POPULARITY
Categories
In a special edition of Oncology On the Go, Chinmay Jani, MD, joined CancerNetwork® in the studio to speak about different research initiatives he is involved with across precision oncology. He discussed ongoing work dedicated to validating and applying artificial intelligence (AI)–based tools in clinical work as well as overcoming immunotherapy resistance among patients with lung cancer.Jani, chief fellow in Hematology and Oncology at University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, first detailed findings from a study he presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting evaluating AI decision support in the context of EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although AI systems aligned with expert decision-making in frontline treatment, significant divergence was observed in second-line care, highlighting a need for more rigorous validation and clinical safeguards when integrating AI into oncologic decision-making. Improving documentation and using tools more ethically, Jani said, will also be critical for future applications of AI in field.Jani also spoke about the rapidly evolving thoracic oncology field based on research he and colleagues are leading at the University of Miami. Different investigations are exploring potential advancements in precision medicine, overcoming immunotherapy resistance, and early cancer detection to help elevate outcomes among patients with lung cancer. Looking ahead, Jani emphasized how novel therapeutics like tarlatamab-dlle (Imdelltra) and the incorporation of liquid biopsy may assist with the goal of turning lung cancer into “a chronic disease” where patients can survive not just for a few month or years but for decades.According to Jani, other key concerns in the field include the evolving landscape surrounding adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients, who may require different types of molecular testing and therapeutic needs compared with adult populations. Being able to detect more fusions and alterations that may inform therapeutic strategies via circulating tumor DNA plus circulating tumor RNA or through wider minimal residual disease testing, he said, represents another ongoing goal in terms of precision medicine.ReferenceJani C, Pérez-Granado J, Kalucha A, et al. Evaluating AI decision support in a rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape: EGFR-mutant metastatic NSCLC. J Clin Oncol. 2026;44(suppl 16):1630. doi:10.1200/JCO.2026.44.16_suppl.1630
Check out the video version of this episode on HCPLive!Finerenone's expansion into non-diabetic kidney disease is prompting a broader rethink of how chronic kidney disease is measured, mechanistically understood, and treated across its many causes.On an episode of Don't Miss a Beat recorded at the 10th Annual Heart in Diabetes Meeting, hosts Stephen Greene, MD, meeting co-chair and heart failure specialist at Duke University School of Medicine, and Muthiah Vaduganathan, MD, MPH, codirector of the Center for Cardiometabolic Implementation and cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, spoke with Katherine Tuttle, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Washington, about the phase 3 FIND-CKD trial and how it informs on the overall role of finerenone (Kerendia) in management of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome.FIND-CKD showed finerenone slowed total estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope by 0.7 mL/min/1.73 m² per year versus placebo, irrespective of diagnosis. Much of the discussion focused less on the number and more on why it counts as clinically meaningful.Drawing on CKD Prognosis Consortium data from hundreds of thousands of patients, Tuttle explained why eGFR slope reliably predicts kidney failure when a trial runs at least 2 years. CKD progresses rather than striking as a discrete event, so the field has moved toward endpoints measurable without waiting for organ failure or death.On safety, hyperkalemia occurred more often with finerenone than placebo, about 12% versus 3%, though fewer than 1% of patients discontinued. The framing was practical, with background SGLT2 inhibition expected to lower the risk.Mechanism anchors much of the conversation between Tuttle, Greene, and Vaduganathan.Tuttle highlighted how glomerular diseases, like IgA nephropathy, are immunologic disorders needing disease-specific therapy, yet all CKD converges on shared final common pathways of inflammation and fibrosis. Broad agents like finerenone target those pathways, making combination therapy the emerging model, pairing treatment of the inciting disease with control of progression.The group also discussed the field's trend toward precision nephrology. Protocol biopsies from the Kidney Precision Medicine Project showed only about half of patients labeled as diabetic CKD had classic diabetic nephropathy. A parallel to oncology followed, where deep phenotyping replaced uniform regimens, suggesting not every patient will need every drug.Tuttle positioned finerenone alongside renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors as an emerging pillar for non-diabetic CKD, with GLP-1 receptor agonists and endothelin antagonists possibly to come. A pooled analysis of FIDELIO-DKD, FIGARO-DKD, and FIND-CKD showed roughly 30% reductions in kidney and cardiovascular outcomes and an 11% drop in all-cause mortality. The closing point held the cardiorenal patient often arrives through either specialty's door, making preservation of organ function and quality of life the shared aim.Relevant disclosures for Tuttle include Alnylam, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, GSK, Novo Nordisk, Roche, and Travere Therapeutics. Relevant disclosures for Vaduganathan include Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Cytokinetics, Lexicon, and others. Relevant disclosures for Greene include Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Cytokinetics, and others.References: Heerspink HJL, Neuen BL, Agarwal R, et al. Finerenone in Persons with Chronic Kidney Disease without Diabetes. N Engl J Med. Published online June 4, 2026. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2604625 Bayer. Bayer to Present First Full FIND-CKD Results Investigating KERENDIA® (finerenone) in Non-Diabetic Chronic Kidney Disease at ERA 2026. Bayer.com. Published June 2, 2026. Accessed June 21, 2026. https://www.bayer.com/en/us/news-stories/kerendia-in-non-diabetic-chronic-kidney-disease
Witam Państwa, nazywam się Jarosław Drożdż, pracuję w Centralnym Szpitalu Klinicznym Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi, skąd nagrywam podcast Kardio Know-How. W tym odcinku omawiam farmakologiczne nowości nefrologiczne.Nerki przez wiele lat mogą chorować bezobjawowo, a ich uszkodzenie bardzo często towarzyszy najważniejszym chorobom serca, takim jak niewydolność serca, nadciśnienie tętnicze czy wady zastawkowe. Dziś coraz większe znaczenie w diagnostyce przewlekłej choroby nerek ma albuminuria oceniana za pomocą wskaźnika UACR, który często wykrywa problem wcześniej niż spadek eGFR; szczegóły omawiałem w odcinku 152 „Albuminuria – praktyczny przewodnik”. W ostatnich latach leczenie nefrologiczne przeszło ogromną zmianę dzięki flozynom, agonistom GLP-1 oraz nowoczesnym antagonistom receptora aldosteronowego. Szczególną uwagę zwróciło opublikowane w NEJM badanie FIND-CKD oceniające finerenon u pacjentów z przewlekłą chorobą nerek bez cukrzycy. Do badania włączono chorych z albuminurią 200–3500 mg/g i eGFR 25–90 ml/min/1,73 m², a obserwacja trwała około trzech lat. Finerenon obniżał ciśnienie tętnicze średnio o 5 mmHg, spowalniał spadek filtracji nerkowej i przyniósł 22% redukcję nerkowych oraz około 40% redukcję sercowo-naczyniowych punktów końcowych. Leczenie było dobrze tolerowane, a ciężka hiperkaliemia występowała bardzo rzadko mimo nieco częstszego wzrostu stężenia potasu niż w grupie placebo. Moim zdaniem badanie wzmacnia pozycję finerenonu, który jako niesteroidowy i selektywny antagonista aldosteronu może okazać się jednym z najważniejszych leków chroniących jednocześnie serce i nerki. Link do publikacji: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2604625. Szczegółowy TRANSKRYPT do odcinka.Podcast jest przeznaczony wyłącznie dla osób z profesjonalnym wykształceniem medycznym.
In Part 2 of Thinking Thoracic's annual review of the year's most influential thoracic oncology research, Drs. Jeff Yang and Linda Martin examine practice-changing studies in perioperative care, lung cancer treatment, and multidisciplinary cancer management. The discussion covers emerging evidence on cryoanalgesia, preoperative fasting, targeted therapies for EGFR-mutated lung cancer, and other key clinical trials and consensus recommendations that are influencing patient care today.
This episode discusses the urgency for pharmacists to transition from using Cockcroft-Gault eCrCL to non-race based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to improve medication-related decision-making in persons with reduced kidney function. Listeners will learn how to transition from C-G eCrCL to eGFR adjusted for body surface area to improve medication effectiveness and safety in persons with chronic kidney disease. The information presented during the podcast reflects solely the opinions of the presenter. The information and materials are not, and are not intended as, a comprehensive source of drug information on this topic. The contents of the podcast have not been reviewed by ASHP, and should neither be interpreted as the official policies of ASHP, nor an endorsement of any product(s), nor should they be considered as a substitute for the professional judgment of the pharmacist or physician.
A guide to diagnosing, imaging, and managing acute renal colic and nephrolithiasis in the ED. Hosts: Brian Gilberti, MD Avir Mitra, MD https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Nephrolithiasis.mp3 Download Leave a Comment Tags: Kidney Stones, Urology Show Notes 1. CLINICAL CORE & PHYSIOLOGIC FRAMEWORK Epidemiologic Risk Profiles Lifetime incidence parameters hover around 1 in 11, presenting with a prominent male sex skew. Peak demographic manifestation concentrated within the 30–60 age band. High-yield temporal parameter: 50% recurrence vector within a 5-year post-initial-insult window. Mineralogical Composition Vectors Calcium oxalate crystals represent the predominant structural matrix. Struvite configurations (magnesium ammonium phosphate matrix) account for 1–2% of cohorts. Struvite stones function explicitly as infection-driven configurations secondary to upper tract proliferation; higher distribution index noted in female cohorts. Etiological & Modifiable Relational Dynamics Profound systemic dehydration or low baseline fluid throughput states. High-sodium diet structures and heavy animal-protein consumption loads. Positive genetic/familial history variables. Relative risk modulation: Each variable independently operates to expand baseline risk by a factor of 2x to 3x. Pathophysiologic Symptom Complexes Acute, sudden-onset, maximum-intensity (10/10) unilateral flank pain. Classic structural radiation vector tracking downward toward the ipsilateral groin/genitourinary dermatomes. Distinctive behavioral marker: Renal colic pacing/writhing behavior with zero antalgic position availability. Concomitant autonomic triggers: Nausea and emesis manifest in 50% of acute presentations. Physical Exam Discordance Metrics Severe subjective distress contrasted with a characteristically soft, completely non-tender abdominal palpation exam. CVA tenderness is completely variable and lacks reliable negative predictive value. Atypical Presentation Classifications Vague, poorly localized abdominal pain presentations occurring in up to 20% of active cases. Isolated lower urinary tract irritative signs including acute frequency or severe urgency. Incidental & Asymptomatic Dynamics Silent intrarenal or ureteral stones found incidentally. Longitudinal tracking demonstrates up to 33.3% of initially asymptomatic cohorts convert to fully symptomatic renal colic within a multi-year tracking window. 2. EXCLUSION DIAGNOSES & CRITICAL PATHWAY RED FLAGS Vascular Mimics: AAA rupture/expansion. This is a mandatory exclusion pathway in elderly cohorts presenting with acute flank or back pain. Physical tracking requires active exploration for an expansile, pulsatile abdominal mass. Gynecologic Emergencies: Ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Demands universal screening protocols via rapid beta-hCG testing in all female patients of childbearing potential presenting with lower abdominal/pelvic localization. Infectious Upper Tract Decompensation: Acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis. Differentiated via persistent high spikes, high fevers, systemic shaking chills, and profound pyuria. Genitourinary Structural Crises: Acute testicular torsion. Mandates a thorough, explicit scrotal/testicular structural exam if the flank pain radiates into the scrotum. Gastrointestinal and Adnexal Torsional Confounds: Acute appendicitis variants, acute mesenteric/bowel ischemia, and ovarian torsion syndromes. 3. LABORATORY TESTING & PHYSIOLOGIC EVALUATION Urinalysis Interpretation Nuances Microscopic or gross hematuria presents in approximately 66% to 90% of acute cases. Critical Pathological Caveat: Complete absence of hematuria documented in 20% to 33.3% of confirmed, acute obstructing ureteral stones. Diagnostic rule: A pristine urinalysis with zero red blood cells is entirely insufficient to exclude acute ureterolithiasis. Urinary pH as a Composition Clue Consistently low urinary pH parameters (pH < 5.5) point strongly toward a uric acid crystalline composition. Elevated urinary pH parameters (pH > 7.5) indicate the presence of urease-producing microbial pathogens, pointing toward a struvite infection stone. Infectious Screening Metrics Active tracking for marked pyuria, positive leukocyte esterase, and bacterial nitrites to rule out an obstructed, infected upper urinary tract system. BMP Immediate quantification of baseline serum creatinine to establish accurate eGFR values. Targeting detection of post-renal AKI from bilateral obstruction, unilateral obstruction in a single functioning kidney, or severe volume depletion. CBC Evaluation for marked leukocytosis. Physiologic Nuance: Mild-to-moderate white blood cell count elevations frequently represent non-specific stress demargination driven by severe pain and repetitive vomiting. High-grade white blood cell shifts demand immediate exclusion of systemic bacteremia or an infected, obstructed urinary system. Adjunctive Lab Pathways Rapid qualitative urine hCG testing. Reflex urine culture execution whenever urinalysis metrics display significant inflammatory profiles or clinical suspicion of UTI is high. 4. IMAGING MODALITIES & ALGORITHMIC CLINICAL SELECTION Non-Contrast CT Diagnostics Gold standard; diagnostic sensitivity and specificity parameters exceed 95% for stones >2 mm. Provides precise quantification of stone diameter (mm), exact localization (proximal, mid, or distal ureter), and degree of secondary hydronephrosis. Excellent structural visualization for detecting or ruling out alternate retroperitoneal, vascular, or intra-abdominal pathologies. Contrast-Enhanced CT Protocols Indicated when alternative intra-abdominal surgical pathology is highly suspected over isolated renal colic. Retains diagnostic capability to identify urinary tract stones >3 mm even within contrast-enhanced phases. NCCT Structural Architecture Limitations Standard stone protocol CT scans are executed in a prone position without IV contrast enhancement. It does not opacify the ureteral lumen. Presents a cumulative radiation exposure penalty when utilized serially across recurrent ED presentations. POCUS / Radiology Ultrasound Direct stone visualization capabilities are modest, operating at approximately 50% to 60% sensitivity, and is highly dependent on anatomical positioning at the extreme proximal ureter or the UVJ. Secondary obstruction tracking: Demonstration of hydronephrosis operates at a high sensitivity of approximately 80%. POCUS Clinical Utility Metrics Eliminates ionizing radiation exposure and allows immediate, rapid real-time execution directly at the patient’s bedside. Confirmation of significant hydronephrosis within a classic clinical presentation yields high post-test probability for stone presence while lowering suspicion for vascular catastrophes like a AAA. KUB Radiography Extremely poor overall diagnostic sensitivity, hovering around 57%. Fails to image radiolucent configurations (pure uric acid matrices) or small stones measuring
In this episode of the Oncology Brothers podcast, we discussed challenging cases focused on metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with common EGFR mutations. Joined by experts Dr. Shirish Gadgeel from the Emory University and Dr. Wade Iams from Tennessee Oncology, the discussion revolved around two real-life patient cases. The first case featured a 54-year-old gentleman with active tobacco use and diffusely metastatic NSCLC, including an isolated brain lesion. The panel explored treatment options, including single-agent osimertinib versus dual combinations of amivantamab-lazertinib and osimertinib-chemotherapy, emphasizing the importance of shared decision-making and considering co-mutations and patient demographics. In the second case, the conversation shifted to supportive care and managing side effects, particularly focusing on skin toxicity associated with amivantamab. The experts shared their proactive approaches to patient education and the significance of monitoring and adjusting treatment plans to enhance patient quality of life. Key Points: In EGFR-mutated NSCLC with CNS metastases, treatment selection between single-agent osimertinib and combination amivantamab-lazertinib vs. osimertinib-chemotherapy requires individualized consideration of age, co-mutations, extent of disease, and patient preference rather than mutation status alone. Younger patients with CNS disease may benefit from more aggressive upfront combination therapy, while shared decision-making remains central to navigating the expanded efficacy versus increased toxicity trade-off. Dermatologic toxicities associated with amivantamab requires proactive management including supportive care regimen, early dose adjustments and close patient monitoring to maintain treatment continuity. Providing the best available upfront therapy in metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC is critical, as sequencing options become more limited at progression. Join us for an insightful discussion on the latest treatment algorithms, the importance of personalized care, and the evolving landscape of NSCLC management. 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/ Don't forget to subscribe for more episodes featuring conference highlights and challenging cases in oncology! #EGFRMutated, #LungCancer, #ThoracicOncology, #PersonalizedMedicine, #OncologyBrothers
Thank you for joining us for our 2nd Cabral HouseCall of the weekend! I'm looking forward to sharing with you some of our community's questions that have come in over the past few weeks… Thank you for tuning into this weekend's Cabral HouseCalls and be sure to check back tomorrow for our Mindset & Motivation Monday show to get your week started off right! Kim: What would cause my son to cough hard for hours after eating? He has done this for a year. He is 28 and said he is to the point where he just does not want to eat. Should he do the CBO protocol? Anonymous: Hi Dr Cabral, I came across your podcast a few months ago and have been listening daily to catch up on past episodes for general health education. Thank you for the valuable information you share. I would appreciate your guidance on diet and lifestyle for the following situation. My partner, a 31-year-old male, recently had an eGFR test done, and his result increased from 70 to 77. His father passed away in his 40s due to kidney failure, so this is a concern for us. We live in the Caribbean, where it is humid year-round. He strength trains 3–4 times per week and plays basketball once weekly, but I'm unsure if his cardio levels are sufficient for long-term kidney and overall health. Christine: Hi Dr. Cabral, Thank you so much for everything you do! Your IHP program and your podcast have been life changing for me. I have a question about creatine. I've noticed when I take it, my appetite completely plummets and food does not even taste good. And when I cut out creatine, the appetite comes back within a day. I take around 1g for reference, and I'm 5'1 and 115 lbs if that needs to be taken into consideration. What could be the possible reasons for this? Thank you! Christine Tricia: Good morning, Dr Cabral - hope you are well! I take many of your supplements with some being from the longevity line. I'm wondering if it is okay to take these ongoing for years or should we take a few weeks break from time to time? Are they as effective when used long term? The supplements I'm taking are your renewal system, eye health, hair supplements. Thank you for your guidance! Matt: Hi Dr Cabral, I'm a healthy 45yo, strength train 3x per and 2 days of jiujitsu. I had my first ever episode of AFIB and it occurred about 5 min after taking a growth hormone peptide Tesamorelin. I went to the ER the next day and came out of it on my own within 14 hours of when it started and haven't had an episode since. They ran all kinds of blood work, EKG, CT w contrast for blood clots and all came up clear. They seemed to think it was from excessive caffeine use (300-500mg daily) and bad sleep but weren't really sure on the peptide as there's not enough research. Seems to me that's what triggered it. I stopped caffeine&peptides immediately and have really been trying to dial in my sleep for the past two weeks. Could this be a one off thing or am I more likely to have it happen again? - - - Show Notes and Resources: StephenCabral.com/3775 - - - Get a FREE Copy of Dr. Cabral's Book: The Rain Barrel Effect - - - Join the Community & Get Your Questions Answered: CabralSupportGroup.com - - - Dr. Cabral's Most Popular At-Home Lab Tests: > Complete Minerals & Metals Test (Test for mineral imbalances & heavy metal toxicity) - - - > Complete Candida, Metabolic & Vitamins Test (Test for 75 biomarkers including yeast & bacterial gut overgrowth, as well as vitamin levels) - - - > Complete Stress, Mood & Metabolism Test (Discover your complete thyroid, adrenal, hormone, vitamin D & insulin levels) - - - > Complete Food Sensitivity Test (Find out your hidden food sensitivities) - - - > Complete Omega-3 & Inflammation Test (Discover your levels of inflammation related to your omega-6 to omega-3 levels) - - - Get Your Question Answered On An Upcoming HouseCall: StephenCabral.com/askcabral - - - Would You Take 30 Seconds To Rate & Review The Cabral Concept? The best way to help me spread our mission of true natural health is to pass on the good word, and I read and appreciate every review!
Welcome back to the Oncology Brothers podcast! In this episode, we were joined by Dr. Isabel Preeshagul from Memorial Sloan-Kettering to discuss the latest advancements in lung cancer presented at ASCO 2026. 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 into four key studies that could change clinical practice: LIBRETTO-432: exploring the promising event-free survival data with selpercatinib in RET-positive disease and its implications for adjuvant therapy. CROWN 7yr Update: seven-year progression-free survival results with lorlatinib in ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer and the associated side effects. CHRYSALIS-2: exciting findings regarding amivantamab for atypical EGFR mutations and its potential to become the new standard of care. HARMONi-6: dual-headed drug ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy in metastatic squamous cell lung cancer and its intriguing results. We also touched on the importance of molecular testing for all patients, regardless of stage or histology, and highlighted the latest updates on tarlatamab in small cell lung cancer. Tune in for an insightful discussion that aims to keep our oncology community informed and engaged with the latest research and treatment options! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and check out our other episodes for more insights on oncology treatments, conference highlights, and FDA approvals. #ASCO2026, #LungCancer, #ALKPositive, #RETPositive, #OncologyBrothers
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
In this episode, Dr. Paul Wheatley-Price speaks to Dr. Ross Camidge, our guest in this increidbly unique episode of "Perspectives", sharing his leading clinical expertise on the treatment of EGFR-positive lung cancer as Director of the Thoracic Oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. On the other hand, being diagnosed with the same disease himself at stage 4 in 2022, Dr. Camidge shares his perspective and journey from the patient lens, walking in the same shoes that he'd built his career upon. Don't miss this unique episode!
Good morning from Pharma Daily: the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. Today, we'll explore a landscape teeming with strategic partnerships, groundbreaking clinical trial results, regulatory shifts, and innovative therapeutic approaches that are redefining patient care and drug development. Pfizer's monumental $10 billion collaboration with Innovent Biologics stands out as a testament to the shifting dynamics of the oncology sector. This partnership aims to develop 12 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) and multispecific antibody programs, spotlighting these therapies' growing significance in oncology. The precision of antibodies in delivering cytotoxic agents directly to cancer cells offers a new frontier in minimizing collateral damage to healthy tissues—a crucial advancement in cancer treatment. The deal not only highlights Pfizer's commitment to expanding its oncology pipeline but also underscores the strategic importance of leveraging China's accelerated drug development ecosystem. In regulatory news, AstraZeneca's Imfinzi has garnered FDA approval for BCG-naive high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. This milestone for PD-L1 inhibitors reflects the evolving landscape of immunotherapy. By harnessing monoclonal antibodies in combination therapies, the potential for enhanced anticancer efficacy is significant. With few therapeutic alternatives available, this approval presents a lifeline for many bladder cancer patients. Clinical trial outcomes also continue to capture attention. Eli Lilly's Nectin-4 targeting ADC showed promising results in advanced urothelial cancer, positioning itself as a potential competitor to Padcev. This innovation in ADC technology demonstrates the industry's relentless pursuit of targeted therapies that can revolutionize treatment paradigms. Bristol Myers Squibb's mezigdomide offers another example by showing a 52% reduction in progression risk for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients, emphasizing the focus on addressing specific molecular pathways. In the realm of bispecific antibodies, Phanes Therapeutics' CLDN18.2/CD47 targeting therapy reported encouraging Phase 2 results in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. These antibodies' ability to simultaneously engage multiple targets enhances their therapeutic efficacy against stubborn cancers, broadening the horizon for treatment possibilities. Meanwhile, Replimune's resubmission of its RP1 melanoma Biologics License Application (BLA) highlights the intricate dance between drug development and regulatory processes amid organizational shifts at the FDA. Such efforts reflect the continual adaptation required within the industry to navigate complex regulatory landscapes. On the funding front, Psilera's successful $8.8 million seed round indicates growing interest in psychedelic therapies for neurological conditions. Similarly, Reprogram Biosciences raised $6 million for its AI-driven cell reprogramming oncology platform, illustrating how artificial intelligence is becoming integral to advancing drug discovery and development. However, not all updates were positive. Agios Pharmaceuticals faced setbacks as their pyruvate kinase activator failed a Phase 2b trial for lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes, serving as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks involved in drug development. Dizal Pharma emerges as a beacon of hope in lung cancer treatment following Takeda's EGFR exon 20 drug setback. By challenging existing treatments with promising small molecule data, Dizal exemplifies precision medicine's role in redefining oncology protocols—offering personalized patient options that could set new standards in treatment efficacy. The issue of drug pricing remains contentious, particularly highlighted by an AARP analysis showing an 81% increase post-launch prices stateside compared to a 13% decrease abroad. This disparity raises critical questions about achieving equitable access across markets amid Medicare negotiations and global pricing strategies like "most favored nation" policies. Regulatory updates continue with Johnson & Johnson's Tremfya label expansion stateside and AbbVie's EU extension for Venclyxto—moves that reflect efforts to maximize therapeutic reach and commercial viability across diverse geographies. Finally, Gilead Sciences' decision to discontinue its lead rheumatoid arthritis drug from MiroBio underscores ongoing challenges within emerging fields like BTLA agonists—a reminder of both innovation's promise and its perilous nature when faced with unproven therapeutic avenues. As these varied developments unfold, they collectively signal an era characterized by rapid scientific innovation and strategic collaborations across geographies alongside evolving regulatory landscapes—all driving towards enhanced patient care through more effective treatments globally. This concludes today's insights from Pharma Daily—a world where dynamic change continues reshaping healthcare delivery standards towards unprecedented possibilities for patient outcomes worldwide. Thank you for joining us; stay tuned for more updates on tomorrow's horizon-shaping advancements.Support the show
En este segundo RECAP de la Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Americana de Oncología Clínica, el Dr. Fabián Martínez conversa con la Dra. Mónica Meneses, oncóloga médica adscrita al Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán.Uno de los hitos más significativos de esta edición fue la presentación del estudio RASolute 302, un ensayo clínico evaluó la eficacia de daraxonrasib —un inhibidor de RAS en su conformación activa— frente al tratamiento con quimioterapia en pacientes con adenocarcinoma de páncreas previamente tratado.En el ámbito de la oncología torácica, se discutió el estudio LIBRETTO-432, que evaluó el uso de selpercatinib durante 3 años en el escenario adyuvante para pacientes con cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas (CPCNP) en etapas IB-III que albergan fusiones del gen RET. Por otra parte, en el escenario metastásico, el estudio HARMONi-6 evaluó la eficacia en primera línea de ivonescimab (un anticuerpo biespecífico dirigido contra VEGF y PD-1) combinado con quimioterapia estándar (carboplatino y paclitaxel) frente a tislelizumab (anti-PD-1) más quimioterapia en pacientes con CPCNP de histología epidermoide avanzado.La sesión abordó múltiples estrategias en cáncer colorrectal (CCR). En la enfermedad metastásica con mutación BRAF V600E—asociada a un peor pronóstico—, se presentaron los resultados de la cohorte 3 del estudio BREAKWATER, que evaluó la combinación de encorafenib (inhibidor de BRAF) y cetuximab (anti-EGFR) combinados con el esquema de quimioterapia FOLFIRI como tratamiento de primera línea, comparado con FOLFIRI más bevacizumab. En el escenario adyuvante, abordaron la evidencia del estudio EPISODE-III, un ensayo clínico fase III que evaluó la adición de la aspirina durante 3 años a la quimioterapia adyuvante estándar en pacientes con CCR etapa III resecado.Finalmente, cierran el episodio con la discusión de un estudio observacional que evaluó la duración de la inmunoterapia en pacientes con CCR con inestabilidad microsatelital (MSI) o deficiencia en las proteínas de reparación (dMMR) tras lograr una respuesta clínica completa, así como las consecuencias de prolongar el uso de la inmunoterapia de mantenimiento.Referencia:Este contenido se basa en la interpretación crítica de la evidencia científica disponible, así como en la experiencia clínica del o los ponentes como profesionales de la salud en instituciones de referencia.Para profundizar en los conceptos discutidos, se recomienda al profesional de la salud consultar literatura científica vigente, guías clínicas internacionales y la normatividad aplicable en su país.
En este primer RECAP de la Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Americana de Oncología Clínica, el Dr. Fabián Martínez, oncólogo médico adscrito al Centro Médico ABC, y el Dr. Raúl Mellado Orellana, oncólogo médico adscrito al Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, analizan de manera crítica los hallazgos más relevantes presentados durante los primero dos días en Chicago, IL. La discusión abre con el análisis del estudio fase III lidERA, el cual evalúa el uso de giredestrant —un degradador selectivo del receptor de estrógenos por vía oral— en comparación con la terapia endocrina estándar como adyuvancia durante 5 años en pacientes con cáncer de mama RE+/HER2- temprano.En el ámbito del CPCNP, se revisan múltiples investigaciones de alto impacto clínico. En primer lugar, se evalúa el estudio fase III WU-KONG28, que demuestra la eficacia de sunvozertinib frente a la quimioterapia convencional en la primera línea de tratamiento para pacientes con inserción del exón 20 de EGFR. Posteriormente, se examina el estudio fase III OptiTROP-Lung05, que demuestra la superioridad de la combinación sacituzumab tirumotecan más pembrolizumab frente a la monoterapia con pembrolizumab en pacientes con CPCNP PD-L1. Finalmente, se analizan los datos actualizados de supervivencia global del estudio CHRYSALIS-2 (cohorte C, amivantamab con o sin lazertinib), así como el seguimiento a 7 años del estudio CROWN (lorlatinib frente a crizotinib en primera línea CPCNP ALK+).Por último, los ponentes discuten los avances en tumores genitourinarios. Se profundiza en el estudio EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39, que evalúa la combinación de enfortumab vedotin junto a pembrolizumab en carcinoma urotelial metastásico no tratado previamente y cómo continúa obteniendo respuestas completas con la continuidad del tratamiento. En el escenario del cáncer renal de células claras, se revisa el análisis del ensayo fase III KEYNOTE-564 enfocado en el valor del ctDNA como biomarcador posterior a la nefrectomía. Referencia:Este contenido se basa en la interpretación crítica de la evidencia científica disponible, así como en la experiencia clínica del o los ponentes como profesionales de la salud en instituciones de referencia.Para profundizar en los conceptos discutidos, se recomienda al profesional de la salud consultar literatura científica vigente, guías clínicas internacionales y la normatividad aplicable en su país.
In this episode, Aarti Bhatia, MD, MPH, and Deborah J. Wong, MD, PhD, discuss the rapidly evolving treatment landscape for recurrent, metastatic, and locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), including the growing role of immune checkpoint inhibitors, perioperative treatment strategies, EGFR-targeted bispecific antibodies, antibody–drug conjugates, HPV-targeted vaccines, and novel radiosensitizers. The discussion also explores emerging phase III clinical trials, treatment sequencing considerations, and future precision oncology approaches for HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients with head and neck cancer. Presenters: Aarti Bhatia, MD, MPH Associate Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology) Clinical Research Team Leader, Head and Neck Cancers Program Yale Cancer Center New Haven, Connecticut Deborah J. Wong, MD, PhD Director, Head and Neck Medical Oncology Program Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine Division of Hematology/Oncology University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Los Angeles, California Link to full program: https://bit.ly/49kViqg Get access to all of our new podcasts by subscribing to the Decera Clinical Education Oncology Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, or Spotify. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Sickle cell disease causes accelerated kidney function decline, yet proven GFR-preserving therapies remain elusive. In this study of adults with sickle cell disease, RASi use was not associated with a significant difference in the rate of eGFR decline.
In this JCO PO Article Insights episode, host Jordan Goldstein summarizes the article, "EXONERATE-TRaCE: A Liquid Biopsy for Tracking Response to Anti–Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor–Based Therapy in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer" byTakahashi, et al. LINK TO FULL TRANSCRIPT
Dr. Joshua Reuss returns to the podcast to discuss the update to the living guideline on stage IV NSCLC with driver alterations. The conversation focuses on new cancer treatment strategies for patients with advanced NSCLC and EGFR mutations, including classical EGFR alterations (exon 19 deletions, exon 21 L858R substitution) and rarer alterations (exon 20 insertion mutations). Dr. Reuss discusses results from clinical trials, including MARIPOSA and CHRYSALIS-2 and how these impacted first-line and subsequent line treatment recommendations. He looks to the future on what new evidence and potential updates are in the pipeline for this living guideline. Read the full living guideline "Therapy for Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Driver Alterations, ASCO Living Guideline Version 2026.3.1" LINK TO FULL TRANSCRIPT
Your eyes can give powerful clues about your kidney health. It's critical to catch kidney disease before it hits stage 4, and eye changes are among the first kidney warning signs. Learn to spot the signs early.
In this episode of the Oncology Brothers podcast, we dived into the world of anti-EGFR therapies in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Joined by Dr. Joshua Sabari from NYU Langone Health and Dr. Azam Farooqui from Ironwood Cancer and Research Center, we discussed the latest advancements in treatment options, including the use of osimertinib, afatinib, and the combination therapy of amivantamab and lazertinib. 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/ Key topics include: The role of afatinib in treating uncommon EGFR mutations and its associated toxicities The well-tolerated profile of osimertinib and its common side effects, including rash, diarrhea, and the rare risk of pneumonitis Insights into the combination therapy of amivantamab and lazertinib, including management of skin toxicity and the importance of prophylactic anticoagulation to mitigate VTE risks The episode emphasized the importance of maintaining quality of life for patients while ensuring they can stay on effective therapies for longer periods. Tune in for valuable clinical pearls and strategies to optimize patient care in the community setting. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and check out our other episodes for more insights on treatment algorithms and conference highlights! #LungCancer, #NSCLC, #EGFR, #TargetedTherapy, #OncologyBrothers
JACCP associate editor and host, Erica Ernst, interviews Drs. Wendy St. Peter and Barbara Zarowitz discuss adopting race-free estimated GFR (CKD-EPI) for medication-related kidney function assessment in older adults and other patient populations, as well as moving away from the Cockcroft–Gault equation. The discussion highlights deficiencies and variabilityin Cockcroft–Gault use, emerging studies where BSA-adjusted eGFR better predicts drug clearance, barriers to cystatin C access and Medicare coverage, and the need for further research, electronic health record integration, and advocacy across organizations. Read the original article and series of letters published in JACCP.
As part of IASLC's ongoing series of podcasts in world languages, Dr. Alfredo Addeo moderates a Virtual Tumor Board discussion with Dr. Andrea Fillipi and Dr. Piergiorgio Solli. The tumor board focuses on the management of resectable EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Host: • Alfredo Addeo, MD Head of Oncology Service University Hospital Geneva Guests: Andrea R. Filippi, MD Head of Radiation Oncology, Fondazione Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan Associate Professor, Radiation Therapy Department of Oncology, University of Milan Piergiorgio Solli, MD, PhD Head of Thoracic Surgery IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan
Many clinical algorithms, including the eGFR test for kidney function, have actually had race baked into them and produce different results for Black patients. Most of us assume these algorithms are based on science, but what if the science is wrong? A full transcript of this episode is available at https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2601974.
ASN Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Tod Ibrahim explores the history of eGFR with Andrew Levey, MD, Tom Hostetter, MD, and Crystal Gadegbeku, MD. Hear how policy, equity, and care have evolved, and what future assessments demand.
ASN Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Tod Ibrahim explores the history of eGFR with Andrew Levey, MD, Tom Hostetter, MD, and Crystal Gadegbeku, MD. Hear how policy, equity, and care have evolved, and what future assessments demand.
Welcome to another episode of the Oncology Brothers podcast! In this episode, hosts Rahul and Rohit Gosain dive deep into the treatment algorithms for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with curative intent. Joined by leading thoracic medical oncologist Dr. Sanjay Popat from London, they discussed the critical role of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in treatment planning, the importance of proper staging, and the implications of actionable mutations. 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/ Key topics covered included: The significance of NGS testing and its impact on treatment decisions. Insights from the CHECKMATE 816 trial, highlighting the benefits of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy. The complexities of post-operative immunotherapy and patient-shared decision-making. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with actionable mutations like EGFR and ALK. The latest data on osimertinib and alectinib in the adjuvant setting. The standard of care for unresectable disease based on the PACIFIC trial and the implications of PD-L1 status. Join us for an informative discussion that unpacks the latest advancements in NSCLC treatment and emphasizes the importance of personalized care. Don't forget to subscribe for more episodes in our treatment algorithm series! #EarlyStageNSCLC, #CHECKMATE816, #NeoadjuvantTherapy, #PrecisionMedicine, #OncologyBrothers
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects an estimated 37 million Americans, yet most cases go undiagnosed until the disease has significantly progressed. A urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) test can detect kidney damage years before a decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), but it remains underutilized. In the first episode of Beyond the Silo: Integrated Care Across the CRM Continuum, a podcast series from The American Journal of Managed Care®, Marc P. Bonaca, MD, MPH, moderates a discussion with Josephine Harrington, MD, on why uACR has not yet become a standard of care, how CKD fits into the broader cardio-renal-metabolic (CRM) disease continuum, and what changes are needed across specialties, systems, and workflows. Bonaca is a cardiologist and vascular medicine specialist at the University of Colorado Anschutz and the executive director of CPC Clinical Research. Harrington is also a cardiologist, specializing in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology at UCHealth's Heart and Vascular Center at the University of Colorado Hospital. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize that CKD is an early integral part of the CRM continuum, as it is both a driver and consequence of cardiovascular risk, with uACR elevation often appearing before eGFR decline and signaling increased risk even at mild levels. Despite strong guideline support, uACR screening remains underused due to structural barriers. Therefore, the experts explained that the primary barrier is not the test itself but the lack of streamlined workflows that make screening routine and results actionable without adding clinician burden. They concluded that early detection is critical because it enables the timely use of therapies such as SGLT2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, and finerenone, which improve outcomes. To close the gap, the experts noted that uACR should be treated as a routine vital sign for cardiometabolic risk and embedded into health system quality metrics to ensure consistent, accountable use.
Drs. Gregory Hundemer and Rémi Goupil discuss the results of their study, "Subclinical Primary Aldosteronism and eGFR Decline Over Time," with JASN Deputy Editor David H. Ellison.
Welcome to the third episode of our three-part series on colorectal cancer! In this episode of the Oncology Brothers we are joined by Dr. Rona Yaeger, a medical oncologist from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Together, we dived into the management of common side effects associated with systemic treatments for colorectal cancer. 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/ Episode Highlights: • Overview of 5-FU and capecitabine, including the importance of DPYD mutation testing and side effects like cytopenia, mucositis, and cardiac toxicity. • Discussion on the use of 5-FU bolus in both metastatic and adjuvant settings. • Insights into managing oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy and the potential benefits of oral cryotherapy. • Clinical pearls for irinotecan, including the management of diarrhea and cholinergic effects. • Considerations for using Bevacizumab, including risks of hypertension, proteinuria, and blood clots. • Tips for managing side effects of anti-EGFR agents like Cetuximab and Panitumumab, including rash and infusion reactions. • An overview of oral agents such as encorafenib, TAS-102, and Regorafenib, with a focus on dosing strategies and side effect management. Join us as we explore these critical topics and provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals managing colorectal cancer treatments. Don't forget to subscribe for more episodes! #ColorectalCancer, #SideEffectManagement, #DPYDtesting, #ChemotherapyToxicity, #SupportiveCare
Year in Review: Clinical Investigator Perspectives on the Most Relevant New Datasets and Advances in EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer | Faculty Presentation 1: Management of Metastatic EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) — Helena Yu, MD CME information and select publications
Year in Review: Clinical Investigator Perspectives on the Most Relevant New Datasets and Advances in EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer | Faculty Presentation 2: Other Relevant Topics in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC (eg, Nonmetastatic Disease, Exon 20 Insertion Mutations, Novel Agents) — Suresh S Ramalingam, MD CME information and select publications
Featuring perspectives from Dr Suresh S Ramalingam and Dr Helena Yu, including the following topics: Introduction: Genomics of EGFR (and HER2) (0:00) Metastatic Disease (9:30) Localized Disease (30:22) EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutations (46:57) New Agents (54:20) CME information and select publications
In this episode of the IDEA Collider, host Mike Rea sits down with Marianne De Backer, CEO of Vir Biotechnology, to explore how she is leading one of biotech's most complex transformations. After the rapid rise and decline of COVID-19 revenues tied to sotrovimab, Marianne stepped into Vir Bio in 2023 and led a bold strategic reset—refocusing the company on immuno-oncology, infectious disease, and platform-driven innovation. The conversation dives into Vir Bio's next chapter, including its masked T-cell engager (TCE) pipeline and the PRO-XTEN® masking platform, which is designed to overcome the safety challenges of TCEs in the treatment of solid tumors by shielding therapies until they reach the tumor microenvironment. They also discuss Vir Bio's advancing hepatitis delta program, currently in registrational Phase 3 trials, and the company's growing pipeline leveraging the synergy of its AI-driven discovery, protein engineering capabilities, and universal PRO-XTEN® masking technology. Marianne shares what it takes to lead through a biotech downturn—from restructuring and capital discipline to rebuilding culture, integrating new teams, and positioning for long-term growth. This episode is a deep dive into biotech turnaround strategy, next-generation cancer therapies, and leadership in times of uncertainty. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and Vir's transformation story 00:40 – Marianne De Backer's 30+ year pharma journey 02:42 – Vir's origins and post-COVID strategic pivot 04:42 – Taking over as CEO during a crisis 06:33 – Lessons from the biotech downturn (“biotech winter”) 08:56 – Astellas partnership and T-cell engager strategy 09:52 – ProXtend platform: masked T-cell engagers explained 13:24 – Clinical data, safety, and tumor targeting 15:32 – Integrating new teams and scientific expertise 17:38 – Expanding the pipeline (HER2, EGFR, oncology) 19:50 – Hepatitis delta program and commercialization plans 22:11 – Funding strategy and biotech market outlook 25:37 – FDA interactions and regulatory perspective 28:13 – AI in drug discovery and clinical trials (Daisy platform) 31:34 – Culture: grit, ingenuity, collaboration, authenticity 34:21 – Personal reflections and leadership mindset 35:46 – Closing thoughts Don't forget to Like, Share, Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Keep up with Marianne De Backer; LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-d-de-backer-msc-phd-mba-73403411/ Website: https://www.vir.bio/ Follow IDEA Pharma On; Website: https://www.ideapharma.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/idea-pharma Listen to more fantastic podcast episodes: https://ideacollider.simplecast.com/
What is an EGFR mutation — and could you pass it down to your children? Patient advocate Lysa Buonanno asks the questions every EGFR-positive lung cancer patient wants answered. Dr. Alice Berger, a lung cancer researcher at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, explains how EGFR mutations develop, why they are rarely inherited, and what targeted treatments — including exciting new FDA-approved options — mean for patients today. Whether you are newly diagnosed or supporting a loved one, this conversation will help you understand your biomarker results, know what to ask your doctor, and feel empowered by the science moving forward on your behalf. Topics covered: · What EGFR mutations are and how they develop · Whether EGFR mutations can be passed to children · The role of family history and genetic testing · Risk factors including radon, pollution, and smoking · Targeted therapies like osimertinib (Tagrisso) · New FDA-approved treatments for EGFR exon 20 mutations · Ongoing research into hereditary lung cancer risk Guests: Lysa Buonanno, Patient Advocate Dr. Alice Berger, Associate Professor, Fred Hutch Cancer Center Show Notes - https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/LCFA-EGFR-Positive-Lung-Cancer-Show-Notes.pdf Transcript - https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/LCFA-HWA-EGFR-Positive-Lung-Cancer-Transcript.pdf Watch Video - https://youtu.be/izHAxxwZVL4 Subscribe to Hope With Answers: Living With Lung Cancer podcast for future episodes on your favorite listening platform. Join LCFA's social media communities for support and information. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
In this episode of the Oncology Brothers podcast, we kicked off a three-part series on colorectal cancer, starting with the current treatment algorithm. They are joined by Dr. Smitha Krishnamurthi, a GI medical oncologist from the Cleveland Clinic, who walks through the evolving standard of care from early-stage disease all the way to refractory metastatic settings. 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/ Key topics discussed included: • The evolving role of ctDNA as both a prognostic and predictive tool in stage two and three colon cancer, including its utility in oligometastatic disease surveillance. • Neoadjuvant versus adjuvant immunotherapy in MSI-high resectable colon cancer, comparing the NICHE-2 and ATOMIC trial approaches and when to use each. • Single-agent versus dual checkpoint inhibition with Nivo-Ipi for MSI-high metastatic disease, based on CHECKMATE-8HW data showing a PFS hazard ratio of 0.21. • Sequencing strategies in RAS-mutant and RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer, including the role of sidedness, anti-EGFR therapy, and refractory options like fruquintinib, TAS-102, and regorafenib. Join us for this comprehensive discussion on colorectal cancer management in 2026. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and check out our other episodes for more insights on oncology! #ColorectalCancer, #MSIHigh, #BRAFV600E, #ctDNA, #GIOncology, #OncologyBrothers
Send us Fan MailPaper Discussed in this Episode: Artificial intelligence in clinical oncology: Multimodal integration and translational development. Ruichong Lin, Zhenhui Zhao, Zhonghai Liu, Jin Kang, Kang Zhang, Xiaoying Huang, Yunfang Yu. Cancer Letters 2026; Volume 649, 218493.Episode Summary: In this journal club deep dive, we explore how cutting-edge AI is fundamentally rewriting the rules of cancer diagnostics. We examine a comprehensive 2026 review on clinical oncology that highlights the shift from narrow, single-modality algorithms to highly sophisticated multimodal AI. We discuss how machines are learning to cross-reference patient charts, genomic data, and medical imaging simultaneously to achieve unprecedented feats—like accurately predicting tumor mutations without ever performing a physical biopsy. Plus, we explore the controversial but necessary world of "computational hallucinations" or synthetic data, which is currently being used to solve diagnostic blind spots.In This Episode, We Cover:• The Fragmentation Bottleneck: Why keeping radiology, pathology, genomics, and clinical history in isolated silos limits our ability to treat the whole patient, and why single-modality AI suffers from severe diagnostic "tunnel vision".• Cross-Modal Attention & Non-Invasive Biopsies: How models like LUCID essentially mimic the deductive reasoning of a multidisciplinary tumor board. By utilizing cross-modal attention mechanisms, LUCID dynamically shifts focus between CT scans, routine labs, and text-based clinical charts to predict EGFR gene mutations in lung cancer entirely non-invasively.• Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) & Tumor Social Networks: A look at the NePSTA framework, which uses GNNs and spatial transcriptomics to treat the tumor microenvironment like a mathematical topology. By mapping the "social network" of cells, it can rapidly molecularly subtype notoriously ambiguous central nervous system (CNS) tumors in minutes.• Computational Hallucinations: Introducing MINIM, a generative AI foundation model that creates statistically valid, photorealistic synthetic medical images (like optical CT or chest X-rays) for rare diseases based on textual descriptions. We discuss how intentionally generating these synthesized images solves the critical "data scarcity" problem and directly improves real-world diagnostic accuracy.• The Reality Check - Distribution Shifts: The dangerous logistical reason why an AI model boasting near-perfect accuracy at a massive urban academic center might fail completely in a rural clinic due to differing scanner calibrations and population demographics. We emphasize why the field must transition away from retrospective "vanity metrics" and toward clinically trustworthy prospective validation.• The Virtual Cell Paradigm: A staggering look into the near future where AI constructs completely accurate, computationally interactive digital twins of a patient's cancer. This framework allows doctors to test different drug regimens and simulate cellular responses mathematically in silico before ever administering medicine to the actual patient.Key Takeaway: Multimodal AI proves that cancer diagnostics must go beyond isolated data points. By dynamically synthesizing highly fragmented clinical information and utilizing synthetic imaging to overcome rare disease data scarcity, AI is pushing oncology into an era of robust, individualized molecular phenotyping. Ultimately, these innovations are replacing risky, invasive testing with precSupport the showGet the "Digital Pathology 101" FREE E-book and join us!
Featuring an interview with Dr Natalie Vokes, including the following topics: Perioperative minimal residual disease (MRD) detected by circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing in patients with lung cancer (0:00) Ohara S et al. Clinical significance of perioperative MRD detected by ctDNA in patients with lung cancer with a long follow-up data: An exploratory study. JTO Clin Res Rep 2024;6(3):100762. Abstract Masuda K et al. MRDSEEKER (JCOG2111A): A prospective study to evaluate MRD and its association with prognosis in curative-intent NSCLC. World Conference on Lung Cancer 2025;Abstract P3.18.04. Zhou C et al. IMpower010: Biomarkers of disease-free survival in a phase 3 study of atezolizumab vs best supportive care after adjuvant chemotherapy in stage IB-IIIA NSCLC. ESMO IO 2021;Abstract 2O. MRD analysis of adjuvant therapy with osimertinib for resected EGFR-mutated Stage IB to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (8:28) Herbst RS et al. Molecular residual disease analysis of adjuvant osimertinib in resected EGFR-mutated stage IB-IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer. Nat Med 2025;31(6):1958-68. Abstract MRD analyses of perioperative chemoimmunotherapy for resected NSCLC (15:12) Forde PM et al. Overall survival with neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy in lung cancer. N Engl J Med 2025;393(8):741-52. Abstract ctDNA dynamics in advanced NSCLC treated with immunotherapy (20:56) Vokes NI et al. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) dynamics and survival outcomes in patients (pts) with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) and high (>50%) programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, randomized to cemiplimab (cemi) vs chemotherapy (chemo). ASCO 2023;Abstract 9022. Anagnostou V et al. ctDNA response after pembrolizumab in non-small cell lung cancer: Phase 2 adaptive trial results. Nat Med 2023;29(10):2559-69. Abstract Anagnostou V et al. A biomarker-directed, multi-center phase II/III study of ctDNA molecular response adaptive immuno-chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (BR.36). ASCO 2025;Abstract TPS8669. CME information and select publications
In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, Professor Jeremy Levy, consultant nephrologist in London, joins Dr Alex Crowe, consultant physician in Liverpool, for an insightful and practical conversation about chronic kidney disease (CKD). Together, they explore why CKD is so common, and often silent. How to distinguish acute from chronic kidney problems, and which investigations matter most.The discussion also highlights the growing importance of cardiorenal metabolic medicine, offering clinicians a clear approach to assessing risk, optimising treatment, and supporting long‑term health. From EGFR trends to SGLT2 inhibitors, from lifestyle change to coding accuracy, this episode provides an essential, up‑to‑date guide for managing CKD in everyday practice.Resources For kidney sake podcast: Home | ForKidneysSake.com Excellent resources on CKD here from NHS NW London: Chronic kidney diseaseNICE guidelines: Overview | Chronic kidney disease: assessment and management | Guidance | NICE Hypertension in CKD from UK kidney association FINAL UKKA NICE-KDIGO commentary December 2022.pdfExercise and Lifestyle in CKD from UK kidney association Exercise and Lifestyle in CKD clinical practice guideline33_v4_FINAL_0.pdf SGLT2i in CKD from UK kidney association Sodium Glucose Co transporter 2 - UK Kidney Association.KDIGO (international) guidelines on CKD management CKD Evaluation and Management – KDIGOKIDGO prognosis of CKD by Albuminuria Categories: KIDGO 2012 S126American Diabetes Association guidelines including CKD Volume 48 Issue Supplement_1 | Diabetes Care | American Diabetes AssociationFor Kidneys SakeFor Kidneys Sake is a clinician-led podcast from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and North West London Integrated Care Board, offering practical, evidence-based insight into chronic kidney disease and cardio-renal care. Through short, accessible conversations with experts across primary and secondary care, the series supports shared learning on CKD detection, risk management and integrated patient care. The podcast is for GPs, pharmacists, nurses and multidisciplinary teams, and is relevant for clinicians, patients and anyone interested in improving kidney health.Explore our CPD portfolio by your career stageRCP | Education and professional developmentRCP LinksEducationRCP Social MediaInstagramLinkedInFacebookBlueskyMusic Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas Any adverts within this podcast may use computer generated voices
Shahad Abdulsahib discusses a phase 1 clinical trial of intracerebroventricular bivalent EGFR and IL13Rα2 CAR T cells for recurrent glioblastoma, published in Nature Medicine.
In this episode, Dr Matthew Gubens and Dr Helena Yu discuss the evolving role of TROP2-directed therapies in non-small-cell lung cancer, with a focus on how antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) fit into current treatment strategies, including The mechanism of action and clinical trial outcomes of TROP2-directed ADCs like datopotamab deruxtecan and sacituzumab tirumotecan Use of these therapies in EGFR-mutant disease and how they fit into a changing treatment landscape Practical advice on associated adverse events and additional considerations, A look at future directions on the horizon, such as first-line studies and predictive biomarkers Get access to all of our new podcasts by subscribing to the Decera Clinical Education Oncology Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, or Spotify. Presenters: Matthew Gubens, MD, MS, FASCO Medical Director, Thoracic Medical Oncology University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, California Helena Yu, MD Professor of Medicine Thoracic Oncology Service Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, New York Link to full program:https://bit.ly/41vAnfH Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Empower yourself by understanding functional vs. medical blood work. In class 1 of 3, Dr. Vaughn shares how comprehensive, “natural” blood work can reveal early imbalances long before a diagnosis... And how you can partner with God's design to restore your health.You'll learn:✅ What makes functional/comprehensive blood work different from standard labs
As part of IASLC's ongoing podcast series in world languages, Dr. Chul Kim moderates a discussion in Korean with Dr. Beung-Chul Ahn and Dr. Hyein Jeon. The session focuses on the clinical management of EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through a case-based discussion. Guests:
In today's episode, we spoke with Julia Rotow, MD, and Martin Dietrich, MD, PhD. Dr Rotow is the clinical director of the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology and director of clinical research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as well as an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr Dietrich is a medical oncologist with The US Oncology Network Cancer Care Centers of Brevard and an assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando.In our exclusive interview, Drs Rotow and Dietrich discussed the significance of the accelerated FDA approval of zongertinib (Hernexeos) for patients with HER2 TKD–mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They highlighted how this approval addresses a longstanding unmet need in a patient population that historically relied on chemotherapy-based approaches.They noted that the introduction of zongertinib into the frontline setting represents a meaningful shift toward upfront biomarker-driven care, aligning HER2-positive disease with other oncogene-driven lung cancers where targeted therapies are used upfront.The discussion also focused on efficacy findings from the pivotal phase 1b Beamion LUNG-1 trial (NCT04886804). In previously untreated patients with HER2 TKD mutations, zongertinib generated an objective response rate of 76% (95% CI, 65%-85%). The treatment also showed encouraging durability, with 64% of responders having a duration of response (DOR) lasting at least 6 months and 44% of responders having a DOR lasting at least 12 months. Regarding safety, Rotow and Dietrich explained that zongertinib was designed as a HER2-selective inhibitor, potentially minimizing off-target EGFR-related toxicities. The most common adverse effects included low-grade diarrhea, rash, and liver enzyme elevations, with interstitial lung disease occurring infrequently. Notably, no significant signal for cardiac toxicity was observed, distinguishing zongertinib from some other HER2-directed therapies. Finally, the experts underscored the importance of comprehensive biomarker testing to identify HER2 alterations and ensure that patients can benefit from these expanding targeted treatment options.
In this episode, recorded in Mandarin, host Dr. Chunxia Su leads a discussion about early stage and preoperative care for patients with NSCLC with an EGFR mutation. Guests: Wenzhao Zhong, Deputy Prensendent of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Director of the Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital Jie Hu, Deputy director, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Geriatric Medical Center,Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University Min Fan M D, Deputy Director , Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
Dr. Monty Pal and Dr. Vamsi Velcheti discuss the evolving treatment landscape in EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer, including landmark trials like FLAURA2, novel drug therapies, and the growing importance of ctDNA and MRD testing. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Monty Pal: Hello, and welcome to the ASCO Daily News Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Monty Pal. I'm a medical oncologist and professor and vice chair of academic affairs at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles. Today, I'm truly delighted to introduce Dr. Vamsi Velcheti, who's a professor of medicine and the chief of hematology-oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. We'll be discussing the expanding treatment landscape in EGFR-positive lung cancer and how to navigate the challenges of balancing treatment efficacy, toxicity, and patient quality of life in the EGFR-positive space. Just FYI, our full disclosures are available in the transcript of this episode. Vamsi, it's so great to have you on the podcast. Thank you so much for being here. Dr. Vamsi Velcheti: Thank you, Monty. It's a pleasure to be here with you. It's a really exciting topic and there are a lot of updates in the EGFR space. Dr. Monty Pal: So, I'm going to need your help with this because I'll be honest with you, I see very little lung cancer, if any, in my practice. I'm pretty much exclusively kidney cancer these days. I'm coming on 20 years at City of Hope now, and I still remember when trials like ECOG 1599 were presented with, you know, platinum doublets. And, of course, the field has changed a lot since then. But tell us a little bit about the first-line landscape, and I think just for the sake of time, we're going to stick with EGFR-positive disease here. What does it look like these days? Dr. Vamsi Velcheti: Monty, the foundation of care remains the third-generation EGFR inhibitors. These are selective EGFR inhibitors, like osimertinib. We've had an evolution of the development of these TKIs. Like, you know, we had the first-generation, second-generation, not-so-selective EGFR inhibitors. Now we have mutant-selective EGFR inhibitors in the clinic, and they're doing a really good job. And these are quite effective in patients who have classical activating mutations. But the reality is that these have not been transformative. These agents have fundamentally changed the response patterns, excellent CNS penetration, and very good tolerability profile. However, we don't see a lot of durability in terms of the response. So, what's different today is now there have been several trials in combination with these third-generation EGFR inhibitors that have really laid the foundation of how we kind of think about EGFR-positive disease. At the high level, there are a lot of challenges to selecting the patients for these combination-based modalities. I'm assuming we'll be talking more about these different trials and different approaches. Some of these combination-based strategies have really moved the needle in terms of improving overall survival and really improving long-term outcomes and durability in our patients. Dr. Monty Pal: And we are going to get into the weeds on this in just a moment. But I did kick off this podcast talking about chemotherapy, ECOG 1599. It does seem as though chemotherapy is still a component of management in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. So, can you tell us about, perhaps first, you mentioned osimertinib, you know, some of these next-generation EGFR inhibitors. Tell us about the role of chemo plus osimertinib. Dr. Vamsi Velcheti: That's exactly where I was going with the combination-based strategies. You know, we first started off with our earlier trials in the EGFR space evaluating the question of, are targeted therapies, are these highly effective, third-generation, EGFR-selective inhibitors, superior to platinum-doublet chemotherapy? And we've had multiple trials demonstrating that, like the FLAURA trial and in the past with second-generation EGFR inhibitors like erlotinib and gefitinib and afatinib. So, we know that these TKIs actually perform better than platinum-doublet chemotherapy. Now, we have a large, global, phase 3 trial data from the FLAURA2 trial, which looks at the question, "Hey, you know, osimertinib is better than chemotherapy, platinum-doublet chemotherapy. Can we do even better by combining osimertinib with platinum-doublet chemotherapy?" So, FLAURA2 answered that question. This is a large, phase 3 trial, and it's a positive trial with improved durability of disease control and improving overall survival with combination with chemotherapy. So, it's a very important and landmark trial, and essentially combining osimertinib with a platinum-based chemotherapy improved responses, deepened responses, and improved overall survival and really changing the disease trajectory. And this strategy is definitely compelling, especially in patients who have certain clinical high-risk features like, you know, patients who have high disease burden or patients who are sometimes having rapid disease progression early on osimertinib, especially with patients who have a lot of visceral disease burden. So, intensifying treatments up front could alter the natural trajectory of the disease. Dr. Monty Pal: So, you sort of alluded to this in that last part there, but is that kind of how you in clinical practice select? Is it based on, you know, visceral involvement? Is it based on rapidity of disease where you think about adding chemotherapy to osimertinib? Maybe you can give us the corollary. Which patients do you just use osimertinib alone in, for instance? Dr. Vamsi Velcheti: Definitely, there are some patients who have low disease burden and they have the classical mutations, like an exon 19 deletion. And these patients, especially if they don't have a lot of disease burden, they don't have CNS involvement, there may be a subset of patients who could just do fine on osimertinib of course, with close monitoring of the disease. I guess we'll get into that later, how do we do that with either ctDNA or like closer imaging or both. So, there may be some opportunity to kind of escalate patients' treatments based on certain clinical characteristics or radiographic characteristics or certain biological characteristics informed by ctDNA or other approaches. Dr. Monty Pal: No, that's interesting. And you're right, we will chat about ctDNA in just a bit. But before we get there, I think one of the big agents that has really sort of come to the fore in advanced non-small cell lung cancer is amivantamab. I've heard a lot about this in the context of even kidney cancer because in certain subsets, I'm interested in MET-directed therapies and so forth, right? So maybe tell us a little bit about the mechanism of amivantamab first, and then maybe tell us about this pivotal MARIPOSA trial where it's combined with lazertinib. Dr. Vamsi Velcheti: So, the MARIPOSA trial compared lazertinib alone with amivantamab plus lazertinib. And this trial demonstrated overall survival advantage, and there were key differences in terms of tolerability and the safety of amivantamab, which is an EGFR and MET bispecific, and there were certain kind of unique toxicity profiles that make it a little different than the intensification approach with chemotherapy through the FLAURA2 trial. So, there's a trade-off in terms of the toxicity profile. It's a different agent and a different management protocol in terms of dermatological toxicity management that clinicians need to be comfortable with. And also, there are certain unique issues in terms of amivantamab; there's a higher rate of infusion-related reactions, there's an increased risk for edema and VTEs because of amivantamab. Certainly a different toxicity profile, different management paradigm there in terms of longitudinal care of these patients requiring dermatological care and like, you know, close monitoring and prophylaxis VTEs. But having said that, definitely it's a different strategy, and it kind of changes the biology and the natural history of the cancers, and we do see some durability of responses that we see with the MARIPOSA. So, it's certainly a great alternative, at least for some patients. Dr. Monty Pal: That was a great overview of MARIPOSA. Now comes the really difficult question, which is, how do you choose between the two? You have these two great options, right, for EGFR-positive patients. You've already highlighted some of the distinctions in terms of toxicity. I think the audience is well aware of the side effects of chemo-doublet, perhaps even the EGFR-based therapies. Amivantamab is quite new. Give us a sense of how you in clinical practice decide between the two potential options here. Dr. Vamsi Velcheti: Yeah, I think that's the big challenge. I think these are two independent strategies that have evolved through the phase 3, and both of them have demonstrated overall survival benefit. So, the way I think about this is in three dimensions, right? Like, the disease biology, the patient priorities, and feasibility of care delivery. So, when I talk about the disease biology, you know, the mechanism is very different, and MET is a very dominant driver of disease in EGFR-altered patients and it's a significant mechanism of resistance, acquired resistance to TKIs. So, certainly I think there's a patient population that could benefit from a MET-directed therapy up front. However, we don't have great data to kind of really demonstrate how using amivantamab in the front line is going to change that. And are there like perhaps like some patients who we could identify who would benefit from such a strategy? Very recently, there have been some approvals in the second-line setting in lung cancer, not in the EGFR space, but like in generally in lung cancer, with the MET ADCs, and those drugs are approved with a companion diagnostic, which requires MET IHC testing. So, what has happened, at least in large academic practices and also I think in the community now, they have been checking for MET IHC expression more routinely in lung cancer. What we have been doing in our institution is we have been doing MET IHC as a reflex for all patients with EGFR, not just EGFR, but all non-small cell lung cancer patients. What that has done is now, like, we have been increasingly testing patients with EGFR for MET. And there's clearly a subset of patients who have de novo MET expression and a high MET expression. And those patients, I've been kind of like preferentially treating them with the MARIPOSA regimen. But again, I have to caution the audience that we still don't have data that MET IHC is going to help us make those decisions, whether it's better than like a FLAURA2 regimen. But however, in the second-line setting in the CHRYSALIS trial, we know that MET is a very powerful predictor of response to amivantamab. We really need more data there, but that's what I have been doing in my practice. But also, there's a lot of patient preference here. Like, there are some patients who don't want chemotherapy, and they want a non-chemotherapy approach. So, certainly there are some patients who prefer to have amivantamab. And now with the amivantamab, the subcutaneous version, the infusion reactions and the logistics of actual administration of amivantamab are more favorable with the subcutaneous approval. So, those are some of the elements that we need to take into account. Dr. Monty Pal: Well, I want to hone in on that because this subcutaneous administration route has been a big debate that I've seen on social media. Tell us, how much easier does it actually make the amivantamab experience? Does it cut down on the rash? Is it just infusion reactions? What's been your clinical experience? Vamsi Velcheti, MD: So, the subcutaneous administration of amivantamab has definitely improved the infusion reaction issue. Very rarely patients have infusion reaction now with the subcutaneous injections. And also, the infusion time is much, much shorter. Like we don't need a lot of infusion time, which is sometimes a challenge in busy infusion clinics. We need to take that into account. As far as the impact of the subcutaneous formulation on dermatological toxicity, we haven't really seen significant difference in terms of the intensity or rates of dermatological toxicity with subcutaneous. The benefits are really with the infusion reaction, the ease of administration. And interestingly, in the PALOMA trial, it also seems to be, even though this was not the primary endpoint of the study, there seems to be some suggestion that the subcutaneous amivantamab seems to have improved OS compared to the IV amivantamab. We don't really understand why, but that's a finding from the trial that's very intriguing. Dr. Monty Pal: That is really fascinating. I'm kind of curious to see how that's going to pan out. I'm going to shift gears a little bit here. And, you know, as we sort of close, I wanted to talk a little bit about biomarkers. I mean, this is obviously not a lung cancer-specific issue. It's something we think about across the board. But what I will say is that there are certain commonalities, and in bladder cancer, we think a lot now about ctDNA. But you've been way ahead of the game in lung cancer. Tell us how you guys use ctDNA, maybe both from the standpoint of monitoring for mutational status, but if you can, maybe offer some insights into some of these new MRD tests that are available too. Dr. Vamsi Velcheti: Yeah, it's rapidly evolving. Certainly, I think in the lung cancer space, you know, this has really kicked off in the lung cancer space with incorporating ctDNA into the workflow. Of course, you know, like baseline evaluation, we still kind of heavily rely on tissue genomic sequencing. But as you know, with targeted therapy, a lot of these patients have disease that evolves over time, and changes in terms of mutational pattern driving acquired resistance is a major issue across different molecular subtypes. And especially so in EGFR, when there are certain actionable opportunities associated with that transformation. So, we need to kind of have like a longitudinal snapshot of how we monitor these patients. So, the ctDNA has come to be like a tool that has now come to the forefront of clinical workflow, and almost all my patients who are having disease progression have ctDNA for kind of evaluating for resistance and informing treatment decisions, especially in EGFR. But having said that, there are a lot of challenges in terms of using ctDNA as a tool for monitoring. There are a lot of different types of assays and different platforms, and being able to use this as a quantitative tool that would be used along with the CT scans that we routinely use in clinical practice has been a challenge. And I think I would love to hear your perspectives as well, Monty, about how you're thinking about that in bladder and other disease contexts. But having said that, I think there's a lot of opportunity to incorporate ctDNA and MRD assays into clinical decision-making. Right now, in terms of clinical trials and clinical development, there have been some very interesting trials that are currently ongoing, especially in the EGFR space. We know that patients who clear ctDNA, based on some retrospective data and also like some retrospective-prospective data from trials that have already read out, that patients who clear ctDNA early with target therapy tend to do much better. They have a longer durability of response. There may be a subset of patients who have, even though they're having radiographic response, they have persistent ctDNA after a certain time point of initiation of targeted therapy. Those patients may require escalation of therapy. We don't yet know. I can't recommend that as a standard right now because we don't have clinical evidence to support that. But however, some of the clinical trials, like the ELIOS trial that's being done right now, that's actually completed enrollment, we'll hopefully see the results very soon. So, there is an emerging thought that instead of intensifying treatment for all patients with EGFR, there may be a population that may be just fine with frontline osimertinib monotherapy and introducing the intensification strategy at the time of emergence of MRD or progression on ctDNA before radiographic progression. So, there are a lot of adaptive molecular response criteria that we are kind of exploring in clinical trials that could inform how the future is going to look like for EGFR and other perhaps targeted therapies as well. So, it's fascinating, and I think there's a lot of opportunity there. Dr. Monty Pal: You know, you asked for my perspective. I actually think that what you highlighted there is the most interesting opportunity for ctDNA: the ability to de-escalate therapy. In terms of drug development, we've done so much to bring new therapies to patients, and now it's a bit of an embarrassment of riches, but the downside is that I feel like we tend to overtreat a lot of patients in the clinic. So, I definitely view MRD, you know, some of these other ctDNA techniques with methylation and so forth that may not be sort of tumor-dependent or bespoke could be incredibly, incredibly helpful. You touched on sort of the future, right, in this last section here with biomarkers. But give us a sense now in terms of novel drug therapies in the EGFR space. What are you most excited about moving forward in 2026 and beyond? Dr. Vamsi Velcheti: Yeah, I think there's a lot going on in this space, and not just this space, but across lung cancer and others as well. Like looking at the next generation of targets for ADCs. And I think a lot of these have to do with…so far in the drug development space, as you know, the improvements in clinical outcomes has been very incremental. So, we really need to make that big leap. And I think the big leap is not going to come from, in my opinion, from the next ADC, but it's going to come from how we tailor treatments and how we monitor disease better and how do we kind of incorporate the next treatment earlier and not wait for the radiographic progression. So, there's a lot of opportunity there to integrate biomarkers and dynamic biomarkers into clinical trial design and incorporating the recent advances in terms of drug design. You know, we have a lot of assets in the EGFR space, the next-generation EGFR inhibitors that are kind of designed with resistance in mind and rational combination, knowing when to introduce those combinations is also equally important. So, there's a lot going on, really exciting times to be in drug development. The one thing that I really hope will come to the forefront in drug development, not just for lung cancer, but all disease groups, is to kind of really be thoughtful about how we incorporate these really cool molecular monitoring tools and creating a composite score with imaging to be able to like really design the next generation of clinical trials. Dr. Monty Pal: You're so spot-on with that. I definitely think that we're getting to this point where, you know, we could think about the next BiTE, the next CAR-T, the next ADC. But, you know, maybe it's time for us to start really honing in on appropriate applications of these drugs, honing in on the right dose and what have you, because I definitely see some issues there. Vamsi, this has just been terrific. I really want to thank you so much for sharing your fantastic insights with us today on the ASCO Daily News Podcast, and I really appreciate all your efforts to move the field of lung cancer forward. Dr. Vamsi Velcheti: Thanks, Monty. I really enjoyed the conversation. Dr. Monty Pal: Yeah, this was terrific. And thanks to our listeners as well. If you value the insights that you hear from the ASCO Daily News Podcast, please take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Disclaimer: The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience, and conclusions. Guest statements on the podcast do not express the opinions of ASCO. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity, or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement. Follow today's speakers: Dr. Monty Pal @montypal Dr. Vamsi Velcheti @VamsiVelcheti Follow ASCO on social media: ASCO on X ASCO on Bluesky ASCO on Facebook ASCO on LinkedIn Disclosures: Dr. Monty Pal: Speakers' Bureau: MJH Life Sciences, IntrisiQ, Peerview Research Funding (Inst.): Exelixis, Merck, Osel, Genentech, Crispr Therapeutics, Adicet Bio, ArsenalBio, Xencor, Miyarsian Pharmaceutical Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: Crispr Therapeutics, Ipsen, Exelixis Dr. Vamsi Velcheti: Honoraria: Galvanize Therapeutics Consulting or Advisory Role: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck, AstraZeneca/MedImmune, GSK, Amgen, Taiho Oncology, Novocure, Regeneron, Takeda, Janssen Oncology, Picture Health Research Funding (Inst.): Genentech, Trovagene, Eisai, OncoPlex Diagnostics, Alkermes, NantOmics, Genoptix, Altor BioScience, Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Atreca, Heat Biologics, Leap Therapeutics, RSIP Vision, GlaxoSmithKline
In this podcast, experts Christine M. Lovly, MD, PhD, FASCO; Lyudmila Bazhenova, MD; Hossein Borghaei, DO, MS; and Xiuning Le, MD, PhD, discuss how to sequence systemic therapy based on the molecular profile of non–small cell lung cancer that has progressed on a first-line EGFR-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitor, including discussion on the use of bispecific antibodies in this setting.
In today's episode, we spoke with Eric K. Singhi, MD. Dr Singhi is an assistant professor in the departments of general oncology and thoracic/head and neck medical oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are rapidly emerging as one of the most exciting therapeutic advances in lung cancer. In this episode, Singhi explored how TROP2-directed ADCs are beginning to reshape treatment strategies across both non–small cell and small cell lung cancer.Singhi discussed where these agents currently fit within the treatment algorithm for EGFR-mutant non–small cell lung cancer, including the recent accelerated approval of datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk (Datroway; Dato-DXd) and the evolving clinical data supporting its use after progression on targeted therapy and platinum-based chemotherapy. He also examined emerging evidence for other TROP2-targeting agents such as sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT) and what early trial results suggest about response rates and future treatment sequencing.Beyond efficacy, Singhi highlighted the practical considerations oncologists must navigate as ADCs enter routine practice, from managing chemotherapy-like toxicities to monitoring for unique adverse effects such as stomatitis, ocular effects, and interstitial lung disease.In our exclusive interview, Dr Singhi discussed where agents like dato-DXd and sac-TMT may fit in evolving treatment algorithms, the clinical data driving their momentum, and what oncologists should consider as these therapies move closer to routine practice in lung cancer.
In this podcast, experts Mara Antonoff, MD, FACS; Laura Alder, MD; and Stephanie Worrell, MD, FACS, discuss the latest advances in immunotherapy and EGFR-targeted treatments for patients with resectable, early-stage, non–small cell lung cancer.