Podcasts about dana farber cancer institute

The Food and Drug Administration approved a new medication to treat pancreatic cancer. In trials, it extended the survival rate of patients by a median of 13.2 months. Dr. Brian Wolpin from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute explains how the drug works and what it could mean for the future of cancer treatment.Then, a recent study found that at least a quarter of former NFL players who died had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. Chris Nowinski, CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation shares more about the findings and how they could impact the upcoming football season.And, in Nepal, first responders are searching for survivors after a massive flash flood killed at least 300 people. Suraj Sigdel, Nepal Country Director for Mercy Corps, describes the work he and others are doing on the ground.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Andrew Vontz has been an endurance athlete for 38 years. In March doctors found a tumor running from his the cavity between his lungs up across his neck that had displaced his carotid artery and was crushing his trachea. — This is the cancer episode. Andrew is five months into treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. He has been through six rounds of chemo, a cytokine release storm, multiple hospitalizations, and in September will go to Dana Farber Cancer Institute for three weeks to get CAR T genetic therapy. He talks about how he discovered he had cancer, living with uncertainty, going through chemo, what thirty-eight years of endurance sport did and did not prepare him for, and how listening to his body has guided his cancer experience. — Guiding the conversation is the titan of entrepreneurship, leadership development, and finance Shannon Jones, who teaches Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition at the University of Colorado Boulder's Leeds School of Business, writes the TranscendenCEO newsletter, and was a two-sport Division I athlete. Shannon joined Andrew on a previous episode to talk about building and winding down The Better Lab. — Thank you to everyone in this community who has reached out to provide positivity, prayers, encouragement, and support during this experience. — Recorded August 21, 2026, three days after Andrew's sixth round of chemo. — The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host and being able to operate in dynamic unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders and doing it well isn't easy. That's why Andrew Vontz started __https://www.onerealvoice.com/__ to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and the internal and external high-stakes open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. — When you're ready to be great, DM __https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod__ or reach out to hello@onerealvoice.com. — To support this work, become a paid subscriber to the Choose the Hard Way Substack at __https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com__. — With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today no experience required. — Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at __https://www.laufcycles.com__. — Thank you to Sunlighten infrared saunas for helping make it possible for my family to have an mPulse sauna. Being able to relax and recover in our mPulse sauna when possible between treatments is healing and feels like a luxury. I'm grateful for your support. Sunlighten: __https://www.sunlighten.com/__ — Thank you to Peloton of "come on Peloton, you got this" fame for following my cancer experience and surprising me with a Peloton Tread. Being able to go to the garage and move is huge for me, and Molly, especially on days when I'm too wiped to be able to take the dogs out. It's a next level treadmill and it takes me places. Peloton: __https://www.onepeloton.com/__ — Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: __https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/__ — One Real Voice: __https://www.onerealvoice.com/__ — Instagram: __https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod__ — LinkedIn: __https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/__ — Shannon Jones's TranscendenCEO newsletter: __https://transcendenceo.substack.com/__ — Follow Shannon Jones on LinkedIn: __https://www.linkedin.com/in/wshannonjones/__ -  

Being diagnosed with cancer at a young age can feel incredibly isolating. While your peers may be building careers, starting families, and planning for the future, suddenly you're navigating treatment decisions, fertility concerns, relationships, finances, and fears you never expected to face. In this episode of the Wellness Warriors Podcast, De'Ann sits down with Dr. Christina Pozo-Kaderman, Senior Psychologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and co-author of Coping with Cancer in Early Adulthood, to explore the unique challenges young adults face during and after cancer. Drawing from more than 35 years of experience, Dr. Pozo-Kaderman shares insights on finding support, advocating for yourself, fertility and sexual health, and family-focused care. She also shares a special gift for listeners: free copies of Coping with Cancer in Early Adulthood for those who need one. You can connect with her through the Dana-Farber Young Adult Program to learn more. And as you support your body through a demanding healing journey, cellular energy matters too. Nano CoQ10, available in the Breast Cancer Conqueror shop, provides CoQ10 to support mitochondrial energy production and antioxidant defenses, making it a simple addition to a personalized wellness routine. Shop Nano CoQ10  

For many young women diagnosed with breast cancer, some of the most important decisions they will ever make happen within days of hearing the words, "You have cancer." While treatment planning begins immediately, patients may also be faced with urgent questions about fertility, future family-building, and preserving options they may not have expected to think about so soon. These conversations often happen during a period of fear, uncertainty, and information overload, leaving many patients feeling overwhelmed and unprepared. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Ann Partridge, Vice Chair of Medical Oncology and Chief Clinical Strategy Officer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she also serves as co-founder and director of the Program for Young Adults with Breast Cancer. A professor at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Partridge is a leading breast oncologist and researcher whose work focuses on improving care and outcomes for young adults with breast cancer. Together, we discuss how breast cancer treatment can affect fertility, why these conversations need to happen early, the options available today, and how patients can make informed decisions while balancing the urgency of cancer treatment with hopes and plans for the future. We also reinforce the hopeful message that having children after breast cancer is often possible - and that preserving future options begins with having the right conversations early. Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that patients deserve information, support, and compassionate guidance when facing life-changing decisions at diagnosis. Resources Mentioned in This Episode For additional information and support, visit the Young and Strong Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which offers resources and practical guides for young adults with breast cancer, including those who are newly diagnosed, in treatment, or in survivorship, as well as caregivers. The program also provides trusted information about fertility preservation, pregnancy after breast cancer, and breastfeeding. The information shared on Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual medical care and treatment decisions. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Cancer Fashionista. Thank you to Daiichi Sankyo and Novartis for making this episode of the Signature Series possible.

HR3 - Jones and Keefe continue on from Fenway Park at the 24th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon. Joining this hour: Dr. William Hahn, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating and Transformation Officer, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran

This hour: Maddie Squire, 26, Breast Cancer Survivor, with Erica Mayer, MD, Dir., Patient & Family Programs, The Jimmy Fund Clinic, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Lisa Scherber, Dir., Patient & Family Programs, The Jimmy Fund Clinic, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Peter Chow, 68, Stage IV Lung Cancer, and Pasi Janne, MD, Sr. VP, Translational Medicine, Dir., Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Jackson “J.J.” Weiss, 4, Medulloblastoma Survivor; with Sam (J.J.'s Mom)

This hour: Finn Pattison, 10, T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Survivor; Rob Bradford joins live; Ben Campbell, 42, Stage IV Colorectal Cancer Survivor, with Ben Schlecter, MD, Co-Director, Colon & Rectal Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Deb & Erica Howes; Sofia & Alice Lehman

Matt Smith, 42, metastatic prostate cancer, Wilmington, NC, with Michael Serzan, Medical Oncologist, Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

"Measurable residual disease is where I think the terminology fits best in that, it is intended to measure the amount of cancer cells that are present in the blood or bone marrow at the time the sample was collected. We can identify one cancer cell in a million. Where that can be really valuable is when we start to think about the duration of treatments and the response to some of our treatments," ONS member Caitilin Murphy, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, AOCNP®, chief nurse practitioner at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA, told Lenise Taylor, MN, RN, AOCNS®, TCTCN™, oncology clinical specialist at ONS, during a conversation about chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment considerations for oncology nurses. Music Credit: "Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod Licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 3.0  Earn 0.75 contact hours of nursing continuing professional development (NCPD), including 45 minutes of pharmacotherapeutic content, by listening to the full recording and completing an evaluation at courses.ons.org by August 14, 2027. The planners and faculty for this episode have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. ONS is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Learning outcome: Learners will report an increase in knowledge related to treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Episode Notes  Complete this evaluation for free NCPD.  ONS Podcast™ episodes: Episode 422: An Overview of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia for Oncology Nurses Episode 256: Cancer Symptom Management Basics: Hematologic Complications Episode 196: Oncologic Emergencies 101: Bleeding and Thrombosis Episode 184: Oncologic Emergencies 101: Tumor Lysis Syndrome ONS Voice articles: Fixed-Duration Therapy for CLL May Lower Cardiovascular Risks and Costs Less Than Continuous Treatment Individuals With CLL Face Increased Risk for Skin Cancer Master Hypersensitivity Reactions With These Strategies for Prevention and Management Patients With CLL Report Worse QoL and Other Factors Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing articles:  Acalabrutinib: Nursing Considerations for Use in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pseudohyperkalemia in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: An Often Overlooked Clinical Entity Richter Transformation Arising From Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Venetoclax: Management and Care for Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ONS book: Site-Specific Cancer Series: Leukemia (first edition) ONS symptom management resources:  Fatigue Prevention of Bleeding Prevention of Infection: General Blood Cancer United: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment CLL Society: Patient Education Toolkit Lymphoma Research Foundation: Lymphoma Treatments Patient education sheets Acalabrutinib Ibrutinib Pirtobrutinib To discuss the information in this episode with other oncology nurses, visit the ONS Communities.  To find resources for creating an ONS Podcast club in your chapter or nursing community, visit the ONS Podcast Library. To provide feedback or otherwise reach ONS about the podcast, email pubONSVoice@ons.org. Highlights From This Episode "Blood work is a really nice way to evaluate if there is progression of the disease. And we evaluate their blood counts, specifically that complete blood count with a differential. We anticipate an elevated white count, and we anticipate that the absolute lymphocyte count is going to be elevated. That's characteristic of the disease. But what evolves and happens is that those numbers can rapidly change and what we get concerned about is if that white count—and the percentage of the absolute lymphocyte count specifically—starts to increase and double quickly." TS 5:52 "There are some components that help clinicians decide if we expect these things, this cadence of change to happen more readily, or if we feel really comfortable that the biology of the variants contributing to the type of CLL that each patient may have, they may not have that progression as quickly or at all. And so that kind of helps us in that follow-up and cadence. Oftentimes, we're checking blood work every three or six months. Some patients are on an annual interval of visits depending on that active surveillance. I think the other piece is that we have a relatively low threshold when there is a change in symptoms to just recheck those blood tests. It's nice that we can have a pretty readily available blood test to be able to give us a lot of information for these patients." TS 9:45 "When we think about CLL therapy, the old tried and true [treatments] still work: so, rituximab and obinutuzumab. And then we kind of start to think about pathways and the way, the mechanisms of which these treatments are integrated. We think about different pathways of how we can induce cell death, but also what are the potential side effects? What are the potential interactions?" TS 19:35 "I think a lot of this is about really having a clear understanding of the patient's goals and really being able to understand and align. I think we have a lot more data to provide guidance for those patients that really are wanting to know: What is my chance of overall survival? If I do this, does this mean that I don't need to ever be on treatment again? If I do it this way, does it mean that I have to come into clinic every week, or does it mean that I have to come in every week but I'm done? I do one year of treatment, and I don't have to think about treatment for a really long time based on some of these components that we can take into consideration." TS 24:36 "When we think about the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) inhibitors, with venetoclax, I think the biggest component we think about is tumor lysis syndrome. It's so effective that these cancer cells release all of those electrolytes, potassium, phosphorus; you can see a rise in the lactate dehydrogenase and uric acid because those cells are breaking down. And so subsequently, that leads us to the consideration of, is the patient's kidney function able to clear it? And so a lot of frequent lab monitoring, a lot of hydration, supportive care with medications like ursodiol or allopurinol to really improve the ability to clear that cellular waste product so that it doesn't cause an oncologic emergency." TS 34:11

Como melhorar a eficácia da imunoterapia contra o câncer? Esse é o desafio do pesquisador francês Alexandre Detappe, diretor do Laboratório de Nanomedicina do Instituto Gustave Roussy, o maior centro de combate ao câncer da Europa, localizado em Villejuif, nos arredores de Paris. Em seu estudo, ele busca desenvolver nanopartículas capazes de ajudar o sistema imunológico a combater a doença. Taíssa Stivanin, da RFI em Paris Após alguns anos nos Estados Unidos, onde passou por instituições como o Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, em Boston, Alexandre Detappe desenvolveu um projeto com uma equipe do MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) que utiliza nanopartículas para transportar medicamentos. A equipe incorporava anticorpos e proteínas à superfície dos materiais para que reconhecessem as células tumorais. Na França, o alvo das pesquisas do cientista passou a ser as células do sistema imunológico. Esta é a base do seu atual projeto, o Nano-BITE, que acaba de receber financiamento do ERC (Conselho Europeu de Pesquisa), principal agência da União Europeia de fomento à pesquisa científica de excelência. O cientista francês obteve uma bolsa de € 150 mil (cerca de R$ 884 mil) destinada a pesquisadores que buscam aplicações práticas para suas descobertas. O foco inicial dos estudos é a atividade celular de um subtipo de câncer de mama conhecido como HER-2 positivo. Este tipo de doença é caracterizado por uma quantidade excessiva da proteína HER2 e considerado mais agressivo. “A ideia é ativar o sistema imunológico adicionando certos anticorpos à superfície das nanopartículas. Nesse caso, elas funcionam como um meio de transporte, onde podemos colocar imunoterapias ou moléculas que vão estimular o sistema imunológico”, explica. Imunoterapia ainda é limitada A eficácia da imunoterapia ainda permanece limitada em muitos tumores sólidos. As duas principais dificuldades são atrair uma quantidade suficiente de células imunitárias para o local do tumor e fazer com que elas permaneçam ativas por longos períodos, o que exige uma carga maior de medicamentos e aumenta o risco de efeitos colaterais. Nesse contexto, as nanopartículas funcionam como uma espécie de cavalo de Troia mais sofisticado, levando as moléculas terapêuticas de forma mais eficaz e estratégica, eliminando esses dois obstáculos. “Fizemos nossas primeiras provas de conceito e validamos a hipótese de que, dependendo do tipo de nanopartícula utilizado, haverá uma determinada influência na resposta imune. A seleção foi feita após a análise de muitas nanopartículas, entre elas uma à base de PLGA, que é um pequeno polímero. Foi assim que surgiu o projeto Nano-BITE.” As nanopartículas medem entre 60 e 100 nanômetros e são formadas por gordura, colesterol e cadeias de polímeros sintéticos utilizados em diversos produtos, como xampus, por exemplo. Elas são cerca de 10 mil vezes menores que um fio de cabelo. A título de comparação, os anticorpos incorporados à sua superfície têm cerca de 10 nanômetros. “É como uma emulsão com gotículas finas, estabilizada por um polímero chamado PLGA. A ideia é criar esferas minúsculas, com esses anticorpos na superfície, adicionando o princípio ativo, ou seja, a molécula terapêutica que nos interessa”, explica Detappe. O PLGA, sigla para poliácido láctico-co-glicólico, é um polímero biodegradável e biocompatível utilizado em medicina e farmacologia. 'Ponte' entre células A grande questão agora, diz o cientista francês, é confirmar a possibilidade de inserir essa nanopartícula na interface entre a célula tumoral e a imunológica. Sua função seria criar uma ponte de reconhecimento entre as duas células, ativando ao mesmo tempo a resposta imunitária que combaterá o tumor. “O interesse deste projeto de prova de conceito no Gustave Roussy é o acesso a amostras de pacientes e a toda a estrutura clínica que o centro oferece para acelerar nossas pesquisas. A ideia é desenvolver nanopartículas de acordo com as necessidades de cada caso, dependendo do tumor ou da célula que será alvo do medicamento.” De acordo com o cientista, é possível fabricar rapidamente uma nanopartícula personalizada na plataforma criada pelo laboratório do instituto francês, tecnologia que poderá futuramente ser aplicada a outros tipos de câncer. Após a validação da prova de conceito, o objetivo de Alexandre é buscar novos financiamentos europeus para realizar testes clínicos e viabilizar o uso desse meio de transporte biológico inovador como aliada das imunoterapias contra tumores malignos, em um futuro possivelmente próximo, “A transição do meio acadêmico para o setor produtivo pode ser muito rápida. É apenas uma questão de captação de recursos e financiamento, como quase sempre ocorre. A ideia é que, ao longo dos próximos 18 meses, consigamos validar o máximo possível do ponto de vista acadêmico e pré-clínico”, observa. “O processo já existe. Depois, será necessário captar recursos e convencer um médico pesquisador a levar o projeto para os ensaios clínicos. O tempo dos ensaios clínicos em si não pode ser encurtado, porque envolve o recrutamento de pacientes. A fase 1 pode durar de um a dois anos, seguida pelas fases 2 e 3. Devemos prever entre sete e dez anos até uma eventual aprovação para uso no mercado. No entanto, o acesso ao primeiro paciente, se tudo correr bem, poderá ocorrer dentro de dois a três anos”, aposta.

Organizers of the Pan-Mass Challenge held this weekend hoped to raise 79 million dollars for cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Nearly 65-hundred cyclists took part. Rachel Marshall rode to honor her late father.

In this episode, UROONCO PCa chief editor Dr. Giancarlo Marra interviews Prof. Mary-Ellen Taplin from Dana–Farber Cancer Institute in the United States, on the results of the PROTEUS trial. The PROTEUS trial is a phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the benefit of adding apalutamide to standard androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men with high-risk, localised prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy.They discuss the rationale, patient selection and the results of this trial (dual primary endpoint), as well as the impact of the results on clinical practice. Prof. Taplin concludes in the take-home messages that this trial has illustrated the progress being made in regard to preventing and delaying relapse.To know more on this trial, read the abstract with expert commentary by UROONCO PCa associate editor Assoc. Prof. Pawel Rajwa. For more updates on prostate cancer, please visit our educational platform UROONCO PCa.For more EAU podcasts, please go to your favourite podcast app and subscribe to our podcast channel for regular updates: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, EAU YouTube channel.

In today's episode, we spoke with Sara M. Tolaney, MD, MPH, about the FDA approval of sacituzumab govitecan plus pembrolizumab (Keytruda) or pembrolizumab and berahyaluronidase alfa-pmph (Keytruda Qlex) for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) whose tumors express PD-L1 as determined by an FDA-authorized test. Dr Tolaney is chief of the Division of Breast Oncology and associate director of the Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers and a senior physician at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as well as an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts.This regulatory decision was backed by findings from the phase 3 ASCENT-04/KEYNOTE-D19 trial (NCT05382286), in which the median progression-free survival among patients in the sacituzumab govitecan arm was 11.2 months (95% CI, 9.3-16.7) vs 7.8 months (95% CI, 7.3-9.3) among patients who received physician's choice of chemotherapy plus pembrolizumab (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.51-0.84; P = .0009).In our exclusive interview, Dr Tolaney highlighted the significance of this approval, key data from ASCENT-04, and how the TNBC paradigm is shifting to accommodate this new regimen.

In today's episode, we spoke with Paolo Tarantino, MD, PhD. Dr Tarantino is a breast medical oncologist and advanced fellow at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts.In our exclusive interview, Dr Tarantino discussed practice-informing data regarding antibody-drug conjugates in breast cancer that were presented at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting, including the use of fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd; Enhertu) plus pertuzumab (Perjeta) for first-line treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer based on findings from the phase 3 DESTINY-Breast09 trial (NCT04784715); updated safety data from the phase 3 DESTINY-Breast05 trial (NCT04622319) that indicated that T-DXd–associated interstitial lung disease is reversible with steroids, although radiation pneumonitis is non-reversible; and the phase 3 OPTIMA trial (ISRCTN42400492) results, which suggested that the PAM50 signature can identify patients who may not need chemotherapy, potentially sparing them from unnecessary treatment.

Send us a message!Thinking about a career in oncology or dreaming of starting your own private practice? In this episode, our guest Christina DiSegna, MS, RD, CSO, CNSC, LDN, oncology & private practice dietitian, shares her career journey, advice for aspiring dietitians, and practical tips for building a fulfilling career while maintaining work-life balance. Christina DiSegna, MS, RD, CSO, CNSC, LDN, is a senior dietitian, a board-certified oncology specialist and a board-certified nutrition support clinician. She received her undergraduate degree at Boston College, post-graduate degrees from Tufts University and Simmons College, and completed her dietetic internship at Brigham and Women's Hospital.She has worked in clinical nutrition at Brigham and Women's Hospital and as a cancer care specialist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She also owns a private practice, Christina, RD, where she works with a variety of clients to help them achieve their best and healthiest lives through better relationships with food.Interested in learning more? Contact Christina at christina@christinard.com and visit her website https://christinard.com/about/ .Check out our blog post on oncology resources: https://www.danajfnutrition.com/post/favorite-resources-for-oncology-dietitians

Jill Wener, MD is a board-certified Internist, ICF-certified professional coach, certified EFT/tapping practitioner and trainer, anti-racism educator, DEI consultant, trauma specialist, allyship coach, and expert in physician wellness. Jill is passionate about helping people take responsibility for their problems and teaching them practical, easy, rewarding, and trauma-informed tools to take self-improvement to the next level. Jill is the co-creator of the CME-accredited Conscious Anti-Racism training programs, the host of the Conscious Anti-Racism podcast, and the co-author of the best-selling Conscious Anti-Racism book. She has created CME-accredited EFT/tapping and meditation courses. Jill has worked with clients such as Georgia Aquarium, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Yale University, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, Seattle Children's Hospital, Centene, Santa Clara Medical Society, Rush University Medical Center, ChenMed, the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health, Emory University, Atkins Global, and the National Alliance for Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions.

Love the podcast? Send us a text!When many people hear the words "clinical trial," they immediately think of a last resort.But that's one of the biggest misconceptions in breast cancer care.In this episode of Breast Cancer Conversations, host Laura Carfang sits down with Dr. Ada Waks, breast medical oncologist and clinical investigator at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to demystify clinical trials and explain how they are shaping the future of breast cancer treatment.Dr. Waks cares for patients across all stages of breast cancer while leading clinical research that helps develop tomorrow's treatments. Together, Laura and Dr. Waks discuss how clinical trials work, who they are designed for, and why patients should consider asking about them much earlier in their treatment journey.In this episode, you'll learn: What a clinical trial actually is  The difference between Phase I, II, and III trials  Randomized vs. blinded clinical trials  Why clinical trials are not just for patients who have run out of treatment options  How new breast cancer drugs become FDA-approved  What informed consent really means  How patient safety is protected  Why clinical trial participants often receive additional monitoring and support  How to find clinical trials that may be right for you  The future of personalized breast cancer treatment Whether you're newly diagnosed, living with metastatic breast cancer, navigating survivorship, or supporting a loved one, this episode provides an accessible introduction to one of the most important—and most misunderstood—aspects of cancer care.About Today's GuestDr. Ada Waks is a breast medical oncologist and clinical investigator at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She divides her time between caring for patients with breast cancer and leading clinical research focused on developing safer, more effective, and more personalized treatments. Dr. Waks also co-directs Dana-Farber's breast oncology clinical trials program, helping bring innovative therapies from the laboratory to patients.Support the showListener FeedbackIf this episode resonated with you, we invite you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.You can also click the link in the show notes that says "Love this episode? Send us a text" to share feedback.Messages are completely anonymous.If you would like us to follow up directly, please include your email address in your message so we can respond.Latest News: Join our Mailing List - New content drops every Monday! Discover FREE programs, support groups, and resources from SurvivingBReastCancer.org! Become a Breast Cancer Conversations+ Member! Sign Up Now. Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our work. 

In this episode of the Oncology Brothers podcast, we dived deep into the recent FDA approvals for sacituzumab govitecan in frontline settings for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Joined by Dr. Sara Tolaney, a breast medical oncologist from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we discussed the exciting developments in breast cancer treatment, with ASCENT-03 and ASCENT-04 trials.   Key topics covered in this episode include: Overview of the recent FDA approvals for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in breast cancer Detailed discussion on the ASCENT-04 trial focusing on PD-L1–positive metastatic triple-negative breast cancer Insights into the ASCENT-03 trial for PD-L1–negative disease Comparison of sacituzumab govitecan and datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), including their efficacy and side effect profiles Management strategies for common side effects such as neutropenia and diarrhea   Listen us on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/31BXhY9FM4gPWG10WgE11o  Follow us on social media: ⁠X/Twitter: https://x.com/oncbrothers  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oncbrothers  Website: https://oncbrothers.com/    Join us as we explored the evolving landscape of breast cancer treatment and the importance of shared decision-making in patient care. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more updates from the Oncology Brothers! #TripleNegativeBreastCancer, #Sacituzumab, #ASCENT03, #ASCENT04, #OncologyBrothers

"What I appreciate about our patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic leukemia is the consideration that they receive a cancer diagnosis, and the best thing for them to do is actually nothing. There is a large population of patients that we don't recommend any type of treatment. We recommend that they establish care with an oncologist and that they have a relationship with those care teams," ONS member Caitilin Murphy, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, AOCNP®, chief nurse practitioner at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA, told Lenise Taylor, MN, RN, AOCNS®, TCTCN™, oncology clinical specialist at ONS, during a conversation about an overview of CLL for oncology nurses. Music Credit: "Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod Licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 3.0  Earn 0.75 contact hours of nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) by listening to the full recording and completing an evaluation at courses.ons.org by July 3, 2027. The planners and faculty for this episode have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. ONS is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Learning outcome: Learners will report increased knowledge of the diagnosis and management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Episode Notes  Complete this evaluation for free NCPD.  ONS Podcast™ episodes: Episode 339: A Lesson on Labs: How to Monitor and Educate Patients With Cancer Episode 256: Cancer Symptom Management Basics: Hematologic Complications ONS Voice articles: Compensation Funds Curb Financial Burden for Certain Exposure-Related Cancers Infection Prevention for Oncology Nurses Nurse-Led Bone Marrow Biopsy Clinics Truncate Time for Testing, Treatment Patient Stress Linked to More Advanced Leukemia Patients With CLL Report Worse QoL and Other Factors Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing articles:  Care Coordination: Overcoming Barriers to Improve Outcomes for Patients With Hematologic Malignancies in Rural Settings Pseudohyperkalemia in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: An Often Overlooked Clinical Entity Richter Transformation Arising From Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ONS book: Site-Specific Cancer Series: Leukemia (first edition) Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplantation Learning Library ONS Biomarker Database ONS clinical practice resource: Genomics Taxonomy Blood Cancer United: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: In Detail CLL Society: Patient Education Toolkit Lymphoma Research Foundation: Lymphoma and CLL Publications National Comprehensive Cancer Network To discuss the information in this episode with other oncology nurses, visit the ONS Communities.  To find resources for creating an ONS Podcast club in your chapter or nursing community, visit the ONS Podcast Library. To provide feedback or otherwise reach ONS about the podcast, email pubONSVoice@ons.org. Highlights From This Episode "Some of the common risk factors are environmental exposures, occupational exposures, and chemical exposures. For example, in certain farming communities where there are pesticides, that can definitely contribute to the risk of developing CLL. There's some consideration for high levels of radon exposure or exposure to Agent Orange. So our veterans, both from the Vietnam War but also more recently in Iraq. There's definitely a consideration that those types of exposures increase the risk of developing CLL." TS 3:01 "Generally, the average age of diagnosis for CLL is in the seventh decade of life. But over 90% of people are diagnosed at age 50 and above. So, this tends to be a diagnosis in the six or seventh decade of life. It's extremely rare in children, although it has been observed, and it's twice as likely to develop in men than it is compared to women. And then individuals who are White are more frequently affected by CLL than other racial or ethnic groups, followed by people of color. And that includes Black, Hispanic, and Native American individuals, but it's rarer in Asian populations." TS 9:33  "There's a lot of adjustment and coping with a new diagnosis. When we think about the diagnostic approach, we get a lot of information that's incredibly valuable and helps us really to pivot and guide patients as to where they need to go and how we can best support them. We've had well-established studies that look to say, 'If we were to treat patients earlier or have different thresholds for consideration for treatment, do patients do better?' ... I think it's really great that we can actually guide patients in a much more precise way, that you don't need any type of therapy at this point, and it may change and evolve in the future." TS 20:29 "I have some patients that are doers and they want to do something, so this active surveillance or watch and wait really paralyzes their coping. And so they want to do something. Oftentimes, that's really when I pull in some integrative strategies and say exercise is always going to be beneficial. The more active you are, the more physically fit you are. If you really want to do something, make sure that you stay hydrated, that you eat well, and you're engaged in a physical activity that you enjoy and can be consistent with." TS 32:37 "I think another piece that we don't often discuss is around the immunoglobulins and the immune system, but CLL has a pretty significant impact on immune dysfunction. And so patients with CLL, even if they are not on any type of active treatment, their immune system doesn't necessarily function fully. And so they're more likely to develop some upper respiratory infections or more easily develop the flu or coronavirus. ... Often times, we think a lot about supporting patients to get vaccines and to have early evaluation if those symptoms develop because you're more likely to develop upper respiratory infections. I think there's a component around immune dysfunction that I think is really valuable for people to understand that it's not contingent upon the treatment. It's contingent upon the disease and mechanistically, how the B cells are dysfunctional and don't provide that immunity that otherwise would be in a healthy B cell." TS 42:54

When Robert Mayer started his career in pancreatic cancer research in the 1960s, the treatment landscape of pancreatic cancer was dismal.“We had no tools, say like CT scans, to even identify or diagnose these tumors at an early time,” said Mayer. “Colonoscopy was a big deal. Making a diagnosis of a pancreatic cancer often was restricted to the presence of metastatic disease because there was no scan, no blood test that showed that there was something awry in the pancreas. It was in the back of the abdomen and that didn't change for quite some time.“The aura developed that [pancreatic cancer] was something that just you couldn't deal with.”Mayer is now the faculty vice president for Academic Affairs at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and faculty associate dean for Admissions at Harvard Medical School, and is watching this aura is begin to change:Daraxonrasib, a pan-RAS(on) inhibitor, was shown to double overall survival in the recent RASolute-302 trial phase III clinical trial. The results were presented at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting on May 31. “As with other conditions that we treat, when patients [with pancreatic cancer] come, we'll be able to give them options, plans, steps,” Mayer said. “It may not necessarily be that we can cure, but we can prolong survival, enhance quality of life, reduce time that they have to come to receive toxic systemic parenteral intravenous therapy. All things that really matter so that they can go and be at high school, college graduations, family celebrations, and do all the things that they otherwise would like to do. That has never been something that happened with pancreas cancer.”But the road to developing this drug was laden with bumps, jumps, and potholes. Mayer highlighted some of the most notable mileposts on that long journey in this episode of The Cancer History Project Podcast. 

Discover how advanced blood-based assays and multi-modality screening can identify silent cellular changes before they impact your longevity protocol.Traditional cancer screenings are constrained by structural limitations, capturing less than twenty percent of eventual diagnoses due to strict age thresholds, invasive procedures, and systemic healthcare delays. Dr. Tarek Mouhieddine from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute introduces a comprehensive strategy for multi-cancer early detection that combines circulating tumor biomarkers, DNA methylation profiling, and whole-body MRIs. This multi-layered screening architecture seeks to identify up to fifty cancer subtypes at stage one, where therapeutic interventions achieve the highest cure rates. The discussion details how tracking biomolecular trends through annual blood draws allows for early intervention without the radiation risk of repetitive CT scans or the complications of premature tissue biopsies. Dr. Mouhieddine also emphasizes that maintaining baseline cellular health preserves physiological resilience, directly dictating how well an individual tolerates therapeutic interventions. This framework offers actionable insights for individuals over 50 looking to optimize their preventative diagnostic protocols.

In this episode of ASTCT Talks, host Dr. Corey Cutler, MD, from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, is joined by Dr. Pooja Khandelwal, MD (Cincinnati Children's Hospital), Dr. Ben Watkins, MD (Tulane University), and Dr. Kenneth Cooke, MD (Johns Hopkins University) for an in-depth discussion on evolving strategies to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in pediatric transplant.The conversation explores how leading centers are approaching GVHD prophylaxis across a range of clinical scenarios, with a focus on improving both acute and chronic GVHD outcomes. Experts compare platform-based approaches — including post-transplant cyclophosphamide, calcineurin inhibitor–based regimens, abatacept, and graft manipulation — and discuss how these strategies influence long-term transplant success.Key topics include:Current approaches to reducing acute and chronic GVHD in pediatric patients.Tradeoffs between prevention platforms, including immune reconstitution and infection risk.Emerging data on novel strategies, such as vitamin A and extended co-stimulation blockade.The role of GVHD-free survival as a key endpoint in transplant outcomes.Ongoing challenges and unmet needs in preventing chronic GVHD.While advances in prophylaxis are helping to reduce GVHD incidence, chronic GVHD remains a significant clinical challenge, underscoring the importance of continued innovation across the prevention-treatment continuum.This episode was supported by an educational grant fromIncyte.

Choose the Hard Way is the show about how hard things build stronger humans who have more fun.  — One of my favorite comedians is Johnny Hilbrant Partridge, aka The PE Guy. His comedy operates at the intersection of private equity, hyper-conspicuous consumption, and radical insecurity. He is hilarious, and if you don't know his work, you soon will. — If you want to laugh go to @johnnyhilbrant, if you want to know who Johnny is, you're in the right place. This conversation is about the decade-plus Johnny spent working to become a comedy pro that preceded him blowing up as The PE Guy. We talk about the way life events and the sudden death of his twin sister shaped who he is, what he makes, where he is headed, and more. — A quick personal update. After three rounds of chemo, my cancer treatment took an unexpected turn last week. A PET scan showed we were successfully killing cancer. But my doctors told me it wasn't killing cancer fast enough to cure me. I'm going back to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute for another biopsy later this week and when we get those results back, they'll figure out what my new course of treatment will be. — I'm confident we will cure it, and being in this limbo is scary, for me, and for my family.  Whatever the road ahead is, we will get to cured, and I thank you for all of your love and support. — Please hit five stars and subscribe to Choose the Hard Way everywhere you listen. — The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host and being able to operate in dynamic unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders and doing it well isn't easy. — That's why Andrew Vontz started __https://www.onerealvoice.com/__ to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and the internal and external high-stakes open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. — When you're ready to be great, DM __https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod__ or reach out to hello@onerealvoice.com. —   To support this work, become a paid subscriber to the Choose the Hard Way Substack at __https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com__. —   With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today no experience required. —   Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at __https://www.laufcycles.com__. — Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: __https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/__ — One Real Voice: __https://www.onerealvoice.com/__ — Instagram: __https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod__ — LinkedIn: __https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/__ — Follow Johnny Hilbrant Partridge: __https://www.instagram.com/johnnyhilbrant__ — Johnny Hilbrant Partridge on TikTok: __https://www.tiktok.com/@johnnyhilbrant__ — Due to My Role: __https://www.duetomyrole.com__ —  

BUFFALO, NY – June 17, 2026 – A new #research paper was #published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on June 8, 2026, titled “DHHC3 interferes with antitumor immunity in melanoma cells.” The study was led by first author and corresponding author Chandan Sharma and corresponding author Martin E. Hemler from the Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer and is highly influenced by interactions between tumor cells and the immune system. Although modern immunotherapies have transformed treatment for many patients, researchers continue to search for molecular mechanisms that enable tumors to evade immune attack and continue growing. In this study, researchers investigated DHHC3, a protein acyltransferase that regulates protein palmitoylation and helps maintain cellular redox balance. Previous studies had linked elevated DHHC3 expression to poor outcomes in several cancers, but its role in melanoma and anti-tumor immunity remained unclear. To explore this question, the team used CRISPR gene editing to eliminate DHHC3 expression in B16F10 melanoma cells. Loss of DHHC3 caused a marked increase in oxidative stress and cellular senescence, as demonstrated by elevated TXNIP expression, increased reactive oxygen species levels, and enhanced expression of senescence-associated markers. Full press release - https://www.oncotarget.net/2026/06/17/protein-linked-to-melanoma-growth-may-suppress-the-bodys-natural-anti-tumor-immune-response/ DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28880 Correspondence to - Martin E. Hemler - martin_hemler@dfci.harvard.edu, and Chandan Sharma - csharma@mgh.harvard.edu Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQhP2VhzKSE Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28880 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, oxidative stress, DHHC3, anti-cancer immunity, palmitoylation, melanoma To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Oncotarget/ X - https://twitter.com/oncotarget Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oncotargetjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OncotargetJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oncotarget Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/oncotarget/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Oncotarget/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0gRwT6BqYWJzxzmjPJwtVh MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

In this episode of the Oncology Brothers podcast, we dived deep into the groundbreaking RASolute 302 study on pancreatic cancer, featuring special guest Dr. Brian Wolpin, a leading oncologist from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.   We discussed: The significance of RAS mutations in pancreatic cancer, which affect over 90% of patients. The trial design and key findings of the RASolute 302 study, highlighting the impressive doubling of overall survival from 6.6 months to 13.2 months with the new drug, Daraxonrasib. The mechanism of action of Daraxonrasib as a RAS-on inhibitor and its unique properties compared to other RAS inhibitors. Common side effects associated with the drug, including rash, diarrhea, and stomatitis, and strategies for managing these in clinical practice. The importance of biomarker testing and the implications for treatment in all pancreatic cancer patients.   Listen us on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/31BXhY9FM4gPWG10WgE11o Follow us on social media: ⁠X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/oncbrothers ⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oncbrothers Website: https://oncbrothers.com/   Tune in to learn how this new therapy could change the landscape of treatment for pancreatic cancer patients. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more updates on the latest in cancer research and treatment! #PancreaticCancer, #Daraxonrasib, #ASCO2026, #RASmutation, #OncologyBrothers

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States and the fourth most common cancer affecting women. One of its most important warning signs – abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting – is something many women experience and may dismiss. While survival rates exceed 95%, both overall incidence and mortality rates are rising. In this episode, we speak with Ursula A. Matulonis, MD, chief of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, about the symptoms of endometrial cancer, the role family history plays in risk, and the lifestyle habits that may help lower your chances of developing the disease. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers Guest: Ursula A. Matulonis, MD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Part 1 of 2 ASCO 2026 Highlights episodes, hosts Dr. Narjust Florez and Dr. Stephen Liu are joined by Dr. Alice Shaw and Dr. Jonathan Goldman to review some of the most impactful targeted therapy data presented at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting. The discussion explores the practice-changing LIBRETTO-432 trial in early-stage RET-positive NSCLC, long-term outcomes with lorlatinib in ALK-positive disease, emerging data for neladalkib, and promising results for sunvozertinib in EGFR exon 20 insertion–positive NSCLC, highlighting how these findings may influence treatment decisions across disease stages. Guests: Dr. Alice Shaw. is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Chair of Medical Oncology, and a thoracic oncologist at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. She is widely recognized as a pioneer in the field of ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer, having led landmark clinical trials that established crizotinib, ceritinib, and lorlatinib as standards of care. Dr. Jonathan W. Goldman is a Professor of Medicine and thoracic oncologist at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, where he serves as a principal investigator in the Phase I drug development program. Dr. Goldman has been at the forefront of early-phase oncology trials across multiple tumor types, with a particular focus on novel therapeutics in lung cancer, and he was the presenting author of Libretto 432 at the plenary session at the 2026 ASCO

At the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting poster session, we asked four scientists to discuss their research. Listen to the episode to hear: Peter Stanfield, of the University of Wisconsin, explains his research on cancer screening rates in transgender and gender-diverse people. Nico Gotera, of the University of Texas Health Science Center, explains research on GLP-1 medicines and rates of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Anna Tanasijevic, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, explains research on how much cancer survivors exercise. Xianghui Zou, of NYU Langone Health, explains research on the timing of immunotherapy infusions for people with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer.

At the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, Dr. Jennifer Ligibel, director of the Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, presented early results from the Breast Cancer Weight Loss (BWEL) study. The findings showed that among women with early-stage breast cancer, losing weight led to better physical and mental health, and also helped ease fatigue. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Ligibel explain: the design of the BWEL study why the women in the study had to have hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative or triple-negative breast cancer the next steps for the study

From Evidence to Action: Incorporating Disability Inclusion in Medical Training and Practice (ICAM 2026) Session Description The ICAM Series | Recorded Live at the International Congress on Academic Medicine (ICAM) What does it take to move disability inclusion from research and policy into everyday medical training and practice? Recorded live at the International Congress on Academic Medicine (ICAM) in Ottawa, Canada, this special episode of the Docs With Disabilities Podcast brings together an extraordinary panel of physician leaders, educators, and advocates working to transform disability inclusion across undergraduate medical education, residency training, and clinical practice. Together, the panel explores how institutions can move beyond awareness and compliance toward meaningful, sustainable change. Drawing from scholarship, systems leadership, and lived experience, they discuss the realities of accommodation implementation, the importance of centralized and trusted systems, faculty training, universal design, and the role of culture in shaping whether disability inclusion succeeds or stalls. This conversation asks difficult—but necessary—questions: How do we create systems that are consistent and humane? How do we support learners and physicians across transitions and career stages? And how do we build medical environments where disability is expected, planned for, and valued? Rich with practical insight and grounded in real-world experience, this live ICAM session highlights a field at an important turning point—one where we increasingly have the evidence, the tools, and the responsibility to act. Whether you are a learner, educator, physician, administrator, or institutional leader, this episode offers concrete ideas and inspiration for advancing disability inclusion within your own environment. Keywords: UGME, PGME, Disability, Learner, Trainee, Medical Education, Policies, Processes, Ableism, Culture, ICAM, AFMC, Docs With Disabilities. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18hNrBcylnDfSuT6hJB-RwFMpIBVzEPY21Qf4y0mU0WY/edit?usp=sharing Co-Moderators Lisa Meeks, PhD, MA  Dr. Meeks is a Professor of Medical Education at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago, IL and holds an appt as an Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan School of Medicine in Ann Arbor, MI. She is the founder of the Docs with Disabilities Initiative and host of the DWDI Podcast. Lynn Ashdown, MD, MMEd   Lynn Ashdown is a patient experience expert who advocates for patients to be included as stakeholders in all levels of healthcare. She has a medical degree, and was close to finishing her residency in family medicine when she began, and continues to navigate, a complex journey as a full-time patient. She has a masters degree in medical education, and presents, participates in research, and is a senior patient partner consulting with various organizations like the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada. She's involved in curriculum reform focusing on patient partnerships and is a disability educator within medicine. Lynn is a disability advocate, drawing from her experiences as a patient and person living with multiple disabilities. She's a board member of the Canadian Association of Physicians with Disabilities and is involved with policy and legislative changes to combat ableism and inequities for people living with disabilities. She co-authored Canada's first position statement on the importance of disability inclusion in medical education, and received the 2024 CMA Dr. Ashok Muzumdar Memorial Award for Physicians with Disabilities. Pam Liao, MD, MEd, FRCPC Dr. Liao is the Inaugural Interim Associate Dean Accessibility and Disability Health at the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine. Here, she previously served as the Disability Health Lead and Special Advisor to the Dean at the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine. In her work, she leads efforts to embed critical disability perspectives and anti-ableist practices into medical education. Drawing from her personal experience navigating medical training with a disability, she has dedicated her career to dismantling systemic barriers faced by individuals with disabilities in medicine. Her work includes groundbreaking research—such as the first analysis of accommodations policies in Canadian undergraduate medical programs—and advocacy efforts like the widely recognized "#docswithdisabilities" social media campaign, which brings attention to the underrepresentation of disabled individuals in healthcare and drives meaningful change. She advocated for the establishment of the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) Disability Inclusion Network and currently serves as its inaugural Co-Chair. Her advocacy earned her a place on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Physicians with Disabilities, where she continues to serve. Dr. Liao earned her medical degree from the University of British Columbia and completed her residency in Family and Community Medicine and a fellowship in Palliative Medicine at the University of Toronto. She is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto and practices clinically in long-term care and rehabilitation settings. Her contributions have been recognized with several honors, including the OMA Section of Palliative Medicine – Award of Excellence. Jill Rudkowski, MD, FRCPC  Dr. Jill Rudkowski is an Associate Professor of Medicine in Department of Medicine (Critical Care) at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.  She has practised as a critical care physician for over 20 years and is an educator, researcher, and educational leader.  She obtained her MD from the University of Calgary. She trained in Internal Medicine, Respirology, and Critical Care at McGill University after which she completed a Post-doctoral Fellowship with Dr. Barrett Rollins at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard University. She served as Head of Service for the Medical Stepdown Unit and then the Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton for over 10 years.  Dr. Rudkowski has been involved as a co-investigator on numerous patient-focused clinical studies, and these collaborations focus on improving outcomes for survivors of critical illness and the impact on their caregivers. She has designed and delivered curriculum through sessions and workshops on the concept of team compassion in critical care and its role in effective communication.      Dr. Rudkowski has held several educational leadership roles within the McMaster University DeGroote School of Medicine including the Chair of Clerkship and the Director of Student Advising. She is currently the Postgraduate Medicine (PGME) Accommodation Advisor within Resident Affairs and the PGME Resident Assessment Faculty Lead. Dr. Rudkowski has been involved in writing and implementing policy and guidelines around accessing accommodations as well as designing and delivering curriculum aimed at faculty, learners, and administrators through virtual and in person sessions and workshops. Dr. Rudkowski has had the privilege of collaborating nationally and internationally around disability policy in medical education.  She was a member of the Disability Policy Toolkit Committee, Multimedia Resource Hub for Disability Inclusion in Graduate Medical Education on "Learn at ACGME" supported by the 2024 Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Catalyst Award for Transformation in Graduate Medical Education.  Dr. Rudkowski is currently a member of the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada Disability Inclusion and Accessibility Network.  She lives with a chronic disability and is passionate about ensuring that all medical learners and practitioners with disability experience belonging and accessibility in the clinical learning and practice environments.   Camille Munro MD CCFP (PC) Dr. Camille Munro is a palliative medicine physician in the Department of Medicine at the Ottawa Hospital and an Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa. Originally from Chester, Nova Scotia, she received her Doctor of Medicine from Dalhousie University in 1991 and completed her rotating internship at Royal Columbian Hospital, University of British Columbia. After practicing family medicine in Ottawa for 18 years while raising her children, she returned to the academic setting, driven by a longstanding commitment to compassionate, whole patient-centred care for those facing a serious illness.  In 2018, Dr. Munro was appointed Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for the Department of Medicine where she led initiatives to foster a more inclusive and equitable academic and clinical environment. Her work included the development and implementation of the first formal accommodations policy for physicians with disabilities at a Canadian academic hospital. She remains a strong advocate for physicians with disabilities and for creating environments free from discrimination and inequity. Here work is grounded in compassion, advocacy, and representation; values she brings to her clinical care, teaching, mentorship and leadership. In recognition of her contributions, she received the 2022 Faculty Member Award of Excellence for Leadership in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine.  Samantha Lavitt, MD Dr. Samantha Lavitt (she/her) is the first Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Curricular Lead in undergraduate medical education at the University of Ottawa, which sits on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin people. In this role, she designs educational content including topics such as gender equity, sexual orientation and gender diversity, language rights, and disability, integrating these topics throughout the clinical curriculum in a format that connects students with community teachers with lived experience. Trained as a family physician and dedicated to resilience through sustainable practice development, Dr. Lavitt also offers coaching and peer support to family physicians on advocacy, disability, and well-being through the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP). She established the first peer support group for physicians with chronic illness and/or disabilities at the OCFP in 2024 and continues to co-lead this group monthly.  While she finds working with individual physicians and small groups deeply rewarding, this intervention is not enough to dismantle the system of barriers that disabled physicians face in our medical culture, so Dr. Lavitt brings her professional and lived experience as a disabled physician to advocacy initiatives at her academic institution, provincial, and national levels with involvement in peer support projects, webinars, and conference appearances. Produced by: Dr. Lisa Meeks.  Audio editor: Next Day Podcast Digital Media: Lisa Meeks Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EXw4F1pt5J-O6Y0k-WksDC71RCA6aTFSCOkz-lqJiyc/edit?usp=sharing  

8:05PM: The 43rd annual Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl to support lifesaving cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Tuesday, June 2 through Thursday, June 4 from 12 to 8 p.m. at a new location - 88 Seaport Boulevard in Boston’s Seaport District. Guest: Caitlin Fink - Vice President of the Jimmy Fund 8:15PM: Massachusetts rideshare drivers become first in U.S. to unionize. Guest: Mike Deehan – Axios Boston Reporter 8:30PM: The latest Boston Red Sox sports news. Guest: Dan Watkins – WBZ NewsRadio Anchor 8:45PM: Every year 2 million kids are bitten by a dog, with 1 million being a family pet that often kids either squeeze or don't know how to interact with…Local children’s book author wrote a new book, “Pet Safety with Lola & Sophie” to help children learn safe, positive interactions with pets while also encouraging kindness and empathy toward animals. Guest: Christine Devane – Children’s Book Author & former teacher, Mom of 3 and advocate of rescue dogsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Discovery to Delivery: Charting Progress in Gynecologic Oncology, hosted by Ursula A. Matulonis, MD, brings expert insights into the most recent breakthroughs, evolving standards, and emerging therapies across gynecologic cancers. Dr Matulonis is chief of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and the Brock-Wilson Family Chair at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as well as a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, both in Boston, Massachusetts.In this episode, Dr Matulonis was joined by Meghan E. Shea, MD, an attending medical oncologist and ambulatory medical director and disease program leader for medical oncology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Together, they explored the current landscape of cervical cancer, from the urgent need for expanded vaccination and screening to the evolving role of immunotherapy and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) across disease settings.Dr Shea opened by addressing the epidemiology of cervical cancer, noting that despite decades of progress, rates are now plateauing and rising among women under 50 years of age. She identified 3 interrelated drivers of this trend: declining rates of routine gynecologic screening, inconsistent uptake of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, and persistent high-risk HPV infections, particularly HPV 16 and 18, which are responsible for most cases. The conversation then turned to the effect of immunotherapy on cervical cancer treatment. Dr Shea traced the evolution of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) from its initial 2018 approval as a single agent in recurrent/metastatic disease to its more recent integration into the frontline setting. The phase 3 KEYNOTE-A18 trial (NCT04221945) demonstrated that adding pembrolizumab to standard weekly cisplatin-based chemoradiation significantly improved outcomes for patients with locally advanced disease. Although responses to immunotherapy, when they occur, are often durable, Dr Shea acknowledged that response rates remain lower than anticipated for a virally driven malignancy, underscoring the need for novel combinations and a deeper understanding of resistance mechanisms. Drs Matulonis and Shea both agreed that immunotherapy combined with ADCs represents one of the most compelling directions for the field, with phase 2 data for sacituzumab tirumotecan plus pembrolizumab generating interest ahead of anticipated phase 3 results.On the ADC front, Dr Shea reviewed the 2 agents in this class that are currently FDA-approved for cervical cancer. Tisotumab vedotin-tftv (Tivdak) offers the advantage of biomarker-independent use, though its requirement for ophthalmologic monitoring at every treatment visit creates real-world access challenges outside major academic centers. Trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (Enhertu), approved in the HER2 immunohistochemistry 3+ setting based in part on the results of the phase 2 DESTINY-PanTumor02 trial (NCT04482309), has generated robust response rates but is most likely to benefit patients with adenocarcinoma. Dr Shea also highlighted additional targets under investigation, including Trop-2, Nectin-4, and B7-H4, with multiple phase 3 trials ongoing in both the frontline and recurrent settings.The discussion closed with a look at the locally advanced disease landscape, where the NRG Oncology cooperative group is conducting a phase 3 trial to evaluate whether integrating the neoadjuvant carboplatin/paclitaxel regimen from the INTERLACE trial (NCT01566240) with the pembrolizumab-based regimen from KEYNOTE-A18 can further improve outcomes and reduce the morbidity associated with brachytherapy. Dr Shea expressed optimism about this question, citing preliminary experience suggesting that neoadjuvant chemotherapy may reduce the need for invasive radiation techniques.

Today, Peggy Burkhard talks with Dr. Amar Kelkar of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute about the medical side of survivorship after bone marrow, stem cell, or CAR-T transplant. The conversation begins with the important shift from the urgent “save my life” phase to the longer “protect my health” phase. Dr. Kelkar explains that this transition often starts around the 100-day mark, though timing varies by transplant center, geographical region and patient needs. A major theme is the need to restart routine care that may have been paused during transplant. Dental care, dermatology, ophthalmology, and primary care all become important again. Dental visits are especially important because oral graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) can cause dry mouth, irritation, cavities, and other problems. Skin checks matter because transplant can increase the risk of skin cancers. Dr. Kelkar stresses annual dermatology visits, sun protection, SPF 50 or higher, protective clothing, and smart decisions about sun exposure. Fatigue is another central topic. Dr. Kelkar describes post-transplant fatigue as different from normal tiredness. It can feel deep, physical, and mental, and it may last for months or even years. He encourages patients to pace themselves, listen to their bodies, and build activity back slowly. Returning to work also needs to be individualized. Some patients work remotely during treatment, while others may need extended disability or a gradual return. The episode also covers immune recovery and repeat vaccinations. Dr. Kelkar explains that after transplant, the immune system has been reset, and many childhood vaccines need to be repeated. Most programs begin revaccination around six, nine, or 12 months, depending on immune suppression and other factors. He reassures listeners that many patients have fewer vaccine symptoms early on because their immune systems are still rebuilding. Dr. Kelkar also reviews long-term screening and prevention. Survivors need routine cancer screenings, including mammograms, colonoscopies, lung cancer screening when appropriate, skin exams, and monitoring for thyroid or other changes. Metabolic health is also important. Steroids can affect blood sugar, transplant can change body composition, and quick weight loss often includes muscle loss. Nutrition support and exercise programs can help, and Peggy notes that Blood Cancer United offers nutrition services for patients and caregivers. Blood Cancer United's nutrition program provides free one-on-one consultations with oncology dietitians by phone or email. Bone health, hormone changes, sexual health, and early aging are also discussed. Dr. Kelkar explains that steroids, menopause, testosterone changes, vitamin D deficiency, and time indoors can affect bones. Many centers use DEXA scans and vitamin D supplementation. He also encourages patients to bring up sexual health concerns, including menopause symptoms, low testosterone, pain with intercourse, ulcers, or fear about resuming intimacy. The episode closes with practical advice for everyday life. Food restrictions often loosen around 100 days, but patients should reintroduce foods slowly and carefully. Raw foods, alcohol, tobacco, and inhaled smoke should generally be avoided, especially during the first year. Dr. Kelkar also emphasizes mental health support, counseling, and honest conversations with the medical team. Survivorship is a bumpy road, but the goal is to help patients regain control and thrive. Blood Cancer United Nutrition Offerings: https://bloodcancerunited.org/blood-cancer-care/adults/food-nutrition Thanks to this season's sponsors, Incyte and Sanofi. (00:00) Intro (01:16) Moving from acute treatment to survivorship (02:17) Dental, dermatology, ophthalmology, and routine care (05:45) Fatigue after transplant versus normal tiredness (08:35) Pacing yourself and avoiding setbacks (10:26) Returning to work after transplant (12:24) Resetting the immune system and repeat vaccinations (16:07) Secondary malignancy prevention and cancer screenings (18:59) Sun protection and skin cancer prevention (20:23) Metabolic health, blood sugar, and weight management (23:58) Bone health, vitamin D, DEXA scans, and early aging (29:32) Sexual health and hormonal changes (32:43) Everyday living after transplant (36:07) Psychological and cognitive hurdles in survivorship (38:16) Pulmonary function tests and liver monitoring (40:42) Closing thoughts National Bone Marrow Transplant Link - (800) LINK-BMT, or (800) 546-5268.nbmtLINK Website: https://www.nbmtlink.org/Check out our valued nbmtLINK resource books, some for sale, some free as downloadable, https://www.nbmtlink.org/shop/nbmtLINK Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/nbmtLINKFollow the nbmtLINK on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/nbmtlink/The nbmtLINK YouTube Page can be found by clicking here.This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is crucial to consult directly with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical conditions, treatment options, or other health concerns.The views and opinions expressed by the speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the nbmtLINK. Unless otherwise stated in an official policy, the nbmtLINK does not endorse any specific treatments, products, or services mentioned by the speakers. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.The Marrow Masters Podcast is produced by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In today's episode, we spoke with Jacob Sands, MD. Dr Sands is the associate chief of the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Oncology Medical Director of the International Patient Center, and physician at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as well as an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. In our exclusive interview, Dr Sands discussed the rapidly evolving treatment landscape for small cell lung cancer (SCLC), emphasizing both the progress made with immunotherapy and the ongoing challenges associated with this aggressive disease. He noted that outcomes now vary widely, with some patients experiencing long-term durable disease control following checkpoint inhibitor therapy, while others continue to have limited benefit from currently available treatments.A major focus of the discussion centered on tarlatamab-dlle (Imdelltra), the DLL3-targeting bispecific T-cell engager approved for relapsed SCLC. Sands described tarlatamab as a “new paradigm” therapy, highlighting results from the phase 3 DeLLphi-304 trial (NCT05740566) showing superiority in progression-free survival, overall survival, symptom improvement, and toxicity outcomes vs chemotherapy in the second-line setting. He also reviewed the evolution of DLL3 as a therapeutic target, explaining how earlier efforts with rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T) helped establish the foundation for newer, more effective DLL3-directed approaches. The conversation also explored the growing role of molecular subtyping in SCLC, including emerging data involving ASCL1, NEUROD1, and POU2F3 transcription factor subsets. Although Sands cautioned that these findings remain investigational, he noted that subtype-driven treatment selection may eventually help personalize therapy in SCLC.Sands also addressed real-world experience with tarlatamab, including higher observed rates of cytokine release syndrome and neurologic toxicities among patients who would not have qualified for clinical trials. Despite these risks, he emphasized that many heavily pretreated patients with poor performance status or brain metastases have still achieved meaningful and durable clinical benefit.Finally, the discussion covered recent updates to National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, including the establishment of tarlatamab as a preferred second-line standard of care regardless of chemotherapy-free interval. Looking ahead, Sands highlighted the growing pipeline of investigational therapies in SCLC, including CAR T-cell therapies, antibody-drug conjugates, radioligand therapies, and additional T-cell engagers, stressing the importance of clinical trial referral and collaboration between academic and community oncology centers.

In this episode, part of a special collaboration between ACM ByteCast and the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA)'s For Your Informatics podcast, Sabrina Hsueh and Li Zhou host Monica Bertagnolli, a surgical oncologist, physician-scientist, and President Elect of the National Academy of Medicine—the first woman to hold that position in NAM's history. Her previous positions include the Richard E. Wilson Professor of Surgery in surgical oncology at Harvard Medical School, a surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and a member of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment and Sarcoma Centers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, all in Boston, Massachusetts. In the past, she served as the 17th Director of the National Institutes of Health and the 16th Director National Cancer Institute (NCI), as well as President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. In the interview, Dr. Bertagnolli shares her unique journey from Princeton engineering to cancer surgery and national leadership. She emphasizes collaboration, system thinkings, and bringing an engineering mindset of "pilot, test, scale, and continuously improve" to AI in healthcare. She highlights her role in founding mCODE, an initiative to improve patient care through oncological data interoperability, and how NAM's six core commitments and ten guiding principles for responsible AI address issues of bias and equity. Dr. Bertagnolli also offers insights on the growing erosion of trust in science and medicine—and how to restore it.

This accredited continuing education program is supported by an educational grant from Blueprint Medicine. It provides timely and practical education on systemic mastocytosis (SM). To obtain CME credit, visit https://checkrare.com/learning/p-systemic-mastocytosis-recognition-diagnosis-and-clinical-management/SM is a rare, chronic disorder driven by aberrant mast cell accumulation across multiple organ systems. Although diagnostic criteria are well established, a recent natural history study found that the average time to diagnosis is nearly five years. This prolonged delay—largely due to limited awareness of SM and its early symptoms—often results in unnecessary disease progression and inappropriate treatment. To address this clinical gap, this activity, led by Daniel J. DeAngelo, MD, PhD, Chief, Division of Leukemia at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, in Boston, MA, provides an overview of the early signs and symptoms of SM, outlines the appropriate diagnostic criteria and tools, and reinforces the importance of timely referral and testing for these patients to be properly managed. Led by a clinical expert with experience diagnosing and treating patients with SM, this 45-minute CME program will highlight early signs of SM, outline diagnostic criteria and tools, and reinforce the importance of timely referral/testing. Target AudienceThis activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians specializing in hematology, dermatology, gastroenterology, immunology, and family practice. Other members of the care team may also participate.Learning ObjectivesAfter participating in the activity, learners should be better able to:Describe the early symptoms of systemic mastocytosis and its clinical relevance.Apply best practices to diagnose systemic mastocytosis more efficiently.FacultyDaniel J. DeAngelo, MD, PhDChief, Division of LeukemiaDana-Farber Cancer Institute,Harvard Medical SchoolBoston, MADisclosure StatementAccording to the disclosure policy of the Academy, all faculty, planning committee members, editors, managers and other individuals who are in a position to control content are required to disclose any relationships with any ineligible company(ies). The existence of these relationships is not viewed as implying bias or decreasing the value of the activity. Clinical content has been reviewed for fair balance and scientific objectivity, and all of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.Disclosure of relevant financial relationships are as follows:Faculty Educator/PlannerDr. DeAngelo discloses the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies:Consultant: Amgen, Autolos, Blueprint Medicines, Incyte, Jazz, Novartis, Pfizer, and Takeda Research Support: AbbVie, Glycomimetics, Novartis, and Blueprint MedicinesData Safety Monitoring Board: Daiichi-SankyoOther Planners for this activity have no relevant financial relationships with any ineligible companies.This activity will review off-label or investigational information.The opinions expressed in this educational activity are those of the faculty, and do not represent those of the Academy or CheckRare CE. This activity is intended as a supplement to existing knowledge, published information, and practice guidelines. Learners should appraise the information presented critically, and draw conclusions only after careful consideration of all available scientific information.Accreditation and Credit DesignationIn support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by American Academy of CME, Inc. and CheckRare CE. American Academy of CME, Inc. is Jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.PhysiciansAmerican Academy of CME, Inc., designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other HCPsOther members of the care team will receive a certificate of participation.There are no fees to participate in the activity.  Participants must review the activity information including the learning objectives and disclosure statements, as well as the content of the activity. To receive CME credit for your participation, please complete the pre and post-program assessments. Your certificate will be emailed to you within 30 days.PrivacyFor more information about the American Academy of CME privacy policy, please access http://www.academycme.org/privacy.htm  For more information about CheckRare's privacy policy, please access https://checkrare.com/privacy/ContactFor any questions, please contact: CEServices@academycme.orgCopyright© 2026. This CME-certified activity is held as copyrighted © by American Academy of CME and CheckRare CE. Through this notice, the Academy and CheckRare CE grant permission of its use for educational purposes only. These materials may not be used, in whole or in part, for any commercial purposes without prior permission in writing from the copyright owner(s).

David Shulman, MD, joins us on OsteoBites to discuss the newly opened phase 1/2 study to evaluate LNTH-2403, a LRRC15-targeted radiopharmaceutical, in patients with relapsed/refractory osteosarcoma.For many years, LRRC15 has been known to be an important target in osteosarcoma. A prior study showed a strong signal of activity of an LRRC15-targeted therapy in osteosarcoma; however, the development of the agent was not pursued. There is now a novel LRRC15-targeting radiopharmaceutical that has entered clinical trials for patients with osteosarcoma, and Dr. Shulman will provide an overview of this newly opened trial.Dr. David Shulman is a Pediatric Oncologist and clinical/translational researcher at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where he also serves as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. As the Director of the DFCI AYA Sarcoma Program, he focuses his clinical practice on the specialized care of adolescents and young adults (AYA) diagnosed with sarcomas. His research program, which has received support from the NIH and Harvard Catalyst, is dedicated to improving patient outcomes through the investigation of novel therapeutic approaches and the utility of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a clinical biomarker. He leads a national liquid biopsy study for patients with Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma, known as the LEOPARD study.

Dr. Robert Soiffer took an interest in medicine at an early age when he played a physician in his first-grade play.  Today, he is a leading physician, researcher, and teacher at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world leader in oncology.  In this episode, Dr. Soiffer describes the incredible pace of change in the field of cancer research and treatment and the detection tools and cures that are right around the corner.  He also reflects on how he maintains a positive and optimistic outlook despite the many times he's forced to deliver terrible news to patients and families.  While he tries hard not to bring these tough times home with him, he also stresses the importance of keeping his humanity and treating his patients and their families as people, not just statistics.     Chapters:  02:29 Dana-Farber's Special Mission  Dr. Soiffer discusses what makes Dana-Farber Cancer Institute unique, emphasizing its focus on cancer patients and the common purpose among all staff.   05:50 Evolution of Cancer Treatment  This segment details the seismic shift in cancer treatment over the past 40 years, from nonspecific chemotherapy to targeted therapies focusing on specific mutations.   10:25 Bone Marrow Transplants and Graft vs. Leukemia  Dr. Soiffer delves into the history of bone marrow transplants, highlighting the Nobel Prize-winning work of E. Donald Thomas and the intriguing concept of graft versus leukemia effect.   15:02 The Role of Medical Education and Mentoring  This chapter emphasizes the critical role of medical education and mentoring in shaping the future of medicine, drawing from Dr. Soiffer's experience as chief medical resident and mentor. He discusses the mutual learning process between experienced physicians and younger generations, and the importance of continuous learning.  19:50 Personal Impact of Oncology Work  Dr. Soiffer reflects on the emotional challenges of his work, balancing optimism with realism and honesty while treating patients facing life-threatening situations. He discusses the difficulty of compartmentalizing emotions and the importance of maintaining humanity and connection with patients and their families, even when outcomes are not positive.  24:57 The Value of Clinical Trials  This chapter explains the critical role of clinical trials in advancing cancer treatment, from early-stage phase I trials to comparative studies. Dr. Soiffer describes patients participating in these trials as brave pioneers, highlighting how targeted, immune, and cellular therapies would not exist without their contributions.  28:39 Global Collaboration in Medicine  Dr. Soiffer discusses the extensive global collaboration in medical and scientific fields, emphasizing the shared mission to develop therapies for suffering patients.   35:33 Future of Cancer Treatment and Prevention  Looking ahead, Dr. Soiffer predicts less toxic and more precise cancer treatments with improved therapeutic ratios, focusing on overcoming resistance and early detection. He discusses the potential of preventing progression to full-blown malignancy through early intervention and the growing understanding of germline predispositions to cancer.  41:26 Conclusion and Call to Optimism  The episode concludes with Bill Burke thanking Dr. Soiffer for his time and invaluable insights, highlighting the rapid pace of change and innovation in cancer research. He also expresses hope and optimism for the future of cancer care. 

Welcome to OncLive On Air®! I'm your host today, Riley Kandel.OncLive On Air is a podcast from OncLive®, which provides oncology professionals with the resources and information they need to provide the best patient care. In both digital and print formats, OncLive covers every angle of oncology practice, from new technology to treatment advances to important regulatory decisions.During Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month, OncLive® sat down with Peter Enzinger, MD, to discuss evolving standards and ongoing areas of uncertainty in the diagnosis and management of esophageal cancer. In the exclusive interview, Enzinger highlighted common diagnostic and staging pitfalls in newly diagnosed disease; outlined the evolving role of surgery, chemoradiation, and multidisciplinary care; and reviewed emerging targeted therapeutic strategies shaping treatment decisions in esophageal and gastroesophageal cancers. He also discussed ongoing clinical trials of interest, including studies evaluating zanidatamab-hrii (Ziihera), pembrolizumab (Keytruda)–based nonoperative approaches, and novel combinations incorporating Claudin 18.2–targeted therapy.Enzinger serves as director of the Center for Esophageal and Gastric Cancer, institute physician, and medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as well as an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. _____That's all we have for today! Thank you for listening to this episode of OncLive On Air. Check back throughout the week for exclusive interviews with leading experts in the oncology field.For more updates in oncology, be sure to visit www.OncLive.com and sign up for our e-newsletters.OncLive is also on social media. On X and BlueSky, follow us at @OncLive. On Facebook, like us at OncLive, and follow our OncLive page on LinkedIn.If you liked today's episode of OncLive On Air, please consider subscribing to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and many of your other favorite podcast platforms,* so you get a notification every time a new episode is posted. While you are there, please take a moment to rate us!Thanks again for listening to OncLive On Air.*OncLive On Air is available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, RadioPublic, and TuneIn.

Welcome to the Oncology Brothers podcast! In this episode, we were joined by Dr. Jacob Sands, a thoracic medical oncologist from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to discuss the current treatment algorithms for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Listen us on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/31BXhY9FM4gPWG10WgE11o Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oncology-brothers-practice-changing-cancer-discussions/id1653340966 Follow us on social media: •⁠  ⁠X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/oncbrothers •⁠  ⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oncbrothers •⁠  Website: https://oncbrothers.com/ We dived deep into the aggressive nature of SCLC and the meaningful advances in treatment over the past few years. Key topics included: • The role of surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy in early-stage SCLC. • Insights into the ADRIATIC study, which highlighted the efficacy of Durvalumab in limited-stage disease. • The debate surrounding prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) and its implications for patient care. • The latest findings from the IMforte study, showcasing the combination of Atezolizumab and Lurbinectedin as a new standard of care in extensive-stage SCLC. • The promising results of Tarlatamab in the second-line setting and its impact on overall survival. Join us as we explored these advancements and their potential to improve patient outcomes in the fight against small cell lung cancer. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and check out our other episodes for more insights into oncology! #SmallCellLungCancer, #SCLC, #ADRIATIC, , #IMforte, #OncologyBrothers

In today's episode, we spoke with Alissa Cooper, MD. Dr Cooper is a physician at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. In our exclusive interview, Dr Cooper discussed recent advances that have reshaped the treatment paradigm for small cell lung cancer (SCLC), particularly in the relapsed setting. She highlighted the FDA approval of tarlatamab-dlle (Imdelltra), a DLL3-targeting T-cell engager, as one of the most impactful developments in recent years. Despite this progress, Cooper emphasized that the frontline standard of care has remained largely unchanged, continuing to rely on platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with immunotherapy. She noted that, although ongoing clinical trials are exploring biomarker-driven strategies and novel combinations, a more personalized first-line approach has yet to be established.The conversation also explored real-world treatment sequencing and decision-making at the point of relapse. Cooper explained that, whenever feasible, oncologists aim to enroll patients in clinical trials or initiate treatment with tarlatamab. However, logistical barriers, including trial screening requirements and the need for monitored administration of T-cell engagers, can delay care. In cases of rapidly progressing disease, oncologists may instead turn to cytotoxic therapies such as lurbinectedin (Zepzelca) or use localized approaches like radiation to achieve faster disease control.The importance of multidisciplinary coordination was another key theme. Cooper underscored that SCLC management requires rapid collaboration among medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, pathologists, and supportive care teams. Early involvement of palliative care is also critical, given the aggressive nature of the disease and high symptom burden.Additionally, she highlighted the essential role of oncology pharmacists, nursing teams, and structured patient education. Clear toxicity management protocols, dose-modification guidelines, and comprehensive patient education visits help ensure safe treatment delivery and empower patients to manage adverse effects.Looking ahead, Cooper described an “embarrassment of riches” in emerging therapies and targets under investigation. Beyond DLL3, novel approaches targeting markers such as SEZ6 and B7-H3, as well as next-generation antibody-drug conjugates and trispecific T-cell engagers, are showing early promise. However, key questions remain regarding biomarker selection, treatment sequencing, and real-world effectiveness, particularly for patients who would not meet clinical trial eligibility criteria.Finally, she emphasized that improving coordination between community and academic centers is essential to ensuring timely access to innovative therapies and clinical trials. Strengthening communication pathways and referral processes may help bridge gaps in care and improve outcomes for patients with this aggressive disease.

From Discovery to Delivery: Charting Progress in Gynecologic Oncology, hosted by Ursula A. Matulonis, MD, brings expert insights into the most recent breakthroughs, evolving standards, and emerging therapies across gynecologic cancers. Dr Matulonis is chief of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and the Brock-Wilcon Family Chair at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as well as a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, both in Boston, Massachusetts. In this episode, Dr Matulonis was joined by Elizabeth H. Stover, MD, PhD, a physician at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Together, they explored the biology and therapeutic relevance of the RAS/MAP kinase pathway in gynecologic cancers. Dr Stover began by explaining that the RAS/MAP kinase pathway is a well-established oncogenic signaling cascade that regulates cancer cell proliferation, survival, and invasion. Advances in drug development are now making it possible to target multiple points along this pathway, including RAS itself, once considered “undruggable.”Drs Matulonis and Stover emphasized that RAS/MAP kinase pathway alterations are relatively common across gynecologic malignancies, occurring in at least 20% of cases overall. Certain disease subtypes have particularly high prevalence, including low-grade serous ovarian cancer, mucinous ovarian cancer, and subsets of endometrial and cervical cancers. Clinically, activation of this pathway is generally associated with more aggressive disease and reduced sensitivity to conventional chemotherapy, although nuances exist. The conversation also explored emerging therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway. Early developmental success with MEK inhibitors—such as trametinib (Mekinist), selumetinib (Koselugo), and binimetinib (Mektovi)—has translated to meaningful clinical benefit, particularly in low-grade serous ovarian cancer. More recently, combination approaches have shown promise, including the dual RAF/MEK inhibitor avutometinib paired with the FAK inhibitor defactinib (Avmapki Fakzynja Co-pack). This combination addresses adaptive resistance mechanisms and has generated improved response rates and disease control, leading to its May 2025 FDA approval in this setting.Looking ahead, Dr Stover highlighted the development of direct RAS inhibitors as one of the most exciting advances in oncology. Dr Stover concluded by outlining key areas of ongoing research, including understanding differential sensitivity across tumor subtypes, identifying mechanisms of resistance, and optimizing combination strategies. 

In this episode, Chris and Shaun sit down with Andy Rotherham, co-founder of Bellwether Education Partners and a veteran of the Clinton White House. Andy has spent over 30 years at the intersection of education policy and social impact, but he's also a music enthusiast, a Red Sox fan, a Boston bar investor, a podcaster himself, and a man willing to run a 5k in a full Easter Bunny costume to surprise his daughter.We dive into the "no-fluff" reality of the American education system, discussing why school "averages" are often not helpful and how we can actually move the needle on equity. We also explore the "modern vice" landscape—from the gamification of sports betting to the pervasive influence of social media on youth.In this episode, we discuss:The McCaskill Update: A shout-out to previous guest John McCaskill on his new book, Dialing Your Leadership .The History of a "Planned Community": Growing up in Reston, Virginia, and how its "hippie experiment" origins shaped Andy's worldview .The Trillion-Dollar Industry: Why education spending is both too much and not enough, and the desperate need for honest performance audits .The "Omni Cause": The quantitative shift in how gambling, weed, and social media are impacting the next generation .A Personal "Why": Andy's commitment to the Pan-Mass Challenge and raising funds for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of his fathers .Speed Round: Andy's life mantra, "What's the worst that can happen?"Resources Mentioned:Bellwether Education PartnersEduwonk (Substack)Pan-Mass Challenge / Dana-FarberD.I.A.L. IN YOUR LEADERSHIP by John McCaskillThanks to our sponsor, Mental. Mental is a wellness app built specifically for men, offering a sanctuary from "toxic positivity" and generic advice. It provides personalized, affordable, and science-backed support through real-life coaching designed to help you navigate life's messiest challenges. If you've been thinking about doing something for your mental health, visit https://app.getmental.com/subscribe to get started.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more people find these important conversations!

Dr Paul G Richardson from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, discusses how CELMoDs function, available data with these agents and their possible future role in the treatment of multiple myeloma.CME information and select publications here.

As we take a brief hiatus from releasing new episodes, we wanted to revisit Tom's conversation with WellWithAll CEO and Co-Founder, Demond Martin, from back in December. Demond has an incredible story, and he's built a powerhouse of a company while going to great lengths to lift up his community. Enjoy!    Show Notes: In this country, health outcomes are too often dictated by your ZIP code, but one company is working very hard to fix those inequities.Demond Martin, is the CEO and co-founder of WellWithAll, a health and wellness company dedicated to advancing health equity for underserved communities. Operating under ‘inclusive capitalism', WellWithAll reinvests 20% of its profits into health initiatives tailored to specific community needs, tackling health disparities, and ensuring a targeted approach to wellness.Before WellWithAll, Demond was a senior partner at Adage Capital Management, where he invested in the consumer sector for 21 years. Earlier in his career, he served in the Clinton administration, and he has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the Berkeley College of Music, The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the Obama Foundation. Today, we get into what WellWithAll does, how they're giving back to the community, and Demond's journey from a trailer in North Carolina to CEO of this incredible company.Highlights:Demond's background (2:21)Stories from the White House (3:50)Working at a hedge fund (5:58)Lessons about investing (8:32)The origins of WellWithAll (11:42)Health inequities (13:54)How WellWithAll has evolved (15:08)Getting in with large retailers (17:08)Sources of funding (18:57)The Obama Foundation (20:19)A career in politics? (21:00)Demond's mentors (22:14)27th ICR Conference (24:04))Links:Demond Martin LinkedInWellWithAll LinkedInWellWithAll WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Investor and philanthropist, Demond Martin, is Co-Founder and CEO ofWellWithAll, an innovative health and wellness company that pours 20% of itsprofits into health equity. Prior to becoming CEO of WellWithAll, Demond wasa senior partner at Adage Capital Management, where he invested in theconsumer sector for 21 years. Demond joined Adage after graduating fromHarvard Business School, and received his undergraduate degree inaccounting from UNC Charlotte. He subsequently worked as the assistant to President Clinton's White House Chief of Staff, Erskine Bowles. Demond and his wife Kia through their family foundation focus on erasing gaps created by racial and social injustice in the areas of education and healthcare. Demond serves on a number of non-profit boards including as a trustee at the Berklee College of Music, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Grammy Global Venture Board, and the Obama Foundation. On this episode of The Vault, we discuss Demond's new book, “Friends Of The Good” and how you can surround yourself with friendships and allies who help you to achieve mental wealth and material success. How to choose the right friends. How to choose the right fraternity. How to choose the right allies. How to become an advocate. How to support your longevity How to Cope with High Functioning Depression.Follow Demond T MartinDemond T Martin InstagramDemond T Martin WebsiteDemond T Martin BookDemond T Martin's Company WellWithALLFollow Dr. Judith Joseph: Instagram High Functioning Book TikTok Facebook Website Newsletter Sign-Up YouTube Anhedonia QuizDisclaimer: Consider your individual mental health needs with a licensed medicalprofessional. This content is not medical advice.

Marlise Luskin, MD With so many new advances in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), understanding today's treatment landscape can give patients a clearer, more hopeful outlook. In this episode, we speak with Marlise Luskin, MD of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, about what adults should know when facing a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Dr. Luskin helps listeners understand how ALL develops, how subtypes are identified, and why genetics play an important role in guiding treatment. She discusses current therapies including chemotherapy, targeted agents and immunotherapies including CAR T-cell therapy, as well as how care teams monitor progress and manage side effects. While ALL is a complex disease, patients and caregivers will hear clear explanations, practical information, and meaningful reasons to feel hopeful about the advances shaping ALL care today. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey. Mentioned on this episode: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) Minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) fact sheet Allogeneic stem cell transplantation Clinical Trial Support Center ALL Children and Teens booklet Additional Blood Cancer United Support Resources: Information Specialists Financial support Online Chat Free Nutrition Consultations Free telephone/web patient programs Free booklets Support groups Caregiver support Caregiver Workbook Young Adult Resources Survivorship Workbook Advocacy and Public Policy Patient Community Mental Health Resources Episode supported by Syndax Pharmaceuticals Inc. The post Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): The New Tools Shaping Tomorrow first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

From Discovery to Delivery: Charting Progress in Gynecologic Oncology, hosted by Ursula A. Matulonis, MD, brings expert insights into the most recent breakthroughs, evolving standards, and emerging therapies across gynecologic cancers. Dr Matulonis is chief of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and the Brock-Wilcon Family Chair at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as well as a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, both in Boston, Massachusetts.In this episode, Dr Matulonis sat down with guest Katharine M. Esselen, MD, MBA. Dr Esselen is an attending gynecologic oncologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Drs Matulonis and Esselen explored the growing effect of financial toxicity in gynecologic oncology, emphasizing how economic burden can influence access to care, treatment adherence, and patient outcomes. Dr Esselen, whose research focuses on patient-centered outcomes and value-based care, highlighted that financial toxicity extends beyond direct medical costs to include indirect burdens such as lost wages, childcare needs, transportation, and basic living expenses. To address these challenges, Dr Esselen and her colleagues developed a financial navigation program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. This initiative includes systematic screening for financial concerns and dedicated support from a financial navigator who connects patients with resources such as insurance optimization, transportation assistance, and financial aid programs. Implementation of this program significantly increased identification of at-risk patients and improved access to supportive services.Importantly, Drs Matulonis and Esselen emphasized that financial toxicity is not only a quality-of-life issue but also a clinical one. Studies show that patients experiencing high financial burden are more likely to delay or forgo care and less likely to adhere to prescribed treatments, which may ultimately affect survival outcomes. Drs Matulonis and Esselen concluded the discussion by outlining the steps that can be taken to reduce financial burden on patients, underscoring the need for proactive screening, multidisciplinary support, and systemic change.

We're so thrilled to welcome back the legendary Dave McGillivray, who has served as the Boston Marathon race director since 2001. Dave breaks down the key changes to this year's race, offering clarity into what runners can expect with six waves, rather than four, and how to adjust accordingly. Dave also offers course insight and guidance, along with how he's training for his 54th consecutive Boston Marathon, which he will run with his three children and astronaut Sunita Williams. As taper begins and nerves set in, Dave shares thoughtful words of encouragement to help runners stay patient, confident, and ready to embrace race day. More about Dave: Dave is the founder and president of DMSE Sports, Inc., a full-service event-management organization. McGillivray has directed or consulted on more than 1,400 events throughout the world including the Boston Marathon, the Beach to Beacon 10K, the ASICS Falmouth Road Race, the Mount Washington Road Race, the Olympic Marathon trials, and the Olympic Games.Dave is also the founder of the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation, which seeks to inspire and empower youth to increase physical activity, expand literacy, and build community and self-esteem through running, reading, and acts of kindness. Dave has completed 173 marathons, including 53 consecutive Boston Marathons. In 1978, he completed an 80-day trek across the United States, running the 3,452 miles from Medford, Ore., to Medford, Mass. to benefit the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.Dave is on Instagram @dmsedave. Join us for our shakeout run in Boston on Sunday, 4/19 at 8:30 at a new location—338 Newbury Street in front of Trident Booksellers.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at julieandlisa@runfartherandfaster.com or head over to our website.Please follow, share and review our show!

Throughout this series, we have discussed that for eligible patients, the current standard of care is to take patients for autologous stem cell transplant as consolidation for their multiple myeloma. In this reboot episode, we sit down with two incredible hematologists who specialize in transplant to discuss the real-life decision-making that goes into evaluating each patient. We are so excited to welcome two special guests this week, Dr. Shonali Midha and Dr. Amar Kelkar, joining us from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston!Content:- What goes into determining if a patient is transplant eligible?- What counseling is provided to patients? - Approach to melphalan dosing- How does apheresis work? - What agents are used to help mobilize stem cells? - How many stem cells do we need to collect?- Does how much therapy one has received affect their collection? - Is there still a role for transplant in today's world?- Is there a role for an "MRD-adapted" approach to treatment?- Is there a role for a second transplant in patients who have relapsed?- Is there a role for allogeneic stem cell transplants in myeloma?A huge THANK YOU to our guests, Dr. Shonali Midha and Dr. Amar Kelkar, both of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute!** Want to review the show notes for this episode and others? Check out our website. Love what you hear? Tell a friend and leave a review on our podcast streaming platforms!Twitter: @TheFellowOnCallInstagram: @TheFellowOnCallListen in on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Youtube