Treating Together

Targeted Oncology

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Targeted Oncology brings you Treating Together, a podcast series designed to bring oncologists into meaningful, peer-driven conversations by focusing on real-world challenges, clinical relevance of emerging data, and bridging the gap between research and frontline oncology care across different cancer types.

MAR 11 · BONUS

Test First, Treat Second: ASCO's Updated Approach to Driver Mutation–Negative NSCLC

In this minisode, we break down the latest update to ASCO's living guideline for stage IV non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without driver mutations — and what it means for clinicians on the front lines of care. We're drawing on a conversation with Dr. Joshua Reuss, thoracic medical oncologist at Georgetown University and co-chair of ASCO's Living Guidance Committee, who helped explain the key changes, the remaining uncertainties, and where the field is heading. What changed — and why now? This was a scheduled comprehensive review, not triggered by a single trial or approval. The committee revisited existing recommendations and incorporated emerging data, even when it didn't clear the bar for a formal change in recommendation level. Why this guideline is especially complex Unlike driver-positive NSCLC, where a mutation points clearly to a targeted therapy, the driver mutation–negative guideline must address a wide, heterogeneous population — split by histology (nonsquamous vs. squamous) and three PD-L1 tiers, resulting in six distinct patient subsets, each with its own evidence base. Molecular testing moves to the top A key structural change: comprehensive molecular testing is now front and center in the guideline, reinforcing that confirming the absence of a driver mutation is just as critical as finding one. Starting immunotherapy before results return can create serious problems — if a driver mutation surfaces later, switching to targeted therapy may carry significant toxicity risks. New in the toolkit: Teliso-V Telisotuzumab vedotin (Teliso-V), a MET-targeted antibody-drug conjugate, has been added to the guideline following its accelerated FDA approval for patients with high MET protein overexpression. It joins trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in the subsequent-line ADC space — and its inclusion further underscores the need for thorough molecular and protein expression testing. What we still don't know The honest answer to "which frontline regimen is best for my patient?" is: we don't know yet. Ongoing trials like INSIGNA are tackling whether chemo is necessary in high PD-L1 expressers. Co-mutations like STK11 and KEAP1 are being explored as biomarkers for dual checkpoint blockade strategies, though a recent prospective study (NIPPON) added caution — increased toxicity without a clear efficacy signal. One to watch: ivonescimab This bispecific antibody co-targeting PD-1 and VEGF is generating buzz, with data from China suggesting it may outperform pembrolizumab alone. Dr. Reuss calls it potentially practice-changing — if the global data hold up. The takeaway The guideline won't hand you one answer. It's designed to give clinicians the evidence they need to make the best decision for the individual patient in front of them. 🔗 Full guideline: ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO-25-02825

13 min
MAR 4

Precision Hope: The New Frontier of AI-Driven Oncology

Host Pallav Mehta, MD, and guest Doug Flora, MD discuss the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in oncology. As the author of Rebooting Cancer Care, Flora argues that AI is the essential "reboot" needed for a system currently "groaning under its own weight" due to physician burnout and an unmanageable explosion of medical data.

36 min
FEB 18

Community Oncology at a Crossroads: Navigating Policy, Progress, and Practice

In this episode of Treating Together, host Pallav Mehta, MD, medical oncologist and director of Integrative Oncology at Cooper University Health Care and medical director of Reimagine Care, is joined by Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, oncologist and executive vice president at Texas Oncology. Patt also serves as the president of the Community Oncology Alliance (COA). Their discussion focuses on the rapid transformation of community oncology and the growing pressures shaping its future. Themes and Key Discussion Points The episode focuses on the central role of community oncology in preserving local, quality care. Highlights include: The Evolution of Community Oncology: Drs Mehta and Patt explore how community oncology has changed over the past 2 decades from largely independent practices to consolidated health systems and clinically integrated networks. Financial forces, including the 340B program and broader reimbursement reform, have significantly influenced consolidation trends. Policy as a Driving Force: Dr Patt explores how legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and evolving Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursement models may impact drug payment, cash flow, and practice viability. The Explosion of Targeted and Advanced Therapies: Oncology has entered an era of unprecedented therapeutic expansion. With this progress comes more complexity: longer treatment durations, higher toxicity management demands, and logistical hurdles of administration. Digital Transformation and AI Integration: With the accelerating role of digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI) in practice, practices face both opportunity and implementation challenges. Workforce and Rural Access Challenges: The conversation addresses mounting physician and nursing shortages, burnout, and the sustainability of rural cancer care, requiring a reimagining of policy, workflow efficiency, and staffing models. Find a full transcript of the podcast: https://www.targetedonc.com/view/community-oncology-at-a-crossroads-navigating-policy-progress-and-practice

44 min
FEB 4

Navigating the Future of CLL Care

In this episode of Treating Together, host Marc Braunstein, MD, an associate professor of medicine at the Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, is joined by John Burke, MD, from Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers. Both specialists bring their extensive experience in lymphoma and multiple myeloma to a deep-dive discussion on the rapidly evolving treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Key Discussion PointsThe episode focuses on the refinement of CLL therapy, moving away from traditional chemoimmunotherapy toward targeted approaches. Highlights include: Continuous vs. fixed-duration therapy: A debate on whether patients benefit more from indefinite BTK inhibitor use or time-limited regimens. The role of MRD: Exploring how minimal residual disease (MRD) driven duration is becoming a sophisticated option for tailoring treatment. Clinical trial updates: Analysis of recent data regarding frontline treatment outcomes and infectious risks. Relapsed/refractory strategies: Insights into the recent FDA approval of pirtobrutinib (Jaypirca) for second-line therapy and beyond. Looking Toward the FutureAs the experts look ahead into 2026, they discuss the promising emergence of BTK degraders, which have shown high response rates in heavily pretreated patients and are moving toward potential market availability in the coming years.

17 min
JAN 21

Supporting Community Oncologists in a GU Research Era with Dr. Park, Dr. Garmezy, and Dr. Bupathi

This episode of Treating Together, hosted by Chandler Park, MD, featuring guests Benjamin Garmezy, MD, and Manoj Bupathi, MD, centers on the intersection of clinical research and community oncology, specifically within the field of genitourinary (GU) oncology. Core Themes and Discussion Points The Community Oncology Gap: Park highlights a critical statistic: 80% to 85% of patients with cancer are treated in community settings rather than academic centers. The podcast aims to support these community clinicians by translating complex data into practical applications. Rapidly Evolving Data: The group discusses the immense challenge of staying current with novel biomarkers, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and AI in pathology. The Burden on Generalists: Garmezy notes that while specialists find it hard to keep up, the "real heroes" are the general community oncologists who see a wide variety of conditions and may only see a handful of GU-specific cases per year. Bridging the Research Divide: A primary goal is to narrow the gap between clinical trial findings and real-world clinical practice, ensuring that patients in the community benefit from the latest research. Find a full transcript of the podcast at https://www.targetedonc.com/view/supporting-community-oncologists-in-a-gu-research-era

27 min
12/15/2025 · BONUS

Gut Health & Myeloma: How Bacteria May Predict Transplant Success With Pooja Phull, MD

Treating Together

7 min
10/31/2025

Experts Delve Into Organ Preservation for Genitourinary Cancers

Benjamin Garmezy, MD, and Alexander Kenigsberg, MD, discuss strategies for preserving organs in GU cancers in the Treating Together podcast.

26 min
09/29/2025

Navigating Modern Lung Cancer Treatment and Clinical Trial Access

Edward S. Kim, MD, MBA, and Neel Shah, MD, discuss advancing lung cancer care and tackling real-world access barriers for community physicians.

23 min

Targeted Oncology brings you Treating Together, a podcast series designed to bring oncologists into meaningful, peer-driven conversations by focusing on real-world challenges, clinical relevance of emerging data, and bridging the gap between research and frontline oncology care across different cancer types.

Creator

Targeted Oncology
Years Active

2020 - 2026
Episodes

80
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© MJH LifeSciences
Show Website

Treating Together