Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind

ESMO 2025 continues this week with coverage including early breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer and gynaecological malignancies. A mammoth episode covering giants and pioneers of the oncology world. Studies: SOLTI-RIBOLARIS POSITIVE monarchE: DESTINY-Breast11 evERA ASCENT-03 TROPION-Breast02 trial ROSELLA DICE trial ENGOT-ov65/KEYNOTE-B96 study ROSELLA For more episodes, resources and blog pos...

After a short break for some pretty major life changes (more details in the episode), Josh and Michael return to tackle the best and brightest of ESMO 2025. With support from MSD, our dynamic duo play host to the inaugural Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind Awards. Today, they look at studies in pre-clinical science, supportive care and rare cancers to find their favourite studies amidst the goldmi...

In this episode, the focus shifts away from the more "garden-variety" non-small cell lung cancer and to its less common, frequently more aggressive sibling, small cell lung cancer. Here, Josh and Michael examine the management of limited-stage small cell lung cancer, which while accounting for a minority of cases, is no less interesting and potentially confusing. Studies discussed in this episode:...

On this week's episode, Josh and Michael exchange the established treatment landscape of EGFR and ALK mutant NSCLC for the developing management of disease harbouring KRAS and MET mutations. The most common mutation meets one of the least common in this battle of therapeutic tenacity. Studies discussed in this episode: INSIGHT-2 KRYSTAL-12 For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inq...

In this episode, Michael and Josh take a dive into the world of driver mutations, looking at two of the most clinically consequential: EGFR and ALK mutations. The work done in these areas has led to treatments that represent incredible advances over chemotherapy. How incredible? You'll just have to listen and find out. Studies discussed in this episode: MARIPOSA CROWN For more episodes, resources...

Advanced or Metastatic Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (mNSCLCa), is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. This week, Michael provides an excellent background on this type of cancer, and Josh provides an eloquently short introduction (for once). These trials look specifically at lung cancers without mutations, thus relying on immunotherapy and chemotherapy. As a side note, can you believe K...

To Josh's immense displeasure, our series on genitourinary cancer is done. For now, at least. In this episode, Michael and Josh step into the heavy shadow of non-small cell lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer death in Australia. However, there is hope and new developments in the early-disease space that could significantly improve outcomes. Studies discussed in this episode Checkmate 816...

In this episode, Michael and Josh continue to unpick the thorny question of germ-cell tumours, focusing this week on more advanced and relapsed disease. Germ cell tumours have an excellent prognosis, but unfortunately there are cases where more intense therapy is required. Listen on to find out about what to do when first line therapy is not enough! Studies discussed in this episode BEP - Williams...

This episode is the first of a two-part mini-series where Michael and Josh attempt to untangle the complex topic of germ cell tumours, an area that requires specialist experience and a high-volume multi-disciplinary centre to treat adequately. Or, you could just listen to Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind and be a pro in no time! Studies discussed in this episode EORTC-30982 de Wit et al (2001) Fo...

In this episode, Josh and Michael take a trip down a road less travelled by both patients and researchers, and examine the evidence (or lack thereof) of non-clear cell renal cell cancer, a less common cluster of siblings to the much better established clear cell RCC. Treatment is on very similar patterns, so their studies today involve a lot of immunotherapy with a smattering of tyrosine kinase in...

How do you increase access to phase 1 trials for a state with a population of 8 million people spread across 800,000 km^2? You collaborate! In this context, we explore NECTA. The New South Wales Early Phase Clinical Trials Alliance (NECTA) plays a key role in speeding up the translation of cutting-edge medical research into real-world treatments, providing vital benefits to patients and the broade...

Unlike the adjuvant space, treatment of advanced clear cell renal cell cancer has been a success story potentially only surpassed by advanced melanoma. What was once a horrific and quickly fatal disease, with a predilection for the CNS and significant bleeding risk has become significantly less so. In this episode, Josh and Michael explore the studies that have made it happen. Studies discussed in...

Continuing on their Back to Basics GU extravaganza, Josh and Michael progress to the subject of kidney cancer, and bring you the answer to a question long unanswered: is there any benefit of adjuvant therapy in resected clear cell renal cell cancer. For a long time, this space produced negative study after negative study, until, as is so often the case, immunotherapy swooped in to save the day. St...

Josh and Michael return to their normal scheduled broadcast, continuing their never-ending Back to Basics series. In this episode, they discuss several interesting developments in the adjuvant management of urothelial cancer, focussing on the sometimes contradictory data of adjuvant immunotherapy. This is an emerging area of treatment that you will not want to miss! Studies discussed in this episo...

In our final ASCO 2025 episode, Michael is joined by Prof Jeanne Tie, colorecal cancer lead at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre to discuss some of the many highlights in colorectal and anal cancer. Starting with the practice changing BREAKWATER study, combining chemotherapy with encorafenib and cetuximab, they also discuss the plenary study ATOMIC III, the CHALLENGE study examining structured exercis...

In this episode, Michael goes it alone, welcoming an old friend of the show, Dr Belinda Yeo, to discuss highlights in early breast cancer from ASCO 2025. The pair discuss an exciting new medication to assist with vasomotor symptoms from endocrine therapy, the ongoing follow up from the pivotal SOFT/TEXT study, an escalation strategy for abemaciclib and a de-escalation strategy for neoadjuvant chem...

Today, hosts Michael and Josh are joined by the wonderful Dr James McCracken to discuss highlights from ASCO 2025 in the areas of upper GI and hepatobiliary cancer. This episode focuses on two items that are (as Michael repetitively insists) "big ticket": MATTERHORN and Destiny-Gastric04. In addition, James gives his thoughts on studies that look at immunotherapy and novel neoadjuvant chemotherapy...

Today, we discuss the latest advancements in gynecological oncology presented at ASCO 2025, featuring insights from Dr. Prachi Bhave. The conversation covers significant trials including the TRUST trial on ovarian cancer surgery timing, the Rosella trial for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, the FIRST study on immunotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer, and the update on the Keynote A18 trial for c...

In this episode, Dr. Janet Abrahm shares transformative insights from ASCO 2025, focusing on palliative care and supportive care in oncology. Topics discussed include the role of exercise in cancer survival, cannabis use for symptom management, and the challenges of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. We also highlight the importance of communication with patients, particularly in the cont...

In this episode, Dr. Ned McNamee discusses the latest advancements in lung cancer treatment presented at ASCO 2025, focusing on significant studies such as the Phase 3 DeLLphi-304 study and Checkmate 816. They explore the implications of these findings for clinical practice, including the challenges of managing immune-related side effects and the potential for neoadjuvant immunotherapy to improve...

Today, we cover ASCO 2025 in the genitourinary space, specifically bladder and renal cancer. Dr. Enrique Grande, a renowned oncologist and Program and Clinical Research lead of MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Madrid, joins us. This is a mega episode where we cover AMPLITUDE, JAVELIN MEDLEY, CHECKMATE 901 and NIAGARA, advancing urothelial cancer care; SEAR 02 and the CReST trial, pushing boundaries in b...

Today, we’re joined by Professor Anthony Joshua, head of Medical Oncology at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, and a global leader in prostate cancer and melanoma. In this episode, Professor Joshua discusses multiple trials including AMPLITUDE, advancing prostate cancer therapies; CAN 2409, exploring immunotherapy; ARANOTE, showing darolutamide’s impact on progression-free survival; the prognostic s...

In this episode, we unpack game-changing insights from ASCO 2025 with a spotlight on breast cancer. Joining us is Dr. Adam Brufsky, a trailblazing oncologist and professor at the University of Pittsburgh, with 30 years of experience, whose expertise has helped shape the direction of treatment. Trials discussed include the SERENA-6 trial, which examines camizestrant plus CDK4/6 inhibitors in HR-pos...

In our second plenary episode, we're spotlighting two pivotal phase 3 trials: SERENA-6, which explores ctDNA-guided treatment with camizestrant to delay progression in HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer with ESR1 mutations, and NIVOPOSTOP, a landmark study showing improved disease-free survival with adjuvant nivolumab in high-risk, resected head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Joi...

This year, Michael and Josh bring you the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025. To keep it fresh, we're doing things a little differently, but rest assured, we'll bring along a global host of experts to deliver the very best from the practice-changing, thought-provoking, design-defining trials you know and love from this podcast. This episode focuses on adjuvant atezolizumab in the co...