• 203. Back to Basics - Early Pancreatic Cancer
    May 31 2026

    This week, we take a "back to the future" look at the early-stage pancreatic cancer phase, a relatively stagnant area in terms of pivotal trials. The two trials are the ESPAC4 trial, which examines doublet chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer, and Josh does a traditional deep dive into the world of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. He highlights ESPAC-5, PREOPANC-2, and the TAPS consortium, to name a few. A complicated but overall evolving field.


    Studies discussed in this episode:

    ESPAC-4

    FOLFOXIRI

    PREOPANC-2

    ESPAC-5

    TAPS (Trans-Atlantic Pancreatic Surgery (TAPS) Consortium Study)


    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.

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    26 mins
  • 202. Back to Basics - Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
    May 24 2026

    Today, we accidentally skipped early pancreatic cancer and jumped straight to advanced pancreatic cancer. It was a sombre episode, with clinicians and advocates screaming for better treatment options for this cancer. While small incremental advances have been made, the holy grail remains elusive.


    Today our focus is on NAPOLI-3, the use of liposomal irinotecan (NALIRIFOX), and PANOVA-3, where TTFields are used in combination with gemcitabine/abraxane. A good conversation, though the current premise is sad. Hopefully, as time moves on, this conversation will be more optimistic.


    Studies discussed in this episode:

    NAPOLI-3

    PANOVA-3


    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.

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    22 mins
  • 201. Back to Basics - Advanced Gastric/GOJ Cancer
    May 17 2026

    On today's episode, Josh and Michael "advance" in their ongoing GI journey, as Michael continuously insists on saying, to discuss advanced gastric and GOJ cancer. Historically, an orphan disease with a very poor prognosis, perhaps the first rays of light are beginning to shine on this difficult-to-treat cancer type. Immunotherapy has been well established as standard of care, but are there any new agents that are emerging in this space? As always, the answer to that question is "yes," and as usual, the agent in question is trastuzumab deruxtecan. Listen on for all the surprising details, even more awful puns, and a strange tangent about the difference between a "good" and "effective" dictator.


    Studies discussed in this episode:

    Checkmate 648/649

    Destiny-Gastric01


    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.

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    28 mins
  • 200. Back to Basics - Early Gastric Cancer
    May 9 2026

    This week, as we enter our 200th episode, Michael and Josh continue their journey through the alimentary canal, exploring the world of stomach cancer. Gastric cancer has been notoriously difficult to treat, with a thirty-year grace period of multiple trials seeking an appropriate regimen that reduces recurrences while remaining effective. This episode gives you all the answers, and just when we thought everything was settled, immunotherapy enters the fray with MATTERHORN.


    Studies discussed in this episode:

    FLOT4-AIO

    MATTERHORN


    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.

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    29 mins
  • 199. Back to Basics - Metastatic Colorectal Cancer - last line options
    May 3 2026

    Good therapeutic options for metastatic colorectal cancer are limited after the fluoropyrimidine-based options are exhausted. This week, we explore the role of trifluridine-tipiracil (Lonsurf) and bevacizumab (VEGF inhibitor), and a newish kid on the block, fruquitinib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor. While not perfect, they do represent later-line options for patients


    Studies discussed in this episode:

    SUNLIGHT

    FRESCO-2


    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.

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    24 mins
  • 198. Back to Basics - Early Oesophageal Cancer
    Apr 26 2026

    Today's episode, like several of the greatest cult classics, comes a bit earlier than anticipated. Before we wrap up our epic recap of the colorectal space, we will give you a little taster of our UGI series with a look at early oesophageal cancer, focussing on the chemotherapy backbone and whether immunotherapy has any place in this space. Spoiler alert (as always): it does.


    Studies discussed in this episode:

    ESOPEC

    Checkmate 577


    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.

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    28 mins
  • 197. Back to Basics - Metastatic Colorectal Cancer - HER2 positive disease and PI3K mutations
    Apr 18 2026

    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.

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    39 mins
  • 196. Back to Basics - Metastatic Colorectal Cancer - BRAFV600E and KRAS
    Apr 9 2026

    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.

    Show More Show Less
    27 mins