In this episode, Josh interviews Dr Harold Burstein. A graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Medical School, Dr Burstein’s initial PhD was in cellular immunology. After receiving his oncology fellowship at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, he joined the staff in 1999. Hal has a particular interest in breast cancer and has participated in national and international clinical trials while also working to develop treatment guidelines worldwide. A passionate educator, Dr. Burstein teaches medical students, residents and fellows at Harvard Medical School and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and The Beverley Alt Scholarship proudly support this mini-series.The Kinghorn Cancer Centre: https://tkcc.org.au/Dana Farber Cancer Institute: https://www.dana-farber.org/For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Minor edits have been made to the episode to improve sound quality and flow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, on this mid-week special, Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is delighted to welcome Dr. Jeff Jones, a haematologist, oncologist and the Chief Medical Officer of Cullinan Oncology. Biotech companies are at the forefront of novel drug development, and it is fascinating to take a look behind the curtain and glimpse a small part of how targets are chosen and developed. This includes areas of unmet need, including Exon 20 EGFR mutant lung cancer treatment.Cullinan Oncology conducts research focused on immuno-oncology and translational cancer medicine, specifically focusing on small molecules and biologics to identify unique targets and develop transformative therapeutics across cancer indications.Many thanks to Dr Jones and the team at Cullinan for taking the time to appear on our show.For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We return to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute this week as part of our "On the Road" series and interview the multitalented Dr. Geoffrey Shapiro. Dr Shapiro completed his medical training at Cornell University and received his PhD in 1987. His passions lie in early-phase drug development and clinical trials, with a specific flair for cell cycle and DNA repair inhibitor therapeutics. Dr. Shapiro provides an insightful take on drug development, current opportunities, challenges, the world of CDK inhibitors and the future landscape of trials, along with the role of Project Optimus (no, not Optimus Prime!)The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and The Beverley Alt Scholarship proudly support this mini-series.The Kinghorn Cancer Centre: https://tkcc.org.au/Dana Farber Cancer Institute: https://www.dana-farber.org/For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Minor edits have been made to the episode to improve sound quality and flow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we interview Dr. Eric Winer, our second guest in our mini-series "On the Road". Dr Winer is no ordinary Oncologist; he is a prolific clinician and researcher, despite being born with haemophilia and living with the consequences of early treatment for this, including HIV. In this episode, OFTIM explores his formative years, challenges and triumphs as he provides unique insights as both a patient and a clinician. This episode was recorded live in front of a captive audience in Sydney, Australia.Eric is a decorated oncologist who graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and is currently the director of Yale Cancer Centre. He has held many prestigious positions, including the Chair of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Chief of the Breast Oncology Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and The Beverley Alt Scholarship proudly support this mini-series.The Kinghorn Cancer Centre: https://tkcc.org.au/Dana Farber Cancer Institute: https://www.dana-farber.org/For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Minor edits have been made to the episode to improve sound quality and flow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we interview Dr. Erica Mayer as our first guest in the "On the Road" mini-series. Dr. Mayer is a renowned breast cancer oncologist at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Each week for the next seven weeks, Michael and Josh will introduce a new guest to share their wealth of experience, expertise and wisdom, covering all the essential topics from career development, mentorship and necessary trials and challenges in the oncology world.Dr. Mayer graduated from Harvard Medical School and completed a fellowship in Medical Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Erica is the Director of Breast Cancer Clinical Research and is involved in multiple trials, which she discusses in this interview, along with the role of the PACE trial, CDK 4/6 inhibitors, CT DNA and many other important facets of the breast cancer world.The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and The Beverley Alt Scholarship proudly support this mini-series.The Kinghorn Cancer Centre: https://tkcc.org.au/Dana Farber Cancer Institute: https://www.dana-farber.org/For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Minor edits have been made to the episode to improve sound quality and flow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is back, and we have a blockbuster year ahead! Before we get there, we have our year in review 2023. Michael and Josh have poured over the treasure trove of pivotal trials from 2023 to bring you the best studies (in our opinion) from the last 365 days! We used various complex metrics involving no science or maths at all.Just when you thought you were free from oncology learning, we drag you back in, much like Al Pacino's character from The Godfather is famously quoted saying, "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!". We hope you all have a great year ahead!Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):5 Three-Year Overall Survival with Tebentafusp in Metastatic Uveal Melanoma4 FLAURA23 INDIGO2 MONARCH-E1 EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2023 has been a year of highs and lows, a calendar of peaks and troughs, an epoch of mountains and valleys (all right Michael, put the thesaurus away...). From standing ovations for enfortumab vedotin and vorasidenib, to the ongoing black hole that is effective treatments for pancreatic and hepatocellular carcinomas. However, through it all the brightest minds in the field have continued to stoke the fires of hope with the development of novel antibody-drug conjugates, immunotherapies and clever applications of established treatments.How fitting, then, that Josh and MIchael - definitely NOT amongst the brightest minds in the field, but two of the most enthusiastic - end their coverage of 2023 with a final glance into the future of lung cancer treatment. Keeping themselves to a (not so) strict five minute limit, they will look at four studies that may offer a glimpse into how lung cancer of both the small- and non-small cell variety may be managed.We wish you a very happy and safe New Year, and a happy beginning to 2024.Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):DS-7300: https://meetingsapp.iaslc.org/event/wclc2023/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfMTUyNDQwMw==ETER701: https://meetingsapp.iaslc.org/event/wclc2023/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfMTUyNDgwNQ==INTELLECT: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36829154/HERTHENA-Lung01: https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.23.01476For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Additional sound effects courtesy of Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ASCO and ESMO are done, and soon, 2023 itself will be in the rearview mirror. And yet, there are still conferences happening around the world; yes, we know the World Conference on Lung Cancer occurred before ESMO, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Join Michael and Josh on their latest virtual journey abroad, this time to the equatorial island of Singapore, as they report on two of their favourite studies from WCLC 2023. For those who celebrate, have a Merry Christmas and a happy festive season.Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):MARS-2: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32873681/FLAURA2: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2306434For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, their final of 2023, Michael and Josh return to the world of recent fan favourite, enfortumab vedotin (EV). Not content to sing its praises from every rooftop, our intrepid hosts take the necessary step of examining the common and sometimes severe manifestations of dermatological toxicity deriving from EV. With the assistance of a recently published guideline, they examine the presentation, assessment and management of skin toxicity.From all of us at OftiM, we would like to thank you for joining us throughout 2023, and we wish you a very happy festive season.Useful Links:Guideline ( et al, 2023): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jdv.19454 CTCAE 5.0 guidelines for skin toxicity: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Folliculitis-example-of-an-existing-toxicity-in-CTCAE_fig3_323714281For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind would like to issue a formal mae culpa to our listeners. You have joined us for over 12 months and over 80 episodes and listened to our ramblings and bad jokes. And it has taken 80 episodes for us to realise we have neglected the crucial and exciting subject of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). But fear not! We will rectify this egregious oversight with immediate effect. TNBC remains the scourge of the usually more optimistic breast cancer space. However, the fight of the world's oncologists continues across all fronts, and TNBC is no different. In today's episode, Michael and Josh will discuss the twin pillars of modern anti-cancer therapies: antibody-drug conjugates (sacituzumab govitecan) and immunotherapy (pembrolizumab). As so often the case, this is a growth area of medical oncology and one that we are very excited to (finally) address.Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):ASCENT: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2028485KEYNOTE-355: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2202809For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For patients with advanced cancer, early-phase trials may represent the last best hope of significant anticancer response. For clinicians, every early phase trial holds virtually unlimited promise and hope of becoming the next immunotherapy or hot antibody-drug conjugate. However, early-phase trials also come with significant uncertainty of efficacy, toxicity and even dosing.A recent Limbic article (link below) reported on an article published in ESMO Open that investigated the burden of "time toxicity" for patients enrolled in early-phase clinical trials, and advocated for this to be minimised. While it is essential to consider logistic factors and patient preferences, early-phase trials are frequently more inflexible compared to phase II or III studies, and are constructed as such to ensure patient safety in the face of significant unknowns.In this episode of Fireside Chats, Michael and Josh discuss the pros and cons of attempting to streamline early phase trials, if it is possible, and what can be done to minimise a trial's impact on a patient's day-to-day and quality of life.Article discussed in this episode (subscription may be required): "‘Time toxicity’ burden for patients in early phase cancer trials," by Siobhan Calafiore Available from: https://thelimbic.com/oncology/time-toxicity-burden-for-patients-in-early-phase-cancer-trials/?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Onc%201.12.23&utm_term=Read%20more&utm_id=91262&uid=12231&lk=0d144a028ccc3d800f567af6e9fa7662Art courtesy of Taryn SilverAudio courtesy of:Olexy on pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/olexy-25300778/JuliusH on pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/The opinions discussed in this episode are those of the authors and should not be taken for medical advice. They exist to engender discussion, debate and thought. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is here, and this year, OFTIM (Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind) is bringing you the latest and greatest in all things breast cancer. With over 10000 attendees, the research and vibrant discussions did not disappoint, with updates, controversies and complexities. Taking centre stage were PIK3CA mutation treatments, updates on CDK4/6 inhibitors and the age-old question - does exercise improve outcomes for our patients?Studies discussed in today's episode (subscription may be required)MONARCH-3KATHERINEINAVO120PREFERABLE EFFECTFor more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, OFTIM celebrates its 80th episode and presents its ESMO23 plenary session, including two practice-changing, paradigm-shifting trials. The first investigates the EGFR mutation Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer world with new drugs (amivantamab and lazertinib) to treat patients hose who progressed on osimertinib. The second trial is the EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39, which explores whether enfortumab vedotin (ADC) and pembrolizumab (immunotherapy) can best-platinum-based chemotherapy. No prior trial has ever done this, so the stakes are high. As the little engine once said, "I think I can", and, we, too, continue to see seismic shifts in cancer treatment in our quest for better therapy. For now, the OFTIM team is signing out and taking a small break after daily reporting, but we hope you loved it and can't wait to return with more from the fascinating world of Medical Oncology.StudiesEV-302/KEYNOTE-A39 - https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639614MARIPOSA-2 - https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639283For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind's coverage of ESMO 2023 winds down, we bring some of the best presentations covering gynaecological cancer. An area of oncology that in many cases remains mired in the pre-immunotherapy and pre-targeted therapy ages, ESMO brought some much-needed positive trials in the areas of cervical cancer, as well as an interesting (albeit negative) study of the PARP-inhibitor olaparib that highlights some of the more practical challenges of running an international phase 3 study. As always, outcomes can always improve, but any progress in this very important area is always a welcome development.Studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):A randomised phase III trial of induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation compared with chemoradiation alone in locally advanced cervical cancer: The GCIG INTERLACE trial https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639091innovaTV 301/ENGOT-cx12/GOG-3057: A global, randomized, open-label, phase III study of tisotumab vedotin vs investigator’s choice of chemotherapy in 2L or 3L recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639430Overall survival (OS) outcomes from NRG-GY004, a phase III study comparing single-agent olaparib or combination cediranib and olaparib to platinum (Plat) based chemotherapy in recurrent plat sensitive ovarian cancer (OvCa) https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639154For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the early development of immunotherapy, metastatic melanoma has been the golden child of medical oncology. In recent years, similar outcomes have been seen with immunotherapy in non-melanomatous skin cancers. Cemiplimab is now a standard of care for patients with locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic cSCC, and is particularly effective in patients with cancer driven by UV-induced DNA damage. However, oncologists and researchers are always looking for new and better ways to use established treatments. At ESMO 2023 two papers took this approach; one examined moving immunotherapy to the neoadjuvant space, while another added a venerable EGFR inhibitor to treatment of advanced cSCC. However, the undoubted star of this show is the long-term results of tebentafusp, the first efficacious treatment of a subtype of the notorious uveal melanoma. ESMO 2023 truly had something for everyone, and the melanoma and skin cancer areas were no exception.Studies discussed in today's episode (subscription may be required)A phase II study of neoadjuvant cemiplimab for stage II to IV cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC): One-year follow-up. https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/638272 Three-year survival with tebentafusp in previously untreated metastatic uveal melanoma in a phase III trial https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639251A single arm phase II, multicenter trial to evaluate the clinical activity and safety of avelumab plus cetuximab in unresectable stage III or IV cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: First results from the AliCe study https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/638271For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Non-small cell lung cancer continues to show massive promise with new trials, better designs and exciting utilisation of existing therapies. Michael and Josh explore immunotherapy in a "sandwich setting" where nivolumab is given before and after surgery. Datopotamab deruxtecan, the new kid on the block, takes on the second-line champion docetaxel. Who will win, and will docetaxel finally be dethroned? And potentially the most promising and exciting addition to this lineup is AZD7789, a new bispecific antibody TIM-3 being added to existing immunotherapy to try and resensitise cancer to PD-1 inhibitors!Studies discussed in today's episode (subscription may be required)CheckMate 77T: Phase III study comparing neoadjuvant nivolumab (NIVO) plus chemotherapy (chemo) vs neoadjuvant placebo plus chemo followed by surgery and adjuvant NIVO or placebo for previously untreated, resectable stage II–IIIb NSCLChttps://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639610Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) vs docetaxel in previously treated advanced/metastatic (adv/met) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Results of the randomized phase III study TROPION-Lung01https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639163Safety and preliminary efficacy of AZD7789, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and TIM-3, in patients (pts) with stage IIIB–IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with previous anti-PD-(L)1 therapyhttps://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/638311For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Metastatic colorectal cancer has an average overall survival of three years. With limited treatment options as standard of care or effective targetable mutations, ESMO23 shined, providing answers to unanswered questions and a potentially brighter future for this cancer. Concerningly, we are seeing higher rates of colorectal cancer in lower and middle-income countries and those under the age of 50. We explore sotorasib in KRASG12C mutated cancers with panitumumab, the use of aspirin to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and whether triplet therapy is better than double in potentially resectable colorectal cancer.Studies discussed in today's episode (subscription may be required)Sotorasib plus panitumumab versus standard-of-care for chemorefractory KRAS G12C-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): CodeBreak 300 phase III studyhttps://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/638992First-line systemic treatment in patients with initially unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM): Overall survival of the phase III CAIRO5 study of the Dutch Colorectal Cancer Grouphttps://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639062Aspirin after standard adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancers (ASCOLT): An international, phase III, randomised, placebo-controlled trial https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639177For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Colorectal cancer remains the bread and butter of many an oncologist, but its commonality belies its complexity. In early and advanced disease alike, there remain many permutations, considerations and controversies regarding optimal treatment. What is the best way to treat potentially-resectable colorectal cancer with liver metastases (CRLM)? Is there a way to increase the responsiveness to immunotherapy in patients with proficient mismatch repair (pMMR)? And are we moving to a brighter future where patients with deficient MMR colorectal cancer could avoid surgical management through the miracle of immunotherapy? Ultimately, no one study is going to answer these questions, but with ESMO 2023, we may be starting to peel back the layers of this onion.Studies discussed in today's episode (subscription may be required)Cetuximab plus FOLFOXIRI versus cetuximab plus FOLFOX in RAS wild-type patients with initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases: The TRICE randomized clinical trial https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/638067Neoadjuvant nivolumab plus relatlimab (anti-LAG3) in locally advanced MMR-deficient colon cancers: The NICHE-3 study https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639575A phase II clinical trial of sintilimab plus chidamide combined with or without bevacizumab in patients with MSS/pMMR metastatic colorectal cancer https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/638079For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next up on the ESMO 2023 rollercoaster is an episode that is likely to be the shortest in our series: upper gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary oncology. As always, this remains a very challenging subarea of medical oncology, both in the clinical and trial spheres. However, our esteemed colleagues at ESMO remain undaunted by this challenge, and thus several studies of interest bear discussing. Will any of these studies lead to massive upheavals for clinicians and patients alike? For that answer, you'll have to listen on.Links to studies discussed in this episodes (subscription may be required):Tinengotinib in patients with advanced, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor refractory/relapsed cholangiocarcinoma https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/638034GEMSTONE-303: Prespecified progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) final analyses of a phase III study of sugemalimab plus chemotherapy vs placebo plus chemotherapy in treatment-naïve advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinoma https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639003Nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine versus modified FOLFIRINOX or S-IROX in metastatic or recurrent pancreatic cancer (JCOG1611, GENERATE): A multicentred, randomized, open-label, three-arm, phase II/III trial https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/637982For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Genitourinary cancers come in all shapes and sizes, and this year, ESMO2023 takes the research up a notch. Prostate cancer is centre stage, and you might ask why, as it boasts extraordinary overall survival and progression-free survival. The issue lies in the sequencing of therapies and how to make treatment durable and better tolerated for all. Third, immunotherapy is not ready for primetime in this cohort of patients, and the reasons are unclear. Not to be outdone, bladder cancer continues to make strides in patient care with a phase 1 study that may be lost in no-man land or could harbour a shift in trial design with antibody drug conjugates. Today, we discuss the following trials:Articles discussed in this episode. Subscription may be required:Keynote 641 (Pembrolizumab + enzalutamide in the metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer sphere)https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045%2819%2930688-6/fulltextPSMAfore trial (LuPSMA in taxane naive patients)https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639061MAGNITUDE Study (Niraparib and abiraterone)https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639153The DAD study (sacituzumab govitecan (SG) plus enfortumab vedotin (EV)https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(23)00563-6/fulltextFor more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind's ongoing coverage of ESMO 2023. In the spirit of a worldwide oncology conference, here we present results from three very exciting trials in the early breast phase. Will immunotherapy begin to carve out a niche in early, high-risk, ER-positive breast cancer? Can atezolizumab demonstrate a benefit in early TNBC, and expand its own territory? Is abemaciclib pulling away from its rivals in the treatment of high-risk, ER-positive breast cancer? Will managing early breast cancer eventually have a similar success rate to the management of diabetes? And, most importantly, is Michelangelo a better Ninja Turtle than Donatello? The answers to all these questions, and more, lie within.Studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):Adjuvant abemaciclib plus endocrine therapy for HR+, HER2-, high-risk early breast cancer: Results from a preplanned monarchE overall survival interim analysis, including 5-year efficacy outcomeshttps://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639087Event-free survival (EFS) analysis of neoadjuvant taxane/carboplatin with or without atezolizumab followed by an adjuvant anthracycline regimen in high-risk triple negative breast cancer (TNBC): NeoTRIP Michelangelo randomized studyhttps://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639109A randomized, double-blind trial of nivolumab (NIVO) vs placebo (PBO) with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) ± NIVO in patients (pts) with high-risk, ER+ HER2− primary breast cancer (BC)https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639073For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every so often, an area of medical oncology has so many interesting presentations at a seminal conference that it becomes impossible to leave them out. At such times, Josh and Michael merely shrug their shoulders and say "why don't we do all of them." ESMO 2023 is one such instance. Despite their best efforts, our intrepid duo were unable to narrow down their presentation of early breast cancer highlights to one episode, so they are going to do two (for the price of one).Articles discussed in this episode. Subscription may be requiredPrognostic and predictive impact of estrogen/progesterone receptor (ER/PR), and Ki-67 expression: An exploratory analysis from the monarchE trial in patients with high-risk, HR+, HER2-, early breast cancer (EBC). https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/637956Association of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) with recurrence score (RS) in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/HER2-negative (HER2-) early breast cancer (BC): A translational analysis of four prospective multicentric studieshttps://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/637959Omission of breast surgery after neoadjuvant systemic therapy for invasive cancer: Three-year preplanned primary-endpoint on a phase II multicentre prospective trial https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/637966For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ESMO 2023 showcased several promising trials in the small-cell lung cancer space. A cancer that continues to send shivers down the spine of budding oncologists for decades. Today, we look at several different classes of drugs, the first being a novel immunotherapy agent, the second a well-known antibody-drug conjugate and the third a synthetic alkaloid analogue. Lurbinectedin and pembrolizumab, sacitizumab govitecan or toripalimab, while all difficult to say five times fast, may change the future of small cell lung cancer. Which is your drug of choice? Tune in to find out if you chose correctly!Studies discussed in this episode. Subscription may be requiredEXTENTORCH (Toripalimab) - https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639076LUPER trial (Lurbinectedin + pembrolizumab)- https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/638285Tropics-03 trial (sacituzumab govitecan) - https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/638286For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael and Josh continue their examination of the crème-de-la-crème of the European Society of Medical Oncology conference of 2023. Today they focus on metastatic breast cancer, with a particular focus on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). T-Dxd, Dato-Dxd and trastuzumab duocarmazine are just three of the many novel agents in this space, and likely represent part of the future (and the present) of medical oncology. How effective are these treatments? Will the final results of the TULIP study blossom like its namesake? Will T-Dxd fulfil its DESTINY and become a treatment option for HER-2 low advanced breast cancer? Will Dato-Dxd assist in making cancer BEGON(IA)? For more excellent puns and the answers to these questions and more, listen on!Studies discussed in this episode. Subscription may be requiredTrastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) versus treatment of physician’s choice (TPC) in patients (pts) with HER2-low unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer (mBC): Updated survival results of the randomized, phase III DESTINY-Breast04 study https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/637914Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) + durvalumab (D) as first-line (1L) treatment for unresectable locally advanced/metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (a/mTNBC): Updated results from BEGONIA, a phase Ib/II study https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/637972Trastuzumab duocarmazine versus physician's choice therapy in pre-treated HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: Final results of the phase III TULIP trial https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/637983First results of the SOLTI-1903 HOPE's patient-centric molecular screening program in advanced breast cancer https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/637984For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another year, another international oncology conference in a beautiful European locale. In 2023, the world's oncology community has descended on the Spanish capital Madrid to discuss the latest and greatest scientific developments in Medical Oncology. And as always seems to be the case, Michael and Josh remain at home listening to this avalanche of information virtually. Despite a distinct lack of sun and Español, our intrepid duo will continue a grand tradition that dates back to 2022: bringing some of the best highlights from Madrid directly to your ears across a series of episodes to be released this week.In the first episode of this series, Josh and Michael start in the most difficult of tumour streams: CNS oncology, an area where outcomes continue to be incredibly poor. ESMO 2023 brought some very interesting early-phase trials and no small amount of controversy, but that silver bullet unfortunately continues to elude oncology's brightest minds. Listen on to find out more.Studies discussed in this episode. Subscription may be requiredREGOMA-OS: A large Italian multicenter, prospective, observational study analyzing regorafenib efficacy and safety in recurrent glioblastoma patients. https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/637999Glasdegib in combination with temozolomide and radiotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma: Phase Ib/II GEINO 1602 trial https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/637931A phase I dose-expansion cohort of SYHA1813, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 1-3 /colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) inhibitor, in patients (pts) with recurrent meningioma https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/637997 For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cisplatin is the mainstay for concurrent chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancers. What happens to that significant group of patients who cannot have cisplatin? Michael and Josh focus on this challenging subgroup of patients. Can docetaxel be used as an alternative? This week, they debut a small but significant segment of our humble podcast called "Spotlight", where we dive deep into a single potentially practice-changing trial. Enjoy!Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):Docetaxel as a radiosensitiser: https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/jco.22.00980#:~:text=We%20found%20that%20the%20use,of%20life%20of%20the%20patients.For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cancer inherently increases the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pumlmonary Embolism. This is merely a nuisance for some, while others experience significant morbidity, leading to hemodynamic instability and potential death. Historically known as "the great masquerader" with pulmonary embolisms, we explore signs, symptoms, and different approaches to treatment. Warfarin remains the original and is still an option for patients, but have better therapies emerged like direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs)? The short answer is yes, but tune in as we dive again into systematic reviews and give you a summarised version of everything you should know.Useful Links:Statpearls DVT: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507708/Anticoagulation for thrombus in malignancy: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/anticoagulation-therapy-for-venous-thromboembolism-lower-extremity-venous-thrombosis-and-pulmonary-embolism-in-adult-patients-with-malignancy?search=cancer%20induced%20DVT&source=search_result&selectedTitle=4~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=4For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gynaecological malignancies are a diverse group of terrible malignancies. From ovarian to endometrial to cervical, these cancers are notorious not just for their mortality burden, but the significant morbidity that they can inflict. To explore how to combat these challenging clinical entities, Michael and Josh interview Dr Vish Boolell, a clinical oncologist who brings his vast practical and trial experience to bear in exploring how to best treat patients and manage the myriad challenges gynaecological cancer can present. Today's episode is a must-listen for anyone who has been confronted by a malignant bowel obstruction, or wondered about the significance of dMMR in endometrial cancer, or who simply want some practical tips about how to best help their gynae onc patients. For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is frequently said that it takes a village to treat a patient with cancer. However, beyond the nuts and bolts of medical and allied health treatment, there exists a whole other world of advocacy and education. Charitable and not-for-profit foundations, both nationally and internationally, have done incredible work for many years in raising awareness and funding for cancer treatment and prevention, as well as providing both patient- and doctor-centred education. Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is incredibly privileged to welcome the CEO of one such organisation, Meredith Cummins of Neuroendocrine Cancer Australia. Meredith brings decades of experience in oncology nursing, governance, fundraising and advocacy, and has done invaluable work in shining a light on the lesser-known challenges facing patients and doctors dealing with neuroendocrine cancers.Links from this episode:Neuroendocrine Cancer Australia: https://neuroendocrine.org.au/PLANET registry: https://neuroendocrine.org.au/planetregistry/COMPOSE study information: https://trials.cancervic.org.au/details.aspx?ID=feed-cta-trial444MoST framework: https://www.rarecancers.org.au/page/105/molecular-screening-and-therapeutics-most-#:~:text=MoST%20is%20a%20two%20part,treatments%20and%20new%20drug%20combinations.For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work!" so said Thomas Edison in describing his journey to the incandescent light bulb. This quote seemed appropraite as Michael and Josh conclude their journey in the neuroendocrine space and discuss neuroendocrine carcinomas (and poorly differentiated metastatic neuroendocrine tumours). Sometimes when you working in the oncological world, we all feel a bit like Thomas Edison, pouring sweat and tears into research that doesn't live up to expectations. But much like Thomas Edison, each step in this journey could revolutionise humanity or oncology, much like the CDK4/6 inhibitors, immunotherapy or tyrosine kinase inhibitors.But we aren't there yet. This week, Michael discusses the immunotherapy agent (Spartalizumab) while Josh goes old-school and discusses the TOPIC-NEC Japanese trial comparing etoposide and cisplatin (EP) to irinotecan and cisplatin (IP). Michael and Josh smell small cell similarities coming aboard the neuroendocrine express!Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):TOPIC-NEC: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2795418Immunotherapy (Spartalizumab): https://erc.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/erc/28/3/ERC-20-0382.xml For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neuroendocrine Tumours could be described as an impassable obstacle, more complicated the more you research. That's where Michael and Josh come in, and this week, explore Grade 3 metastatic neuroendocrine tumours. Michael provides a brilliant overview of this well-differentiated cohort and the lack of efficacy platinum chemotherapies have, while Josh discusses CAPTEM (temozolomide and capecitabine) through a systematic review. Interestingly many of the current data is retrospectively collected, highlighting how challenging it is to collect enough patients to pursue meaningful research.Note- there is a quote from Lance Armstrong, who was stripped of his titles due to illegal doping (which we do not endorse); he did start the Livestrong Foundation to support those affected by cancer.Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):1. Review - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8158108/2. Cape/tem - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9790144/3. Platinum-based chemo: https://erc.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/erc/20/5/649.xmlFor more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"We go to the moon and other places not because they are easy, but because they are hard." So spoke US President John F. Kennedy, in a speech that galvanised the American public and fostered widespread support for the space race and the Apollo space program that would culminate in Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landing on the Moon on July 20, 1969. A similar approach must be taken to the treatment of neuroendocrine tumours, a rare and difficult-to-treat cancer type requiring inventiveness, preparation and lateral thinking (almost) on the level of the Apollo and Soyuz astronauts.Last week, Michael and Josh discussed the front-line treatment of low-grade, well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumours. However, it always pays to be prepared. To that end, today our intrepid "onconauts" explore the lesser-known frontiers of later options, focussing on the competing everolimus and sunitinib. Will one option triumph over the other and reach the surface of the tumour first? Listen on to find out.Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):RADIANT: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)00817-X/fulltextRaymond et al (sunitinib): https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1003825For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Between 1933 and 1944, Americans huddled around their radios to listen to the words of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States. Covering topics ranging from the 1936 recession to World War II, FDR titled these addresses "Fireside Chats", giving very high-concept topics a more personal, intimate feel. Let it never be said that Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is above shamelessly cribbing ideas from history.In this series, on the first Wednesday of each month, Josh and Michael will go away from their usual format of data dissection. They will instead turn their attention to a cancer-related article, film or other media and discuss it with the same convivial atmosphere of FDR. In this episode, they discuss a New York Times opinion piece from August 2023 titled "Not Everything We Call Cancer Should Be Called Cancer," trying to strike a balance between personalisation and de-escalation of management of low-risk, pre-cancerous lesions while also viewing such discussions from the perspective of patients.Article discussed in this episode (subscription may be required): Not Everything We Call Cancer Should Be Called Cancer, by Dr. Laura Esserman and Dr. Scott EggenerAvailable from: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/30/opinion/cancer-breast-prostate-treatment.htmlArt courtesy of Taryn SilverAudio courtesy of:Olexy on pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/olexy-25300778/JuliusH on pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/juliush-3921568/The opinions discussed in this episode are those of the authors and should not be taken for medical advice. They exist to engender discussion, debate and thought. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neuroendocrine tumours (commonly referred to as NETs) is the topic for this week's episode of Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind. Michael and Josh thought it could be easily covered in a single episode, but they were wrong. This is not dissimilar to the recurrent cancellation of Futurama, a television series with nine lives saved by every network in existence.Neuroendocrine tumours are a diverse, heterogeneous, rare group of cancers that can occur throughout the body. The most common location is the gastrointestinal tract, lung, and pancreas. Of course, these aren't the only locations with NETs forming in the thymus, prostate, breast and skin. To complicate things further, the classification of NETs has changed multiple times over the past two decades.This first episode of our four-part "tour de force" will summarise well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumours and the pivotal studies of lanreotide and PRRT (peptide receptor radionucleotide therapy) with lutetium dotatate.Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):1. Lanreotide - https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa13161582. PRRT - https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa16074273. NCCN guidelines: https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/neuroendocrine.pdfFor more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previously, on Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind, Josh and Michael discussed the common systemic therapies available for early and advanced testicular cancer: single-dose carboplatin and bleomycin + etoposide + cisplatin (BEP). However, like the beginning of any good story, this is just the beginning. All the knowledge of chemotherapy in the world is nothing without knowing how to apply it. In this episode, our hosts attempt to tackle this very topic, dissecting the when, where and why of the treatment of testicular cancer. Consider this your Hitchikers' Guide to Germ Cell Tumours.Useful Links from this Episode: IGCCCG Risk Stratification Guidelines: https://www.urotoday.com/conference-highlights/gsrgt-2020/testicular-cancer/126571-gsrgt-2020-clinical-trials-corner-the-international-germ-cell-cancer-collaborative-group-igcccg-update.htmlReview Article - Adjuvant BEP for Stage IB NSGCT: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5902120/#B24eviQ Protocol (TICE): https://www.eviq.org.au/haematology-and-bmt/blood-and-marrow-transplant/autologous/1176-autologous-conditioning-germ-cell-tumour-ticeFor more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this, the tenth episode of OncoSnacks, Josh and Michael discuss the management of a common but no less important problem: superficial venous thrombosis and thrombophlebitis. While for the majority of cases the treatment is purely symptomatic, in a small minority of cases superficial venous thromboses can be a precursor of more serious thromboembolic events. This broad range of possible outcomes makes the management and risk stratification of apparently minor thromboses all the more important, particularly in the oncology patient population. Listen on as Josh and Michael aim to shed some light in this dark topic.Useful Links:BMJ Guidelines on Management of Superficial Thrombophlebitis: ttps://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-us/335Scott, Mahdi, Alikhan (BMJ Haem): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjh.13255 Evidence-Based Medicine Guidelines on Management of Superficial Thrombophlebitis: https://www.ebm-guidelines.com/ebmg/ltk.free?p_artikkeli=ebm00920#:~:text=The%20recommended%20treatment%20For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Edward Gibbon, an English historian and politician, once quipped, "History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind." This episode, which lacks historians and politicians, covers testicular cancer, a topic humankind has had a love-hate relationship with for millennia. As a historical concept in the middle ages, men who wanted to have a male as an offspring would sometimes remove their left testicles as the belief was that "boy" sperm was made in the right testicle and "girl" sperm in the left. We don't entertain such nonsense here on Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind. Instead, we discuss testicular cancer, an uplifting episode with high cure rates and a debate regarding observation versus treatment. Will there be a future when one can perform surgery alone? Does radiotherapy have a role, and do the pros outweigh the cons of chemotherapy?Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):EORTC 30982 study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21282539/Comparison of Two Standard Chemotherapy Regimens for Good-Prognosis Germ Cell Tumors: Updated Analysis of a Randomized Trial: https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/102/16/1253/2568956For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, the Nautilus reaches its final destination, where Michael and Josh pursue a deeper understanding of ROS1, and KRAS mutated lung cancer. ROS1 reflected less than 3% of non-small cell lung cancer, while KRAS is abundant and can reflect up to 25% of lung cancer patients. The challenge lies in the targets, with the only approved KRAS treatment sotorasib targeting a single KRASG12C mutation. Many, many more KRAS mutations exist in the wild. Michael uses his oxygen tank to discuss an integrated efficacy and safety analysis of entrectinib, and Josh breaks free of a shark and highlights the CodeBreaK 200 study.Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):CodeBreaK 200: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)00221-0/fulltextIntegrative Analysis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31838007/For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Josh step onto the oncological Nautilus, to begin their journey 20,000 Leagues Under Lung Cancer, to examine non-small cell lung cancer with mutations other than EGFR. The first step on their journey is discussing the anaplastic lymphoma kinase, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor associated with the development of non-small cell lung cancer in younger patients who have never smoked. Thankfully, unlike their previous episode, there are treatment options galore for patients with ALKmut NSCLC. Two of the contenders for the title of "The King of the ALK" are alectinib and lorlatinib. Alectinib has more robust overall survival data, but lorlatinib has hazard ratios so ridiculously good that they would almost meet statistical significance as p values! So which is better? Listen on to find out.Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):ALEX: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1704795CROWN: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2027187For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are cancers that grow slowly. There are cancers that do not grow at all. And then there are cancer's like today's subject, that are notorious not just for their ability to completely overcome a patient in a very small amount of time. Extensive-stage small cell lung cancer remains a very difficult condition to treat, highly prone to relapse and with few effective options beyond - or perhaps even including - the first line setting. While the medical and scientific community remain stalwart in their quest for therapeutic options, success stories have been few and far between. In this episode, Josh and Michael look at one success story, and one study dredged up from the pre-Internet era, to illustrate the dichotomy and discuss the challenge of treating this, the most aggressive of solid tumours.Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):IMpower133: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1809064 von Pawel et al.: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.1999.17.2.658?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmedFor more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chemotherapy extravasation can occur day or night, and one must always be vigilant. While many agents are irritants and may not pose significant risks, vesicants pose a different story. A tale of danger and intrigue, this situation can lead to the involvement of a friendly neighbourhood surgeon or Spiderman. In worst-case scenarios, significant tissue damage, treatment delay, and a sizeable psychological burden on the patient can occur. In this OncoSnacks episode, Michael and Josh explore this world, highlighting potential agents and how to prevent, diagnose and manage them.For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cancer is thought of as a great killer, an indefatigable bogeyman that claims the lives of everyone it afflicts. However, advances in medicine mean that for more people than ever before, cancer is something that people can survive or at least live with for longer. While an incredible achievement, this does raise many new challenges for patients and physicians alike. And thus, the concept of Cancer Survivorship was born, a service that aims to fill the gap in service for patients who have survived, or are surviving with cancer but may feel somewhat adrift in stormy seas.In this episode of Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind, Josh and Michael interview Dr Ash Malalasekera, an oncologist working in the South Western Sydney Local Health District, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse and Concord Repatriation Hospital, who has incredible insight into this emerging and truly holistic approach to the care of patients with cancer. We ask about her experiences, the challenges of this model of care and how it can improve or, in some cases, transform how patients can embrace life with or after cancer.For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) and LCIS (lobular carcinoma in situ) are challenging areas of breast cancer oncology. Michael and Josh return from their short hiatus to find their podcast has been ranked one of the top oncology podcasts by feedspot. Do not fear; they won't rest on their laurels and are ready to roll and bring another exciting episode of management, intrigue, and choose your adventure. Neither DCIS nor LCIS are technically cancer, but they both have the propensity to develop into a malignancy. The benefit versus toxicity question becomes paramount in the episode when talking to patients about cancer risk and treatment options. What on earth does a precancerous lesion actually mean?For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] you are interested in other Oncology Podcasts, head to feedspot to find out more: https://blog.feedspot.com/oncology_podcasts/#rightModalArt courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theodore Roosevelt is famously quoted saying: "It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed." This is what ASCO, oncologists and cancer researchers are faced with daily. As our tour de force of ASCO 2023 ends, and we foresee a future where daily episodes don't arrive, we present our final episode. Michael and Josh have kept three of the most exciting trials until the end.Today, three plenary sessions are reviewed. The first is in gliomas, the second in adjuvant lung cancer treatment, and finally, Michael and Josh tackle Mount Everest and the confusing world of rectal cancer with PROSPECT, a trial looking at non-inferiority and toxicity.StudiesINDIGO: https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.17_suppl.LBA1ADAURA: https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.17_suppl.LBA3?af=RPROSPECT: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/219804Many thanks to Merck for supporting this episode. Merck provided virtual access to ASCO 2023 but did not review or approve any part of OftiM's coverage of ASCO.For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The epic journey of Josh and Michael across tumour streams at ASCO 2023 is approaching its end. It has been a whirlwind tour through groundbreaking science, hazard ratios and exciting glimpses into a brighter future for cancer patients. However, our intrepid duo's work is not yet done, merely reached its penultimate stage. In today's episode, Josh and Michael examine four notable studies in the spheres of melanoma and head and neck cancer. Spoiler alert: in this part of the map, here there be groundbreaking studies!StudiesFianlimab + cemiplimab: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218502KEYNOTE-942: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218505CONTINUUM: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218513DEPEND: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218516Many thanks to Merck for supporting this episode. Merck provided virtual access to ASCO 2023 but did not review or approve any part of OftiM's coverage of ASCO.For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every epic journey has that moment when the end is in sight. The start of the last lap of the race, the final dramatic encounter with the main villain. On this episode of Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind, that villain is metastatic lung cancer, with a particular focus on EGFR mutant disease. There have been a lot of questions raised about the best next step after the failure of the star of ASCO 2023: osimertinib. Here, Josh and Michael examine three breaking studies that seek to shed some light on the slowly-unravelling mystery of how to best sequence and treat EGFR mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer.Finally, as we surpass fifty episodes, we wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has joined us on Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind so far. We have gone from two guys completely ignorant to the ways of podcasting to two guys almost completely ignorant to the ways of podcasting with a burgeoning, supportive and engaging community. For that, we cannot thank you enough. We love bringing this content to you, and we cannot wait for the next fifty episodes. We have a lot of exciting stuff yet to come!StudiesKEYNOTE-789: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218083EVEREST: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218106WU-KONG6: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218846Many thanks to Merck for supporting this episode. Merck provided virtual access to ASCO 2023 but did not review or approve any part of OftiM's coverage of ASCO.For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cancer is facing a seismic shift as precision oncology is becoming a reality, and adoption is skyrocketing as new anti-cancer agents are released. It appears that the days of blunt-force chemotherapy could be limited. Paul Ehrlich, the German Chemist, is credited with the term "chemotherapy", but more importantly, the concept of the magic bullet, "zauberkugel", which would allow selective targeting of pathogenic microbes without affecting other parts of the body. Leading the field of targeting cancer is metastatic breast cancer, as demonstrated by ASCO23. Oncology for the inquisitive Mind explores CDK4/6 sequencing, antibody-drug conjugates, and HER3 targeted therapy. Michael and Josh dissect the SONIA trial, sacituzumab govitecan use in the hormone receptor-positive space and partritumab deruxtecan, which could have pan-breast cancer utility.StudiesSONIA: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/219701TROPICS-02: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/219698PARTRITUMAB DERUXTECAN: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/219699Many thanks to Merck for supporting this episode. Merck provided virtual access to ASCO 2023 but did not review or approve any part of OftiM's coverage of ASCO.For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ASCO 23 explored novel anti-cancer agents in the genitourinary space. The future of oncology is etching closer daily. In this episode, Michael and Josh dissect ertafitinib, an FGFR inhibitor used in bladder cancer, talazoparib in prostate cancer and immunotherapy and TKI combinations in renal cell cancer. All these studies reflect the desire to target cancers further with some astonishing results. StudiesTHOR: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/217894PEACE-1: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218388TALAPRO-2: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/222733RENAL CELL CARCINOMA: https://meetings.asco.org/2023-asco-annual-meeting/15007?presentation=219853#219853Many thanks to Merck for supporting this episode. Merck provided virtual access to ASCO 2023 but did not review or approve any part of OftiM's coverage of ASCO.For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.