Various immunotherapies including checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as effective treatment options for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Immune checkpoints proteins such as PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA-4 have become promising targets, as they have an immunosuppressive function and are overexpressed in certain cancers. Several checkpoint inhibitors have already received FDA approval including nivolumab and ipilimumab, and ongoing research is being conduced to assess novel therapies and combination regimens.

In this podcast, Heather Wakelee, MD, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, David Spigel, MD, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, TN, and Bruna Pellini, MD, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL discuss results from the IMpower010 trial (NCT02486718), which assessed the anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody atezolizumab in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as the PACIFIC trial (NCT02125461), which investigated durvalumab in unresectable stage III NSCLC. The evolving field of checkpoint inhibitors in NSCLC and combining checkpoint inhibitors with cell therapies are also discussed. This interview took place at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Virtual Meeting 2021.

Whilst advances in diagnostic procedures, radiotherapies, cisplatin-based chemotherapy, and surgery have meant that testicular cancer is curable in around 95% of cases, the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy can significantly impact quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes for patients treated for testicular cancer in both the short and long term. Currently, much research is investigating how novel approaches to treatment and monitoring can be used and incorporated to improve QoL outcomes for patients treated for testicular cancer.

In this podcast, Tahlita Zuiverloon, MD, PhD, of the Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Peter Albers, MD, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany; and Matthew Murray, MB, BChir, PhD, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, discuss key updates in the field of testicular cancer, as presented at the 2021 European Association of Urology (EAU) Virtual Meeting, including research on the use of MRI versus CT, surgery in metastatic disease and microRNA biomarkers.

The ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer (WCGIC) 2021 annual meeting took place virtually this year and leading experts came together to present on the most recent developments in GI cancer.

In this podcast, Paolo Manca, MD, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori Milano, Milano, Italy, Yelena Janjigian, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, and Dan Aderka, MD, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, discuss results from the VALENTINO (NCT02476045), KEYNOTE-811 (NCT03615326), and BEACON-CRC (NCT02928224) trials. Both the VALENTINO and KEYNOTE-811 trials investigated the use of monoclonal antibodies with chemotherapy in colorectal and gastric cancer respectively, whereas the BEACON-CRC trial assessed the effects of first-line bevacizumab in BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer.

This interview took place at the virtual ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer (WCGIC) 2021 annual meeting.

Metastatic breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread to other regions of the body, most commonly the liver, brain, bones, or lungs. Cancer cells migrate from the original tumor site in the breast and travel to other regions in the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Although significant developments have been made in the treatment options available for patients with metastatic breast cancer, the occurrence of brain metastases remains a substantial clinical challenge.

The incidence and prognosis of patients with brain metastases related to breast cancer varies by subtype. Triple negative disease has the highest rates, occurring in as many as 46% of cancers, compared to 35% and 14% in HER2-positive and hormone receptor positive disease, respectfully. Brain metastases are not only associated with poor prognosis, but can also cause neurological defects, through their effect on the cognitive and sensory functions of the brain.

In this exclusive podcast, Erika Hamilton, of the Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Tennessee Oncology, Nashville, TN; Guy Jerusalem of the University of Liège, Belgium; Erica Michelle Stringer-Reasor, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL; and Gaio Griguolo, of the Veneto Institute of Oncology, Padova, Italy, discuss the latest updates in metastatic breast cancer treatment.

Metastatic breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread to other regions of the body, most commonly the liver, brain, bones, or lungs. Although significant developments have been made in the treatment options available for patients with metastatic breast cancer, the occurrence of brain metastases remains a substantial clinical challenge.

The incidence and prognosis of patients with brain metastases related to breast cancer varies by subtype. Triple negative disease has the highest rates, occurring in as many as 46% of cancers, compared to 35% and 14% in HER2-positive and hormone receptor (HR)-positive disease, respectfully. Brain metastases are not only associated with poor prognosis, but can also cause neurological defects, through their effect on the cognitive and sensory functions of the brain. Ongoing research into the biology of metastases and increasing clinical trial inclusion are paving the way for discovery of new treatment strategies to achieve long-lasting efficacy against brain metastases.

In this exclusive podcast, Erika Hamilton, of the Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Tennessee Oncology, Nashville, TN; Guy Jerusalem of the University of Liège, Belgium; Erica Michelle Stringer-Reasor, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL; and Gaio Griguolo, of the Veneto Institute of Oncology, Padova, Italy, discuss the latest updates in metastatic breast cancer treatment.

The Breast Cancer Podcasts on VJOncology are supported by Seagen. Seagen have no influence over the production of the content.

The post What’s new? Treating breast cancer with brain metastases appeared first on VJOncology.

Healthcare systems around the world differ in financial and political situations. Therefore, it is vital to implement a global outlook of breast cancer care that focuses on applying access to high-quality practices, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where breast cancer remains a public health crisis.   

During this podcast, Andre Ilbawi, MD, of the World Health Organization (WHO), Carol Benn, MBBCh, FCS, of the Breast Care Center of Excellence, Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Cynthia Villareal-Garza, MD, DSc, of the Mexican National Cancer Institute & Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico discuss the latest information on global breast cancer care and specific practices within South Africa and Mexico.