Expert Interviews

Frederick Howard, MD, explored the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), computational pathology, and precision breast oncology.

Nikolai Strusberg, MD, discussed how proton therapy reduced clinical hypothyroidism vs photon therapy after supraclavicular breast irradiation.

Dr. Saad Usmani and Dr. Shaji Kumar examine the CEPHEUS findings on response depth and durability in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, with particular emphasis on MRD negativity and its potential implications for treatment duration.

Dr. Saad Usmani reviews the design of the phase 3 CEPHEUS study in patients with transplant-ineligible or transplant-deferred newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, highlighting the importance of patient fitness and age in defining the study population.

Leah Katz, MD, MPH, discussesed NeoORB data on neoadjuvant radiotherapy and why radiation timing may open new treatment paradigms in breast cancer.

Asked about the biggest misconception community providers hold about the referral process, Matthew J. Frigault, MD, clinical director of the Cellular Immunotherapy Program at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, emphasized that CAR T-cell therapy is a co-management strategy.

Matthew J. Frigault, MD, clinical director of the Cellular Immunotherapy Program at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, asked what practical steps referring oncologists can take and what an ideal interaction with an academic medical center looks like.

Adam D. Cohen, MD, director of Myeloma Immunotherapy and professor of medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, asked whether patients lose the chance to receive CAR T-cell therapy if referral comes too late.

Adam D. Cohen, MD, reviews 5-year data from cohort A of CARTITUDE-2 for cilta-cel and how bridging therapy may lower the risk of late neurotoxicity.

Estelamari Rodriguez, MD, MPH, of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center presents long-term resistance data from the phase 3 MARIPOSA study in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), where amivantamab plus lazertinib reduced acquired MET amplification approximately fourfold and secondary EGFR resistance mutations approximately fivefold compared with osimertinib.

With both CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies now available in early relapse, Adam D. Cohen, MD, director of Myeloma Immunotherapy and professor of medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, asked how clinicians should decide which modality comes first.

Matthew J. Frigault, MD, and Adam D. Cohen, MD, outline how updated NCCN guidelines position CAR T-cell therapy in early relapsed multiple myeloma.

Siddhartha Devarakonda, MD, of Providence Swedish Cancer Institute says he sees no remaining role for intravenous amivantamab in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with subcutaneous administration taking 10 to 15 minutes and easing chair time and scheduling.

Matthew J. Frigault, MD, clinical director of the Cellular Immunotherapy Program at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, explained that some toxicities of CAR T-cell therapy emerge within the first 30 days, while others can appear 90 days or later after infusion.

Leah Katz, MD, MPH, explained how an intraoperative tumor bed boost in TARGIT-B may reduce distant relapse in young patients with breast cancer.

Erik Bengtsen, MD, discussed meaning-centered therapy at the bedside, framing psychiatry referrals, and a more humanistic approach to care.

Ursula A. Matulonis, MD, surveyed the exploitable genetic changes driving the next wave of ovarian cancer trials, from CDK2 and WEE1 inhibitors to PARG inhibitors.

Ursula A. Matulonis, MD, broke down the trial design, backbone regimen, and preclinical rationale that she believes made KEYNOTE-B96 a positive study.

Leah Katz, MD, MPH, discusses long-term IDEA trial data on omitting radiation and why endocrine therapy tolerance matters in this decision.

Erik Bengtsen, MD, described what sets psycho-oncology apart and how clinicians can open conversations on body image and sexual health.

Alexandra Dreyfuss, MD, MS, explains why CAR T and bispecific populations are her priority for prospective radiotherapy studies in multiple myeloma.

Dr. Andrew Pecora on leading the first IV oncolytic virus trial, building a top-50 cancer center, and using AI to fix the cost of cancer care.

Ralph V. Boccia, MD, FACP, explained how community practices can build the workflow and capacity to deliver bispecific step-up dosing in an outpatient setting.

The faculty define holding and bridging therapy, discuss how they coordinate it with the referring practice, and walk through the timeline.

A panelist describes how the treating center, local oncologist, patient, and caregivers share responsibility for monitoring after CAR T-cell therapy, including warning symptoms, immune monitoring, and infection prevention.

One panelist describes the consent conversation with patients and caregivers, including how the treatment works, what to expect from outcomes, the practical process, and side effects such as cytokine release syndrome, ICANS, cranial nerve palsy, colitis, and movement disorders.

The faculty discuss a recent exchange in Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology on the role of CAR T-cell therapy and where it fits in the treatment sequence, including concerns about toxicity and how recognition and management of these toxicities have evolved.

The moderator reviews a guideline recommendation on CAR T-cell therapy and T-cell engagers at first relapse, and one panelist describes how it compares with their practice, including the rationale for sequencing and the questions that remain open.

Panelists discuss which patients at first relapse make them think of CAR T-cell therapy and which make them pause, including disease burden and the role of holding and bridging therapy, age and fitness, kidney function, and caregiver availability.

The faculty consider how they would answer a patient who is 5 years out from a single infusion in sustained MRD-negative remission and asks whether they are cured.