Podcasts

Pembrolizumab Plus Chemotherapy in HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

We’ll start off by discussing results from the I-SPY 2 trial on the efficacy of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in HER2-negative breast cancer. Then, we’ll move on to a report covering racial disparities in diagnostic and treatment technology as related to outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. Lastly, we’ll review a long list of treatments for which the FDA recently granted Priority Review.

H pylori Infection and Gastric Cancer Risk

First, we’ll discuss a Korean trial that looked at the role of H pylori infection and gastric cancer risk. Next, we’ll turn to a modeling study that examined HPV vaccination and cervical cancer incidence in low-income and lower–middle-income countries. Last this week, we’ll look at data presented at the ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium on reducing the risk for immune checkpoint inhibitor–associated colitis.

BEACON CRC: Patient-Reported Quality of Life Results

This week, we’ll be featuring three researchers discussing findings presented at the 2020 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium: Dr. Scott Kopetz, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses quality-of-life results from the BEACON CRC trial in BRAF V600E–mutated colorectal cancer; Dr. Brian Wolpin, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, talks about the efficacy of a blood-based screening test using cell-free DNA to identify methylation signals of hard-to-detect gastrointestinal cancers; and Dr. Zev Wainberg, of UCLA Medical Center, discusses a subset analysis of how a combined positive score in gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers related to the efficacy of pembrolizumab in patients with PD-L1–positive disease.

News From the Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

The 2020 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium took place last weekend, and this week, we’ll take a deeper dive into findings in pancreatic cancer and colorectal cancer. We’ll also review the FDA approval of tazemetostat in epithelioid sarcoma.

Elevations in Cancer Incidence Among Responders to the WTC Site After the September 11 Attacks

We’ll begin with a study that focused on elevations in cancer incidence among responders to the World Trade Center site after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. We’ll then turn to an analysis evaluating the effect of proton pump inhibitor use on decreased cognitive functioning among breast cancer survivors. Lastly, we’ll look at a trial that compared detection and grading of prostate cancer with a novel artificial intelligence system vs seasoned experts.

Luspatercept in Transfusion-Dependent Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes

We’ll start off this week by discussing results from the MEDALIST trial of luspatercept in transfusion-dependent lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. Then, we’ll move to a study that’s been covered a lot in the news: does the use of powder in the genital area increase a woman’s chance of ovarian cancer? Finally, we’ll cover two recent approvals from the FDA, for patients with bladder cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumors, respectively.

Recent Approvals From the FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certainly had a busy December, and this week, we’ll be reviewing some recent approvals: olaparib for germline BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer; fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki for patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer; enfortumab vedotin-ejfv for previously treated advanced urothelial cancer; enzalutamide for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer; and atezolizumab in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of adults with metastatic nonsquamous non–small cell lung cancer.

News From the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

In this episode, we’ll cover three important presentations from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The first reports results from the HER2CLIMB trial on tucatinib, capecitabine, and trastuzumab for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer; the second discusses phase II findings on the activity of a novel HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer; and the third focuses on a postoperative treatment regimen for hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative primary breast cancer.

Plenary Presentations From the 2019 ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition

On this episode, we hear from the authors of three high-impact abstracts presented at the 2019 ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition. The first paper investigated immunotherapy vs standard chemotherapy for pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia; the second focused on the efficacy of oral azacitidine for acute myeloid leukemia; and the third looked at a triplet regimen for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Sequence of Therapies for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

We’ll start with a trial focused on the sequence of therapies for metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer. Then, we’ll move on to an abstract presented at a recent American Heart Association meeting about the link between increased cardiovascular disease risk and increased cancer risk. Lastly, we’ll give you an update about the latest step in the confirmation process for Dr. Stephen Hahn, the oncologist nominated to be the next FDA Commissioner.

Reports From the ESMO Asia Congress 2019

This week, we summarize two studies presented at the recent ESMO Asia Congress—one on a novel combination therapy for unresectable liver cancer, and the second on the activity of a Chinese-manufactured trastuzumab biosimilar. We’ll also discuss last week’s FDA approval of acalabrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma.

Nivolumab Plus Bevacizumab for Relapsed Ovarian Cancer

According to findings from a phase II trial, the combination of nivolumab and bevacizumab has shown activity in relapsed ovarian cancer—we discuss those findings reported in JAMA Oncology. Next, we’ll move on to a session from CHEST 2019 which outlined palliation techniques that may be of use to oncologists and pulmonologists in treating patients with end-stage lung cancer. Finally, we’ll discuss two recent FDA drug approvals for patients with hematologic disorders.

ADMIRAL Trial of Gilteritinib vs Salvage Chemotherapy in FLT3-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The ADMIRAL trial evaluated gilteritinib vs salvage chemotherapy in FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia—we'll discuss recently reported overall survival results from The New England Journal of Medicine. Then, we’ll move onto findings from a pooled analysis of the relationship between lung cancer risk and high fiber and yogurt consumption. Last, we’ll talk about a recent restructuring of a key office within the FDA.

Addition of Durvalumab to Etoposide Plus Platinum Chemotherapy for Extensive-Stage SCLC

This week, we’ll review an interim analysis of the CASPIAN trial, which evaluated the addition of durvalumab to etoposide plus platinum chemotherapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Then, we’ll talk about two recently issued guidelines on screening for colorectal cancer. Lastly, we’ll summarize some recent FDA approvals and announcements.

Gastrointestinal Cancer Research From ESMO 2019

This week, we discuss two studies in gastrointestinal cancers presented at this year’s European Society for Medical Oncology Congress. First up, the NEOLAP trial assessed induction chemotherapy with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine or sequential FOLFIRINOX followed by surgical exploration in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Next, we’ll discuss the ClarIDHy study, which examined treatment with ivosidenib in patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma and an IDH1 mutation. We’ll hear from the lead authors of each of these studies, and we’ll also hear a discussion about the use of cabozantinib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, with Dr. Tim Meyer and Dr. Lorenza Rimassa, co-investigators for the CELESTIAL trial.

News in Genitourinary Cancers From ESMO 2019

This week, we discuss two studies in genitourinary cancers presented at the ESMO Congress 2019. The CARD trial investigated treatment with cabazitaxel vs an androgen signaling–targeted inhibitor among patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who had disease progression on docetaxel and the alternative androgen signaling–targeted inhibitor. The IMvigor130 trial focused on the efficacy and safety of atezolizumab as monotherapy or combined with platinum-based chemotherapy vs placebo plus platinum-based chemotherapy in previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

Selected Breast Cancer Abstracts From ESMO 2019

This week, we’ll be discussing selected breast cancer abstracts presented at the ESMO Congress 2019, including the MONALEESA-3 and MONARCH 2 studies of CDK4/6 inhibitors for advanced breast cancer; the BROCADE 3 trial of veliparib plus carboplatin and paclitaxel in some advanced BRCA-mutated breast cancers; and the KATE-2 study of atezolizumab and trastuzumab emtansine in HER2-positive breast cancer.

Lung Cancer Research Highlights From ESMO 2019

This week, we’ll be discussing research highlights in lung cancer presented at the ESMO Congress 2019, including the FLAURA trial of osimertinib in EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer; the CheckMate 227 of nivolumab plus ipilimumab vs chemotherapy in non–small cell lung cancer with a PD-L1 expression of 1% or more; and the ASCEND-7 trial of ceritinib for ALK-positive non–small cell lung cancer that has spread to the brain.

News in Ovarian Cancer From ESMO 2019

This week, we review two studies from a Presidential Symposium at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2019 focusing on the efficacy of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors in patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer.

Benefit of Daratumumab Across Populations With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

This week, we review a presentation on the benefit of daratumumab across populations with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. We also talk about a study on racial disparities in colorectal cancer mortality. Lastly, we discuss the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent approval of apalutamide in metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer.

News From the ASTRO Annual Meeting

This week, we’ll be going over news from the 2019 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting, including an analysis of the effect of long-term hormonal therapy on men with low prostate-specific antigen levels treated with early salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy and an update on the landmark PACIFIC trial in non–small cell lung cancer. We also discuss the launch of Project Orbis, which led to a joint approval from the FDA, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, and Health Canada for lenvatinib in combination with pembrolizumab in the treatment of some patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma.

News From the IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer and the ASCO Quality Care Symposium

This week, we’ll be discussing findings presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) World Conference on Lung Cancer and the ASCO Quality Care Symposium, including a pooled analysis on 5-year overall survival rates in patients with previously treated non-small cell lung cancer receiving nivolumab vs docetaxel; the effect of out-of-pocket costs of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on survival in patients with lung cancer; and the relationship between participation in a clinical trial and overall survival in patients with advanced lung cancer.

First-Line Nivolumab and Ipilimumab vs Sunitinib in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

This week, we’ll be talking about an extended follow-up of a phase III trial that investigated first-line nivolumab and ipilimumab vs sunitinib in advanced renal cell carcinoma. Then we’ll go over a research letter that identified strong predictors of response to immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. Lastly, we’ll review a report on e-cigarette secondhand smoke exposure experienced by middle and high school students.

Pooled Survival Analysis of Patients With NSCLC Treated With Nivolumab

This week, we review a pooled analysis of long-term survival rates in patients with previously treated non–small cell lung cancer treated with nivolumab. We then turn to the recently reported USPSTF recommendation on risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Lastly, we discuss the recent FDA approval of entrectinib for NTRK-fusion cancers and ROS1-positive NSCLC.

USPSTF Recommendation Against Pancreatic Cancer Screening in Asymptomatic Adults

This week, we review the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation against screening for pancreatic cancer in adults with no symptoms. We also talk about the discovery of a germline mutation that has been newly associated with pancreatic cancer. Lastly, we discuss a U.S. Food and Drug Administration review which concluded a common Parkinson’s disease drug does not contribute to the development of prostate cancer.

Ibrutinib and Rituximab vs Standard Chemoimmunotherapy in CLL

This week, we review a report on the combination of ibrutinib and rituximab vs standard chemoimmunotherapy in some patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL); a study on cancer statistics in adults aged 85 and older; and a decision from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on coverage of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for Medicare beneficiaries.

Erdafitinib for FGFR-Altered Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma

This week, we review a phase II trial of erdafitinib in urothelial carcinoma with an FGFR alteration. We also talk about a report from the World Health Organization on tobacco use worldwide. Then, we discuss two recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration approvals in prostate cancer and a rare joint tumor.

Overall Survival in MONALEESA-7

This week, we discuss an interim analysis of the MONALEESA-7 trial of the addition of ribociclib to endocrine therapy in pre- or perimenopausal women with advanced hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. We also talk about a study that examined the relationship between the duration of chemotherapy and body mass index and the development of lymphedema in some patients with breast cancer. Lastly, we present three recent approvals and regulatory communications from the FDA.

Rates of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

This week, we discuss a study that found a disconnect between rates of colonoscopy and recent increases in colorectal cancer incidence in younger adults. In addition, Kimmie Ng, MD, MPH, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, offers her insights on the rising rates of colorectal cancer in young adults. Then, we turn to a report on the relationship between androgen-deprivation therapy and rates of Alzheimer disease and dementia in elderly patients with prostate cancer.

Long-Term Results From the National Lung Screening Trial

This week, we discuss long-term results from an extended analysis of the National Lung Screening Trial, and Dr. James Mulshine of Rush University offers his thoughts on these findings. We also review a report on radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism and long-term risk of death from solid cancers.

ESMO World GI: Findings From the BEACON CRC Trial and More

We discuss two studies on colorectal cancer that were presented at the ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer. We also talk about a recently published study on the prevalence of pain among cancer survivors in the U.S.

ICML 2019: Role of Liquid Biopsy in Lymphoma

In this episode, The ASCO Post's Editor-in-Chief Dr. James Armitage talks about the International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML), which he attended recently in Lugano, Switzerland; in particular, Dr. Armitage shares insight from a workshop on bridging liquid biopsy into the management of patients with lymphoma. He also discusses two studies from the plenary session looking at the impact of adding lenalidomide to R-CHOP in the management of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. 

Later in the podcast, we discuss findings from the PHARE trial on adjuvant trastuzumab dosing in HER2-positive breast cancer and we report two recent approvals by the FDA.

CASSIOPEIA Trial in Multiple Myeloma

In this episode, we discuss news from the Annual Congress of the European Hematology Association in multiple myeloma, catch up on a study presented at ASCO on gastric cancer, and review a recently published paper on prostate cancer development in World Trade Center first responders.

2019 ASCO: Resection of Liver Metastases

In this episode, we discuss more news from the ASCO Annual Meeting, including findings from a study with relevance to surgical oncology, a summary of a study in HER2-positive breast cancer, and a third study on discrimination among hematology/oncology fellows. We also discuss two FDA approvals that took place in the past week.

2019 ASCO: Pancreatic, Urothelial, and Cervical Cancers

In this episode, we discuss more news from the ASCO Annual Meeting, sharing interviews with experts on studies in pancreatic, urothelial, and cervical cancers. We’ll also tell you about a couple of new drug approvals announced this week by the FDA. 

Selected Studies From the 2019 ASCO Annual Meeting

In this debut episode of The ASCO Post Podcast, experts in breast, prostate, and lung cancers and multiple myeloma provide clinical insights about selected studies presented at the recent ASCO Annual Meeting, plus news from the FDA.

Coming Soon: The ASCO Post Podcast

For nearly a decade, The ASCO Post has been bringing you news about clinical advancements in oncology and hematology. Now, this award-winning coverage comes to you in a new format.