Metastatic Colorectal Cancer has a dearth of targetable mutations that have effective outcomes. This week, Michael and Josh see whether the wonder drug (trastruzumab deruxtecan) works in HER2-expressing colorectal cancer. Michael takes a more positive tone, with the recycling of aspirin to reduce recurrence risk for PI3K pathway cancers.

Josh promised he will have the right audio this episode - thanks to our astute listener who told us last time!

Studies discussed in this episode:

ALASCCA

Destiny-CRC01

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UPDATED WITH CORRECT AUDIO

While Michael daydreams of getting a haircut, this week's topics are slightly more conventional as we explore the role of more targeted agents in metastatic colorectal cancer. KRAS and BRAF mutations in colorectal cancer were historically prognostic; this has now shifted with targeted therapies available for both. In the context of metastatic colorectal cancer, BRAF mutations account for up to 10% of cases and are associated with significantly poorer overall survival compared with wild-type (WT) counterparts. The median overall survival in many cases of metastatic disease was under 15 months. Five years ago, there were no options, but now we see a growing list of potential therapeutic choices. Trials discussed today include BREAKWATER and CODEBREAK 300.

Studies discussed in this episode:

BREAKWATER

Codebreak 300

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Historically, colorectal cancer treatment has been fairly standard, but this has shifted over the past decade with the introduction of targeted therapies. This week, our focus is on patients with microsatellite instability (dMMR) colorectal cancer, a small but meaningful cohort. This condition affects up to 15% of patients, many of whom carry germline mutations in the MLH1 and MSH2 genes, which simply means that cells can't recognise and fix spontaneous mutations. Historically, these cancers are less responsive to chemotherapy.

This week, we explore two immunotherapy regimens - pembrolizumab, ipilimumab and nivolumab.

Studies discussed in this episode:

Checkmate 8HW

KEYNOTE-177

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.