Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The First Prospective Trial of Proton Therapy for Children With Rhabdomyosarcoma: What We Learn From Preliminary Results Nov 25, 2014

Show notes

This is a prospective study of proton radiotherapy for rhabdomyosarcoma showing equivalent efficacy with photon treatment.

Intermediate Risk Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma: Early Response-Adapted Treatment Is Key Nov 25, 2014

Show notes

Tailoring treatment in intermediate-risk pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma is feasible using an early response-based assessment for the omission of radiotherapy.

Keeping Older Cancer Patients out of the Hospital: A Community Affair Nov 25, 2014

Show notes

Given the high rate of unplanned hospitalizations in older cancer patients, multidisciplinary care is needed for outcomes improvement.

Optimal Duration of MRD Monitoring During Therapy for Childhood ALL Nov 25, 2014

Show notes

Minimal residual disease monitoring has been very helpful in early response evaluation and risk stratification of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This podcast discusses the pros and cons of extended MRD monitoring throughout the duration of therapy for childhood ALL.

Hepatitis B Reactivation in Patients Receiving Rituximab Can Be Detected Early and Managed with Antivirals Nov 25, 2014

Show notes

This podcast describes the report of a cohort of Chinese patients with known prior hepatitis B exposure, receiving rituximab as part of their therapy for lymphoma. The podcast includes a summary of the trial and discussion of the finding that while reactivation of hepatitis B is common in this population, if treatment with antivirals is started soon after the detection of a positive viral load, then pathology related to hepatitis B can be avoided.

CT or No CT: An Important Question in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Sep 29, 2014

Show notes

In this paper, the authors demonstrate that only a very small percentage of patients from 2 large, prospective cohorts developed recurrent diffuse large B-cell lymphoma detected solely on post remission imaging. In addition, the overall survival of these patients was not different from that of patients who presented with symptoms or findings on physical exam. I will review the data and discuss its possible implications for the clinical care of patients in remission at the completion of front-line chemotherapy.

Glembatumumab Vedotin (CDX-011, CR011-vcMMAE): On The Brink Of Targeted Therapy For Triple-Negative Breast Cancer? Sep 29, 2014

Show notes

A phase I/II study of the antibody-drug conjugate glembatumumab vedotin (CDX-011 or CR011-vcMMAE) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, reveals an acceptable safety profile and promising clinical activity in GPNMB expressing breast cancer.

Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide for GVHD Prophylaxis: Back to the Future Sep 29, 2014

Show notes

Conventional GVHD prophylaxis with calcineurin inhibitors has a high incidence of chronic GVHD. Kanakri et al show that post-transplant administration of High dose cyclophosphamide is an effective way of reducing chronic GVHD. Limitations of this approach and alternative approaches are briefly discussed.

The Price Of A Drug is Not the Whole Cost Sep 29, 2014

Show notes

Many new oncology drugs are expensive. Drug prices may not reflect the whole cost of new agents, as increases or decreases in adverse effects compared to previously available therapies may influence cost comparisons. This podcast summarizes a meta-analysis of the economic consequences of adverse effects in 41 registration trials that led to approval of new oncology drugs between 2000 and 2011.

Cabozantinib in Advanced Prostate Cancer: Is the Therapeutic Window Too Narrow? Sep 15, 2014

Show notes

This podcast discusses a phase 2 trial of cabozantinib in men with advanced bone-metastatic prostate cancer, using a novel method to assess bone scan response.