Expert Interviews

Workplace burnout in medicine and oncology can lead to stress, exhaustion, fatigue, and a lack of interest in work, according to Eric P. Winer, MD.

Panelists discuss how neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies, including chemotherapy and radiation, are used in localized epithelioid sarcoma (ES) to optimize surgical outcomes, reduce recurrence risk, and tailor treatment based on tumor characteristics and patient factors.

Panelists discuss how PSMA PET imaging is expected to evolve, enhancing precision in prostate cancer treatment through improved detection and staging. Medical professionals anticipate broader use in therapy guidance, with future advancements addressing gaps in early detection and metastasis, improving treatment strategies.

Panelists discuss how overcoming resistance mechanisms in EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a key unmet need, with future research focusing on targeting these mechanisms, exploring new drug combinations, and optimizing treatment sequences to improve patient outcomes.

Panelists discuss how the adverse effect profile of amivantamab plus lazertinib (ami-laz) compares with other combination therapies, emphasizing its balance between therapeutic efficacy and quality of life, and how this influences decision-making in treatment selection.

Panelists discuss how, Copper-64 (^64Cu)–labeled PSMA-targeted PET imaging is emerging as a promising modality in prostate cancer diagnosis. The phase 2 SOLAR study (NCT05653856) demonstrated that ^64Cu-PSMA I&T PET/CT effectively detects metastatic prostate cancer, meeting primary end points related to correct localization rates. Compared with gallium-68 (^68Ga) and fluorine-18 (^18F), ^64Cu offers a half-life of approximately 12.7 hours, facilitating centralized production and distribution, which may improve accessibility

Panelists discuss how a real-world case of epithelioid sarcoma (ES) highlights the critical role of early recognition, comprehensive diagnostics including INI1 testing, and a multidisciplinary approach to personalize treatment based on disease extent, tumor location, and molecular features.

Eric P. Winer, MD, said, “[Health care] has a workforce problem, which is part of the reason why we need to embrace nurse practitioners and PAs, or APPs.”

Panelists discuss how the evolving landscape of adjuvant therapy in kidney cancer, including targeted therapies and immunotherapy like pembrolizumab, offers curative potential for high-risk patients, with a focus on risk stratification, treatment sequencing, and managing recurrence while weighing benefits and toxicities.

Panelists discuss how first-line chemoimmunotherapy has become the standard for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) based on trials such as IMpower133 and CASPIAN, while emerging agents such as DLL3-targeted therapies show promise in the relapsed setting, highlighting the need for personalized approaches and continued clinical trial participation.

Panelists discuss how major unmet needs in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer—such as lack of durable responses, limited second-line options, absence of predictive biomarkers, and challenges managing brain metastases—underscore the urgency for more effective therapies and comprehensive supportive care strategies.

“Although telehealth is a great thing when used properly, telehealth also puts a barrier between the doctor and the patient,” said Eric P. Winer, MD.

Panelists discuss how the COCOON dermatologic management protocol significantly reduced grade 2 or higher dermatologic adverse events in multiple locations, particularly on the face/body (23% vs 62%), scalp (9% vs 29%), and nails (16% vs 21%).

Panelists discuss how the baseline characteristics of patients in the COCOON trial were evenly matched, with slightly more women than men and a significant number of Asian patients, which is typical for EGFR-mutant non–small cell lung cancer.

Panelists discuss how a thoughtful, individualized approach to third-line treatment in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma (R/R FL) involves assessing disease biology, prior treatment responses, and patient-specific factors to guide optimal therapy selection and align with patient-centered goals.

Panelists discuss how adopting a patient-centric approach with comprehensive education about circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing empowers patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) to make informed decisions about their surveillance strategy while advancing personalized care pathways for the future.

Panelists discuss how tumor-informed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing offers a personalized molecular surveillance strategy that can revolutionize colorectal cancer management through earlier detection of recurrence, real-time monitoring of treatment response, and potential for therapy de-escalation in patients with negative results.

Panelists discuss how treatment in the third-line setting for relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma (R/R FL) should balance durable disease control with quality-of-life considerations, emphasizing the importance of shared decision-making to align clinical strategies with individual patient goals and preferences.

Findings from clinical trials conducted in recent years demonstrate the benefit of integrative oncology for patients undergoing treatment for cancer.

Multidisciplinary care can help ensure that treatment planning does not deviate from established guidelines for inflammatory breast cancer management.