Conversations in Lung Cancer Research

We have witnessed incredible advances in therapy since ALK was discovered in 2007, starting from the pivotal PROFILE 1001 study of crizotinib in advanced ALK positive NSCLC to present day where we now have five approved targeted agents, with increasing potency, selectivity and CNS activity with each successive generation of drug. Despite these advances in therapy, the emergence of treatment resist...

Editor's Note (June 2026): This episode was recorded prior to Australia's broad PBS listing of nivolumab and ipilimumab, which has removed the previous "once in a lifetime" restriction on immunotherapy. For the latest discussion on these changes and what they mean for lung cancer care, see our recent Conversations in Lung Cancer Research episodes on the broad immunotherapy listing. Support TOGA Th...

In this episode, we discuss the clinical and diagnostic markers when identifying a rare sub type of NSCLC, large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LC-NEC), and provide insights into the management of these patients and future treatment developments. Associate Professor Rachel Wong, Deputy Director Oncology Eastern Health and Medical Oncologist at Epworth East in Melbourne is joined by Dr Patrick Hos...

Support TOGA Thank you for listening to Conversations in Lung Cancer Research. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. --------------- Connect with TOGA Attend an Event: https://thoraciconcology.org.au/events/ Become a Member: Join the TOGA community at https://thoraciconcology.org.au/membership/ Donate: Support our research and treatment initiatives at...

In this TOGA podcast, we provide an overview of the treatment options for rare subtypes of oncogene driven NSCLC that are now readily identified in the MBS-reimbursed small gene panel including NTRK1, 2,3 and other rare mutations in NSCLC. The importance of testing all patients is discussed as well as what to do when resistance occurs. Associate Professor Steven Kao, Medical Oncologist from Chris...

In this TOGA podcast, we provide an overview of the recent neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and perioperative IO data, the options and considerations for treatment and the current reimbursement landscape. Dr Pei Ni Ding, Medical Oncologist from Westmead and Nepean Hospitals Sydney, is joined by Dr Samantha Bowyer, Medical Oncologist from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth and Mr Naveed Alam, Thoracic Su...

Do we need to evolve the bar on evidence required for drug reimbursement? The gold standard endpoint for assessing the benefit of anti-cancer drugs has been overall survival (OS) however, more recently, there has been a trend toward using surrogate clinical trial endpoints such as progression free survival (PFS) and event-free survival (EFS). As treatments improve and patients are living longer, u...

Lung Cancer Support Nurse - Lung Foundation Australia Quit Centre | Homepage Lung Cancer Screening Program: Early Detection Saves Lives (thoraciconcology.org.au) Lung Cancer Optimal Care Pathway Support TOGA Thank you for listening to Conversations in Lung Cancer Research. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. --------------- Connect with TOGA Attend...

Radiation therapy can be a very effective treatment for lung cancers, with 77% of patients indicating for radiation therapy in their disease trajectory. Yet, only 40% of patients with lung cancer in NSW receive radiation therapy. In this podcast, Professor Shalini Vinod, Assoc Professor Mei-Ling Yap, and Dr Clare Bajraszewski  discuss why radiation therapy is underutilised in lung cancer, what thi...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming medicine. Lung Cancer healthcare professionals are interested in the use of AI in radiology, particularly in early diagnosis leading to better patient outcomes. In this podcast we will explore how AI can aid in early detection, accurate interpretation of imaging scans and reduce diagnostic errors. This episode is joined by Associate Professor Michael Fr...

In this TOGA Podcast the speakers discuss Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) – An Emerging Treatment Platform in Lung Cancer. The discussion explores the different molecules and mechanisms of drugs currently available, trial results and the subsequent place of ADCs in the Lung Cancer. Furthermore, our guests expand upon the management of patients receiving these drugs. A/Prof Melissa Moore, Medical O...

This TOGA Podcast discusses Lung cancer Screening and Moving from Concept to Roll Out. The conversation explores the International Lung Cancer Screening Trial and overseas experience of recruitment, the challenges of reaching different population groups, some of whom stand to benefit most from the LCSP, and what it will mean for healthcare workload. The discussion explores the role of Federal and...

This TOGA Podcast discusses strategies for enhancing patients’ recovery from lung cancer resection in light of new and emerging data for new peri-operative therapies that improve survival. The conversation explores the guidelines available, the changing landscape for the patient with neoadjuvant and adjuvant management options, and the multidisciplinary considerations to optimise the care of patie...

This TOGA Podcast discusses the data surrounding air pollution and lung cancer. The discussion delves into Nature and nurture and lung cancer risk and implications for future screening. Associate Professor Tom John, Medical Oncologist from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, is joined by Professor Charles Swanton, The Group Leader at the Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory at the London Research Institute a...

In this TOGA Podcast, we discuss what defines operability in locally advanced stage III NSCLC. A/Professor Tim Clay, Medical Oncologist from St John of God Subiaco and Rockingham General is joined by Professor Lucy Morgan, Board Chair of the Lung Foundation of Australia and Respiratory Physician from Concord & Nepean Hospitals; A/Professor Phillip Antippa, Cardiothoracic surgeon and the Head of Th...

In this TOGA Podcast, Australian medical oncologist, Associate Professor Chee Lee, St George Hospital, Kogarah, is joined by medical oncologist Dr Tristan Barnes, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, and Dr Alex Davis, PhD candidate and medical oncologist at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney. They discuss treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer with KRAS mutations, the role of co-mutati...

In this TOGA Podcast, Australian medical oncologist Dr Jenny Lee at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, is joined by medical oncologist Professor Nick Pavlakis, from Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney and Lisa Briggs, Stage IV lung cancer survivor, Author, Osteopath and Exercise Physiologist who provides her own personal experience after being diagnosed with ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer in 2014....

In this TOGA Podcast, and on International Women’s Day 2023, we celebrate female leadership in medical research. We explore the challenges and success pathways across different career stages for women who work in medical oncology and clinical research. Associate Professor Prunella Blinman, head of the medical oncology department at Concord Hospital and past chair of the Medical Oncology Group of A...

Recent studies in NSCLC patients with ALK or EGFR mutations and brain metastases, demonstrated greater benefit from the use of specific targeted therapies. In this Podcast, Associate Professor Paul Mitchell, Medical Oncologist from the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre, is joined by Dr Fiona Hegi-Johnson, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Victoria, and Dr Dasantha Jayamanne, Ra...

In this Podcast, Dr Malinda Itchins, Medical Oncologist at Royal North Shore Hospital, Co-Chair of the Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Group for TOGA and the Lung Cancer Chair of COSA, is joined by Professor Stephen Fox, Director of Pathology and Head of the Molecular Pathology Laboratory at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne Victoria and Professor Michael Millward, Medical Oncolog...

In the latest TOGA Podcast, Gavin Wright discusses Lung Cancer Screening and its impact on patient care in Australia, accessibility and practicalities of the MSAC recommendation for the lung cancer screening program. He is joined by A/Prof Emily Stone, Dept of Thoracic Medicine and Lung Transplantation, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney and A/Prof Nicole Rankin, Head, Evaluation and Implementation Scie...

Welcome to the Thoracic Oncology Group of Australasia Podcast series. Associate Professor Shankar Siva, Radiation Oncologist and current Cancer Council Victoria Colebatch Fellow who leads the SABR program at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre discusses The Management of Stage III NSCLC in this podcast. Shankar is joined by Associate Professor Rachel Wong, Deputy Director of Oncology - Eastern Health, A...

Welcome to the Thoracic Oncology Group of Australasia Podcast series. In this Podcast, we discuss early NSCLC management and treatment, particularly in light of how immunotherapy will impact surgical and respiratory medicine as the landscape evolves with new data. Dr Melissa Moore Medical Oncologist from St Vincent’s Melbourne and the TOGA Education Chair, is joined by Dr Katharine See, Director a...

For lung cancer patients, the benefits of treatment and potential for cure must always be balanced with risk. Cardiotoxicity is considered a short and long term risk from treatment for lung cancer, but this varies between patients. New radiotherapy techniques, lower doses of radiotherapy and supporting cardiovascular treatments can minimise the risk of cardiotoxicity. Monitoring for cardiac compli...

Deme Karikios, Medical Oncologist and Director of Clinical trials at Nepean Cancer Care Centre in Sydney is joined by Wanda Cui, Medical Oncologist from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne and Chris Karapetis,  Head of the Department of Medical Oncology and Director of Clinical Research at the Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide. Support TOGA Thank you for listening to Conversations in...