Project Oncology®

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Guest: Michael Lim, MD

Despite significant progress in the treatment for glioblastoma multiforme, or GBM, patient outcomes have failed to see a drastic improvement. Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promise in treating patients with GBM in cases where conventional treatment options have failed. The rapid progression of GBM necessitates timely and well-informed decisions made on the part of the clinician. This activity will provide the participant with up-to-date evidence regarding the immune system of patients with GBM as well as ongoing and recent clinical data regarding immune checkpoint inhibitors as treatment options. Selected References Andtbacka RH et al. J Clin Oncol. 2015;33:2780-2788. Robert C et al. Lancet. 2014;384:1109-1117. Fecci PE et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2007;13:2158-2167. Garber ST et al. Neuro-Oncology. 2016;18:1357-1366. Hodi FS et al. N Engl J Med. 2010;363:711-723. Jiang et al. Nat Med. 2016;22:851-860. Kantoff. N Engl J Med. 2010;363:411. Kim et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2017;23:124-136. Pardoll DM. Nat Rev Cancer. 2012;12:252-264. Weber J. Semin Oncol. 2010;37:430-439. Zaretsky JM et al. N Engl J Med. 2016;375:819-829. Zeng J et al. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2013;86:343-349.

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD

Guest: Ari Brooks, MD

Guest: Brian Englander, MD

Host Dr. Matt Birnholz is joined by Dr. Ari Brooks, Director of Endocrine and Oncology Surgery and Director of the Integrated Breast Center at Pennsylvania Hospital, and Dr. Brian Englander, Clinical Assistant Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiology at Pennsylvania Hospital. Drs. Brooks and Englander discuss the hot topics within breast cancer innovations. They touch upon the increase in involvement of genetics and genomic research that is impacting breast cancer treatment options, new breast imaging modalities, and continuity of care.

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD

Guest: Taine Pechet, MD

Dr. Taine Pechet, chief of surgery at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and associate professor of clinical surgery at Penn Medicine joins host Dr. Matt Birnholz to discuss his thoughts on who should be regularly screen for lung cancer and the various diagnostic techniques from his perspective as a thoracic surgeon. Dr. Pechet also discusses the surgical outcomes for these patient and his thoughts on what is on the horizon for the lung cancer field.

Guest: John Kirkpatrick, MD, PhD

Guest: John Sampson, MD, PhD, MHSC, MBA

CME Information FacultyJohn Kirkpatrick, MD, PhD Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology and SurgeryDuke University Health System Durham, NC John Sampson, MD, PhD, MHSC, MBARobert H. Wilkins and Gloria Wilkins Professor of NeurosurgeryChair, Department of NeurosurgeryDuke University Health System Durham, NC Activity PlannersMeghan Coulehan, MPHManager, Educational Strategy and ContentMed-IQBaltimore, MD Amy SisonDirector of Continuing Medical EducationMed-IQBaltimore, MD Activity OverviewIn this engaging discussion-based Webcast, two prominent Duke oncology clinicians—a neurosurgeon and a radiation oncologist—explain the currently available options and clinical guidelines for treating brain metastases. The benefits, limitations, and indications for surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, and whole-brain radiation therapy are reviewed, as well as patient characteristics that factor into treatment selection. Learning ObjectivesUpon completion, participants should be able to: Understand the benefits, limitations, and indications for use of radiosurgery, neurosurgery, and whole-brain radiation therapy for brain metastases Discuss the role of combination and adjuvant therapies in the treatment of metastatic disease Explain the individual patient- and disease-related factors that should be considered when planning treatment for brain metastases Target AudienceThis activity is intended primarily for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and pharmacists. Statement of NeedMore than 250,000 cases of brain metastasis are diagnosed annually, and metastasis occurs in 20% to 40% of ...

Guest: Sanziana Roman, MD, FACS

CME Information FacultySanziana Roman, MD, FACSProfessor of SurgerySection of Endocrine SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryAssociate Chief, Division of Advanced Oncologic and GI SurgeryDuke University Medical CenterDurham, NC Activity PlannersChristie Avraamides, PhDClinical Content ManagerMed-IQBaltimore, MD Rebecca L. Julian, MS, ELSSenior Managing EditorMed-IQBaltimore, MD Amy SisonDirector of Continuing Medical EducationMed-IQBaltimore, MD WriterKatherine A. KahnHuntington, MA Activity OverviewThis online CME publication reviews proper evaluation and diagnostic strategies in patients presenting with potentially malignant thyroid nodules. Recommended approaches to treatment, postsurgical management, and follow-up care of patients with thyroid cancer are also discussed. Learning ObjectivesUpon completion, participants should be able to: Explain the diagnostic strategies and proper evaluation in patients presenting with thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer Discuss the recent advances in surgical and targeted treatment approaches for thyroid cancer Target AudienceThis activity is intended for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and pharmacists. Statement of NeedThyroid nodules are a common finding in clinical practice. Although the majority of nodules are benign, determining whether a nodule is benign or malignant can be challenging. Clinicians must understand the appropriate steps in evaluating nodules, know when to refer, and be up-to-date on treatment approaches available to patients with thyroid cancer. This publication will help clinicians navigate the challenges ...

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO

Guest: Edward B. Garon, MD, MS

Based on CDC data, lung cancer represents 13% of all cancers diagnosed worldwide, and 19% of all cancer deaths. With almost 225,000 cases and more than 158,000 deaths anticipated in 2016 in the United States alone, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality. Non-small cell lung cancer represents approximately 85% of those cases, which makes the need to better identify and treat this disease a critical need. Join us as Dr. Caudle and Dr. Garon review data on non-small cell lung cancer presented at the 17th annual World Conference on Lung Cancer held in Vienna, Austria.

Guest: Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD

The complexity of managing squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) requires a multidisciplinary team. Support and services for the treatment of patients with SCCHN may include nutritional support, speech and swallowing therapy, and dental care, among others. Additionally, the American Cancer Society published new guidelines for head and neck cancer survivorship care in March 2016. Standard treatments for SCCHN include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. These options have shown to be very effective and safe; however, because SCCHN is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, with a poor prognosis, new treatment options are needed. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in more than 90% of cases of SCCHN, which has led to the development of EGFR inhibitors, such as cetuximab. Newer data regarding novel/new uses of cetuximab for SCCHN have been reported. In August 2016, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to pembrolizumab, a checkpoint inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic SCCHN with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. In November 2016, the FDA approved nivolumab for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic SCCHN with disease progression on or after a platinum-based therapy. In addition, ...

Host: Barnett Mennen, MD

Guest: Meenhard Herlyn, DVM, DSc

Melanomas are among the most genetically abnormal malignancies with hundreds or even thousands of mutations. In this activity, Dr. Meenhard Herlyn discusses updates on resistance from the 13th International Congress of the Society for Melanoma Research that took place recently in Boston, Massachusetts. Topics include, therapy strategies that benefit from many mutations, how melanomas adapt to growth outside of the human host, and their response to MAPK inhibitors. He will also discuss tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance and why checkpoint inhibitors and kinase inhibitors are ideal for combination therapies.

Host: Barnett Mennen, MD

Guest: Michael Postow, MD

Immunotherapy, notably overcoming checkpoint inhibition, has become an integral part of treatment for melanoma, if not a growing list of other cancers. In this activity, Dr. Michael Postow discusses major updates on the use of immunotherapy in melanoma as presented at the 13th International Congress of the Society for Melanoma Research that took place recently in Boston, Massachusetts. Topics include the general mechanistic principles behind immune checkpoint blockade in the treatment of metastatic melanoma; the current landscape of immune checkpoint inhibitors; and considerations for single agent vs. combination immunotherapy. Additionally, Dr. Postow will address the current value of immunotherapy biomarkers in patient selection and the independent and/or combined roles of immunotherapy and targeted therapy in the treatment of melanoma.

Host: Eileen M. O'Reilly, MD

Guest: Philip A. Philip, MD, PhD, FRCP, FABC

Pancreatic cancer is one of the common malignancies and one of the most lethal malignancies in the United States today. Currently treatment options are somewhat limited and often result in poor survival rates. Join us as Dr. Philip discusses the currently available and emerging frontline and second-line therapies for patients with advanced and metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.