Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind (Michael Fernando and Josh Hurwitz)

In their inaugural episode, Michael and Josh discuss one of the most common cancers a budding oncologist will encounter: prostate cancer. But is there more to this cancer than meets the eye? Will they make sense of the whole confusing mess? Is this whole podcasting thing way too much for them to handle? Listen on to find out!

Links to papers discussed (subscription may be required):

CHAARTED: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1503747

ENZAMET: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1903835

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Cover art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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, Josh and Michael discuss the incredible story of the treatment of metastatic melanoma, the immunotherapy revolution, and why this relegated a perfectly decent targeted therapy to second place on the podium. Join us for a titanic battle on a par with Macbeth vs Macduff, Rocky Balboa vs Apollo Creed, or Regina George vs that bus...

Links to papers discussed (subscription may be required):

CHECKMATE-067: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1910836

COMBI-D: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1904059

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Cover art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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 discuss the scourge that is metastatic mesothelioma. This genuinely awful disease continues to inflict significant mortality and morbidity on patients exposed to asbestos worldwide. One of our more grim episodes thus far, but never fear; we have still crammed in more dad jokes than one can wave a bag of chemotherapy at.

Links to papers discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

Vogelzang et al (2003): https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/jco.2003.11.136

CHECKMATE-743: https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(20)32714-8/fulltext

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

Editor's Note: the background noise is wind from a storm that hit Melbourne on the day of recording. It is not a cat being put through a blender

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.

Four episodes already! How time flies when you're having fun. In this episode, Josh and Michael discuss metastatic lung cancer, an area of oncology where a survival benefit of a few months generates cheers, tears and standing ovations. So what happens when studies start to improve patients' outcomes by YEARS? I don't know, but there were almost certainly minds that were thoroughly blown. Join us for this most optimistic of episodes!

Links to papers discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

KEYNOTE-189: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1801005

FLAURA: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1913662

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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 episode 5, Michael and Josh dive into the complex world of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. While early-stage breast cancer boasts fantastic cure rates many other cancers can only dream of, this evolving space must contend with multiple players, including aromatase inhibitors, tamoxifen and now abemaciclib (CDK 4/6 inhibitor). How best to approach adjuvant endocrine therapy is difficult, but Michael and Josh are on the case!

Links to papers discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

SOFT/TEXT: Prudence et al. (2018): https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1803164

MonarchE: Johnston et al. (2020): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32954927/

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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.

"Hepatobiliary cancer, the final frontier." So begins our double-headed sojourn into two of the most challenging to-treat cancers many oncologists will encounter, but one that ends on a surprisingly positive note. Also, there's a cameo that absolutely no one will see coming...

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

TOPAZ-1: https://evidence.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/EVIDoa220001

IMbrave150: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa1915745

Barcelona Liver Cancer Staging: https://els-jbs-prod-cdn.jbs.elsevierhealth.com/cms/attachment/fb5943f9-9201-4128-848a-626d744c651f/gr1_lrg.jpg

Source: Reig M, et al. "BCLC strategy for prognosis prediction and treatment recommendation: the 2022 Update." Journal of Hepatology. November 2021. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2021.11.018

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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, Josh and Michael once again tackle immunotherapy in its application to metastatic urothelial cancer. Some say immunotherapy should be used up front. Others say that it should be used when all previous treatments have failed. And still, others are wondering about that Richard Nixon/Spock impression from last week and how it could be topped. For answers to all those questions and more, you'll have to listen on...

Links to papers discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

JAVELIN-100: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2002788

KEYNOTE 045: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1613683

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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 very special episode, Josh and Michael hope to fulfil their fantasy of attending the European Society of Medical Oncology's (ESMO) yearly Congress, where they rub elbows with oncology's biggest movers and shakers; learn about the latest groundbreaking studies; and, in Michael's case, speak French with an accent lifted from a Monty Python sketch. The fact that they were stuck at home for the entire conference won't stand in the way of them from highlighting some of the best, most exciting studies presented in Paris.

Find us @InquisitiveOnc for fun oncology facts and links to the latest episodes!

All abstracts discussed in this episode are available from https://oncologypro.esmo.org. ESMO membership may be required.

Lung: ADAURA, CODEBREAK 200, INCREASE, IPSOS, Checkmate 816, APPLE

Breast: BELLINI, TROPiCS-02

Upper GI: LEAP-002, PRODIGE-65-UCGI-36-GEMPAX, RLY-4008

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

Fanfare theme courtesy of StudioKolomna: https://pixabay.com/users/studiokolomna-2073170/

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, Josh and Michael begin their second two-part expedition, this time exploring HER2-positive breast cancer, an area of oncology that has been much like your favourite Instagram or TikTok celebrity: at the forefront of the hottest new trends. Neither Josh nor Mikey have a favourite Instagram or TikTok celebrity because they are old and out of touch, but the shifts in HER2-positive breast cancer may be their favourite oncological TikTok celebrity. For the reasons behind such a stretched analogy, listen on!

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

NeoSphere: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(11)70336-9/fulltext

KATHERINE: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1814017

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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 extraordinary episode, Josh and Michael continue their journey to the earth's centre and the unknown with more European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) highlights. 

Since last week, Michael has realised that his French needs a bit of work, so they stuck to their guns and avoided google translate. Josh feels they should work on their Spanish to prepare for ESMO in Madrid in 2023. But before these dashing young Doctors get too excited for next year, more pivotal studies must be reported for your enjoyment! This episode focuses on colorectal, and Michael dabbles in some genitourinary and skin research.

Find us @InquisitiveOnc for fun oncology facts and links to the latest episodes!

All abstracts discussed in this episode are available from https://oncologypro.esmo.org. ESMO membership may be required.

Colorectal: FRESCO-2, NICHE-2, MOUNTAINEER, CAIRO5

Genitourinary: RADICALS-HD, COSMIC 313;

Skin: SWOG1801; Neoadjuvant Cemiplimab (NEJM)

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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 part two of their HER2 breast cancer dive, Josh and Michael explore the optimistic world of metastatic breast cancer. Once a desolate space with limited options, HER2 metastatic breast cancer represents the frontier of targeted therapy, like the industrial age or landing on the moon. While neither Josh nor Mikey have been to the moon, these researchers have landed among the stars bringing hope and effective treatments to an aggressive tumour time that a decade ago would have had a very different story. 

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

CLEOPATRA: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1413513

Destiny-Beast03: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2115022

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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, Josh and Michael take a step down from the dizzying heights of HER-2 positive breast cancer treatment and crash back to earth to metastatic pancreatic cancer, a topic that remains an unconquered Everest, mocking oncologists like that one kid who always stole Josh's lunch money in school... Don't worry; there will be no airing of childhood trauma here. Just two oncologists discussing treatments and casting a hopeful eye towards the future.

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

ACCORD-11: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1011923

MPACT: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1304369

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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.

To celebrate the end of breast cancer awareness month, Michael and Josh are joined by Dr Belinda Yeo, an experienced oncologist specialising in treating breast cancer. Belinda trained at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, Australia, followed by the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. She now works at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute as a Clinician Scientist with a specific interest in breast cancer and the prestigious Austin Hospital in Melbourne, Australia.

We discussed all things breast oncology with Belinda, including career path, research, patient-centred care and, of course, all the breast cancer treatment pearls for any budding oncologist!

This is one episode not to miss!

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.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.

After the highs of their special interview with Dr Belinda Yeo on all things breast cancer, Josh and Michael crash back to their usual programming with a banter and dad-joke-filled journey through the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. A notoriously insidious disease, ovarian cancer is responsible for not just significant mortality but soul-crushing morbidity as well. However, for some very special people, ovarian cancer does not stop them from reaching their goals, up to and including completing a triathlon! Listen on for the full, inspiring story!

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

PAOLA-1: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1911361

AURELIA: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/jco.2013.51.4489

Leslie Medley-Russell, Ovarian Cancer Survivor: https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/two-time-ovarian-cancer-survivor--never-give-up.h00-159148401.html

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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.

After looking at early upper gastrointestinal cancers last week, Michael and Josh take the logical next step and discuss the management of their metastatic cousins, the most unsavoury collection since Cassius and Brutus teamed up to assassinate their erstwhile friend Julius. And while our weapons against these cancers are limited, that will not stop our intrepid podcasting pair from taking a deep, rambling and irreverent dive into the dirty details. Friends! Oncologists! Countrymen! Lend us your ears!

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

TOGA: https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(10)61121-X/fulltext

CHECKMATE 649: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00797-2/fulltext

CHECKMATE 648: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2111380

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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 we CROSS into another episode, Michael and Josh explore the world of early gastric cancer and esophageal cancer. Interestingly both these cancers have a higher incidence in Asia and North Africa. Your podcast hosts soon find early detection of these cancers can be difficult, often leading to treatment challenges not seen by other cancer streams, such as bowel or breast cancer. Unlike previous episodes, FLOT4 looks at perioperative chemotherapy and its benefits over the previous incumbent chemotherapy. Before we give anything more away, make sure to listen to this episode to understand the gold standard of care for these cancers. Likes to the trials below!

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

CROSS: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(15)00040-6/fulltex

FLOT4: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)32557-1/fulltext

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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.

Movember is an important event focussing on men's health, including cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer diagnosed in Australia and the second most common in American men. To highlight this and explore the pioneering treatments available, Michael and Josh interviewed the esteemed Dr Megan Crumbaker. Megan is a medical oncologist specialising in genitourinary cancer and works at The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and St. Vincents Health in Sydney, Australia. Dr Crumbaker completed her undergraduate at Rice University, Texas, before completing her medical training in Sydney and a PhD in prostate genomics through The Garvan Research Institute.

We discussed all things prostate oncology with Megan, including research, career, pioneering treatment options and all things prostate cancer. These treatment pearls are not to be missed by any budding oncologist!

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.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.

In this episode, Josh and Mikey travel back millions of years to a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, as recent research has demonstrated, unmolested by cancer. Then they come crashing back to the present to discuss this week's topic, metastatic colorectal cancer. Will they discover secrets hidden across the aeons? Was the secret to cancer treatment hidden in the bones of our scaled precursors? No, of course not. But there will be a lot of information on the improving treatment of colorectal cancer, which has not taken millions of years to advance. Oh, and Michael does a passable Richard Attenborough.

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

FIRE-3: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(14)70330-4/fulltext

KEYNOTE 177: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2017699

BEACON: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1908075

Epidemiological Study of Tumours in Dinosaurs: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00114-003-0473-9

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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'm not in danger; I AM the danger!" So said Bryan Cranston's Walter White, and so too said early-stage lung cancer when confronted with adjuvant chemotherapy (maybe). In this episode, however, Josh and Michael follow in the footsteps of Hank Schrader, Steve Gomez et al., discussing ways to tackle one of the biggest killers in oncology. While we may not have found a way to control early-stage lung cancer, new developments are on the horizon, such as neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy and adjuvant osimertinib. So listen on, with the disclaimer that any similarities between Walter White and Jane Eyre are purely coincidental, no matter what Josh may argue...

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

CHECKMATE-816: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2202170

ADAURA: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2027071

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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.

Oncologists love pushing the limits of what is possible for our patients. To celebrate this and the 20th episode of Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind, Michael and Josh explore the heights of pioneering treatment for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). A notoriously resistant cancer with no known targetable lesions that affect younger women on average, The BrighTNess trial, Keynote 522 and Create-X show just how far the treatment landscape has changed in the last five years.

Tune into our final episode for the year! We will return in early 2023 with more content, interviews and hilarious banter.

On a final note, Dr Michael Fernando has been admitted to the Royal Australian College of Physicians (RACP), the equivalent of being board certified! Michael has completed this arduous training and is now a fully-fledged Medical Oncologist! Do not distress listeners. Despite no longer being a trainee, Michael will continue on as presenter and host extraordinaire for this podcast.

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

BrighTNess trial: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(18)30111-6/fulltext

Keynote 522: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1910549

Create-X: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1612645

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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.

New year, new episode of Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind! After enjoying their holiday break, Josh and Michael dive right into 2023 with an episode especially aimed at trainees just about to start their new professional journey in Medical Oncology. Joined by an old friend, the wise-beyond-his-years Dr Andrew Jensen, they discuss life as a trainee, balancing work and life, and how to navigate the tough first few years of life in training, which can so often feel like being a bottle cast into a storm. Join us for an episode that may be light on hazard ratios and p values, but heavy on practical tips and wisdom, delivered in the tone of three dads drinking beer by a campfire...

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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 the southern hemisphere basks in summer's beautiful warmth, Michael and Josh skip the beach to explore skin cancer. While melanoma usually takes centre stage in the oncological world, it is far less common than basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma now has a viable and effective treatment option called cemiplimab. At the other end of the spectrum, Michael investigates the very rare cancer type Merkle Cell Carcinoma and how Avelumab has changed its treatment paradigm. Once again, it's immunotherapy at its best. So remember, while listening to our podcast, don't forget to wear a hat and apply sunscreen generously!

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

Migden et al. (Cemiplimab): https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa1805131?url_ver=Z39.88

JAVELIN Merkel 200 (Cohort B): https://jitc.bmj.com/content/9/7/e002646

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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.

This week on Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind, Michael dons his cultural hat and begins with an Ode to the Kidneys, organs that are as much a muse for poets worldwide as the heart (probably). However, you didn't come to this podcast for excellent poetry being delivered with all the panache and misguided enthusiasm of a walrus stepping on a piece of LEGO, and Michael and Josh aim to deliver on this front. Our intrepid pair examine the controversial world of adjuvant treatment of clear cell renal cell cancers (ccRCC), an area of research littered with the ghosts of negative or equivocal studies. But, not every study can be a FLAURA or a DESTINY, and negative studies are just as important, so listen on to find out exactly what NOT to do. Truly, an OftIM first!

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

ASSURE: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5591751/

KEYNOTE-564: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2106391

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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.

This is OncoSnacks, a new, fortnightly OftIM spinoff!

In this new bite-sized series, Michael and Josh try to sink their teeth into more slice-of-life topics, all to help you, our beloved listeners, digest some of the most common problems your patients will serve to you on a platter. This week, a treatment side effect that actually stops people eating (and making lame food-based puns as well): mucositis.

This common side effect of anti-cancer systemic therapy can have a major impact on patients quality of life, frequently leading to hospitalisations, significant morbidity and nasogastric tubes galore. But how do we manage such a troublesome problem? Listen on to find out!

eviQ reference guide on mucositis: https://www.eviq.org.au/clinical-resources/side-effect-and-toxicity-management/oropharyngeal/210-oral-mucositis-and-stomatitis

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

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Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind returns to its regular broadcasting schedule and discusses metastatic renal cell cancer (ccRCC). As not to be outdone, Josh takes a cultural tangent exploring the world of opera after seeing "The Hours" broadcast through Met: Live in HD. While Josh doesn't sing this episode, he highlights this opera's parallels with cancer patients undergoing treatment. To avoid losing sight of this podcast's purpose, Michael and Josh soon find their way. They discovered that metastatic renal cell carcinoma has many treatment options, including targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or even combining these two modalities! Tune in to find out where the evidence currently stands.

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

CHECKMATE 214: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1712126

KEYNOTE-426: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1816714 

Other studies of interest:

CLEAR: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2035716

CheckMate 9ER: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa2026982

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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 the grand, six-month-long tradition of Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind, Josh and Michael provide an update from an international meeting to keep you right up to date with the latest and greatest developments in their field. This week's special is the ASCO GI Symposium, held in Moscone, California, and brought to your ears from Melbourne. From two guys in their pyjamas. Who would much rather be in Moscone, California.

At any rate, updates abound in this OftiM special. Listen on so you too can crest the wave of Gastrointestinal Oncology!

Studies Discussed: NAPOLI 3, CHECKMATE 648 and 649 updates, SPOTLIGHT, Pemigatinib in FGFR mutant mCRC

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

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 our second bite-sized episode, Michael and Josh explore the challenge of chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea, a common problem for patients leading to morbidity, hospital admissions, and potentially stopping curative treatments early. While immunotherapy and targeted therapy are not innocent bystanders regarding colitis and bowel problems, chemotherapy has long been the most prominent protagonist of this story. It is essential to identify warning signs, investigate adequately and see the treatment options available to you, the saviour and potential part-time plumber. Tune in and find out more!

eviQ reference guide on diarrhea: https://www.eviq.org.au/clinical-resources/side-effect-and-toxicity-management/gastrointestinal/779-treatment-induced-diarrhoea#:~:text=Chemotherapy%2Dinduced%20diarrhoea%20usually%20occurs,cause%20diarrhoea%20at%20other%20times.

BC Cancer reference guide on diarrhea:

http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/nursing-site/Documents/4.%20Diarrhea.pdf

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 finally embarks on the treacherous journey of neuro-oncology. While researching for this episode, Michael and Josh realised that effective treatments are limited but do not reduce neuro-oncology's complexity. This is a hefty episode covering low-grade gliomas, oligodendroglioma, astrocytomas and the important molecular markers and how these influence survival and prognosis for our patients. It also talks about the new WHO classification of primary brain tumours and how it has affected the interpretation of prior research.

Tune in for part one of this special mini-series covering neuro-oncology

Link: https://www.atlasantibodies.com/blog/glioma-classification-and-key-molecular-pathology/

• External site, no subscription is required

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

Note: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell seek medical advice

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Concluding their Journey to the Centre of the Brain, Michael and Josh tackle one of the most challenging and difficult cancers in modern oncology: high-grade gliomas. All of the usual suspects are here: irrevocable, progressive disease, limited treatment options and a gulf in evidence so large it makes the Grand Canyon look like a muddy footprint. All in all, not the most optimistic of OftiM episodes, but Josh and Michael will tackle it anyway so you don't have to. And remember: always refer your fit GBM patients to a friendly neighbourhood trials unit near you!

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

EORTC 26981-22981 NCIC CE3 (aka the “Stupp study"): https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa043330

RTOG 0825: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1308573

Brada et al: https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.2009.27.1932?role=tab

Taal et al: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(14)70314-6/fulltext

Wick et al: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1707358

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Visit us at your new website www.inquisitiveonc.com for our latest episodes, links to resources and musings!

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

Note: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell seek medical advice

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In this episode of OncoSnacks, Josh and Michael address the classic chemotherapy side effect: nausea. From Terms of Endearment (1983) to ER (2002), from Breaking Bad (2008) to Archer (2011), nausea and vomiting are the most frequently imagined side effects when it comes to chemotherapy. However, we are much better at managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) than we once were; a combination of better antiemetics and move away from highly emetic therapies means patients are usually much better off perspective. Nevertheless, in the words of great ancient oncologist Sun Tzu: "if one knows oneself, and knows the neuronal pathways associated with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, one need not fear the result of a thousand infusions." Listen on to find out how!

Guidelines for management of CINV available at:

- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468294220301131

- https://www.eviq.org.au/clinical-resources/side-effect-and-toxicity-management/gastrointestinal/7-prevention-of-anti-cancer-therapy-induced-nausea

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.com

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Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of:

- Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/

- SoulProdMusic: https://pixabay.com/users/soulprodmusic-30064790/

Note: 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 the second time in 2023, Josh and Michael discuss some of the hardest-hitting highlights from a conference; in this case, they dive into five studies that caught their eye at the recent ASCO GU Conference in, in Michael's words, "sunny California." We think he is simply jealous of the fact that Melbourne barely has sunshine for most of the year. Never fear: the amount of grousing about the weather pales in comparison to the clinical pearls, future projections and terrible puns.

Studies Discussed: ARASENS, CaboPoint, TALAPRO, HCRN GU14-188, PROpel, TROPHY-U-01, CAPTURE

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Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of:

- Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/

- SoulProdMusic: https://pixabay.com/users/soulprodmusic-30064790/

Note: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice, and for health, practitioners ensure you refer to your local institution's guidelines for treatment recommendations.

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Five hundred years ago, Christopher Columbus set forth to explore unknown lands. You might be asking, what do Chris and metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer have in common? The answer lies in his diaries, a tale of two men, with one aptly providing anatomical details of our subject today. While we spend little time exploring Christopher, Michael and Josh meet and greet three famed Cyclin Dependant Kinase Inhibitors (CDK4/6) commonly known as Ribociclib, Abemaciclib and Palbociclib. While not all equal in stature, they have revolutionised metastatic breast cancer and now stand as first-line therapy and the gold standard of treatment. Tune in to find out why!

Visit us at your new website, www.inquisitiveonc.com, for our latest episodes, links to resources and musings!

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver. Music courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/

Note: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice, and for health, practitioners ensure you refer to your local institution's guidelines for treatment recommendations.

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30 episodes ago, two young doctors took their first steps into the podcasting sphere, stumbling like two newborn foals birthed into a paddock full of fully functioning stallions, presenting a niche. Since then, they have blossomed before your ears into two vaguely competent podcasters, still finding their feet but growing in confidence, if not skill. Our continued existence, we owe entirely to you, our wonderful audience. You are the reason we continue to front up to our microphones every week, often wearing our pyjamas but that's beside the point. What we're trying to say is thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

To express our gratitude, we have prepared a niche episode for our niche podcast, examining the treatment of early head and neck cancer. This topic can befuddle even the most experienced oncologists with its confusing, contradictory cornucopia of confirmatory cancer clues. So listen on, as Michael and Josh try to clear a path through the dense jungle, like Doctor Livingstone BEFORE he went missing. Have I met my metaphor quota yet?

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

JCOG1008: https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.21.01293

Induction chemotherapy for NPC (Zhang et al.): https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa1905287?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of:

- Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/

- SoulProdMusic: https://pixabay.com/users/soulprodmusic-30064790/

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.

This episode of OncoSnacks kicks off Michael and Josh's sojourn into the wide world of immune-mediated adverse effects. Inevitably, as most blowhards do, they begin with the lungs. Immune-mediated pneumonitis is not as common as endocrine-axis abnormalities, dermatitis or colitis, but it can be insidious and devastating in equal measure. Such is the potential impact that must be considered in any patient who has received immunotherapy and presents with dyspnoea or a dry cough. Listen to learn more, and you will also know what irAEs and Senator Joseph McCarthy have in common.

Guidelines for the management of Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis are available at:

• https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2020.01785/full#:~:text=will%20be%20discussed.-,Incidence%20and%20Risk%20Factors,due%20to%20pneumonitis%20(6)
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7161534/
• https://www.eviq.org.au/clinical-resources/side-effect-and-toxicity-management/immunological/1993-management-of-immune-related-adverse-events

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of:

- Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/

- SoulProdMusic: https://pixabay.com/users/soulprodmusic-30064790/

Note: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice

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Michael and Josh welcome back Dr Andrew Jensen to help explore part two of OftiM's Head and Neck Cancer exploration party. With localised treatments done and dusted, the metastatic space is a daunting heterogeneous disease group. Twenty years ago, head and neck treatment relied on tried and true chemotherapy, but the last fifteen years have shown great strides regarding treatment options and outcomes. The first leap forward was cetuximab added to a chemotherapy backbone, making it the weapon of choice for oncologists worldwide. But like all great civilisations, pembrolizumab now dominates, showing how it can be effective when combined with existing treatment options.

A star-studded episode and one not to be missed!

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

1. NCT00122460- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa0802656
2. Keynote 048- https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(19)32591-7/fulltext

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of:

- Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/

- SoulProdMusic: https://pixabay.com/users/soulprodmusic-30064790/

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Today, our intrepid trio once more plunge down 20,000 leagues, exploring the confusing depths, hoping to answer one question: is there any evidence to support using systemic therapy in patients with potentially resectable oligometastatic colorectal cancer? The answer will take them to many dark, barely-explored corners of their profession and will raise more questions than answers. Following in the forebears of many explorers, it may drive them completely mad, or at least madder than they already are. But, to paraphrase Captain Nemo of the Nautilus: "the Earth does not want new continents, but new evidence for patients with resectable metastatic colorectal cancer."

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

OLIVIA: https://www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(19)31451-6/fulltext#ec0035

Falcone et al.: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2006.09.0928?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed

TRIBE: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(15)00122- /fulltext#:~:text=TRIBE%20was%20an%20open%2Dlabel,were%20recruited%20from%2034%20Italian

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of:

- Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/

- SoulProdMusic: https://pixabay.com/users/soulprodmusic-30064790/

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.

J.R.R. Tolkien. George Lucas. Steven Spielberg. With such seminal trilogies as Star Wars, the Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones achieving a permanent place in the psyche of everyday life, who would have thought there would be room for more? But fear not, because Michael and Josh are here with their take on the age-old formula, with the first in a trilogy of episodes on prostate cancer. Just as Luke Skywalker discovered his heritage and embarked on an epic quest against the Empire, so too do our heroes take their first steps in a fight of their own, examining two studies that pave the way for the future in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC) treatment. Gone are the days of ADT-alone, fading to give way to a newer, brighter future, like the end of Tolkien's Third Age. In summary, one may say of the old vogue of HSPC treatments: "It belongs in a museum!"

Have we mentioned that we are MASSIVE nerds recently?

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

1. ARASENS: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2119115
2. PEACE-1: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)00367-1/fulltext

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/

Note: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ageism is an inherent bias seen throughout medicine, with cancer adding complexity to an already difficult set of circumstances. Despite our best efforts, we all must face growing older, with time itself being that unstoppable force. Over 50% of all new cancer diagnoses are in the over-65 age bracket, which will climb as ageing populations become a reality across the globe.

This week, Michael and Josh interview the charismatically delightful Dr Michael Krasovitksy, a staunch supporter and advocate of self-empowerment, geriatric oncology and self-determination in the oncological world. Multiple thought-provoking topics are covered, including ageism, toxicity, symptom management, geriatric oncology, holistic medicine and how to combat the creeping presence of frailty. We also debate the age-old question: When do we not treat, and how does one have this conversation with the outcome being a guaranteed ticket to "shuffle off this mortal coil"?

This is one episode where Michael and Josh might find themselves with more questions than answers.

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/

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This episode of OncoSnacks pays homage to the lack of eyebrows, eyelashes and hair many patients face when undergoing cancer treatment and the resultant alopecia. While chemotherapy is the most wanted agent, it alone is not to blame. Michael and Josh explore the hairy situation of hair loss that faces many of our patients as they navigate a new world of outpatient clinic appointments, infusion centres and a new reality in how they live and look.

No eyebrows were injured during the making of this episode.

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of:

- Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/

- SoulProdMusic: https://pixabay.com/users/soulprodmusic-30064790/

Note: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Endocrinopathies in immunotherapy-related cancer treatment are common! Most of us will experience patients with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism regularly and recurrently in everyday practice. The incidence is variable, with some sources stating as high as 40% and others as low as 10%; either way, oncologists and trainees are likely to be close allies with their friendly neighbourhood endocrinologist. This week on Oncosnacks, Michael and Josh are interviewing Dr Dahlia Davidoff, an endocrinologist at North Shore Private Hospital in Sydney. Dahlia completed her specialist training through the prestigious Alfred Health and is currently a PhD student researching endocrine cancers at the Kolling Institute of the University of Sydney.

They focus predominantly on thyroid disorders and how to diagnose and optimise these conditions with patients receiving immunotherapy

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Dahlia Davidoff details:

https://www.davidoffendocrinology.com/

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of:

- Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/

- SoulProdMusic: https://pixabay.com/users/soulprodmusic-30064790/

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 the second episode of our prostate-cancer series, we investigate the inevitability of castration resistance: the biochemical, radiological and clinical progression of prostate cancer despite the best efforts of the heroic MDT. While this space will likely change in the coming years, with many novel anti-androgen agents displaying efficacy in the HSPC space, the current standards of care for patients include docetaxel and the dynamic duo of abiraterone + prednisolone and enzalutamide. These latter two agents are frequently used in the first line when a patient cannot or is unlikely to tolerate docetaxel chemotherapy.

However, there can only be one Lord of the Anti-Androgens, and today Josh and Michael will reveal their preferred agent. Listen on to find out which, and please, contain your excitement.

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

1. PREVAIL: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1405095
2. COU-AA-302: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1209096
3. TAX-327 (cameo only): https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa040720

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 feast needs a palate cleanser. Every great work of theatre needs an intermission. Every sports event needs a half-time show. In this way, Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is no different to Hamilton or the Super Bowl. Here, we provide a little deviation from our ongoing Prostate Cancer Saga to interview Dr Jenny Liu, Oncologist and early drug development (EDD) researcher extraordinaire. Our discussions range from her slightly unusual path to oncology, her previous research and how it is still making waves in the oncological community, and her other great passion: mentorship. Suppose you are interested in Phase One trials, mentorship opportunities (especially in Australia), or simply enjoy Josh dredging up dirt on highly accomplished clinicians. In that case, this is the episode for you!

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

Lutetium PSMA (Lutetium-177), theranostic medicine and future advances in prostate cancer are coming to an oncology centre near you faster than you can say "novel drug development" and "progression-free survival". This week Michael and Josh conclude their epic prostate cancer trilogy by exploring theranostic medicine and radioactive drug development while looking at the past of the cytotoxic world and the role of cabazitaxel. To ensure we keep your attention, six trials are discussed today, and a shout out to TheraP, the Australian phase 2 trial from the land down under.

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

Tropic trial: https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(10)61389-X/fulltext

CARD trial: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1911206

Corn et al: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31515154/

TheraP: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00237-3/fulltext

Vision: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa2107322

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of:

- Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/

- SoulProdMusic: https://pixabay.com/users/soulprodmusic-30064790/

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.

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cancer commonly found in the head and neck region, arising from glandular salivary tissue. Like many orphan cancers, effective treatments in the metastatic setting are needed desperately. The 5-year survival rate is 80% and declines over time. In this special subseries: Rare Cancer Snapshots, Michael and Josh pour over the evidence for ACC, pathophysiology and the treatment paradigm to date.

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind, we like to focus on cancer and available treatment options. However, every oncologist is at his or her best when working hand-in-hand with other specialities. In this, our seventh episode of OncoSnacks, Michael and Josh interview Dr Mark Nolan, a non-invasive cardiologist with a special interest in anti-cancer treatment-induced cardiotoxicity. Mark provides an engaging, comprehensive overview of the diagnosis and management of cardiotoxicity, with a particular focus on the two usual culprits: anthracyclines and anti-HER2 agents. A must listen for anyone who has been confronted with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 40%...I mean 30%... oh, now it's 20%...

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of:

- Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/

- SoulProdMusic: https://pixabay.com/users/soulprodmusic-30064790/

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.

COSA President-elect (Clinical Oncology Society Australia), Professor Sabe Sabesan, is the oncologist and doctor we all dreamed of being when starting our medical training. This is a story of adversity, compassion and drive without compromise. Sabe's global journey has taken him to some of the remotest places on earth, with each inflection point creating new challenges and opportunities. We discuss advocacy, the rollout of teletrials to improve equitable access, redefining system issues with the lasagna model and looking after the little guy. Michael and Josh are the OFTIM team and are humbled to share Sabe's story, a tale many of us can only aspire to achieve.

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 always nice to be able to say the phrase: "This cancer has an excellent prognosis." That is the case with endometrial cancer, which for the majority of sufferers, can be cured and carries an excellent survival. However, there are cases that unfortunately present late, and for these patients, the outlook is significantly more grim.

Some oncologists have little experience treating advanced endometrial cancer; for those listeners, this episode is specifically for you! In our 40th episode, Josh will discuss the foundations of endometrial cancer treatment, a topic that is vital but very boring, much like Josh himself. Michael will discuss the new frontier of immunotherapy in dMMR endometrial cancer, something that is transformative and very exciting but also unfortunately irrelevant to the majority of patients, much like Michael.

Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):

GOG0209: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7676887/

RUBY: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2216334

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 a fascinating but rapidly evolving discipline - it's a full-time job just keeping up to date. In this podcast, Dr Michael Fernando and Dr Joshua Hurwitz explore the latest trials, research, and practice-changing updates, as well as regular interviews with renowned oncology specialists. Ideal for those starting their training journey, established specialists and anyone interested in medical science, oncological practice, or terrible jokes. Preferably all three.

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

Peripheral neuropathy is a common toxicity of multiple anticancer agents used to treat and cure cancer, including platinum, taxanes and vinca alkaloids chemotherapy. These chemotherapy classes are as ubiquitous for cancer treatment as the sun is to plant photosynthesis. This week on OncoSnacks, Michael and Josh investigate what to do when a patient has peripheral neuropathy and examine existing evidence for prevention, treatment and duration of this sequelae.

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of:

- Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/

- SoulProdMusic: https://pixabay.com/users/soulprodmusic-30064790/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.

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*SPECIAL EPISODE ALERT*

Every year, Josh and Mike cross their fingers and pray to Father Conference-Leave that they can make the pilgrimage to one of the two central sites of Oncology: Madrid for ESMO or Chicago for ASCO. Unfortunately, to this point, Father Conference-Leave has not delivered, and 2023 is no different. However, the cold and wind will not stop our intrepid hosts from parsing the avalanche of potentially practice-changing studies, agents and professional development about to descend on the Windy City

So, consider today's episode what our American listeners would call an "appetizer," a taste of what may be coming from the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting for 2023. This will be followed by a string of episodes breaking the aforementioned avalanche down and examining it with a fine tooth comb, with one episode dedicated to each tumour stream. So, do not adjust your set, as there will be a huge amount of Oncology content coming your way. As well as some helpful hints about North American geography.

Many 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.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 (American Society of Clinical Oncology) Annual Meeting in Chicago showcased a plethora of cutting-edge trials and research. Upper gastrointestinal cancers such as gastric, pancreatic and hepatobiliary are usually relegated to the backstage, but this year, several exciting and potentially practice-changing studies (not without their limitations).

We explore a new PD-1Toripalimab in gastric and gastroesophageal cancer, liposomal irinotecan in NALIRIFOX versus gemcitabine/abraxane in metastatic pancreatic cancer, neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX in pancreatic cancer and the new HER2 kid on the block zanidatamab, a bispecific monoclonal antibody.

Stay tuned for daily ASCO updates from the OFTIM team, Michael and Josh.

Studies:

Toripalimab + SOX study: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/219777

NAPOLI-3 study: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/222090

NORPACT-1 study: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/219426

HORIZON-BTC-01 study: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/219904

Special Mention (not included in the episode)

DIPLOMA Study: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218312

Lauren Classification: https://open.acast.com/shows/62d20dbcffef490011c8df4b/episodes

Many 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.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer again takes centre stage at the ASCO 23 (American Society of Clinical Oncology) Annual Meeting and has reinvented itself over the last two decades. Improvements are occurring in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant setting for both estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) positive and the human epidermal growth factor receptor space (HER2). In this episode, Michael and Josh take a closer look at MonarchE (Abemaciclib), NATALEE (Ribociclib), PHERgain (dose de-escalation) and Penelope-B (ctDNA).

As the arsenal for treating breast cancer grows, a crowded space means ongoing challenges with sequencing and choice of therapy.

Stay tuned for daily ASCO updates from the OFTIM team, Michael and Josh.

Studies:

MonarchE: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218406

NATALEE: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218407

PHERgain: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/219848

Penelope-B: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/220878

Many 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.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

Captain's Log: ASCO Day 3.

Today's episode brought myriad developments in treating CNS cancers and brain metastases from other distant lands. Some studies offered new and exciting targets for potential treatments. Others purported to provide benefits in new and exciting ways, eschewing infusions and tablets with vaccinations. Still, others repurposed old technology in new ways, investigating uses for things we already had.

Unfortunately, many of the solutions were premature and primitive in their exploration. Much further study is required. We will continue to observe these trials for outcomes, but we hope they will yield answers in our quest to fight the disease plaguing our crew.

Studies discussed:

Anti-PD-1 + GITR + RTx: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218240

UCPVax: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/219832

Pembrolizumab in CNS metastases: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218261

Many 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.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

Ovarian, cervical and endometrial cancer need more treatment options. Platinum-based chemotherapy only works for so long. ASCO 23 delivers with the practice-changing MIRASOL study introducing Mirvetuximab Soravtansine, a novel ADC with efficacy in ovarian cancer. Michael and Josh also discuss the Oval Study (ofranergene obadenovec) and immunotherapy in the DUO-O trial and Keynote 826. Not all trials are equal, and this OftIM ASCO special explores endpoints, hazard ratios and comparisons.

Stay tuned for daily ASCO updates from the OFTIM team, Michael and Josh.

Studies:

MIRASOL: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/226803

OVAL: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218323

DUO-O: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/220048

Keynote-826: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/220048

Many 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.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 investigate Lung Oncology research presented at ASCO 23, specifically early lung cancer treatment. They discuss Perioperative Toripalimab, LAG3 inhibitor Relatlimab and the new novel agent BI 764532, a novel DLL3-targeting T cell engaged.

Studies:

NEOTORCH: https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.36_suppl.425126

NEOPREDICT: https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.8500

DLL3-positive SCLC: https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.8502

Many 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.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 2023 has been an incredible journey, and the latest instalment of Michael and Josh's search for the latest and greatest oncological news is no exception. On this episode, our intrepid duo examine three studies with potentially practice-changing consequences, like Burton and Speke quest for the source of the River Nile. Which, in this ASCO series is literally just another day at the office. But will the presented evidence live up to the promise provided by its premise? You'll have to listen on to find out!

Studies

Destiny-CRC02: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218394

NeoCol: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/219419

PRODIGE-23 Update: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/219425

Many 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.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

Studies

THOR: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/217894

PEACE-1: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218388

TALAPRO-2: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/222733

RENAL CELL CARCINOMA: https://meetings.asco.org/2023-asco-annual-meeting/15007?presentation=219853#219853

Many 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.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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!

Studies

KEYNOTE-789: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218083

EVEREST: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218106

WU-KONG6: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218846

Many 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.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

Studies

SONIA: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/219701

TROPICS-02: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/219698

PARTRITUMAB DERUXTECAN: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/219699

Many 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.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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!

Studies

Fianlimab + cemiplimab: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218502

KEYNOTE-942: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218505

CONTINUUM: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218513

DEPEND: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218516

Many 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.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

Studies

INDIGO: https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.17_suppl.LBA1

ADAURA: https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.17_suppl.LBA3?af=R

PROSPECT: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/219804

Many 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.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

If you are interested in other Oncology Podcasts, head to feedspot to find out more: https://blog.feedspot.com/oncology_podcasts/#rightModal

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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%200pubmed

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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/nejmoa1704795

CROWN: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2027187

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

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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/fulltext

Integrative Analysis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31838007/

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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/102/16/1253/2568956

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

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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.html

Review Article - Adjuvant BEP for Stage IB NSGCT: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5902120/#B24

eviQ Protocol (TICE): https://www.eviq.org.au/haematology-and-bmt/blood-and-marrow-transplant/autologous/1176-autologous-conditioning-germ-cell-tumour-tice

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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/335

Scott, 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%20

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 (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/nejmoa1316158

2. PRRT - https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1607427

3. NCCN guidelines: https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/neuroendocrine.pdf

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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/fulltext

Raymond et al (sunitinib): https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1003825

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.xml

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 Eggener

Available from: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/30/opinion/cancer-breast-prostate-treatment.html

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Audio 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.

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"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/2795418

Immunotherapy (Spartalizumab): https://erc.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/erc/28/3/ERC-20-0382.xml

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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-trial444

MoST 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.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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=4

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 required

• REGOMA-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/637999
• Glasdegib 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/637931
• A 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.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 required

• Trastuzumab 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/637914
• Datopotamab 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/637972
• Trastuzumab 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/637983
• First 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/637984

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 required

• EXTENTORCH (Toripalimab) - https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639076
• LUPER trial (Lurbinectedin + pembrolizumab)- https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/638285
• Tropics-03 trial (sacituzumab govitecan) - https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/638286

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 required

• Prognostic 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/637956
• Association 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 studies
• https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/637959
• Omission 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/637966

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

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 outcomes
• https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639087
• Event-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 study
• https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639109
• A 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/639073

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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/638034
• GEMSTONE-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/639003
• Nab-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/637982

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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/fulltext
• PSMAfore trial (LuPSMA in taxane naive patients)
• https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639061
• MAGNITUDE Study (Niraparib and abiraterone)
• https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639153
• The DAD study (sacituzumab govitecan (SG) plus enfortumab vedotin (EV)
• https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(23)00563-6/fulltext

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

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/638067
• Neoadjuvant 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/639575
• A 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/638079

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 study
• https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/638992
• First-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 Group
• https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639062
• Aspirin 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/639177

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 NSCLC
• https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639610
• Datopotamab 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-Lung01
• https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639163
• Safety 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 therapy
• https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/638311

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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/639091
• innovaTV 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/639430
• Overall 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/639154

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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/639251
• A 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/638271

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

Studies

EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39 - https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639614

MARIPOSA-2 - https://esmocongress.esmo.org/esmo/esmo2023/en-GB/presentation/639283

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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/NEJMoa2028485
• KEYNOTE-355: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2202809

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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 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/NEJMoa2306434

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

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-3
• KATHERINE
• INAVO120
• PREFERABLE EFFECT

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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=0d144a028ccc3d800f567af6e9fa7662

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Audio 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.

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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_323714281

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

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.23.01476

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

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 Melanoma

4 FLAURA2

3 INDIGO

2 MONARCH-E

1 EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

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.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music 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.

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