Oncology Times - OncTimes Talk

Also: (1) Feasibility of patients becoming pregnant while having TKI treatment after having stable disease for at least two years; and (2) Decreased need for allogeneic transplant.

Marshall Posner, MD, talking from Palm Beach Cancer Symposium: Increased prevalence of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers, more responsive to treatment with induction docetaxel, cisplatin, & 5-FU prior to standard chemoradiotherapy.

Also from the Palm Beach Cancer Symposium, Kathy Albain, MD, talks about the St. Gallen consensus meeting’s updated recommendations about adjuvant therapy for breast cancer—i.e., endorsing the 21-gene recurrence score and 70-gene profiling assay as key tools in decision-making for chemotherapy for ER-positive disease.

Stanley H. Winokur, MD, on his clever, fun, and ever-evolving one-minute daily Internet quiz that lets oncologists test their knowledge & compete against others. TheSmartestOncologist.com

Paddy Stone of St. George's Hospital, University of London, & David Cella from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine about the effective use of questionnaires for assessing, screening, and perhaps diagnosing cancer-related fatigue syndrome.

Todd Tuttle from University of Minnesota & Abram Recht from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center on the surprisingly big recent increase in the use of prophylactic bilateral mastectomy for DCIS.

Silvia Novello and Giorgio Scagliotti on harnessing insulin-like growth factor receptor inhibition in a Phase II study that showed clinical activity of figitumumab to be at least as good as that of inhibitors of other growth factors already being used in cancer.

Greater Role for Umbilical Cord Blood in Adult Transplants (Mary Eapen, commentary from Armand Keating). Ex Vivo Expansion of Cord Blood Derived Progenitor Cells: Patient Transplant Data (Colleen Delaney, commentary from Armand Keating). Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents in Cancer Patients: Meta-Analysis Mortality Findings (Julia Bohlius, commentary from Linda Burns and George Canellos). Imatinib: Durable Responses and Survival in CML: 7-Year IRIS Results; Can Imatinib Be Stopped? (Stephen O'Brien).

Prof Giuseppe Saglio of the University of Turin and San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital in Italy on nilotinib as a new standard of care for chronic myeloid leukaemia. ASH President Nancy Berliner of Brigham & Women's Hospital adds her thoughts. Jorge Cortes of M. D. Anderson Cancer Center on three different ASH papers by his group looking at alternatives to standard imatinib in CML. Jane Apperley of Hammersmith Hospital and Imperial College London, reflects on these, and discusses strategies for dealing with imatinib resistance. OT Broadcast News Scientific Editor George Canellos of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute on what some were jokingly calling a re-run of World War II that took place in the Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma session: R-CHOP 14 vs R-CHOP 21 in elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Andrzej Jakubowiak of the University of Michigan discusses a 4-drug regimen to treat newly diagnosed multiple myeloma....Ruben Niesvizky of Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City on the novel proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib, used in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone to treat relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. OT interviewers: Peter Goodwin and Sarah Maxwell.

George Canellos on aggressive chemotherapy's failure to benefit patients with high-risk B-cell lymphoma. Massimo Martelli of University of Perugia on infused donor T-regulatory cells to prevent graft-vs-host-disease in patients with leukemia & lymphoma; comments from Armand Keating of the University of Toronto. Mathias Rummel of University Hospital in Germany on using bendamustine rather than CHOP combined with rituximab for treating indolent lymphomas—front-line. Commenting: Dr. Canellos and Richard Van Etten of Tufts University. Eduardo Rego of the University of Sao Paolo on his networking between North and South America to improve treatment of APL in developing countries. Adding their thoughts: Dr. Canellos and Richard Larson of the University of Chicago. OT Interviewers: Peter Goodwin and Sarah Maxwell.

George Canellos, What’s hot from the ASH Plenary Session. Maria-Victoria Mateos of Salamanca University in Spain on melphalan as the better partner drug for bortezomib in multiple myeloma; Commentary Dr. Canellos and Jesus San-Miguel, also of Salamanca, and Richard Van Etten of Tufts University. Steven Devine of Ohio State University on T-cell depletion to avoid GVHD in AML; commentary from Dr. Canellos and Armand Keating of the University of Toronto.

George Canellos: Raising the curtain on ASH 2009. Jorge Cortes, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, on omacetaxine for CML patients with resistance to imatinib caused by the T 315I mutation; Commentary from Jane Apperley of Imperial College and Dr. Canellos. Srdan Verstovsek, also of M. D. Anderson, on JAK signaling inhibition as a treatment for myelofibrosis; Commentary from Richard Larson of University of Chicago and Dr. Canellos.

Peter Goodwin talks to key investigators Francesco Zaja (on rituximab for ITP); Hannes Wandt (on how platelet transfusions may be able to be withheld in certain patients receiving stem cell transplants for hematologic cancers); and Michael Hallek and Tadeusz Robak (on improved benefits for CLL patients with rituximab added to standard chemotherapy). Offering perspective are Kenneth Kaushansky, Linda Burns, and George Canellos.

New research for advanced NSCLC showing that combining monoclonal antibodies and chemotherapy can extend life: OTBN Editor Peter Goodwin and Producer Sarah Maxwell talk to Robert Pirker, Christian Manegold, Giorgio Scagliotti, Nick Thatcher, and Howard Sandler, MD. PLUS: Michel Coleman on the latest findings from the CONCORD study of international differences in survival rates for breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers.

Norman Wolmark on the study's frustrating but unequivocal results showing that bevacizumab did not extend disease-free survival in adjuvant therapy for early colon cancer at 3 years, even though there had been a benefit at 1 year. Also weighing in: Nicholas Petrelli

Éveline Boucher of Centre Eugene Marquis in France on the encouraging preliminary results of her Phase II open-label study of 101 patients reported at the ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer

Michel Ducreux, Head of the GI Service at Institut Gustave Roussy, talks about the new evidence and its clinical implications, as reported in his Phase II study at the ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer.

Eric Raymond of Beaujon University Hospital in France discusses his study reported at the ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer

Interviewed at the Palm Beach Cancer Symposium, John Macdonald, Chief Medical Officer of Aptium Oncology in Los Angeles, talks about his latest data on the relevance of KRAS tumor status—i.e., whether the gene is wild-type or mutant determines the sensitivity of the tumor to anti-EGF or anti-VEGF receptor therapy. He also discusses the disappointing finding that blocking both of these proliferation pathways does not lead to improved efficacy when two targeted drugs are used in combination.

Steven Schroeder, MD, Chairman of the newly formed National Commission on Physician Payment Reform, discusses the commission’s upcoming report on how physicians are paid and what pay incentives mean to patient care—and how oncologists can contribute their thoughts. Hear his chat with OT Contributing Writer and “Practice Matters” blogger Lola Butcher.

Thomas J. Smith, MD, Professor of Oncology and Director of Palliative Care at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, explains the benefits of making palliative care part of standard oncology care for patients—and the research behind it. Hear Smith’s discussion with OT Contributing Writer and “Practice Matters” blogger Lola Butcher.

Steven Tucker, MD, a prostate cancer specialist, discusses “competitive mortality”—how understanding the other conditions in addition to cancer, like chronic disease, old age, and diabetes, that influence a patient’s risk of death improves care overall. Hear Tucker speaking with OT Contributing Writer and “Practice Matters” blogger Lola Butcher. And, read more about the new mortality-index website, ePrognosis, Tucker uses to compare geriatric prognosis indices in the full article.

Matt Brow, U.S. Oncology’s top public policy official, breaks down the details of the Medicare Shared Savings Program—the federal government’s final rule on making the accountable care organization model part of Medicare. Brow is the Vice President of Communications in Government and Relations & Public Policy for McKesson Specialty Care Solutions, the parent company of U.S. Oncology.

Reginald Williams II, an Avalere Health Director, discusses his organization’s analysis of how the oncology landscape may be the next topic of scrutiny for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Four topics may be ripe for national coverage decisions: lung and prostate cancer screenings, localized prostate cancer treatments, therapies to manage non-small-cell lung cancer, and pharmacogenomic testing for breast and colon cancers. Hear Williams’ discussion with OT Contributing Writer and “Practice Matters” blogger, Lola Butcher.

Evangelos Terpos, speaking at the European Hematology Association 2010 Congress in Barcelona, discusses his group's encouraging findings based on 10 years of experience with thalidomide, lenalidomide, and bortezomib.

Speaking at the meeting in Barcelona, Gilles Salles of the University of Lyon discusses the results showing that patients who had achieved remissions after immunochemotherapy had only half the risk of recurrence if they also received rituximab maintenance therapy for two years compared with patients who did not.

Dr. Sekeres, Director of the Leukemia Program at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute and Chair of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee, discusses his particular research interests of myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myelogenous leukemia, including the overlaps between the two in older adults, new opportunities to better define MDS epidemiologically in the US, and new treatment approaches.

Dr. Govindan, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Thoracic Medical Oncology Program at Washington University Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, elaborates on his article in the April 10 issue about the promise and excitement of the new advances in technology that are now making possible a “panoramic view of the rugged genomic landscape of the cancer cell,” transforming cancer research and treatment.

Lori Pierce on breast-conserving therapy + adjuvant chemotherapy for BRCA 1 & 2 carriers; Annette Heemskerk-Gerritsen on the relationship between contralateral mastectomy & survival; and a recommendation by Ajay Sahu for a "cooling off" period for low-risk patients thinking of having prophylactic contralateral mastectomy.

Hatem Azim on how pregnancy after breast cancer is safe and possibly protective; Angela Ives on why recent -- but not current -- pregnancy worsens breast cancer prognosis; and Sibylle Loibl on how chemotherapy is not generally hazardous to the fetus. Martine Piccart adds commentary & perspective.

Cornelis van de Velde at ECCO15-ESMO34 on the largest comparison of an aromatase inhibitor with tamoxifen as initial adjuvant therapy for patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer--analysis of results from the TEAM (Tamoxifen Exemestane Adjuvant Multinational) study reported at ECCO15-ESMO34.

John Burn talking at ECCO15-ESMO34 in Berlin about his international study showing that aspirin prevented the development of Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colon Cancer in people genetically at risk for the disease.

Richard Sullivan at ECCO15-ESMO34 on the need for research that is more “trans-national” and funded globally to shift priorities to prevention, surgical innovation and technological development, and creative, “outward branching” thinking. The need, he says, is not just for more investment but for a radical change in thinking and culture.

Mieke Van Hemelrijck at ECCO15-ESMO34 on findings that cardiovascular mortality from heart failure and arrhythmia in addition to ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction increased among patients treated with endocrine therapy—of whatever type—for their prostate cancer.

Lowell E. Schnipper, MD, Chair of ASCO’s Cost of Care Taskforce and Chief of Hematology/Oncology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, explains which procedures made ASCO’s “Top Five” list of unnecessary oncology services—part of the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation’s “Choosing Wisely” campaign. Hear his discussion with OT Contributing Writer and “Practice Matters” blogger Lola Butcher.

Clifford A. Hudis, MD, Chief of the Breast Cancer Medicine Service of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and ASCO’s 2012-2013 President-Elect, explains why face-to-face networking and in-person meetings are important to oncology research, despite faster ways of information sharing. Hear what he told OT Assistant Editor Sarah DiGiulio.

Thomas L. Whittaker, MD, Immediate Past President of the Association of Community Cancer Centers, explains the implications of survey results that show most oncologists expect to be practicing in an oncology medical home or accountable care org within the next five years. Hear his discussion with OT Contributing Writer and “Practice Matters” blogger Lola Butcher.

William Breitbart, MD, Acting Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, explains how a cancer experience can change an individual’s sense of meaning and identity—and the psychotherapy intervention programs he developed. Hear his discussion with OT Assistant Editor Sarah DiGiulio.

Mikkael A. Sekeres, MD, MS—who’s co-chairing the unique initiative to bolster research for the rare disease—explains what’s on the agenda and who’s involved. Hear what he told OT about the $16-million, five-year plan.

Patricia A. Ganz, MD, explains why implementing standards for survivorship care is just as important as other patient education efforts on the cancer care trajectory. Hear what Ganz, coauthor of the IOM’s landmark Survivorship Report, told OT.

George W. Sledge, Jr., MD—a CancerLinQ Advisory Group member—explains how the rapid learning system will affect day-to-day oncology. Listen to what Sledge told OT Contributing Writer and “Practice Matters” blogger Lola Butcher.

Richard L. Schilsky, MD—who’s led ASCO’s charge in urging Congress to take notice of the increasing scarcities of needed cancer drugs—discusses the three big ways the shortages affect the cancer care community. Hear what Schilsky, now ASCO’s Chief Medical Officer, told OT.

In his recurring Oncology Times column “Straight Talk: Today's Cancer Centers,” Brian J. Bolwell, MD dispenses wisdom on how to be a better leader. In this episode, Dr. Bolwell revisits his column “Moments,” and discusses how to foster vulnerability, create psychological safety on a team, and embrace joy.

Liam Holt, PhD, speaks in analogies when describing his work focusing on compression of cancer cells and how it affects their behavior and evolution at his lab at the Institute for Systems Genetics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. The assistant professor in the Department Of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology aims to characterize how compression of cells causes genome instability specifically in pancreatic cancer.

Oncology Times sits down with Brian J. Bolwell, MD, the Chairman of the Taussig Cancer Institute and Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner School of Medicine. In his recurring Oncology Times column Straight Talk: Today's Cancer Centers, Dr. Bolwell dispenses wisdom on how to be a better leader. In this episode, Dr. Bolwell discusses the art of forgiveness; including how to let it go when there is conflict and breach of trust.

Looking for insights on leadership? Listen to Brian J. Bolwell, MD, FACP, Chairman of the Taussig Cancer Institute and Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner School of Medicine, discuss his own leadership journey and lessons learned.

Naveen Pemmaraju, MD, discusses the therapeutic landscape of ultra-rare cancers as well as the importance of ongoing research in these patient populations. Additionally, he shares his own passion for this area of study and how it has shaped his career.

Muzaffar H. Qazilbash, MD, from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, discusses what he loves about hematology/oncology, including patient interactions and lifelong learning.

HemOnc Times Editorial Advisory Board Member Margaret ‘Margie’ Kasner, MD, MSCE, of Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Jefferson Health, Philadelphia, shares her passion for the field of hematology/oncology as well as one of her most memorable patient experiences.

Find out what intrigued HemOnc Times Editorial Advisory Board Member Pamela Crilley, DO, Cancer Treatment Center of America, Philadelphia, about working in hematology/oncology and why she is passionate about the profession.