Hosted by Professor Craig Underhill, Dr Kate Clarke & Professor Christopher Jackson | Proudly produced by The Oncology Network
Welcome back 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 week’s episode really does contain multitudes, with an incredibly eclectic mix of papers.
- Craig looks at the effectiveness of cancer control measures and optimising drug dosages.
- Kate talks us through interactions between solid neoplasms and the microbiome and shares a curious paper on extra virgin olive oil.
- CJ tackles a sobering paper on substandard anticancer medications and what lessons can be learnt from KEYNOTE-585 and Matterhorn in gastric cancer.
We’ve a great selection of Quick Bites and a heartfelt discussion about taboo thoughts and the challenges carers of people with brain cancer face.
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:
Craig: Lynch BM, et al. Cancer control measures have prevented 230,000 deaths in Australia since the mid-1980s. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2025 Jun 12. Access online here.
Kate: Barragan-Carrillo R, Zengin ZB, Pal SK. Microbiome Modulation for the Treatment of Solid Neoplasms. J Clin Oncol. 2025 Aug 20;43(24):2734-2738. doi: 10.1200/JCO-25-00374. Epub 2025 Jul 11. PMID: 40644647; PMCID: PMC12352565. Access online here.
CJ: Wilfinger MJ, et al. Substandard anticancer medications in clinical care settings and private pharmacies in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic pharmaceutical investigation. Lancet Glob Health. 2025 Jul;13(7):e1250-e1257. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(25)00138-X. PMID: 40580990; PMCID: PMC12224173. Access online here.
QUICK BITES:
Craig:
Levit LA, et al. Totality of the Evidence: Optimizing Dosage Selection Strategies in Oncology. J Clin Oncol. 2025 Jul 24:JCO2500488. doi: 10.1200/JCO-25-00488. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40706003; PMCID: PMC12313202. Access online here.
Botteri E, et al. Aprepitant use during chemotherapy and association with survival in women with early breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2025 Jul 14:djaf178. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djaf178. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40658620. Access online here.
McDougall E, et al. Unveiling the Unspoken: Exploring Taboo Thoughts and Difficult Experiences Among Carers of People With Brain Cancer. Psychooncology. 2025 Jul;34(7):e70231. doi: 10.1002/pon.70231. PMID: 40671217; PMCID: PMC12267670. Access online here.
Approaches to Assessment of Overall Survival in Oncology Clinical Trials. Draft Guidance for Industry. FDA. August 2025. Access online here.
Kate:
Jagannath S, et al. Long-Term (≥5-Year) Remission and Survival After Treatment With Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel in CARTITUDE-1 Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma. J Clin Oncol. 2025 Jun 3:JCO2500760. doi: 10.1200/JCO-25-00760. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40459151. Access online here.
Andayani YD, et al. Effect of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil on Hand Foot Syndrome and hs-CRP in Patients Receiving Capecitabine: A Randomized Trial. Acta Med Indones. 2023 Oct;55(4):396-402. PMID: 38213043. Access online here.
Hoeppner J, et al. Recurrence Patterns of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma in the Phase III ESOPEC Trial Comparing Perioperative Chemotherapy With Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 2025 Jul 9:JCO2500948. doi: 10.1200/JCO-25-00948. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40632972. Access online here.
CJ: Lin FI, Det al. Phase II Study of 177Lu-DOTATATE for Progressive Metastatic Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas: Interim Analysis of Efficacy, Safety, and Biomarkers. J Clin Oncol. 2025 Aug 19:JCO2500791. doi: 10.1200/JCO-25-00791. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40829092. Access online here.
Shitara K, et al. Pembrolizumab Plus Chemotherapy Versus Chemotherapy as Perioperative Therapy in Locally Advanced Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer: Final Analysis of the Randomized, Phase III KEYNOTE-585 Study. J Clin Oncol. 2025 Aug 19:JCO2500486. doi: 10.1200/JCO-25-00486. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40829093. Access online here.
Editorial: Ilson DH. KEYNOTE-585 Fails While Matterhorn Succeeds in Gastric Cancer: What Lessons Can We Learn? J Clin Oncol. 2025 Aug 19:JCO2501439. doi: 10.1200/JCO-25-01439. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40829094. Access online here.
OTHER EPISODES MENTIONED:
The Oncology Journal Club podcast S2 E4: New Zealand vs Australia, Optimising Breast Cancer Treatment, ChatGPT Insights, ASCO Guidelines, Hand-Foot Syndrome and More – Access 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
