How do cancer outcomes in New Zealand compare to Australia? How can we optimise post-neoadjuvant treatment in patients with early breast cancer who achieve pathologic complete response? Does bevacizumab improve efficacy when administered with platinum combination therapy and atezolizumab in patients with advanced nonsquamous non small cell lung cancer? And how do AI chatbots perform when asked for cancer treatment recommendations?
Welcome to The Oncology Journal Club Podcast – your go-to source for in-depth discussions on the latest oncology research tailored for medical professionals.
Join our esteemed Hosts, Professor Craig Underhill, Dr. Kate Clarke and Professor Christopher Jackson for the low down on the latest oncology papers.
They also discuss ASCO guidelines, inequities, financial conflicts and environmental issues.
But that’s not all – we also add a touch of whimsy to the episode, rounding off with a fun song inspired by Craig’s latest half marathon, crafted in the style of Taylor Swift (courtesy of CJ’s favourite new lyric-writing machine, Chat GPT!).
Tune in to The Oncology Journal Club Podcast for an informative and entertaining journey through the world of oncology research and practice.
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: Elwood M. Cancer outcomes in New Zealand and other countries: how are we doing? N Z Med J. 2024 Mar 8;137(1591):8-10. doi: 10.26635/6965.e1591. PMID: 38452228. Access online here.
Kate: Valenza C, Trapani D, Loibl S, et al. Optimizing Postneoadjuvant Treatment in Patients With Early Breast Cancer Achieving Pathologic Complete Response. J Clin Oncol. 2024 Apr 3:JCO2301935. doi: 10.1200/JCO.23.01935. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38569132. Access online here.
Craig: Shiraishi Y, Kishimoto J, Sugawara S, et aI. Atezolizumab and Platinum Plus Pemetrexed With or Without Bevacizumab for Metastatic Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol. 2024 Mar 1;10(3):315-324. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.5258. PMID: 38127362; PMCID: PMC10739077. Access online here.
QUICK BITES
CJ: Santhosh A, Sharma A, Bakhshi S, et al. Topical Diclofenac for Prevention of Capecitabine-Associated Hand-Foot Syndrome: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. J Clin Oncol. 2024 Feb 27:JCO2301730. doi: 10.1200/JCO.23.01730. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38412399. Access online here.
Kate: Sangro B, Chan SL, Kelley RKet al. Four-year overall survival update from the phase III HIMALAYA study of tremelimumab plus durvalumab in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Ann Oncol. 2024 Feb 19:S0923-7534(24)00049-8. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2024.02.005. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38382875. Access online here.
Gordan JD, Kennedy EB, Abou-Alfa GK, et al. Systemic Therapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: ASCO Guideline Update. J Clin Oncol. 2024 Mar 19:JCO2302745. doi: 10.1200/JCO.23.02745. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38502889. Access online here.
Craig: Jaiyesimi IA, Leighl NB, Ismaila N, et al. Therapy for Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Without Driver Alterations: ASCO Living Guideline, Version 2023.3. J Clin Oncol. 2024 Feb 28:JCO2302746. doi: 10.1200/JCO.23.02746. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38417098. Access online here.
Chen S, Kann BH, Foote MB, et al. Use of Artificial Intelligence Chatbots for Cancer Treatment Information. JAMA Oncol. 2023 Oct 1;9(10):1459-1462. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.2954. PMID: 37615976; PMCID: PMC10450584. Access online here.
Sanford NN, Gyawali B. Financial Conflicts of Interest: Payment at the Expense of Patients? JCO Oncol Pract. 2024 Mar 18:OP2400032. doi: 10.1200/OP.24.00032. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38498791. Access online here.
OTHER RESOURCES AND PODCASTS:
Experts on Point Podcast Episodes: ChatGPT – will it revolutionise cancer patient information? Part 1 & Part 2
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
