Project Oncology®

Guest: Gal Shafirstein, D.Sc.

In this segment, Dr. Shafirstein describes photodynamic therapy and how it is administered. He also discusses when to consider PDT in lung cancer and being aware of the future application of PDT in head and neck cancer. This activity is part of a series of in-depth discussions with oncology thought leaders from the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York targeting primary care and family physicians. This series was made possible through the generous support of BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York.

Guest: Amy Allen Case, MD, FAAHPM

In this segment, Dr. Case describes supportive and palliative care and how that differs from hospice/end-of life care. This activity is part of a series of in-depth discussions with oncology thought leaders from the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York targeting primary care and family physicians. This series was made possible through the generous support of BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York.

Guest: Vishala Neppalli, MD

In this segment, Dr. Vishala Neppalli discusses the importance of a peripheral blood smear review in addition to the clues obtained from both “Red Cell” morphology and “White Blood Cell” morphology and counts. This activity is part of a series of in-depth discussions with oncology thought leaders from the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York targeting primary care and family physicians. This series was made possible through the generous support of BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York.

What is hereditary cancer and why is genetic testing important to understand a patient's risk? Cancer is complex and has many causes. Most cancers are sporadic, but about 10 to 15 percent of certain cancers are due to harmful genetic changes called mutations that are passed down through families. Learning whether your patient is at risk for hereditary cancer can help you as a healthcare provider to develop a screening and prevention plan that may help identify cancer at an earlier stage. Because men and women with mutations have a 50% chance of passing their mutation to each of their children, learning about hereditary cancer risk is not only important for your patient, but also their family members. Learn more about Color’s Hereditary Cancer Test and the unique program it offers, including complimentary access to genetic counselors. Learn more about how Color is working with healthcare providers to bring affordable, accessible, and actionable genetic testing to patients at color.com/providers/contact.

Host: Prathima Setty, MD

Guest: Mitchell Cairo, MD

The goal of this program is to increase the knowledge and understanding of healthcare providers involved in the care of cancer patients at risk for tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). This interview with renowned expert, Dr. Mitchell Cairo, will focus on a comprehensive TLS risk classification system developed by an international TLS expert consensus panel. TLS is a potentially serious and life-threatening consequence of the successful treatment of various malignancies resulting from massive tumor cell lysis. The best way to manage this condition is through prevention, however the risk for TLS is often underestimated by many clinicians. TLS usually occurs in rapidly proliferating hematologic cancers, however with new advances seen in cancer treatment on a regular basis, the incidence of TLS may increase and may also arise in a broader spectrum of malignancies. As a result, clinicians will likely see an increased number of cancer patients presenting with TLS in their practice. This oncologic emergency requires immediate intervention. As TLS is potentially fatal if not recognized and promptly treated, it is essential to identify patients at risk. Prevention of TLS depends on heightened awareness, accurate assessment of risk factors, and risk-based management. This expert interview is accompanied by a downloadable clinical ...

Host: Shira Johnson, MD

Guest: Robert Vonderheide, MD

For years, the foundations of cancer treatment, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy were utilized with the objective of weakening cancer.

But over the past several years, immunotherapy – therapies that enlist and strengthen the power of a patient’s immune system to attack tumors - has emerged as a new tool for fighting cancer. In August 2017, one such treatment approach, called Chimeric Antigen Receptor or CAR T-cell Therapy, received FDA approval for the treatment of children and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Additionally, research is continuing to look at CAR-T therapy’s effectiveness for treating solid tumors as well.

Host Dr. Shira Johnson sits down with Dr. Robert Vonderheide, Director of the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania and the John H. Glick, MD, Abramson Cancer Center Director’s Professor, to talk about the potential of CAR-T therapy alongside other emerging immunotherapies in fighting cancer.

Guest: Parameswaran Hari, MD

Guest: Nina Shah, MD

In the age of immunomodulatory agents, proteasome inhibitors, and other novel agents for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), the role of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has become an area of debate. Whereas most oncologists recognize a role for ASCT in the up-front treatment of MM, this view is not universally shared, particularly when it comes to treating younger patients with MM (<65 years old). Comorbidities were cited in a recent survey of perceptions and practices of oncologists and transplant specialists as the most frequent reason younger patients with a clinical indication for ASCT would not be referred to a transplant specialist. Although advanced age and comorbidities can limit eligibility for ASCT, these concerns are not absolute contraindications for ASCT. The use of plerixafor and captisol-enabled melphalan are advancing the limits of what can be achieved by ASCT in patients with MM. This activity is a web-based, on-demand activity, featuring an expert panel discussion. This activity is designed as a forum for the debate and evaluation of the most recent clinical data, and to provide evidence-based updates and expert insights on the discussion points to translate current and emerging evidence into real-world clinical practice. Prior to beginning Part ...

Guest: Parameswaran Hari, MD

Guest: Nina Shah, MD

In the age of immunomodulatory agents, proteasome inhibitors, and other novel agents for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), the role of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has become an area of debate. Whereas most oncologists recognize a role for ASCT in the up-front treatment of MM, this view is not universally shared, particularly when it comes to treating younger patients with MM (<65 years old). Comorbidities were cited in a recent survey of perceptions and practices of oncologists and transplant specialists as the most frequent reason younger patients with a clinical indication for ASCT would not be referred to a transplant specialist. Although advanced age and comorbidities can limit eligibility for ASCT, these concerns are not absolute contraindications for ASCT. The use of plerixafor and captisol-enabled melphalan are advancing the limits of what can be achieved by ASCT in patients with MM. This activity is a web-based, on-demand activity, featuring an expert panel discussion. This activity is designed as a forum for the debate and evaluation of the most recent clinical data, and to provide evidence-based updates and expert insights on the discussion points to translate current and emerging evidence into real-world clinical practice. After finishing Part 1 ...

Host: John Russell, MD

Guest: Harish Lavu, MD

Pancreatic cancer is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States by 2020. This is due, in large part, to its insidious onset and subtle presentation even at late stages, many symptoms of which are often attributed to common and less serious conditions in aging populations.

Dr. Harish Lavu, Head of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery at Jefferson University, talks with host Dr. John Russell about the diagnostic and therapeutic priorities addressing pancreatic cancer, and why this disease is so hard to detect.

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD

Guest: Douglas W. Blayney, MD, FACP

Severe neutropenia is a dangerous potential complication of myelosuppressive chemotherapy, which exposes patients to high risks of infections and can result in death. Dr. Douglas W. Blayney, oncologist and Professor of Medicine at the Cancer Institute of Stanford University School of Medicine, joins host Dr. Matt Birnholz, to discuss a phase 2 of 3 clinical research trial, which is investigating the role of plinabulin for reducing the duration of severe neutropenia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. BeyondSpring is currently identifying sites for enrollment in the Phase 3 clinical trials. These trials are intended for patients who have failed one or more prior treatment regiments including chemotherapy or immunotherapy for advanced (Stage IIIB) or metastatic disease (Stage IV). To inquire about site enrollment, please contact BeyondSpring Pharmaceuticals at [email protected].