Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind

Historically, colorectal cancer treatment has been fairly standard, but this has shifted over the past decade with the introduction of targeted therapies. This week, our focus is on patients with microsatellite instability (dMMR) colorectal cancer, a small but meaningful cohort. This condition affects up to 15% of patients, many of whom carry germline mutations in the MLH1 and MSH2 genes, which simply means that cells can't recognise and fix spontaneous mutations. Historically, these cancers are less responsive to chemotherapy. This week, we explore two immunotherapy regimens - pembrolizumab, ipilimumab and nivolumab.Studies discussed in this episode:Checkmate 8HWKEYNOTE-177For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Metastatic colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths and among the most common types of cancer worldwide. Chemotherapy remains the main treatment, but the question is: how can we make it more effective without increasing toxicity? This week, we explore the intensification of chemotherapy in an effort to improve overall survival. The second topic involves the use of monoclonal antibodies and targeted therapy to enhance existing regimens. Josh also conducts his characteristic deep dive, examining the evolution and application of the monoclonal antibodies cetuximab and panitumumab over the past 15 years. He aims to answer the long-standing question: does one size fit all for colorectal cancers?Studies discussed in this episode:FOLFOXIRIBeva/CetuxFIRE-3 TrialTAILOR TrialCrystalFor more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Jonathan E. Rosenberg, MD, serves as the Chief of the Genitourinary Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC). He is a prolific researcher and author, holding multiple titles including Attending Physician at MSKCC, Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, and the Enno W. Ercklentz Chair in Genitourinary Oncology.Today, Jonathan explores metastatic urothelial cancer, discussing the current landscape and available treatment options, emphasising that a single approach may not be suitable for all patients. We also cover early bladder cancer and non-invasive muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NIMBC). For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The DYNAMIC duo are back, with Michael climbing the "Everest" of oncology and exploring the role of CTDNA in stage two colorectal cancer. Josh has the easier job of exploring neoadjuvant immunotherapy (ipilimumab and nivolumab) in dMMR advanced colorectal cancer.Both are excellent trials, and a worthy addition to your reading list.Don't forget to check us out on YouTube if that's your thing!Studies discussed in this episode:DYNAMIC-IINICHE-2For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we explore early colorectal cancer. Maybe it’s just this week, but there were plenty of “IDEAS” around. Michael highlights the importance of choosing an appropriate adjuvant regimen, whether that be FOLFOX or CAPOX. Josh digs a bit deeper and, as the name suggests, looks at whether patients with liver metastases can be cured with chemotherapy and a liver transplant.Studies discussed in this episode:IDEASTransMETEORTCFor more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mesothelioma can strike at any time, but it most commonly affects those in their 70s, with cases continuing well into the 2030s. The time from exposure to diagnosis can be up to 60 years. This week, we explore treatment options for pleural mesothelioma, including ipilimumab and nivolumab, and consider whether chemotherapy and bevacizumab work for mesothelioma as well. The MAPS trial was published in 2016, while Checkmate was published in 2022.Studies discussed in this episode:MAPSCheckmate 743For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we return to our regular programming with a back-to-basics exploration of extensive small-cell lung cancer. A notorious killer and an aggressive type of lung cancer, it has seen new treatments developed at a faster rate than in the last twenty years combined.We explore tarlatamab, a bispecific delta-like ligand 3-directed T cell engager. The results show that, in the second-line setting, it improves overall survival (spoiler alert). The second study is IMforte, utilising lurbinectedin plus atezolizumab in the first-line setting for extensive-stage SCLCa. Again, a positive trial showing an improved median overall survival of 13.2 months vs 10.6 months, but does the toxicity profile trade off support this modest OS benefit? Tune in to find out!Studies discussed in this episode:ImforteDeLLphi-304For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, our guest is a transformative figure in bowel cancer treatment. Professor Jenny Seligmann, a Consultant Medical Oncologist and Professor of Gastrointestinal and Translational Oncology at the University of Leeds, is renowned for leading the groundbreaking FOxTROT and ARIEL trials. These studies challenged traditional practices by demonstrating the advantages of administering chemotherapy before surgery, a change now saving lives and influencing worldwide protocols. As a devoted mentor and a prominent participant in Cancer Research UK’s initiatives, she joins us to explore how we can personalise cancer treatment more effectively and discuss the future prospects for gastrointestinal cancer therapies. Welcome, Professor Seligmann.For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our final take on ESMO 2025, we talk about Genitourinary Cancers. This was a dense area with numerous trials. Today we explore distimiab vedotin in those with advanced bladder cancer, the role of combining lutetium with an ARPI in advanced prostate cancer, whether de-escalation of docetaxel in high volume prostate cancer was just as efficacious as the regular six cycles, immunotherpay plus bCG in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, adjuvant durvalumab in renal cell caricnoma and the perioperaive role of enforumab vedotin for muscle invasive bladder cancer.We're out of breath just listing off these trials, and if this hasn't gotten you excited, then probably nothing will! See you next week, where we interview our spectacular guest Professor Jenny Seligmann, who will bring you up to date on Michael's favourite topic, colorectal cancers!Studies:IMvigor011 (NCT04660344)KEYNOTE 905/EV-303 (NCT03924895)POTOMAC (NCT03528694)ARASAFE (NCT02799602)RC48-C016 (NCT05302284)PSMAddition (NCT04720157)For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners, Pfizer and Merck Pharmaceuticals. MSD provided virtual participation with ESMO. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ESMO Episode 6 is here! The longest award ceremony in the world continues. This episode covers colorectal cancer, a cancer stream that has relied heavily on the same three drugs for the past twenty-five years.We cover the golden pinnacle of real-world use cases for CTDNA, neoadjuvant immunotherapy in those with proficient MMR colorectal cancer, whether Zanzalimab helps in refractory colorectal cancer, and much more.Studies:BREAKWATERNEOADJUVANT IMMUNOTHERAPY (pMMR)STELLAR-303CHECKMATE 8HWFor more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. MSD provided virtual participation with ESMO. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back, baby! Michael and Josh predicted their ESMO journey would have eons to run, and they weren't wrong! For our first episode back in 2026, we revisit the important coverage of ESMO 2025, highlighting advances in upper gastrointestinal tract and hepatobiliary cancers. This episode covers FGFR inhibitors (Bemartizumab), updates on the MATTERHORN trial, the use of immunotherapy with trastuzumab and FLOT in HER2-positive localised oesophageal carcinoma, and investigates the use of TKIs and the novel drug nofazinlimab for those with unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.A jam-packed episode that aims to over-deliver on information, laughter, and hope.2026 is going to be a big one!Studies:FORTITUDE-101MATTERHORNPHERFLOT/IKF-053NCT04669496For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. MSD provided virtual participation with ESMO. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we discuss neuroendocrine tumours and melanoma as our ESMO 25 journey continues. Trials for neuroendocrine cancers include HIF-2 alpha inhibitors, targeted alpha therapy, and a classic anti-PD-1/TIGIT bispecific antibody combined with standard etoposide and cisplatin chemotherapies.Melanoma is once again seeking that elusive breakthrough: the second-line therapy that demonstrates immunotherapy is not a one-time opportunity. We also highlight both the BNT111 RNA-based lipoplex immunotherapy targeting agent and the question of whether early discontinuation of immunotherapy could be beneficial.Studies:LITESPARK-15IMPRESS-Norway trialAbstract 1510M0BNT111 (NCT04526899)Safe Stop TrialFor more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. MSD provided virtual participation with ESMO. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our third instalment of ESMO 2025, we explore lung cancer in all its glory, including small cell, mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer.Studies:DeLLphi-303SOHO-01ALBATROSPAULIENDREAM3ROptiTROP-Lung04For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. MSD provided virtual participation with ESMO. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ESMO 2025 continues this week with coverage including early breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer and gynaecological malignancies. A mammoth episode covering giants and pioneers of the oncology world.Studies:SOLTI-RIBOLARISPOSITIVEmonarchE:DESTINY-Breast11evERAASCENT-03TROPION-Breast02 trialROSELLADICE trialENGOT-ov65/KEYNOTE-B96 studyROSELLAFor more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Virtual participation with ESMO was provided by MSD. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a short break for some pretty major life changes (more details in the episode), Josh and Michael return to tackle the best and brightest of ESMO 2025. With support from MSD, our dynamic duo play host to the inaugural Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind Awards. Today, they look at studies in pre-clinical science, supportive care and rare cancers to find their favourite studies amidst the goldmine that was this year's European Oncology Extravaganza.For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comPlease find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Virtual participation with ESMO was provided by MSD. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.