Podcast · Tech & Science

Blood & Cancer

by Medscape Professional Network · English · Tech & Science

The official podcast feed of MDedge Hematology-Oncology, part of the Medscape Professional Network. On Thursdays, Dr. David Henry interviews key opinion leaders and rising stars in hematology and oncology. The information in this podcast is provided for informational and educational purposes only.

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 24 min
Latest: 27 May 2021
Language: English

Latest episode

27 May 2021 · 32 min

Biosimilars with Dr. Gary Lyman

Existing biosimilars are safe, effective alternatives to their reference biologics, and are increasingly being incorporated into oncology treatment guidelines. Technological advances that have emerged in the years since biologic agents entered the market allow for the careful assessment of "critical clinical attributes" of biosimilar agents. This helps ensure the safety and efficacy of biosimilars, as well as their structural, functional, and behavioral similarities to the original reference biologics, according to Gary Lyman MD, MPH , professor and senior lead, health care quality and…

Play episodeWhatsApp Download

Earlier episodes 29 most recent

20 May 2021 · 27 min
Advanced bladder cancer: Dr. Arjun Balar talks treatment strategies in a changing field
Systemic treatment for advanced urothelial cancer is quickly evolving. On this week's podcast, Arjun Balar , MD, director of the genitourinary medical oncology program at New York University discusses his approach amid changing times with guest host Alan Lyss, MD, a community-based medical oncologist and clinical researcher in the St. Louis area before his recent retirement. Chemotherapy or immunotherapy first line? With the negative phase 3 results for chemotherapy in combination with either pembrolizumab or atezolizumab, "if I use immunotherapy, I use it alone," Dr. Balar said. Patients…
13 May 2021 · 24 min
Gene therapies in hemophilia with Dr. Glenn Pierce
A "very basic" type of gene therapy could potentially cure hemophilia, but a major hurdle has been the lack of an effective mode of delivery. Recent strides in using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are changing that, and Glenn Pierce, MD, World Federation of Hemophilia Vice President, Medical, predicts approvals in the next 12-18 months. Dr. Pierce shared his personal experience with hemophilia and discussed his and others' ongoing research on the use of AAV-mediated gene therapy with host David Henry, MD, in this episode. Hemophilia and AAV gene therapy key points: Hemophilia is caused…
6 May 2021 · 23 min
Thrombosis and thrombocytopenia caused by COVID-19 vaccines: How to identify and treat VITT, VIPIT, or TTS
At least 17 cases of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia have been reported in patients who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in the United States. Such events have been reported in patients who received the AstraZeneca vaccine as well. In this episode, Adam C. Cuker, MD , of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, tells host David H. Henry, MD , how to identify and manage patients with these vaccine-induced events. What's in a name? The phenomenon of vaccine-induced thrombosis and thrombocytopenia has been given different names, including: Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic…
29 Apr 2021 · 28 min
Toward more personalized treatment in prostate cancer: The CCR score predicts metastasis and guides treatment decisions after radiation
The combined clinical cell-cycle risk (CCR) score uses clinical and genetic factors to assess the risk of metastasis after radiation therapy in patients with prostate cancer. The CCR score has proven accurate in studies and can guide post-radiation treatment decisions in practice, according to Jonathan D. Tward, MD, PhD , of the University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Dr. Tward discusses the CCR score with host David Henry, MD , in this episode. About the score The CCR score combines the cell-cycle progression (CCP) score (available commercially as the Prolaris test) and the Cancer of the…
22 Apr 2021 · 25 min
Changing perspectives: Dr. Michael Weiner recounts his experiences as an oncologist who became a cancer patient and then a caregiver
Pediatric oncologists are used to dealing with emotional, heart-wrenching situations, but oncology took on a new dimension for Michael Weiner, MD , when both he and his daughter were diagnosed with cancer. Dr. Weiner, a pediatric oncologist at Columbia University, New York, describes his roles as oncologist, patient, and caregiver to host David H. Henry, MD , in this episode. Oncologist as patient: Lessons learned Dr. Weiner's journey as a cancer patient began when he felt a lymph node on his neck that he knew wasn't "normal." A colleague examined Dr. Weiner and suggested the…
15 Apr 2021 · 26 min
Optimizing CAR T-cell therapies in lymphoma: Improving response, fighting cytokine release syndrome, and identifying mechanisms of resistance
Studies have shown that chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies produce responses in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphomas, but researchers continue to look for ways to improve efficacy, decrease toxicity, and overcome treatment resistance. Leslie Kean, MD, PhD , of Boston Children's Hospital, discusses some of this research with host David H. Henry, MD , in this episode. Dr. Kean outlines four recent studies of CAR T-cell therapies in lymphoma. The studies were selected as part of the " Best of ASH " session at the 2020 annual meeting of the American Society of…
8 Apr 2021 · 27 min
Trends in genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer: Undertesting and racial/ethnic disparities persist
Researchers have tracked the evolution of genetic germline testing in women with breast or ovarian cancer in recent years and reported the results in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Study author Allison W. Kurian, MD , of Stanford (Calif.) University, describes the group's findings ( https://bit.ly/31RaSGR ) to guest host Alan Lyss, MD, subprincipal investigator emeritus for Heartland Cancer Research NCORP, in this episode. Study rationale and methods Dr. Kurian said that an inflection point for breast cancer genetics was in 2013 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that gene patenting was…
E139 · 1 Apr 2021 · 25 min
Improving cancer screening in the COVID era: Drive By Flu-FIT allows for socially distanced colorectal cancer screening
A program called Drive By Flu-FIT has allowed for socially distanced colorectal cancer (CRC) screening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Armenta Washington, senior research coordinator at the University of Pennsylvania, describes the program to guest host Alan Lyss, MD, subprincipal investigator emeritus for Heartland Cancer Research NCORP, in this episode. What is Drive By Flu-FIT? Drive By Flu-FIT is a socially distanced version of the Flu-Fecal Immunochemical Test (Flu-FIT) program. Flu-FIT was designed to increase access to CRC screening by offering take-home FIT tests to patients at the…
E138 · 25 Mar 2021 · 19 min
Unpacking von Willebrand disease guidelines: Dr. Paula James talks diagnosis and pre-procedure prophylaxis
Earlier this year, clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of von Willebrand disease (VWD) were published in Blood Advances. The guidelines ( https://bit.ly/2OIfKLE ) are a collaborative effort from the American Society of Hematology, the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, the National Hemophilia Foundation, and the World Federation of Hemophilia. Guideline author Paula James, MD , of Queens University, Kingston, Ont., reviews some of the recommendations in these guidelines with host David H. Henry, MD , in this episode. Case discussion A patient…
E137 · 18 Mar 2021 · 20 min
FDA approvals in hematology and oncology, Part II: New oral formulations, RET and MET inhibitors, and CAR T-cell therapies
We continue our review of drugs recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the hematology/oncology space. In part 1 of our review, David M. Mintzer, MD , of Pennsylvania Hospital, highlighted 11 therapies, including newly-approved treatments and new indications for older drugs. Part 1 was published Feb. 18 ( https://bit.ly/38JR782 ). Now, in part 2, Dr. Mintzer tells host David H. Henry, MD , about another 11 therapies recently approved by the FDA, including monoclonal antibodies, kinase inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, and more.…
E136 · 11 Mar 2021 · 23 min
How I treat CLL and MCL: From 'watch and wait' to BCL2 and BTK inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapy, and transplant
Treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) have advanced in recent years, with more new developments on the horizon. James Gerson, MD , of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, reviewed some of these advances and future directions while describing how he would treat three patients. Host David H. Henry, MD , posed the following cases for consideration. Case 1 In a 75-year-old male with no comorbid illness, routine blood work revealed a WBC count of 15,000/mcL. The manual differential showed mature lymphocytes and smudge cells. The patient has no…
E135 · 4 Mar 2021 · 31 min
COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients: Who should be vaccinated and when?
When should cancer patients receive a COVID-19 vaccine? The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has issued recommendations to provide guidance on the topic. Guideline author Steven Pergam, MD , of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, explains NCCN's recommendations to host David H. Henry, MD , in this episode. Prioritization Prioritization for COVID-19 vaccination should be given to cancer patients currently receiving chemotherapy, those who just finished active treatment, or those about to receive treatment. Additional factors that should be taken into consideration…
E134 · 25 Feb 2021 · 26 min
Managing pain in sickle cell crisis with Dr. Ifeyinwa Osunkwo
Ifeyinwa (Ify) Osunkwo, MD, MPH, joins us to talk about her approach to pain management in patients suffering from sickle cell crisis as well as the cognitive and behavioral effects of long-term opioid use in these patients. She and our host David H. Henry, MD , cover these topics and more in this episode. Dr. Osunkwo is a professor of medicine at Atrium Health and the director of the Sickle Cell Enterprise at the Levine Cancer Institute, part of Atrium Health, in Charlotte, N.C. Over the course of a decade, the life expectancy of patients with sickle cell disease has increased. Today 99% of…
E133 · 18 Feb 2021 · 23 min
FDA approvals in hematology and oncology: Novel agents and new tricks for old drugs
In this episode, we review drugs recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the hematology/oncology space. David M. Mintzer, MD , of Pennsylvania Hospital, joins host David H. Henry, MD , to highlight some first-time approvals and new indications for older drugs. Approvals in 2020 Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) was approved for a range of new indications last year, including: First-line treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability–high or mismatch repair deficient colorectal cancer. https://bit.ly/2OKw8uF. Treatment of adult and pediatric patients…
E132 · 11 Feb 2021 · 20 min
NCI-MATCH trial reveals actionable mutations and matches cancer patients to targeted therapies
The NCI-MATCH trial was designed to reveal mutations in underexplored cancer types, allowing researchers to match patients to appropriate targeted therapies. Study investigator Alice P. Chen, MD , from the National Cancer Institute, reviews the goals and results of NCI-MATCH with host David H. Henry, MD , in this episode. Trial details NCI-MATCH has more than 1,000 participating sites. The trial is open to patients with advanced cancers that have progressed on standard treatment or rare cancers for which there is no standard treatment. Investigators use next-generation sequencing to identify…
E131 · 4 Feb 2021 · 24 min
COVID-19 vaccine 101: Dr. Drew Weissman discusses mechanisms, efficacy, and vaccinating patients with cancer or HIV
How do the various COVID-19 vaccines work, and when should patients be vaccinated? We tackle these topics and more in this episode. Our host David H. Henry, MD , is joined by Drew Weissman, MD, PhD , a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Dr. Weissman codeveloped the messenger RNA (mRNA) technology being used in the COVID-19 vaccines produced by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. History of mRNA vaccines Testing of mRNA vaccines began in the 1990s. An initial problem with these vaccines was that the RNA was highly inflammatory. Dr. Weissman and his colleague, Katalin Karikó,…
E130 · 28 Jan 2021 · 22 min
Barriers to clinical trial enrollment for patients with gynecologic cancers: Why patients don't participate and how to improve enrollment
The greatest barrier to clinical trial enrollment is patients not knowing an appropriate trial exists, according to a survey of gynecologic cancer survivors. The most common reason survey respondents gave for not enrolling in clinical trials was that their medical team didn't tell them about any trials. Annie Ellis and Mary (Dicey) Jackson Scroggins – who are both patient advocates and ovarian cancer survivors – conducted this survey and presented the results at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology's Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer last year ( https://bit.ly/3plI1Vg ). Ms. Ellis discussed…
S129 · E129 · 21 Jan 2021 · 19 min
Convalescent plasma for COVID-19, race linked to cancer-associated thrombosis risk, iron deficiency common in pregnancy, and more from 'Best of ASH'
New studies have shed additional light on how convalescent plasma may affect patients with COVID-19, how blood type impacts bleeding risk, the effects of race on cancer-associated thrombosis, and iron deficiency in pregnancy. These studies were presented as part of the " Best of ASH " session at the 2020 annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology. Alisa S. Wolberg, PhD , of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who cochaired the session, reviews these studies with host David H. Henry, MD , in this episode. Abstract #572: Association of ABO Blood Group with Bleeding…
E128 · 14 Jan 2021 · 25 min
Thrombosis research from ASH 2020: Khorana score falls short in cancer study, factors predict VTE in cancer patients with COVID-19, and antithrombotics don't affect severe COVID outcomes
Three studies revealed new findings on thrombosis in patients with cancer and/or COVID-19. These studies were presented at the 2020 annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology. One study suggested the Khorana score may be ineffective for predicting venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients. Another study revealed factors that can predict VTE in patients with cancer and COVID-19. And a third study indicated that antithrombotic agents don't improve outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19. Kristen M. Sanfilippo, MD , of Washington University, St. Louis, reviews these studies…
E127 · 7 Jan 2021 · 52 min
Highlights from SABCS 2020: New data on CDK4/6 inhibitors, omitting chemotherapy and radiotherapy, underreporting toxicity, and predicting outcomes in breast cancer
A number of groundbreaking and practice-changing studies were presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2020. The RxPONDER, ADAPT, and PRIME-2 trials revealed patients who can forgo chemotherapy or radiotherapy, monarchE and PENELOPE-B showed conflicting results with CDK4/6 inhibitors, one study indicated that a new tool can guide adjuvant chemotherapy, and another study suggested that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can predict overall survival (OS). Alan P. Lyss, MD , subprincipal investigator for Heartland Cancer Research NCORP, joined host David H. Henry, MD , to discuss these…
E126 · 24 Dec 2020 · 40 min
Best of Blood & Cancer 2020
In this episode, we bring you clips from the best Blood & Cancer shows of 2020. Blood & Cancer will be back with new episodes in 2021. ESMO 2020: Late-breaking and practice-changing studies on COVID-19 and breast, lung, gastrointestinal, and other cancers https://bit.ly/3h7aWZM Beyond the lungs: How COVID-19 affects the blood, brain, gastrointestinal system, and other organ systems https://bit.ly/37GhV8Q EHA25: AML, myeloma, polycythemia vera, and COVID-19 with EHA President John Gribben https://bit.ly/3nS4592 VTE rate, 'COVID toes,' and Virchow's triad: What you need to know about COVID and…
E125 · 22 Dec 2020 · 8 min
SABCS 2020: More women may forgo chemo, surgery's role in opioid use, and pregnancy after breast cancer
News from SABCS 2020: RxPONDER: Even more women may forgo chemo for breast cancer: https://bit.ly/2LIYjZt Breast surgery may be a gateway to addictive medication use: https://bit.ly/3gSWfJF Pregnancy after breast cancer is rockier but doesn't increase recurrence risk: https://bit.ly/2KwlhCx Email Blood & Cancer at [email protected] .
E124 · 17 Dec 2020 · 27 min
How does COVID-19 affect patients with hematologic malignancies? The ASH registry provides some answers
The ASH Research Collaborative COVID-19 Registry for Hematology was established earlier this year to study patients with hematologic malignancies diagnosed with COVID-19. Now, the registry also includes patients with nonmalignant hematologic disorders and hematologic manifestations of COVID-19. William Wood, MD , of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, recently presented data from the registry at the ASH Annual Meeting. In this episode, Dr. Wood tells host David H. Henry, MD , how the registry came to be and reviews some of its findings. About the registry The registry is part of…
15 Dec 2020 · 10 min
News from ASH 2020: 'Practice-changing' results with ruxolitinib in chronic GVHD and no benefit seen with tranexamic acid in patients with blood cancers and severe thrombocytopenia
News from ASH 2020: No benefit from tranexamic acid prophylaxis in blood cancers: https://bit.ly/2K3Mah1 'Practice changing': Ruxolitinib as second-line in chronic GVHD: https://bit.ly/3gT4kyg Durable responses with anti-BCMA CAR T-cell for multiple myeloma: https://bit.ly/381f1ut Five-minute SC injection of daratumumab in RRMM: https://bit.ly/3gKuZgx Email Blood & Cancer at [email protected]
E122 · 10 Dec 2020 · 28 min
How I treat GVHD: Dr. James Ferrara explains how biomarkers can predict outcomes and guide the treatment of acute GVHD
A pair of biomarkers are being used to guide treatment and predict mortality in patients with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), according to James L.M. Ferrara, MD, DSc, of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York. In this episode, Dr. Ferrara explains how measuring these biomarkers – REG3-alpha and ST2 – can prevent over- and undertreatment of acute GVHD. The biomarkers have also been shown to predict nonrelapse mortality more accurately than a change in clinical symptoms. Before reviewing these findings, Dr. Ferrara tells host David H. Henry, MD , what GVHD is, how to…
E121 · 8 Dec 2020 · 9 min
Black patients with ES-SCLC get less chemo, CTCs may guide breast cancer treatment, and new FDA approvals for neuroblastoma and prostate cancer
Blood & Cancer news stories: Black patients with ES-SCLC get less chemo but have better survival: https://bit.ly/33Rb5eB Should CTCs guide treatment choice in HR+, HER2– breast cancer?: https://bit.ly/3gn6shc New drug approved for relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma: https://bit.ly/2VMpvIy FDA approves first agent for PSMA-PET imaging in prostate cancer: https://bit.ly/36TAaY7 Contact Blood & Cancer at [email protected] .
E120 · 3 Dec 2020 · 22 min
Can aerosolized chemotherapy better treat peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients with gynecologic or gastrointestinal cancers?
Researchers are conducting the first U.S. trial of pressurized intraperitoneal aerosolized chemotherapy (PIPAC) for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients with gynecologic or gastrointestinal cancers. Coprincipal investigator Thanh H. Dellinger, MD , of City of Hope in Duarte, Calif., describes this trial and the PIPAC procedure to host David H. Henry, MD , in this episode. To start, the pair discuss a patient who might be eligible for PIPAC – one with stage 3 ovarian cancer. General approach to stage 3 ovarian cancer Therapy typically includes a combination of surgery and…
E119 · 1 Dec 2020 · 9 min
News | Checkpoint inhibitors and COVID-19 mortality; HCC rates slow in cities, continue to climb in rural areas
Blood & Cancer News Stories: Immune checkpoint inhibitors don't increase COVID-19 incidence or mortality, studies suggest: https://bit.ly/2JlP2FN HCC rates slow in cities, continue to climb in rural areas: https://bit.ly/2Jx6Ux1 Risk factors for severe immune-related AEs identified: https://bit.ly/3fO6Fd8 Contact Blood & Cancer at [email protected]
E117 · 26 Nov 2020 · 11 min
Journal highlights with Dr. David Henry: Managing hematologic conditions in pregnancy, combo for elderly AML, genomics in DLBCL, and COVID-19 updates
In this episode, host David H. Henry, MD , highlights some recent articles from Blood, the Journal of Clinical Oncology, and the New England Journal of Medicine. Blood How I Treat series on hematologic complications in pregnancy. https://bit.ly/3fr5nV8 Mutational and phenotypic characterization of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. https://bit.ly/3nQvhF6 Journal of Clinical Oncology Hepatitis B Virus Screening and Management for Patients With Cancer Prior to Therapy: ASCO Provisional Clinical Opinion Update. https://bit.ly/3maTOE4 Related Blood & Cancer episode: Cancer and hepatitis B…

About Blood & Cancer

Blood & Cancer is a English tech & science podcast from Medscape Professional Network. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Medscape Professional Network
Language: English
Category: Tech & Science
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 24 min
Latest episode: 27 May 2021
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1450779135

RSS feed Apple Podcasts

More English tech & science

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.