025

The 2025 Forum set the stage for new partnerships and innovations in palliative care and cancer symptom management.

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Access by design: Precision, equity and impact in cancer and palliative care trials.

About the Forum