Interviews

Andrew Kuykendall, MD, Moffitt Cancer Center, explains the goals of the VERIFY trial and why its data on rusfertide could have paradigm-changing implications for patients with polycythemia vera (PV) who currently rely on frequent phlebotomies for relief.

Collecting comprehensive patient data, including social determinants of health, is crucial for equitable value-based cancer care, yet administrative burdens could worsen existing disparities, said Coral Omene, MD, PhD, of Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health.

Constance Blunt, MD, medical oncologist, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, discusses the potential consequences of losing free health care screening coverage.

Dirk Arnold, MD, PhD, medical director, Asklepios Tumour Biology Centre, discusses the trial design of a study comparing amivantamab with standard chemotherapy to potentially improve treatment outcomes.

In the final part of an interview with Brian Slomovitz, MD, he highlights that the phase 3 ROSELLA trial demonstrates a safe, effective treatment for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer that does not require biomarker testing.

Julia Lucaci, PharmD, MS, of Becton, Dickinson and Company, discusses the benefits of blister packaging for chronic medications, advocating for payer incentives to boost medication adherence and improve health outcomes.

With the FDA approval of retifanlimab (Zynyz; Incyte) as the first and only first-line treatment for advanced anal cancer, researchers are now focusing on resistance mechanisms and future therapies, according to Sheela Rao, MBBS, MD, FRCP, of The Royal Marsden Hospital.

Artificial intelligence (AI) provides a major tool in the evolution of thoracic care, as clinicians work to catch lung cancer earlier to provide better prognosis.

Merrill H. Stewart, MD, Ochsner Health, explains misconceptions about stents and bypass surgery and highlights when cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) stress testing is most appropriate.

In the final part of her interview, Margrit Wiesendanger, MD, PhD, discusses the need to improve lupus care by addressing social determinants of health and expanding access to treatment.

Defining "value" in cancer care goes beyond survival and should encompass patient quality of life metrics, said Coral Omene, MD, PhD, of Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health.

Ahead of the 30th European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress in Milan, Ola Landgren, MD, PhD, shares what he is most looking forward to and reflects on key advancements and ongoing challenges in hematology.

David Awad, PharmD, BCOP, says pharmacists play a growing role in managing access, safety, and toxicity for these therapies, ensuring treatments are appropriate and sustainable in real-world oncology practice.

The PURPOSE trials illuminated the ways in which lenacapavir could be used as a means of pre-exposure prophylaxis effectively, but also featured several adverse events.

To truly shift the landscape in obesity care, explains Jaime Almandoz, MD, MBA, UT Southwestern, care models and policies must also consider quality of life and total health outcomes.

Insurance hurdles in value-based cancer care create delays and anxiety for patients and providers, complicating access to essential treatments, explained Coral Omene, MD, PhD, of Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health.

Brian Slomovitz, MD, of Mount Sinai Medical Center, compares relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel with existing treatments for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and highlights the ROSELLA trial’s global scope.

Systemic barriers beyond just the price of drugs can impact health care costs, emphasizing the need for comprehensive affordability solutions, explained H. John Beardsley, MBA, of CoverMyMeds, and Fauzea Hussain, MPH, of McKesson.

Adam Colborn, JD, associate vice president for congressional affairs, Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP), shares updates on the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services (ECAPS) Act of 2025, which was introduced in the House of Representatives last month.

Research from Anjali Vaidya, MD, FACC, FASE, FACP, Temple University Hospital, reveals critical care gaps for patients with methamphetamine-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and integrated support.

Leaders in oncology share why the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting remains a top global gathering for breakthroughs, networking, and lifelong learning.

Medicare Part B drug negotiations in 2028 pose challenges for providers, requiring new payment systems and strategies to ensure patient access, explained H. John Beardsley, MBA, of CoverMyMeds, and Fauzea Hussain, MPH, of McKesson.

With potential lung cancer nodules sometimes slipping through the cracks, educating stakeholders about artificial intelligence (AI) that can catch nodules early could be helpful in cancer treatment.

Gary Falcetano, PA-C, AE-C, explains that proactively managing seasonal allergies can significantly decrease the overall inflammatory burden, thereby improving both physical symptoms and potentially mitigating neuroinflammation's impact on mental well-being.

Constance Blunt, MD, medical oncologist, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, shares how one mobile health care initiative is addressing critical barriers to medical access for underserved populations.

In this final part of a recent interview with Jonathan Strober, MD, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital and phase 2/3 Vibrance-MG study investigator, he explains the difficulty of evaluating investigative treatments for pediatric patients who have myasthenia gravis.

According to Merrill H. Stewart, MD, Ochsner Health, the test can more accurately identify high-risk patients while helping others avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.

Gary Falcetano, PA-C, AE-C, features insights on how unaddressed chronic allergy symptoms contribute to mental health burdens and the critical role of early immunoglobulin E trigger identification in managing both physical and psychological wellbeing.

Relacorilant combined with nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) significantly improved progression-free and overall survival in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer in the phase 3 ROSELLA trial, according to Brian Slomovitz, MD, one of the investigators.

Mild asthma could be better treated with the recent approval of the combination of albuterol/budesonide.