World Melanoma Day Global Symposium

World Melanoma Day Global Symposium highlights one of the most pressing challenges in oncology: the rising global burden of melanoma and the continued need for earlier detection and improved therapeutic strategies. Held during May, Melanoma Awareness Month, the World Melanoma Day symposium aligns with global efforts to strengthen clinical awareness and improve outcomes in skin cancer care.

In 2022, an estimated 330,000 new melanoma skin cancer cases were diagnosed worldwide, with approximately 60,000 related deaths. Despite meaningful advances in systemic therapy, outcomes remain highly stage-dependent, underscoring persistent disparities in early diagnosis. Five-year survival rates demonstrate this gap clearly: 100.0% for localized disease, 75.7% for regional disease, and 34.6% for metastatic melanoma. These figures reflect both progress in treatment innovation and the ongoing clinical imperative for earlier intervention. In the United States, melanoma mortality declined by 17.9% between 2013 and 2016, largely driven by advances in immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

Event Details

Date: May 11, 2026
Format: Virtual Global Symposium
Live Streaming: YouTube | X

Registration is open

Chair

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Name

Dr. Steven O' Day - Chair Dr. O’Day is the Chief Medical Officer at Agenus and a pioneer in cancer immunotherapy. Since joining in 2020, he has led the company’s expansion in immuno-oncology. With over three decades of experience as a medical oncologist, he has played a key role in advancing cancer therapies, particularly in the development of CTLA-4–targeted treatments, and continues to drive innovation in the field.

Speakers

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	Lilit Karapetyan Dr. Karapetyan is an Assistant Member in the Department of Cutaneous Oncology at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Assistant Professor of Oncologic Sciences at the University of South Florida. Her clinical and research work focuses on melanoma, with a particular emphasis on adoptive cell therapy and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Her translational research explores the immunobiology of tertiary lymphoid structures and their role in shaping anti-tumor immune responses. She is a recipient of the ASCO Young Investigator Award and the Melanoma Research Foundation Career Development Award.
	Vernon K. Sondak Dr. Sondak is Chair of the Department of Cutaneous Oncology at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and holds the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Distinguished Endowed Chair in Cutaneous Oncology. A globally recognized leader in melanoma, he has played a pivotal role in advancing surgical management, including sentinel lymph node biopsy, as well as perioperative treatment strategies. His work spans both clinical and translational research, with extensive contributions to multidisciplinary melanoma care and over 500 peer-reviewed publications.

Scientific Program

The Virtual World Melanoma Day Symposium is a global, expert-driven scientific meeting designed to convene oncologists, dermatologists, and melanoma researchers. The program is structured to reflect current clinical challenges and evolving standards of care in melanoma management. This symposium will provide a high-level platform for reviewing contemporary evidence, discussing translational research, and examining real-world implications of emerging treatment strategies. The event is designed to foster international dialogue and knowledge exchange across disciplines involved in skin cancer care.

Closing Note

The Virtual World Melanoma Day Symposium is positioned as a focused scientific exchange aimed at translating advances in melanoma research into improved patient outcomes. Through international collaboration and evidence-based discussion, the event seeks to support clinicians in addressing one of the most rapidly evolving areas in oncology.