Expert Interviews

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.

“Food is powerful, and [patients] need fuel,” said Claudia Aguilar Clancy, RN, FNP-C, about ensuring patients receive the nutrition they require during cancer treatment.

Panelists discuss how recognizing the diagnostic challenges of epithelioid sarcoma—including its histologic overlap with other conditions and the importance of INI1 loss as a key marker—can improve early detection and reduce misdiagnosis of this rare and aggressive tumor.

Panelists discuss how PSMA PET imaging identified a region of high tracer uptake, guiding medical professionals to implement a focal radiation boost. This approach improved treatment precision and targeting of aggressive areas, highlighting the potential for personalized, effective therapies.

Panelists discuss how targeted cancer therapies, particularly those affecting the EGFR and c-MET receptors, present unique adverse effects such as dermatologic reactions and venous thromboembolism, emphasizing the importance of proactive management, patient education, and evolving treatment strategies to balance efficacy with quality of life.

Panelists discuss how intracranial progression-free survival (PFS) and duration of response (DoR) influence treatment decisions, highlighting the significance of intracranial data in differentiating this regimen within the treatment landscape, its potential impact on brain metastases management, and the role of radiation therapy in clinical practice.

Panelists discuss how a comprehensive diagnostic approach—including advanced imaging, biopsy with immunohistochemistry for INI1 loss, and multidisciplinary evaluation—supports accurate diagnosis and staging of suspected epithelioid sarcoma while guiding personalized treatment planning.

Suzanne Mahon, DNS, RN, AOCN, AGN-BC, FAAN, stated that it is important to consider a patient’s family medical history when considering genetic counseling.

Panelists discuss how PSMA PET imaging has significantly influenced prostate cancer management by enabling precise detection of metastatic lesions, thereby informing and altering treatment strategies. For instance, a study demonstrated that ^68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT impacted definitive radiation therapy (RT) planning in 16.5% of patients, leading to modifications in RT fields based on the imaging findings.

A study aimed to determine the variables that correlated with extravasation rates in patients receiving radiation injection therapy.

Panelists discuss how the addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors to first-line chemotherapy has transformed the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, improving survival while highlighting ongoing challenges in managing relapse and the need for continued research into novel therapies.