Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind
Cancer is a fascinating but rapidly evolving discipline - it's a full-time job just keeping up to date. In this podcast, Dr Michael Fernando and Dr Joshua Hurwitz explore the latest trials, research, and practice-changing updates, as well as regular interviews with renowned oncology specialists. Ideal for those starting their training journey, established specialists and anyone interested in medical science, oncological practice, or terrible jokes. Preferably all three. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
In this episode, Josh and Michael take a trip down a road less travelled by both patients and researchers, and examine the evidence (or lack thereof) of non-clear cell renal cell cancer, a less common cluster of siblings to the much better established clear cell RCC. Treatment is on very similar patterns, so their studies today involve a lot of immunotherapy with a smattering of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Studies discussed in t...
How do you increase access to phase 1 trials for a state with a population of 8 million people spread across 800,000 km^2? You collaborate! In this context, we explore NECTA. The New South Wales Early Phase Clinical Trials Alliance (NECTA) plays a key role in speeding up the translation of cutting-edge medical research into real-world treatments, providing vital benefits to patients and the broader healthcare system. By uniting a n...
Unlike the adjuvant space, treatment of advanced clear cell renal cell cancer has been a success story potentially only surpassed by advanced melanoma. What was once a horrific and quickly fatal disease, with a predilection for the CNS and significant bleeding risk has become significantly less so. In this episode, Josh and Michael explore the studies that have made it happen.
Studies discussed in this episode
CLEAR
Checkmate 214
C...
Continuing on their Back to Basics GU extravaganza, Josh and Michael progress to the subject of kidney cancer, and bring you the answer to a question long unanswered: is there any benefit of adjuvant therapy in resected clear cell renal cell cancer. For a long time, this space produced negative study after negative study, until, as is so often the case, immunotherapy swooped in to save the day.
Studies discussed in this episode
S...
Josh and Michael return to their normal scheduled broadcast, continuing their never-ending Back to Basics series. In this episode, they discuss several interesting developments in the adjuvant management of urothelial cancer, focussing on the sometimes contradictory data of adjuvant immunotherapy. This is an emerging area of treatment that you will not want to miss!
Studies discussed in this episode
AMBASSADOR
Checkmate 274
IMvigor...
In our final ASCO 2025 episode, Michael is joined by Prof Jeanne Tie, colorecal cancer lead at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre to discuss some of the many highlights in colorectal and anal cancer. Starting with the practice changing BREAKWATER study, combining chemotherapy with encorafenib and cetuximab, they also discuss the plenary study ATOMIC III, the CHALLENGE study examining structured exercise programs for patients with resect...
In this episode, Michael goes it alone, welcoming an old friend of the show, Dr Belinda Yeo, to discuss highlights in early breast cancer from ASCO 2025. The pair discuss an exciting new medication to assist with vasomotor symptoms from endocrine therapy, the ongoing follow up from the pivotal SOFT/TEXT study, an escalation strategy for abemaciclib and a de-escalation strategy for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in HER2 positive breast ca...
Today, hosts Michael and Josh are joined by the wonderful Dr James McCracken to discuss highlights from ASCO 2025 in the areas of upper GI and hepatobiliary cancer. This episode focuses on two items that are (as Michael repetitively insists) "big ticket": MATTERHORN and Destiny-Gastric04. In addition, James gives his thoughts on studies that look at immunotherapy and novel neoadjuvant chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer, and a small ...
Today, we discuss the latest advancements in gynecological oncology presented at ASCO 2025, featuring insights from Dr. Prachi Bhave. The conversation covers significant trials including the TRUST trial on ovarian cancer surgery timing, the Rosella trial for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, the FIRST study on immunotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer, and the update on the Keynote A18 trial for cervical cancer. The discussion emph...
In this episode, Dr. Janet Abrahm shares transformative insights from ASCO 2025, focusing on palliative care and supportive care in oncology. Topics discussed include the role of exercise in cancer survival, cannabis use for symptom management, and the challenges of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. We also highlight the importance of communication with patients, particularly in the context of grief and transition to pall...
In this episode, Dr. Ned McNamee discusses the latest advancements in lung cancer treatment presented at ASCO 2025, focusing on significant studies such as the Phase 3 DeLLphi-304 study and Checkmate 816. They explore the implications of these findings for clinical practice, including the challenges of managing immune-related side effects and the potential for neoadjuvant immunotherapy to improve patient outcomes. The conversation ...
Today, we cover ASCO 2025 in the genitourinary space, specifically bladder and renal cancer. Dr. Enrique Grande, a renowned oncologist and Program and Clinical Research lead of MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Madrid, joins us.
This is a mega episode where we cover AMPLITUDE, JAVELIN MEDLEY, CHECKMATE 901 and NIAGARA, advancing urothelial cancer care; SEAR 02 and the CReST trial, pushing boundaries in bladder cancer; CHECKMATE 214; L...
Today, we’re joined by Professor Anthony Joshua, head of Medical Oncology at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, and a global leader in prostate cancer and melanoma.
In this episode, Professor Joshua discusses multiple trials including AMPLITUDE, advancing prostate cancer therapies; CAN 2409, exploring immunotherapy; ARANOTE, showing darolutamide’s impact on progression-free survival; the prognostic significance of PSA 0.2; and the...
In this episode, we unpack game-changing insights from ASCO 2025 with a spotlight on breast cancer. Joining us is Dr. Adam Brufsky, a trailblazing oncologist and professor at the University of Pittsburgh, with 30 years of experience, whose expertise has helped shape the direction of treatment.
Trials discussed include the SERENA-6 trial, which examines camizestrant plus CDK4/6 inhibitors in HR-positive, ESR1 mutation breast can...
In our second plenary episode, we're spotlighting two pivotal phase 3 trials: SERENA-6, which explores ctDNA-guided treatment with camizestrant to delay progression in HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer with ESR1 mutations, and NIVOPOSTOP, a landmark study showing improved disease-free survival with adjuvant nivolumab in high-risk, resected head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Join us as we unpack these practice-ch...
This year, Michael and Josh bring you the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025. To keep it fresh, we're doing things a little differently, but rest assured, we'll bring along a global host of experts to deliver the very best from the practice-changing, thought-provoking, design-defining trials you know and love from this podcast.
This episode focuses on adjuvant atezolizumab in the colon cancer space and the use of ...
This week, we talk about metastatic bladder cancer. The last two years have seen drastic changes in this space, with the addition of immunotherapy and ADCs in a first-line setting. While exceptionally effective, toxicity and patient selection remain challenging. The other big issue with what's best for the second line? That's the golden question.
Studies discussed in the episode:
This week, we explore muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). This space has made significant progress with the completion of two pivotal trials. The first was VESPER, comparing two chemotherapy regimens. The key to this trial may be the amount of cisplatin delivered, but there are some unknowns in a real-world setting. It also compared the neoadjuvant to the perioperative space. The second trial utilises immunotherapy in the periop...
As we "EMBARK" on our next Prostate Cancer adventure via the "SOLAR" system to "SATURN," Michael and Josh explore the idea of biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer and the role of radiotherapy in tumour-directed therapy for de novo versus recurrent PSMA PET–defined oligo-M1 prostate cancer. Both excellent studies raise the question of newer technologies and how we apply this information to trials that already exist.
Studies ...
Marie Curie's life work laid the foundations for theranostics. This week, we talk about Lutetium, a rare earth metal, and its role in Prostate Cancer. Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy is a radiation therapy that targets prostate cancer. It is used in the advanced, metastatic, and castrate-resistant space. Lutetium is bound to a protein called PSMA. PSMA is overexpressed in many prostate cancers and can be used to target these cancer ...
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