CancerCast

Weill Cornell Medicine

New scientific developments are transforming the future of cancer treatment and care. Hosted by world-renowned medical oncologist Dr. Manish Shah, CancerCast is your window into research breakthroughs, innovative therapies, and honest accounts of living with and beyond cancer.

  1. Aug 28

    A Breakthrough in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment – KRAS Targeting and Daraxonrasib

    Pancreatic cancer treatment has entered an exciting new chapter. On August 26, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the oral medication daraxonrasib for metastatic pancreatic cancer. This represents a breakthrough in pancreatic cancer treatment. It is the first ever RAS-targeted therapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer and the first major new metastatic pancreatic cancer treatment that has been approved this decade. In this episode of CancerCast, Drs. Manish Shah and Shubham Pant break down why pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging cancers to diagnosis and treat and discuss the rapidly changing treatment landscape. They explore the science behind targeting KRAS, one of the most common drivers of pancreatic cancer, why KRAS mutations have historically been so difficult to target, as well as the importance of biomarkers and genetic testing. Drs. Shah and Pant provide a deep dive into the details of the clinical trial that led to the FDA approval of daraxonrasib, also now known as Rasonque. Drs. Shah and Pant also discuss the growing number of clinical trials building on this RAS-targeting breakthrough and the importance of continued research and drug development for this aggressive disease. As precision medicine continues to reshape pancreatic cancer treatment, there is growing optimism about the future of treatment and care. Guest: Shubham Pant, MD, MBBS, Professor in the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology with a joint appointment in the Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, the Phase 1 Center at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Host: Manish Shah, MD, Chief of Solid Tumor Service and Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

  2. Jul 31

    ASCO 2026 Highlights

    The American Society of Clinical Oncology, or ASCO, Annual Meeting is the world’s largest oncology conference. The meeting brings together cancer experts, thought leaders and professionals from around the world to present groundbreaking research that is changing patient care and moving the field forward. Drs. Manish Shah and David Nanus discuss some of the most impactful research presented at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting. They explore practice-changing advances across a wide range of cancer types, including prostate, pancreatic, lung, kidney, bladder, and colon cancers. Topics include novel targeted therapies such as KRAS and RET inhibitors, emerging radiopharmaceutical treatments, the critical and growing role of tumor sequencing, and the use of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing and minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring to guide treatment decisions. The conversation also examines advances in precision medicine, adjuvant therapy strategies, global trends in cancer drug development, and the importance of research funding in developing new treatments for patients. Guest: David Nanus, MD, Interim Chief, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology and genitourinary (GU) cancer physician at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Host: Manish Shah, MD, Chief of Solid Tumor Service and Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

  3. Sep 23

    GLP-1s and Cancer: Popular Weight Loss Drugs Go Beyond The Scale

    GLP-1 (short for glucagon-like peptide-1) medications such as semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) have transformed the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. These drugs mimic naturally occurring peptide hormones in the body that help regulate appetite, blood sugar, and metabolism. Because these drugs are so effective and new research is uncovering additional benefits beyond blood sugar control and weight loss, these drugs are increasing in popularity and are now being taken by approximately 10 million people each month. The uses for these drugs are expanding, and new indications continue to be FDA approved. The link between GLP-1 drugs and cancer prevention, risk, and treatment is now becoming more apparent. There has been longstanding research on obesity increasing the risk for developing certain cancers, and recently, observational studies have associated the use of GLP-1s with lower rates of breast cancer and blood cancers. In this episode of CancerCast, Dr. Manish Shah talks with obesity expert Dr. Louis Aronne about the emerging connection between GLP-1 medications, weight loss, and cancer incidence. Drs. Shah and Aronne discuss the relationship between obesity and oncology, including how chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormones play a role in both these areas. Listen to their insights regarding what we already know about GLP-1 medications and cancer and where the research is headed next. The intersection of obesity, metabolism and cancer research may ultimately open new doors for cancer prevention and care. Guest: Louis Aronne, MD, Director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at Weill Cornell Medicine. Host: Manish Shah, MD, Chief of Solid Tumor Service and Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

  4. Jun 5

    Cancer Survivorship – Living With and Beyond Cancer

    Thanks to advances in cancer care, more people are living longer after a cancer diagnosis than ever before. People are also being diagnosed at earlier ages, leading to an increased number of cancer survivors worldwide. In this episode of CancerCast, Dr. Manish Shah speaks with Dr. Emily Tonorezos about the growing field of cancer survivorship and what it means to live well after a cancer diagnosis. Cancer is a chronic condition that requires unique management and continued care. They discuss some of the late effects of cancer treatment that can sometimes persist well after active treatment is completed, like fatigue, neuropathy, fertility, accelerated aging, heart health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. The conversation also explores how exercise, nutrition, and other lifestyle habits may help cancer survivors improve general wellness and reduce the long-term health risks of cancer treatment, including risk of secondary cancers or cancer recurrence. Learn more about the goals of cancer survivorship care plans, what researchers are discovering about life after cancer, and why survivorship is becoming one of the fastest-growing areas in cancer care. Guest: Emily Tonorezos, MD, MPH, Director of the Iris Cantor Cancer Survivorship Program at Weill Cornell Medicine. Host: Manish Shah, MD, Chief of Solid Tumor Service and Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

  5. May 22

    Understanding Clonal Hematopoiesis: Blood Mutations Linked to Cancer, Heart Disease, Inflammation & More

    As we age, our blood cells naturally develop mutations. With new sequencing technology, we can now identify very rare and specific mutations in human blood more easily and precisely than ever before. It’s like we now have a path to find the needle in a haystack. Researchers have discovered that some of these age-related blood mutations, collectively known as clonal hematopoiesis, may be linked to increased risk of blood cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic inflammation. In this episode of CancerCast, Drs. Manish Shah and Pinkal Desai explain what clonal hematopoiesis is and why clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminant potential or “CHIP” is being detected more often through advanced blood testing and multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood tests. They break down what patients should understand if these mutations appear in liquid biopsy results or screening tests and explain why certain patients should consider being monitored for these mutations. Research into clonal hematopoiesis and CHIP is raising important questions about cancer risk, prevention, and long-term monitoring for cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. The conversation explores potential health consequences of these blood mutations, the connection between the heart and blood, as well as why CHIP can worsen existing health conditions from autoimmune disorders to gout and beyond. Focused CHIP research efforts are underway to try to better detect and prevent blood cancers such as leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), as well as to intervene earlier for healthy and optimal aging. Guest: Pinkal Desai, MD, Clinical Director, Englander Institute for Precision Medicine Molecular Aging Institute and hematologist/oncologist caring for patients with leukemia and other blood cancers at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Host: Manish Shah, MD, Chief of Solid Tumor Service and Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

  6. Apr 27

    What are the Latest Advances in Lung Cancer Treatment?

    Lung cancer care is changing rapidly and new advances in surgery and medicine are at the forefront. In this episode of CancerCast, Dr. Manish Shah is joined by two lung cancer experts, Drs. Jonathan Villena and Christine Garcia, to explore how innovations in surgery, biomarker testing, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are transforming outcomes for patients with lung cancer. The conversation covers the importance of early detection through screening, as well as new tests, tools and technologies to ensure lung cancer patients are getting the right treatment at the right time. From cutting-edge single port robotic surgeries that avoid the ribs and preserve healthy lung tissue to personalized, targeted therapies rooted in the molecular footprint of each tumor, options and outcomes for patients with lung cancer continue to drastically improve. The team discusses everything from reducing recovery time after an operation, to optimizing results with novel therapies, and the importance of a multidisciplinary care team to ensure patients have the best possible treatment and outcomes. Guests: Christine Garcia, MD, MPH, medical oncologist caring for lung cancer patients at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Jonathan Villena-Vargas, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Host: Manish Shah, MD, Chief of Solid Tumor Service and Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

  7. Mar 20

    Understanding BiTE Immunotherapy: How Bispecific T-Cell Engagers Target Cancer

    Bispecific T-cell engager, or BiTE, therapy is an immunotherapy approach that helps the body’s own immune system target cancer cells by bringing immune cells and cancer cells together. In this episode of CancerCast, Dr. Manish Shah is joined by Dr. Mateo Mejia to explain how this form of antibody-based treatment works by directly connecting T cells and cancer cells. It is a new treatment in the arsenal of immunotherapy to treat cancer. They explore common side effects, as well as similarities and differences between BiTEs and other forms of immunotherapy. BiTE immunotherapy prevents cancer cells from being able to hide from the natural immune system, helping it to better recognize and attack the cancer. BiTEs are becoming an important treatment tool for several cancers, including multiple myeloma, lymphoma, lung cancer, and uveal melanoma. Drs. Shah and Mejia discuss the future direction and expansion of BiTE therapy, including ongoing research to bring these treatments to patients earlier in their cancer treatment journeys. Guest: Mateo Mejia Saldarriaga, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine and an Assistant Attending Physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Host: Manish Shah, MD, Chief of Solid Tumor Service and Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

  8. Feb 13

    The Power of PSMA-Targeted Therapy for Prostate Cancer

    Prostate-specific membrane antigen, or PSMA, is a protein expressed on the surface of prostate cancer cells that has become an important target for both diagnosing and treating the disease. In this episode of CancerCast, Dr. Manish Shah speaks with prostate cancer expert Dr. Scott Tagawa about how this PSMA protein helps identify whether prostate cancer is confined to the prostate or has spread, and the ways it can be used to guide treatment decisions. They discuss how PSMA-based prostate cancer treatments work in the body and why these therapies have become one of the most significant recent advances in modern medicine for prostate cancer. Guest: Scott Tagawa, MD, MS, Director of the Genitourinary Oncology Program and Medical Director of the Genitourinary Oncology Research Program at Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Host: Manish Shah, MD, Chief of Solid Tumor Service and Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

See All (79)

4.9
out of 5
30 Ratings

About

New scientific developments are transforming the future of cancer treatment and care. Hosted by world-renowned medical oncologist Dr. Manish Shah, CancerCast is your window into research breakthroughs, innovative therapies, and honest accounts of living with and beyond cancer.

Information

  • Creator
    Weill Cornell Medicine
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    79
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Weill Cornell Medicine
  • Show Website
    CancerCast

More From Weill Cornell Medicine

You Might Also Like