OncLive® On Air

In this podcast, experts Patrick I. Borgen, MD; Don S. Dizon, MD, FACP, FASCO; Kevin S. Hughes, MD, FACS; and Banu Arun, MD, FASCO; discuss how genetic testing drives breast cancer management from screening and surgical decisions to targeted systemic therapies.

Breast Cancer Briefing, hosted by Sara Nunnery, MD, MSCI, a breast medical oncologist and the director of Breast Cancer Research at Tennessee Oncology in Nashville, is a podcast series that breaks down the latest news in breast cancer research, one conversation at a time.
In today's episode, filmed live onsite at the 43rd Annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference, Dr Nunnery sat down with Neil M. Iyengar, MD, an associate professor and co-director of Breast Medical Oncology in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Emory University School of Medicine, as well as the director of Survivorship Services at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Their conversation centered around lifestyle and medical interventions pertinent to breast cancer survivorship. Dr Iyengar explained that although endocrine therapies can be life-saving, they disrupt estrogen signaling, which can lead to cardiometabolic dysfunction, including increased risks for diabetes, heart disease, and bone health issues. He noted that weight gain associated with these treatments is often tied to the induction of a post-menopausal state, which disrupts energy homeostasis and promotes inflammation.
A key theme of the conversation was Dr Iyengar’s explanation of a "drug development paradigm" for lifestyle changes. Rather than offering generic advice, his research focuses on precision lifestyle interventions, treating diet and exercise as prescribed medical therapies with specific "doses". He highlighted that body mass index (BMI) is an insufficient tool for risk stratification, as high body fat despite a normal BMI is a significant risk factor for cancer recurrence.
The discussion also covered the rising use of GLP-1 receptor agonists to manage metabolic health. These drugs replicate natural hormones to maintain glycemic balance and reduce hunger. Dr Iyengar addressed the black box warning for thyroid cancer associated with this class of drugs, noting that although the data are mixed, the protective benefits against obesity-related cancers appear to outweigh the risks. Finally, he emphasized that exercise is a critical tool for managing treatment adverse effects like fatigue, noting that although starting is difficult, the "return on investment" for patient health is immense.

Welcome to OncLive On Air®! I’m your host today, Kyle Doherty.

OncLive On Air is a podcast from OncLive®, which provides oncology professionals with the resources and information they need to provide the best patient care. In both digital and print formats, OncLive covers every angle of oncology practice, from new technology to treatment advances to important regulatory decisions.
In today’s episode, we spoke with David Morris, MD, FACS, and Alan H. Bryce, MD. Dr Morris is the president of Urology Associates, PC, in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr Bryce is a medical oncologist and the chief clinical officer of City of Hope Cancer Center Phoenix in Arizona.

In our exclusive interview, Drs Morris and Bryce discussed the clinical implications of the FDA’s full approval of rucaparib (Rubraca) for BRCA mutation–associated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), including the notable data that supported the regulatory decision and how this agent fits into the mCRPC treatment paradigm.

From Discovery to Delivery: Charting Progress in Gynecologic Oncology, hosted by Ursula A. Matulonis, MD, brings expert insights into the most recent breakthroughs, evolving standards, and emerging therapies across gynecologic cancers. Dr Matulonis is chief of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and the Brock-Wilcon Family Chair at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as well as a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, both in Boston, Massachusetts.
In this episode, Dr Matulonis sat down with guest Katharine M. Esselen, MD, MBA. Dr Esselen is an attending gynecologic oncologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School in Boston. 
Drs Matulonis and Esselen explored the growing effect of financial toxicity in gynecologic oncology, emphasizing how economic burden can influence access to care, treatment adherence, and patient outcomes. Dr Esselen, whose research focuses on patient-centered outcomes and value-based care, highlighted that financial toxicity extends beyond direct medical costs to include indirect burdens such as lost wages, childcare needs, transportation, and basic living expenses. 
To address these challenges, Dr Esselen and her colleagues developed a financial navigation program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. This initiative includes systematic screening for financial concerns and dedicated support from a financial navigator who connects patients with resources such as insurance optimization, transportation assistance, and financial aid programs. Implementation of this program significantly increased identification of at-risk patients and improved access to supportive services.
Importantly, Drs Matulonis and Esselen emphasized that financial toxicity is not only a quality-of-life issue but also a clinical one. Studies show that patients experiencing high financial burden are more likely to delay or forgo care and less likely to adhere to prescribed treatments, which may ultimately affect survival outcomes. Drs Matulonis and Esselen concluded the discussion by outlining the steps that can be taken to reduce financial burden on patients, underscoring the need for proactive screening, multidisciplinary support, and systemic change.

In this podcast, experts Carrie L. Kitko, MD; Miguel-Angel Perales, MD; and Amandeep Salhotra, MD, discuss GVHD prophylaxis strategies and therapies to address treatment-naive and steroid-refractory chronic GVHD.