Hosted by Professor Craig Underhill, Dr Kate Clarke & Professor Christopher Jackson | Proudly produced by The Oncology Network
Welcome to the Oncology Journal Club podcast, your essential dose of the latest oncology research, expert analysis and our trademark blend of healthy scepticism and bad jokes.
This is where we take a famously different approach to oncology research. With that in mind, please note… Warning: This episode does contain some strong language.
This week, Kate kicks us off with her report from the ESMO GI meeting with her key highlights.
Craig sparks a fascinating discussion about robotic surgery.
And CJ takes up a listener’s suggestion and talks us through the ATOMIC study.
And of course, we’ve also got our regular PBS Updates and Blow Your Own Trumpet papers.
Join our expert hosts as they navigate these developments with their trademark blend of critical analysis, clinical wisdom and humour.
About The Oncology Journal Club:
We have taken an old concept and updated it with a new format. In each episode, a team of expert contributors will review topical journal papers and interview special guests who are leaders in their fields to help keep you informed of the latest developments on the go.
We hope you enjoy listening and find this a valuable and entertaining resource.
PAPERS:
Kate:
Cruellas Lapena, M., et al. Overall survival in germline CDH1 pathogenic variant (PV) carriers: A multicenter comparative analysis study. ESMO GI 2025. 393MO – Mini Oral session. Access abstract here.
Dean, A., et al. AGITG ASCEND study: Randomised, double-blind phase II study of certepetide (CERT) or placebo (PLA) added to gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel in patients with untreated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC): Cohort B progression-free survival (PFS) results. ESMO GI 2025. Abstract: 260MO: Mini Oral session – Innovation in GI cancers. Access abstract here.
Quality of Life focussed session, including Event-free survival (EFS) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in MATTERHORN: ESMO GI 2025. Proffered Paper session 1
Balachandran, V. RNA vaccines for pancreatic cancer. ESMO GI 2025 Special Symposium. Access session online here.
Craig:
Feng Q, et al. Robotic versus laparoscopic surgery for middle and low rectal cancer (REAL): short-term outcomes of a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Nov;7(11):991-1004. doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(22)00248-5. Epub 2022 Sep 8. PMID: 36087608. Access online here.
Accompanying Editorial: Kim MJ, Pappou EP, Smith JJ. Robotic Surgery for Rectal Cancer-A Shift From Oncological Equivalence to Superiority. JAMA. 2025 Jul 8;334(2):121-123. doi: 10.1001/jama.2025.7019. PMID: 40455625. Access online here.
CJ:
Sinicrope, F., et al. Randomized trial of standard chemotherapy alone or combined with atezolizumab as adjuvant therapy for patients with stage III deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) colon cancer (Alliance A021502; ATOMIC). J Clin Oncol 43, 2025 (suppl 17; abstr LBA1). Access online here.
QUICK BITES & BLOW YOUR OWN TRUMPET PAPERS:
Craig: Blow Your Own Trumpet Paper 1: Ruan DY, et al. Garsorasib, a KRAS G12C inhibitor, with or without cetuximab, an EGFR antibody, in colorectal cancer cohorts of a phase II trial in advanced solid tumors with KRAS G12C mutation. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2025 Jun 17;10(1):189. doi: 10.1038/s41392-025-02274-z. PMID: 40523897; PMCID: PMC12170901. Access online here.
Unger JM, A et al. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Mitigation Strategies on Cancer Treatment Trials: A Meta-Analysis of Industry and National Cancer Institute Studies. JCO Oncol Adv. 2025 Jun 13;2(1):e2500021. doi: 10.1200/OA-25-00021. PMID: 40546794; PMCID: PMC12178165. Access online here.
Blow Your Own Trumpet Paper 2: Gao B, et al. Nivolumab and Ipilimumab Combination Treatment in Advanced Ovarian and Endometrial Clear Cell Cancers: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol. 2025 Jul 3:e251916. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.1916. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40608313; PMCID: PMC12232261. Access online here.
Accompanying Editorial: Drew Y, Bookman MA. Clearing the Path for Immunologic Targeting of Gynecologic Clear Cell Carcinomas. JAMA Oncol. 2025 Jul 3. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.1855. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40608357. Access online here.
PBS UPDATE:
PBS REPORT: May 2025. Oncology Network. Published 15 June 2025. Access online here.
NCCN Guidelines:
Invasive Breast Cancer 2025.Access online here.
The most recent NCCN Guidelines (Version 3.2025, released March 18, 2025) highlight ribociclib’s Category 1 adjuvant recommendation for HR+/HER2- early breast cancer (EBC) based on the NATALEE trial, making it the only CDK4/6 inhibitor recommended by NCCN for high-risk node-positive and high-risk node-negative EBC patients in combination with an AI. For metastatic breast cancer (mBC), ribociclib remains a Category 1 preferred first-line treatment with an AI, supported by ongoing data showing broad survival benefits across patient groups, including younger and menopausal patients.
TEAM:
Craig Underhill
Professor Craig Underhill
Professor Craig Underhill completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery in 1987 at Melbourne University. He completed medical oncology training in Melbourne and worked as the Senior Clinical Research Registrar at Guy’s Hospital, London.
In 1998 arrived in Albury-Wodonga and established a medical oncology practice and clinical trials unit which has developed expertise and infrastructure to ensure the initiation of high quality trials. The research Unit lead by Dr Underhill has twice been awarded NSW Premier’s Award for Innovation in Cancer Clinical Trials, the inaugural award in 2009 and then again in 2012.
Dr Underhill is the VCCC Regional Oncology Lead and advocates for the increased access to clinical trials for regional Victorians and leads the VCCC teletrials program.
You can find Craig on X/Twitter here: @CraigUnderhill
Kate Clarke
Dr. Kate Clarke
Dr Kate Clarke (MBChB (Otago), FRACP) is a proud New Zealander with a real love for beautiful Aotearoa. Dr Clarke continues to work at being Tangata Tiriti. Much of her research and patient advocacy has an equity focus. Dr Clarke is grateful to her patients, students, whanau and colleagues for the knowledge and awhi they share. Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini.
Dr Clarke completed her medical training in Otago, Wellington and London. She has a holistic approach and is passionate about patient-centred care, and believes patients can and should play an active role in their healthcare. Her clinical experience covers a broad range of solid tumour malignancies with special clinical interest in colorectal cancer, upper gastrointestinal cancers and breast cancer.
Chris ‘CJ’ Jackson
Professor Christopher Jackson
Chris Jackson is Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Otago, Dunedin, and a medical oncologist at Dunedin Hospital and Mercy Cancer Care. He specialises in GI cancers and melanoma, teaches medical students and specialists-in-training, and is heavily involved in both national and international cancer policy, leadership and research.
He was previously the medical director of the Cancer Society of NZ, and his advocacy led to the funding of new cancer drugs, to the development of a new national cancer plan, and to the birth of the national cancer agency Te Aho o Te Kahu. He currently chairs the agency’s clinical committee and serves on the advisory board. In addition, he is on the programme board of the International Cancer Benchmarking Project, and is a founding member of the Common Sense Oncology movement.
Chris is a self-confessed Radiohead tragic, and recent convert to Crossfit (even though you didn’t ask).
Connect with CJ on X/Twitter: @drkiwicj
PRODUCER:
Rachael Babin
Rachael Babin is Host of The Oncology Podcast, Editor-in-Chief of The Oncology Newsletter, and Publisher of Oncology News Australia and The Oncology Network.
With a background in oncology communications and academic publishing, Rachael is happiest sitting behind the mic chatting to interesting people about the impact their work makes in oncology.
Connect on Twitter: @OncologyNewsAus
