Hosted by Professor Craig Underhill, Dr Kate Clarke & Professor Christopher Jackson | Proudly produced by The Oncology Network
Welcome to the Oncology Journal Club ASCO 2025 Special – Part 2! This is where we take a famously different approach to oncology research.
If you’re after an enlightening and entertaining take on this year’s ASCO meeting, the OJC team has you covered – blending expert analysis with trademark humour.
Our hosts go beyond the standard presentations to explore what the research really means for clinical practice.
The Oncology Podcast – An Australian Oncology Perspective
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:
CJ PANCREAS:
Reni, M., et al. Results of a randomized phase III trial of pre-operative chemotherapy with mFOLFIRINOX or PAXG regimen for stage I-III pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. J Clin Oncol 43, 2025 (suppl 17; abstr LBA4004). Access online here.
CJ SKIN:
Rischin, D., et al. Phase 3 trial of adjuvant cemiplimab (cemi) versus placebo (pbo) for high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). Head and Neck Cancer 6001. Access online here.
Mastrolonardo, E., et al. Neoadjuvant cemiplimab in cutaneous basal cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Melanoma/Skin Cancers. TPS9606. Access online here.
CRAIG LUNG:
Paz-Ares, L., et al. Lurbinectedin (lurbi) + atezolizumab (atezo) as first-line (1L) maintenance treatment (tx) in patients (pts) with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC): Primary results of the phase 3 IMforte trial. Oral Abstract Session 8006. Access online here.
Rudin, C., et al. Tarlatamab versus chemotherapy (CTx) as second-line (2L) treatment for small cell lung cancer (SCLC): Primary analysis of Ph3 DeLLphi-304. J Clin Oncol 43, 2025 (suppl 17; abstr LBA8008). Access online here.
Mok, T., et al. Patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) in resistant EGFR-mutated (EGFRm) advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after a third-generation EGFR TKI: The phase 3 HERTHENA-Lung02 study. Oral Abstract Session 8506. Access online here.
Forde, P., et al. Overall survival with neoadjuvant nivolumab (NIVO) + chemotherapy (chemo) in patients with resectable NSCLC in CheckMate 816. J Clin Oncol 43, 2025 (suppl 17; abstr LBA8000). Access online here.
CRAIG GU:
Choueiri, T., et al. Nivolumab plus ipilimumab vs sunitinib for first-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma: Final analysis from the phase 3 CheckMate 214 trial. Kidney Cancer 4505. Access online here.
Van Der Heijden, M., et al. Nivolumab plus ipilimumab (NIVO+IPI) vs gemcitabine-carboplatin (gem-carbo) chemotherapy for previously untreated unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC): Final results for cisplatin-ineligible patients from the CheckMate 901 trial. Genitourinary Cancer—Kidney and Bladder 4500. Access online here.
CRAIG PROSTATE CANCER:
Attard, G., et al. Phase 3 AMPLITUDE trial: Niraparib (NIRA) and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AAP) for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) patients (pts) with alterations in homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes. J Clin Oncol 43, 2025 (suppl 17; abstr LBA5006). Access online here.
Vijayan, M., et al. Phase III randomized placebo-controlled trial on repurposing olanzapine for prevention of radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (RINV): CTRI/2022/01/039723. Symptom Science and Palliative Care 12001. Access online here.
CRAIG HEAD AND NECK:
Bourhis, J., et al. NIVOPOSTOP (GORTEC 2018-01): A phase III randomized trial of adjuvant nivolumab added to radio-chemotherapy in patients with resected head and neck squamous cell carcinoma at high risk of relapse. LBA2. Journal of Clinical Oncology Volume 43, Number 17_suppl June 2025. Access online here.
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
