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Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Pooja Ghatalia, MD Emerging evidence is redefining bladder preservation strategies in muscle-invasive bladder cancer, with circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) offering a novel approach to response-adapted care. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to review findings from the phase II RETAIN trials, which highlight how ctDNA clearance correlates with improved metastasis-free survival and informs risk stratification, is Dr. Pooja Ghatalia. She also examines the strengths and limitations of ctDNA, including its prognostic value for systemic recurrence and its inability to reliably detect localized disease. Dr. Ghatalia is an Associate Professor in the Department of Hematology and Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, and she presented this research at the 2026 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP Guest: Tara Graff, DO, MS Guest: Surbhi Sidana, MD This is a non-certified educational series produced and controlled by ReachMD. While BCMA-directed CAR T-cell therapy has changed the treatment landscape for patients with relapsed and refractory (R/R) multiple myeloma, access remains uneven outside academic centers. In this expert-led discussion, Dr. Brian McDonough, Dr. Surbhi Sidana, and Dr. Tara Graff explore real-world barriers to referral and delivery, evolving care models, and the multidisciplinary coordination required to extend CAR T therapy into community practice. Dr. Sidana is an Associate Professor of Medicine, and she leads the Myeloma CAR T and Immunotherapy program at Stanford Medicine. Dr. Graff is the Director of Clinical Research at Mission Cancer + Blood, and she serves on the National CAR T-Cell Advisory Board for Multiple Myeloma.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP Guest: Christopher T. Chen, MD What if a simple blood draw could reveal whether a patient is responding to treatment before surgery? That question is at the heart of a study presented at the 2025 ESMO Congress, which investigated neoadjuvant immune checkpoint blockade in mismatch-repair-proficient (MMR-p) colon cancer. In addition to confirming that combination immunotherapy prior to surgery is a safe and feasible approach, the study also found that circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels correlated with both tumor burden and early treatment response. Joining Dr. Brian McDonough to unpack these insights is Dr. Christopher Chen, Assistant Professor in the Division of Oncology in the Department of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO, FACOFP Guest: Mansi R. Shah, MD This is a non-certified educational series produced and controlled by ReachMD. The latest International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) guidelines emphasize immune function, relapse timing, and therapeutic intent to guide the sequencing of T-cell-redirecting therapies in relapsed/refractory (R/R) multiple myeloma. Hear key updates as Dr. Jennifer Caudle and Dr. Mansi Shah discuss how we can integrate T-cell redirecting therapies into patient care more intentionally. Dr. Shah is an Associate Professor and the Clinical Director of Multiple Myeloma at the Rutgers Cancer Institute.

Presenter: Ryan Quigley Not all metastatic breast cancer is created equal. This AudioAbstract spotlights new data from a multicenter study in Japan that highlights how the first site of distant recurrence can significantly shape a patient’s prognosis. By isolating cases with single-organ metastasis, the study draws sharp contrasts in survival based on metastatic location, revealing that patients with brain or liver involvement fare far worse than those with bone or lung metastases. Tune in to better understand how site and even biology and presentation can guide care for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Guest: John H. Strickler, MD The treatment landscape for HER2-positive gastroesophageal cancer is rapidly evolving, with zanidatamab emerging as a new option following years of limited progress beyond trastuzumab. Dr. John Strickler joins us to share insights on how recent FDA approvals and novel agents are transforming outcomes in this complex disease setting. Dr. Strickler is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Medical Oncology at Duke University School of Medicine and Co-Leader for the Precision Cancer Medicine and Investigational Therapeutics Program at the Duke Cancer Institute.

Guest: William Hall, MD From tumor detection to biomarker development, artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the landscape of gastrointestinal oncology. In this expert-led program, Dr. William Hall explains how AI is being applied to data to identify tumor features and treatment susceptibilities faster and more precisely than traditional methods. Dr. Hall is a Professor and Chair of Radiation Oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and he spoke about this topic at the 2026 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.

Guest: Daniela Molena, MD For patients with locally advanced gastroesophageal cancer, surgery remains a critical component of curative treatment—even in the era of chemoradiation and advanced imaging. Dr. Daniela Molena explores the challenges of assessing complete clinical response and the risks of non-operative management. Dr. Molena is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and a Thoracic Surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and she discussed this topic at the 2026 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Andrea Necchi, MD Presented at the 2025 ESMO Congress, the IMvigor011 phase 3 trial evaluated a ctDNA-guided strategy for administering adjuvant atezolizumab in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) following radical cystectomy. Patients with high-risk pathological features were monitored using a personalized, tumor-informed ctDNA assay; those testing positive for ctDNA were randomized to receive atezolizumab or placebo, while ctDNA-negative patients continued surveillance without treatment. The trial demonstrated significant improvements in both disease-free and overall survival in the atezolizumab group along with favorable outcomes among ctDNA-negative patients, suggesting many may safely avoid overtreatment. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to unpack the study results and how they highlight ctDNA’s role in guiding personalized therapy is Dr. Andrea Necchi. Not only is he an investigator on this research, but he’s also an Associate Professor of Oncology at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and the Director of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital and Scientific Institute in Milan, Italy.

Host: Pavani Chalasani, MD, MPH Guest: Timothy Yap, MBBS, PhD, FRCP Early findings from the PETRA study suggest that combining saruparib with camizestrant may offer added clinical benefit in ER+/HER2– advanced breast cancer, particularly in patients with BRCA or PALB2 mutations. Tune in to hear from Dr. Pavani Chalasani and Dr. Timothy Yap as they discuss this encouraging new data on tolerability and antitumor activity. Dr. Yap is the Ransom Horne, Jr. Endowed Professor for Cancer Research, Vice President and Head of Clinical Development in the Therapeutic Discovery Division, and a professor in the Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He recently presented this research at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Guest: Seth Wander, MD, PhD Over the past decade, CDK4/6 inhibitors have transformed the treatment landscape for HR+ breast cancer, but resistance remains a key clinical challenge. Hear from Dr. Seth Wander as he explores the latest translational insights into resistance mechanisms, including genomic alterations affecting cell cycle and signal transduction pathways, and discusses evolving therapeutic strategies. Dr. Wander is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and the Director of Precision Medicine at the Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute. He also spoke about this topic at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP Guest: Matthew Galsky, MD Five years after treatment, the impact of adjuvant nivolumab still holds strong in high-risk muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma. Join Drs. Brian McDonough and Matthew Galsky as they review the CheckMate 274 trial’s long-term data, which show sustained disease-free survival and highlight ctDNA’s potential as a marker for residual disease. These findings reinforce nivolumab’s role in the evolving standard of care and may support more personalized post-surgical strategies. Dr. Galsky is a Professor of Medicine and the Director of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. To learn more about the potential of ctDNA, be sure to check out additional programs in the series by referring to the “Related” section of this page.

Host: Ryan Quigley Guest: Kathrin M. Bernt, MD Guest: Rushabh Mehta, BS Guest: Fatemeh Alikarami New data presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition reveals how chemotherapy and immunotherapy may drive the emergence of CD-19–negative, myeloid-like subclones in pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Mr. Ryan Quigley sits down with Dr. Kathrin Bernt, Dr. Fatemah Alikarami, and Mr. Rushabh Mehta to discuss how their findings could impact minimal residual disease detection, therapy resistance, and future risk stratification strategies. Dr. Bernt is a pediatric oncologist and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Alikarami is a Research Associate Scientist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Mr. Mehta is a PhD candidate in cell and molecular biology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Guest: Victoria Coleman-Cowger, PhD Gene therapy offers transformative potential for individuals with sickle cell disease, but the psychosocial challenges that accompany such a major decision are often underestimated. Hear from Dr. Victoria Coleman-Cowger as she highlights recommendations for supporting emotional wellbeing during and after gene therapy and explains the importance of recognizing both the psychological and social impacts of curative treatment. Dr. Coleman-Cowger is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Associate Vice President of Neurology and Cell and Gene Therapy at Emmes, a full-service clinical research foundation.

Guest: Brian Slomovitz, MD Endometrial cancer is closely tied to modifiable risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and insulin resistance—all components of a chronic inflammatory state that heightens cancer susceptibility. Dr. Brian Slomovitz discusses how lifestyle interventions and emerging therapies may reduce cancer recurrence. He’s the Director of Gynecologic Oncology and Co-Chair of the Cancer Research Committee at Mount Sinai Medical Center as well as a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Florida International University in Miami.