FLASCO OncoPod

In this episode of the FLASCO OncoPod, host Dr. Edgardo Santos, President of the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO), leads a multidisciplinary discussion on the evolving role of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in precision oncology. Joined by Dr. Lamees Saeed (Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute), Dr. Jesus Fabregas (Memorial Cancer Institute), Dr. Ana Sandoval (Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute at Baptist Health South Florida), and Dr. Nathalie McKenzie (AdventHealth Cancer Institute), the panel explores how IHC has evolved from a diagnostic tool into a critical component of biomarker-driven treatment selection.

The conversation highlights how IHC is shaping clinical decision-making across breast, gastrointestinal, gynecologic, and thoracic cancers, with experts discussing reflex testing, tissue stewardship, workflow between pathology and oncology, and the growing importance of predictive biomarkers such as HER2, PD-L1, mismatch repair (MMR), Claudin 18.2, and hormone receptors. Panelists also share practical insights on when IHC provides the greatest clinical value, how testing protocols have adapted alongside emerging therapies, and why strong communication between clinicians and pathologists is essential for delivering timely, personalized cancer care.

This podcast is being sponsored by Daiichi Sankyo.

The treatment landscape for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has transformed dramatically over the past decade, creating new opportunities and new questions for clinicians managing this increasingly complex disease. In this episode of the FLASCO OncoPod, FLASCO President Edgardo Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO, sits down with renowned CLL expert Javier Pinilla-Ibarz, MD, PhD, of Moffitt Cancer Center to discuss how advances in targeted therapies are reshaping treatment decisions across the CLL continuum.

Together, they explore the evolution of CLL care from chemoimmunotherapy to modern treatment approaches centered around BTK inhibitors, BCL2 inhibitors, and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies. The conversation examines how molecular and genetic risk factors, including IGHV mutation status, TP53 abnormalities, and cytogenetic findings, influence first-line treatment selection and long-term management strategies.

Dr. Pinilla-Ibarz shares practical insights into the ongoing debate between fixed-duration combination regimens and continuous therapy approaches, highlighting the benefits, limitations, and patient-specific considerations that guide real-world clinical decision-making. The discussion also covers measurable residual disease (MRD), emerging MRD-guided treatment strategies, management of high-risk disease, sequencing therapies after relapse, and the growing role of next-generation BTK inhibitors.

Looking ahead, the episode explores promising therapies on the horizon, including novel BTK degraders, next-generation BCL2 inhibitors, cellular therapies, and other innovative approaches that may further improve outcomes for patients living with CLL.

Whether you are a hematologist, oncologist, advanced practice provider, or healthcare professional interested in the latest developments in blood cancers, this episode offers a comprehensive and clinically relevant update on where CLL treatment stands today and where the field is headed next.

Join Scott E. Jordan, MD, FACOG, gynecologic oncologist at Broward Health, as he breaks down the most important endometrial cancer updates presented at the 2026 Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Annual Meeting.

In this episode, Dr. Jordan reviews promising new therapies, including emerging antibody-drug conjugates and novel hormonal treatment combinations, highlights exciting clinical trial results, and discusses long-term follow-up data from the practice-changing RUBY trial.

From breakthrough research to upcoming Phase III studies that may shape the future standard of care, this conversation provides oncology professionals with key insights into the rapidly evolving treatment landscape for advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer.

What does it take to successfully navigate the business of oncology while continuing to deliver exceptional patient care?

In this episode of the FLASCO OncoPod, Dr. Robin Zon joins Dr. Jorge Garcia for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, advocacy, and the launch of ASCO Edge, a new educational resource designed to help oncology professionals better understand the operational and business side of cancer care.

Dr. Zon reflects on her professional journey from community oncology practice to serving as President of ASCO, sharing how early experiences shaped her passion for empowering clinicians with the tools needed to manage practices, navigate evolving healthcare systems, and advocate for both patients and providers.

Together, they explore:

• The inspiration behind ASCO Edge

• Why business education matters in oncology

• Challenges facing modern cancer care delivery

• How oncology professionals can strengthen operational knowledge

• The importance of state societies and collaborative advocacy

• What clinicians, pharmacists, APPs, fellows, and practice leaders can gain from the platform

Designed by oncology professionals for oncology professionals, ASCO Edge offers practical, on-demand learning modules focused on real-world scenarios impacting cancer care today.

Learn more about FLASCO and upcoming educational initiatives at FLASCO.org

Get started with ASCO Edge today at https://www.asco.org/meetings-education/training-programs/asco-edge

#FLASCO #Oncology #ASCO #CancerCare #CommunityOncology #HealthcareLeadership #MedicalEducation #OncoPod #OncologyPodcast #PracticeManagement #CancerResearch #OncologyProfessionals

In this final episode of the FLASCO OncoPod series, Drs. Jaglal, Fu, and Shahzad shift focus to the long-term management of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in oncology patients.

Building on the diagnostic and acute management discussions from earlier segments, the panel explores key considerations that guide care beyond the initial presentation. Topics include the role of genetic and complement testing, how to interpret mutation findings, and the factors that influence decisions around the duration of complement inhibition therapy.

Through real-world insights, the discussion highlights the complexity of identifying underlying triggers, including drug exposure and infection, and the importance of clinical judgment when determining whether and when treatment can be safely discontinued. The panel also addresses practical challenges, from variability in testing access to navigating uncertainty in cases without clear pathogenic mutations.

Listen as the experts walk through how thoughtful, individualized decision-making can support recovery, preserve renal function, and optimize long-term outcomes for patients with aHUS.

In this episode of the FLASCO OncoPod, Drs. Jaglal, Fu, and Shahzad explore the real-world challenges of managing suspected thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in oncology patients.

Building on a complex multiple myeloma case introduced in Part 1, this segment focuses on acute decision-making in the hospital setting. The discussion highlights how to differentiate thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) from atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), when to initiate plasma exchange, and how clinicians approach complement inhibition in time-sensitive, high-stakes scenarios.

Through expert insights and practical considerations, the panel walks through key diagnostic clues including peripheral smear findings, LDH elevation, and clinical presentation, while also addressing the realities of delayed lab results, treatment access, and institutional protocols.

Listen in as they unpack how to act quickly, think critically, and navigate uncertainty to optimize outcomes in patients with suspected TMA.

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in patients with malignancy or undergoing cancer-directed therapy is likely under-recognized, yet early identification can have a profound impact on patient outcomes.

In this FLASCO OncoPod roundtable, Drs. Jaglal, Fu, and Shahzad examine the clinical realities of drug-induced and malignancy-associated aHUS, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion in complex oncology cases. Through expert insight and real-world experience, they explore how subtle changes in laboratory values and clinical presentation can signal a more serious underlying process.

In this first segment, the discussion centers on when to suspect aHUS in oncology patients, guided by an illustrative case that brings the diagnostic challenge into focus. The faculty highlight key warning signs, including evolving anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal dysfunction, and underscore how timely recognition can significantly influence both renal recovery and overall patient trajectory.

Join moderator Caroline DiCristo, PharmD, Associate Medical Director – Zanidatamab of Jazz Pharmaceuticals, alongside Dr. Noman Ashraf, MD, of Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute for the final installment of the Advancing Care in GI and Biliary Tract Cancers podcast series. This episode focuses on gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA), exploring the disease state, patient management strategies, and the critical role of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) in delivering comprehensive, high-quality care.

Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma represents a complex and evolving disease spectrum, encompassing malignancies of the esophagus, gastroesophageal junction, and stomach. With rising incidence rates, particularly in Western populations, clinicians are increasingly faced with challenges related to delayed diagnosis, heterogeneous disease biology, and the need for coordinated, team-based care.

Understanding GEA Disease Presentation and Risk Factors

The discussion begins with a foundational overview of GEA, including its epidemiology and key risk factors. While historically associated with smoking and alcohol use in squamous cell carcinoma, the rise in adenocarcinoma is closely linked to obesity, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Barrett’s esophagus. Patients often present with non-specific or late-stage symptoms, such as dysphagia, weight loss, or anemia, contributing to delayed diagnosis and more advanced disease at presentation.

The Importance of Multidisciplinary Care

A central theme of the episode is the essential role of the multidisciplinary team in both diagnosis and treatment planning. From gastroenterologists performing endoscopic evaluation and biopsy, to pathologists guiding biomarker testing, and oncologists, surgeons, and radiation specialists determining treatment strategy, effective collaboration is critical. Additional support from dietitians, rehabilitation specialists, and speech therapists further underscores the complexity of managing GEA and optimizing patient outcomes.

Diagnostic Workup and Staging

The episode outlines the stepwise approach to confirming a diagnosis and staging disease, including endoscopy with biopsy, imaging with CT and PET scans, and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for local staging. Accurate staging is emphasized as the most important prognostic factor and a key determinant in guiding treatment decisions.

Biomarker-Driven Treatment in Advanced Disease

In the metastatic setting, treatment has become increasingly personalized, driven by biomarker testing. The discussion highlights the importance of assessing MSI status, HER2 expression, PD-L1 status, and Claudin 18.2 to inform therapy selection. Advances in immunotherapy and targeted treatments have significantly expanded options beyond traditional chemotherapy, allowing for more tailored and effective approaches based on individual tumor biology.

Emerging Therapies and Evolving Landscape

The episode also explores the rapidly evolving treatment landscape, including promising data from recent clinical trials evaluating HER2-targeted therapies such as zanidatamab. These emerging approaches may reshape standard of care and improve outcomes for patients.

Patient-Centered, Team-Based Decision Making

Through clinical insights and real-world perspectives, Dr. Ashraf emphasizes the importance of aligning treatment decisions with patient needs, preferences, and overall health status. Shared decision-making, supported by a coordinated care team, remains essential in navigating the complexities of GEA management.

Tune in for a comprehensive discussion on gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma and how multidisciplinary collaboration, biomarker-driven care, and emerging therapies are shaping the future of treatment in GI cancers.

Join moderator Caroline DiCristo, PharmD, Associate Medical Director – Zanidatamab of Jazz Pharmaceuticals, alongside Dr. Noman Ashraf of Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute and Dr. Umair Majeed of Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for the third installment of the Advancing Care in GI and Biliary Tract Cancers podcast series. This episode explores HER2-targeted agents in GI malignancies, with a focus on understanding their distinct mechanisms of action and how these differences influence treatment selection.

HER2 alterations are increasingly recognized across biliary tract, gastric, and colorectal cancers, with a growing number of targeted therapies available. As treatment options expand, understanding how each class of HER2-directed therapy works has become essential for optimizing patient outcomes and tailoring care based on both disease biology and individual patient factors.

Mechanisms of Action Across HER2-Targeted Therapies

The discussion highlights the key differences between major classes of HER2-targeted agents used in GI cancers:

• Monoclonal Antibodies: Agents such as trastuzumab and pertuzumab bind to HER2 receptors and inhibit downstream signaling pathways.
• Bispecific Antibodies: Novel therapies like zanidatamab target two distinct HER2 epitopes, enhancing receptor binding and immune-mediated activity.
• Antibody–Drug Conjugates (ADCs): These agents deliver cytotoxic payloads directly to HER2-expressing cells, combining targeted therapy with chemotherapy-like effects.
• Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs): Oral agents that block intracellular HER2 signaling and offer an alternative mechanism with distinct toxicity profiles.

Clinical Considerations in Therapy Selection

Dr. Ashraf and Dr. Majeed emphasize that selecting the appropriate HER2-directed therapy requires careful consideration of multiple factors, including prior treatment exposure, comorbidities, and patient preferences. Cardiac function, pulmonary health, and tolerance to prior chemotherapy all play a role in determining the most suitable option. Additionally, differences in side effect profiles across drug classes, such as cytopenias, diarrhea, and interstitial lung disease, must be carefully weighed.

Patient-Centered Decision Making

Through real-world case examples, the discussion underscores the importance of incorporating patient preferences into treatment planning. Whether prioritizing quality of life, minimizing specific toxicities, or avoiding chemotherapy-related side effects, shared decision-making remains central to optimizing outcomes in HER2-positive GI cancers.

Evolving Treatment Landscape

As more HER2-targeted therapies receive approvals and guideline recommendations, clinicians are faced with increasing complexity in sequencing and selecting treatments. While data on optimal sequencing strategies remain limited, ongoing research and insights from other tumor types may help inform future approaches.

Tune in for an in-depth discussion on HER2-targeted therapies in GI cancers and how a deeper understanding of mechanisms of action can guide more personalized, effective treatment strategies for patients.

Join moderator Caroline DiCristo, PharmD, Associate Medical Director – Zanidatamab of Jazz Pharmaceuticals, alongside Dr. Paresh Patel and Dr. Masoumeh Ghayouri for the second installment of the Advancing Care in GI and Biliary Tract Cancers podcast series. This episode focuses on HER2 testing in biliary tract cancers (BTC) and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA), two GI malignancies where HER2 overexpression is increasingly recognized as an important biomarker for targeted therapy.

HER2 has long been a key therapeutic target in breast cancer, but research now shows that HER2 overexpression occurs in up to 30 percent of biliary tract cancers and approximately 20 percent of gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas. As targeted treatment options expand, identifying HER2 status has become a critical step in guiding treatment decisions for patients with advanced disease.

Testing Methods and Timing

The discussion explores current guideline recommendations for HER2 testing and the importance of evaluating HER2 status early in the disease course for patients with advanced or metastatic BTC and GEA. Experts review the primary diagnostic methods used to determine HER2 expression:

• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): A first-line test that evaluates HER2 protein overexpression in tumor cells. • Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH): Used to confirm HER2 gene amplification when IHC results are equivocal. • Next Generation Sequencing (NGS): A broader molecular profiling approach that can detect HER2 amplification along with additional actionable mutations.

Challenges in GI HER2 Testing

The episode also highlights several practical challenges associated with HER2 testing in GI malignancies. Tumor heterogeneity can lead to variation in HER2 expression between biopsy samples, making accurate tissue sampling and interpretation essential. Additionally, GI cancers follow distinct HER2 scoring guidelines compared with breast cancer, requiring specialized pathology expertise to ensure proper classification.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Dr. Patel and Dr. Ghayouri emphasize the importance of close collaboration between oncologists and pathologists when interpreting HER2 test results and determining appropriate treatment strategies. Communication between specialties, including tumor board discussions and repeat biopsies when necessary, helps ensure patients receive the most accurate diagnosis and access to targeted therapies when appropriate.

Tune in for a discussion on the growing role of HER2 testing in GI cancers and how precision diagnostics and multidisciplinary care are shaping the future of treatment for patients with biliary tract cancers and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.