

The OJC S4E8: Beam Me Up, Scotty! STAR-TREC, Viagra & the Ethics of $55K Cancer Drugs
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Oncology Journal Club, we take a wide-ranging look at the latest oncology research, exploring treatment strategies for deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer, new evidence on organ preservation in early rectal cancer, updated ASCO recommendations for advanced non-small cell lung cancer and the potential impact of proton pump inhibitors on immunotherapy outcomes. The team also tackle a range of Quick Bites, including the implications of eye-watering drug prices, question the value of surrogate endpoints and emerging research into cancer vaccines. Plus... could Viagra prevent cancer metastasis? --------------------------------------- The Oncology Journal Club Podcast is hosted by Professor Craig Underhill, Dr Kate Clarke and Professor Chris Jackson, and proudly produced by The Oncology Network. Join the OJC team for a lively, evidence-focused discussion of the latest oncology research, the studies that may influence clinical practice and the questions clinicians should keep asking as new treatments emerge. In this episode dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer: We discuss the COMMIT study and the unanswered question of whether combination treatment or treatment sequencing offers the best approach. Organ preservation in rectal cancer: We discuss the STAR-TREC study comparing long-course chemoradiotherapy with short-course radiotherapy in patients with early rectal cancer, examining the potential to avoid radical surgery. Updated ASCO living guidelines for advanced NSCLC: New recommendations for repotrectinib in ROS1-positive disease and zongertinib in HER2-mutant disease highlight the rapid evolution of targeted treatment options. Pulmonary nodules and RAS inhibition: We review new evidence on pulmonary nodule management and an emerging RAS inhibitor for previously treated RAS-mutant NSCLC, including questions around efficacy, toxicity and access. The cost of cancer innovation: We discuss the reported price of daraxonrasib, an emerging RAS inhibitor, raising difficult questions about affordability, equitable access, morality, clinical trial design and whether patients should be able to cross over to promising treatments. The DEEPER study in metastatic colorectal cancer: Does greater tumour shrinkage translate into longer survival? Proton pump inhibitors and immunotherapy: A post-hoc analysis of the PACIFIC trial explores associations between PPI use and outcomes following chemoradiotherapy and durvalumab for unresectable stage III NSCLC. Personalised mRNA cancer vaccines: Promising preliminary results from the INTerpath-001 trial in high-risk resected melanoma prompt discussion about the future of individualised neoantigen therapies and the challenges of manufacturing and affordability. Viagra and cancer outcomes: Could PDE5 inhibitors help limit cancer metastasis? The team discuss preclinical research suggesting that PDE5 inhibition may disrupt cholesterol trafficking and restrict cancer spread, alongside retrospective data associating Viagra use with improved survival in patients with lung, prostate and colorectal cancers. But is this a genuine therapeutic signal or a case of confounding? The team weigh the findings and highlight the need for further research - expect some typically irreverent OJC commentary! For Australian listeners, don't miss the PBS Update spin-off, covering new and updated PBS listings. Visit the Oncology News and Oncology Network websites for the latest oncology research, clinical developments and drug news. The Oncology Journal Club is an independently produced educational podcast discussing published research and emerging evidence for healthcare professionals working in cancer care. Visit oncologynetwork.com.au for Show Notes, to send us Voice Notes and more information.
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