Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind

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:

EV-302

THOR

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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 ...

Prostate Cancer has a multitude of presentations, but when metastatic, it usually spreads directly to the lymph nodes or the bones. This episode focuses on the contentious definition of "M0 Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC)", also known as Nonmetastatic CRPC. Does this definition exist, and what role will PSMA PET have in this cohort of patients? The second trial, TITAN looks at apalutamide, another ARPI/ARSI and how it com...

This week, we interview Dr. Cristofanilli, a globally recognised expert in inflammatory breast cancer research and precision medicine. With decades of clinical experience and groundbreaking contributions to translational research, he has transformed the way we approach metastatic breast cancer, leading advances in liquid biopsy, molecular profiling, and targeted therapies.

Dr Cristofanilli serves as the Director of Breast Medica...

Today, we discuss the role of triplet therapy (ie, chemotherapy and androgen receptor signalling inhibitor and ADT) in high-volume metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and whether darolutamide is equivalent to the other androgen receptor signalling inhibitors in the castrate-sensitive space. Two good trials, and as always, some interesting discussion points.

Studies discussed in the episode:

ARASENS

ARANOTE

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The rise and rise of Androgen Receptor Pathway (or Signalling) Inhibitors has changed the world of metastatic prostate cancer forever. What was once a cancer with a finite number of treatment options has flourished into a chasm of therapies, many more effective and less toxic than their therapeutic grandparents.

Studies discussed in the episode:

ARCHES

ENZAMET

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveon...

Our final breast cancer episode is here! Today, we are talking about the role of Gene Expression Assays in early hormone receptor-positive breast cancer management. The specific questions we asked included when we can de-escalate and for which cohort of patients these assays can be used. There's lots more to this episode, but we explore the role of Oncotype Dx!

Studies discussed in the episode:

TAILORx

RxPonder

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This week, we prematurely dive into prostate cancer (one breast episode remaining - whoops!), where we explore the early pivotal trials, including the role of abiraterone in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and the use of docetaxel in high and low-volume prostate cancer.

Studies discussed in the episode:

LATITUDE

STAMPEDE

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

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As our breast cancer journey comes close to finishing, it was always the destiny of your cohost's on Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind to talk about HER2-positive breast cancer. This week, we target both antibody-drug conjugate therapy and targeted therapy (trastuzumab deruxtecan and pertuzumab). While HER2-positive cancer's survival is one of the best for metastatic disease, this was not always the case.

Studies discussed in t...

Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer is one of the most challenging breast cancer subtypes to treat. Recurrence rates can be as high as 40%. This episode covers the role of immunotherapy and antibody-drug conjugates in the advanced space. Once again, targetable receptors are lacking but research is underway!

Studies discussed in the episode:

KEYNOTE 355

ASCENT

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisiti...

It's been an "Olympic" ride to get here, and this is our penultimate breast cancer episode! Today, we talk about the BRCA mutations and how they impact both breast cancer and outcomes using targeted therapy. BRCA is a tumour suppressor gene.

Today, we explore olaparib and its role in the adjuvant and metastatic setting for breast cancer.

Studies discussed in the episode:

OLYMPIA

OLYMPIAD

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Metastatic Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer truly represents the frontier of Medical Oncology, with life expectancy creeping up to and beyond five years. This week, we discuss Monaleesa-2 (Ribociclib), Paloma-2 (Palbociclib) and, of course, highlight the importance of Monarch-3 (Abemaciclib). The great CDK debate continues, and while the phase three trials have a clear winner, it's important to discuss the benefits and cons ...

Early Triple Negative Breast Cancer remains an aggressive variant of all breast cancers, affecting those under 40 more and has a higher propensity for being in those with BRCA1/2 mutations. It represents about 15% of all breast cancers.

This week, we explore the benefit of immunotherapy (pembrolizumab), looking at improved complete pathological response as a surrogate marker for OS and the role of capecitabine in the adjuvant se...

Our second SABCS (San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium) episode covers everything (else) you need to know from 2024.

In this episode, we dive into the role of trastuzumab deruxtecan in HR +ve, HER2 low cancers, perioperative atezolizumab in tnbc, the use of a novel ADC (SHR-A1811) and the role of tumour mutational burden in triple-negative cancer.

Studies discussed in the episode:

DESTINY-Breast06

Neoadj atezo

FASCINATE-N

KEYNOTE...