Project Oncology®

The treatment landscape for large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) is rapidly evolving due to the growing integration of bispecific antibodies into second-line care. While these agents offer promising, targeted options—not only for patients ineligible for CAR T-cell therapy, but also as complementary strategies in combination with chemoimmunotherapy—they raise important questions around sequencing, durability, and patient selection. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to explore the real-world implications of this evolving approach is Dr. Samuel Yamshon, Director of the Cellular Therapy Service and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York.

CAR T-cell therapies have helped transform the treatment of aggressive lymphomas, but could they also change the game for slower-growing, harder-to-treat diseases like marginal zone lymphoma? Based on new data from the TRANSCEND FL study, liso-cel achieved a 95 percent overall response rate and sustained 24-month progression-free survival in relapsed/refractory marginal zone lymphoma. Here with Dr. Charles Turck to share the key efficacy and safety findings is Dr. Sairah Ahmed, Professor in the Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma and CAR T Program Director at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Current cancer screening guidelines cover just five cancers—breast, lung, colon, prostate, and cervical—leaving many aggressive cancers undetected until later stages. But multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing is reshaping the landscape with blood-based analyses of cell-free DNA and methylation patterns to identify potential cancers earlier than traditional imaging. Designed for the general population over age 50, MCED testing complements rather than replaces standard screenings, helping detect cancers at stages when treatment is most effective. Joining Dr. Jennifer Caudle to share practical strategies for integrating MCED into clinical workflows, addressing misconceptions, and streamlining follow-up protocols is Dr. Patrick McGill, board-certified family physician and Executive Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer at Community Health Network in Indianapolis.

As CAR T-cell therapy advances, so does the complexity of adverse event monitoring. Due to evolving insights into acute toxicities, infections, cytopenias, and secondary malignancies, both inpatient and outpatient care models are adapting to meet new standards. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to discuss practical strategies and emerging tools for managing post-CAR T toxicities across the continuum of care is Dr. Evandro Bezerra, Clinical Assistant Professor at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center in Columbus.

As CAR T-cell therapy advances, so does the complexity of adverse event monitoring. Due to evolving insights into acute toxicities, infections, cytopenias, and secondary malignancies, both inpatient and outpatient care models are adapting to meet new standards. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to discuss practical strategies and emerging tools for managing post-CAR T toxicities across the continuum of care is Dr. Evandro Bezerra, Clinical Assistant Professor at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center in Columbus.

Given its ability to identify universal cancer signals across multiple tumor types, multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing is emerging as a promising tool to complement traditional, single-cancer screening methods. Joining Dr. Brian McDonough to share practical strategies for introducing MCED testing into clinical workflows and enhancing patient engagement is Dr. Mylynda Massart. Not only is she an Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, but she's also the Founder and Medical Director of the Primary Care Precision Medicine Clinic and Associate Director of Clinical Services for the Institute for Precision Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Traditional cancer screening has always focused on individual organs, but now, multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests are changing that paradigm. By analyzing multiple biomarkers through a single blood draw, MCED testing can detect signals from a variety of cancers—many of which currently lack effective screening tools. These multi-biomarker approaches not only outperform single-marker tests, but also demonstrate scientific rigor and clinical utility. Still, challenges remain, including false positives and integration with standard screening protocols. Joining Dr. Brian McDonough to explore the rationale for using a multi-biomarker approach to MCED testing is Dr. Marie Wood, Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Medical Director of the Hereditary Cancer Program at the CU Cancer Center.

For patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma, timely access to CAR T-cell therapy can be life-saving, but communication gaps between referring physicians and CAR T centers can lead to delays or missed opportunities. Fortunately, practical strategies like building strong referral networks, improving direct communication, and aligning on shared care responsibilities can streamline access and improve outcomes. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to share their insights on how we can bridge these communication gaps are Drs. Forat Lutfi and Nilanjan Ghosh. Dr. Lutfi is an Assistant Professor of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics at University of Kansas Medical Center, and Dr. Ghosh is a Professor of Cancer Medicine at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Charlotte, North Carolina.

With one in three eligible Americans still unscreened for colorectal cancer (CRC), there’s an urgent need for noninvasive and affordable alternatives to colonoscopy. A 2025 study published in ACS Sensors introduces a novel aptamer-based colorimetric assay that targets Parvimonas micra—a gut microbe linked to CRC. To learn more, Mr. Ryan Quigley speaks with Drs. Hallie Blevins and Mimi Maeusli about how this technology works, what sets it apart from current testing methods, and why it could play a role in improving early CRC detection.

Reference:

Feng S, Zhang P, Chen H, et al. Au@Fe3O4 nanoparticle-based colorimetric aptasensor for noninvasive screening of colorectal cancer via detection of Parvimonas micra. ACS Sens. 2025;10(2):1053-1062.

Functional precision medicine is reshaping oncology by integrating real-time drug testing, genomic data, and artificial intelligence to guide individualized treatment. Dr. Matt Birnholz sits down with Jim Foote, CEO of First Ascent Biomedical, to explore how this approach delivers clinically actionable insights for relapsed and resistant cancer and empowers oncologists with faster, more targeted decision making.