The FLASCO OncoPod

Join Dr. Paresh Patel and Dr. Masoumeh Ghayouri for a crucial conversation on the complexities of HER2 testing in Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma (GEA) and Biliary Tract Cancer (BTC).

HER2 status is essential for accessing targeted treatments, but its interpretation in GI cancers is unique and challenging. This episode dives into:

• GI vs. Breast Guidelines: Understanding the critical differences in interpreting HER2 Immunohistochemistry (IHC) results, including scoring criteria, membrane staining requirements, and tissue sampling specifics (e.g., cohesive cell clusters in biopsies).
• Testing Rationale and Methods: Why first-line HER2 testing is now standard for BTC and GEA, and the advantages of using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to assess multiple biomarkers simultaneously alongside IHC and ISH.
• The Power of Collaboration: The vital need for oncologists and pathologists to work closely together to ensure accurate tissue sampling, correct test interpretation, and ultimately, determine patient eligibility for life-prolonging HER2-targeted medications.

Gain insights into best practices that are necessary to overcome challenges like intratumoral heterogeneity and ensure high-quality biomarker testing for GI cancer patients.

Join moderator Dr. Tiago Bianchi and an expert multidisciplinary panel, including Zilipah Cruz, MSN-RN, ONN-CG, Vanessa Sepulveda-Dominguez, RN, BSN, and Charlotte Martin, PharmD, for a deep dive into the essential non-clinical aspects of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) care.

This episode explores the critical role of the entire oncology team in addressing the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and supporting patient survivorship.

Key Challenges & Team Coordination: The panel will discuss the reality of holistic patient support, drawing on survey findings:

• SDOH Screening Gaps: While 68% of clinicians report screening for SDOH, most are not using standardized tools, leading to inconsistent identification of patient needs.
• Support & Barriers: Despite 90% of teams reporting access to support resources (e.g., nurse navigation, pharmacy, social work), implementation varies. The top real-world barriers remain insurance, transportation, patient education, and cost.
• The Interdisciplinary Team: Hear how RNs, APPs, PharmDs, and Navigators coordinate care, from assessing SDOH to integrating screening into the EHR, to provide seamless support.

Unique Survivorship Concerns: The conversation addresses the unique survivorship challenges faced by younger mCRC patients, including:

• Managing fertility and sexual health concerns.
• Facilitating the return to work and maintaining career stability.
• The importance of clear patient education, communication, and managing treatment expectations to improve long-term quality of life.

Tune in for a vital discussion on how care teams move beyond clinical treatment to provide comprehensive, coordinated support for the whole mCRC patient.

The mCRC Journey: Treatment Sequencing and Real-World Decisions (Epi. 2)

Join medical oncologists Dr. Tiago Bianchi and Dr. Raji Shameem for Episode 2 of our "Voices in Colorectal Cancer" Series as they navigate the complex, guideline-based, and real-world treatment landscape for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

This episode delves into current practice, informed by key insights from a recent FLASCO survey:

• Molecular Profiling: The doctors confirm molecular profiling is widely adopted (86% of respondents test patients >90% of the time). However, they discuss persistent gaps related to insurance barriers and challenges with specimen quality.
• Sequencing Strategies: Explore the current NCCN mCRC treatment pathways and the variety in real-world sequencing decisions after initial chemotherapy. The discussion contrasts community versus academic approaches to later-line decision-making.
• New Horizons: Learn where biomarker-agnostic therapies fit into the mCRC journey and how novel treatments are integrated into existing protocols.
• Access & Trials: The doctors address common access issues, prior authorization, and payer challenges that complicate care. Finally, they discuss the critical—yet often delayed—process of clinical trial referral, highlighting timing and lack of awareness as the primary barriers.

Tune in to understand the complexities of mCRC management, from biomarker testing to strategic sequencing and overcoming systemic access hurdles.

In this first episode of the "Voices in Colorectal Cancer" Series, medical oncologists Dr. Tiago Bianchi and Dr. Raji Shameem confront the dramatic shift in colorectal cancer (CRC) presentation, drawing on urgent, real-world data from a recent FLASCO survey.

The Troubling Trend:

• Younger: 91% of clinicians report seeing more CRC cases in patients under age 50, mirroring incidence spikes in Florida and across the US.
• Later: More than half of all cases are presenting as late-stage at diagnosis—a major gap in current cancer care that severely impacts survival.
• Sicker: This late presentation means younger patients face more aggressive treatment and unique survivorship challenges, significantly affecting their quality of life, including financial and functional well-being.

Addressing the Gaps: The doctors discuss the primary barriers driving these trends: lack of primary care relationships, payer issues, and patient education deficits. They highlight the critical need for:

• Updated screening practices and increased awareness among primary care providers.
• Targeted education and primary care partnerships to improve timely diagnosis and prevention.

Tune in to understand why CRC is increasingly a disease of the young, the consequences of delayed diagnosis, and what the oncology community is doing to bridge the gaps in screening and prevention.

In this new OncoPod episode, Dr. Christopher R. Cogle (University of Florida) and Dr. Neil M. Iyengar (Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University) discuss an often-overlooked gap in oncology care - the absence of a structured, non-pharmaceutical treatment layer to help patients stay on therapy and recover stronger.

Drawing on findings from the CHALLENGE trial (NEJM, 2025) and their clinical experience, the experts outline how daily lifestyle interventions in exercise, nutrition, and stress management can improve treatment tolerance, adherence, and even survival. They also explore why these evidence-based approaches have yet to become standard practice and how platforms like Complement 1 are operationalizing integrative oncology at scale, making these interventions accessible to patients beyond major academic centers.

In this episode, FLASCO leaders Maen Hussein, MD, and Wassim McHayleh, MD join the discussion to explore the evolving role of ESR1 mutation testing in metastatic breast cancer. They highlight how these mutations, both acquired and intrinsic, shape treatment decisions and influence patient outcomes. Drawing from real-world data and insights from FLASCO’s statewide survey, the conversation offers practical perspectives on current testing practices, clinical implications, and opportunities to improve personalized care for patients with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer.

This content has been created independently and solely by FLASCO. FLASCO would like to recognize our Elite Corporate Partner, Stemline Therapeutics, a Menarini company, for their partnership with FLASCO in advancing education and collaboration in oncology.

In this episode, Dr. Ariel Perez Perez and Dr. Jose Sandoval-Sus, two of the coauthors of the FLASCO Consensus on Operationalizing Bispecifics for Lymphoma in the Community Setting discuss the core findings and practical recommendations outlined in their paper, highlighting how bispecifics can be safely and effectively delivered in the community setting. They share their perspectives on why this work matters for patient access, safety, and reflect on the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration to expand the use of these therapies beyond academic centers. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the full consensus paper to explore detailed management strategies, operational workflows, and future directions for advancing care in B-cell lymphomas. The full consensus paper can be found here

https://flasco.org/flasco-proudly-announces-the-release-of-a-new-white-paper-providing-practical-guidance-on-expanding-access-to-innovative-cancer-therapies/

In this episode, Dr. Michael Jaglal, Dr. Maen Hussein, and Dr. Jorge Garcia come together to discuss paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare but serious hematologic condition. From clinical presentation and diagnostic challenges, to therapy, this expert panel shares real-world insights and strategies to improve patient outcomes.

This content has been created independently and solely by FLASCO. FLASCO would like to recognize our Elite Sponsor, Alexion.

Join Dr. Rami Komrokji of Moffitt Cancer Center as he shares expert insights on current trends and considerations in the management of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS).

Tune in as Dr. Tiago Biachi, MD, from Moffitt Cancer Center, explores the latest advancements in immunotherapy for gastroesophageal cancer. In this episode, he breaks down key clinical trial data, examines emerging treatment strategies, and discusses the evolving role of immunotherapy in improving patient outcomes. Don’t miss this expert insight into the future of cancer care!

Tune in for Part 2 of Updates in IDHm Gliomas with FLASCO Neuro-Oncology Captain, Ashley Ghiaseddin, MD, FAAN. This informative podcast covers current and emerging treatments, the evolving role of IDH inhibitors, and the key challenges in treatment, including resistance and tumor heterogeneity. Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, or oncology professional, this FLASCO OncoPod provides valuable insights to enhance patient care and clinical strategies. Listen now to stay at the forefront of glioma treatment advancements!

Join FLASCO for Part I of Updates in IDHm Gliomas with FLASCO Neuro-Oncology Captain, Ashley Ghiaseddin, MD, FAAN. This informative podcast covers current and emerging treatments, the evolving role of IDH inhibitors, and the key challenges in treatment, including resistance and tumor heterogeneity. Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, or oncology professional, this FLASCO OncoPod provides valuable insights to enhance patient care and clinical strategies. Listen now to stay at the forefront of glioma treatment advancements!

In this installment of the FLASCO OncoPod, we explore the critical role of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) testing in advancing cancer care with Dr. Ivan Borrello, a distinguished oncologist from Tampa General Hospital.

Dr. Borrello dives into the science behind MRD testing, its applications in hematologic malignancies, and how it informs treatment decisions and long-term patient outcomes. Gain expert insights on the latest advancements in MRD technology and its impact on precision medicine in oncology.

Join us for an enlightening conversation designed for oncology professionals dedicated to staying at the forefront of cancer diagnostics and care.

In this episode of the FLASCO OncoPod, we are joined by renowned oncologist Dr. Edgardo Santos, MD, FACP, FCCP, FASCO, from The Oncology Institute of Hope and Innovation (TOI) to discuss the latest updates in lung cancer care.

Dr. Santos shares insights into groundbreaking research, advancements in treatment protocols, and the evolving landscape of lung cancer management. From targeted therapies to immunotherapy breakthroughs, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the innovations improving outcomes for patients.

Don’t miss this engaging discussion designed to inform and inspire oncology professionals across Florida and beyond. Tune in for cutting-edge updates in lung cancer care!

In this episode of the FLASCO OncoPod, we delve into the Management and Treatment of Polycythemia Vera (PV) with expert insights from Dr. Andrew Kuykendall, a leading hematologist from Moffitt Cancer Center.

Join us as Dr. Kuykendall explores the latest advancements in PV care, including symptom management, therapeutic strategies, and emerging research that is shaping the future of treatment. Whether you're a clinical oncologist, a healthcare professional, or simply interested in hematologic cancers, this episode provides valuable knowledge and practical takeaways.

Introducing the first-ever FLASCO OncoPod! Join FLASCO President, Dr. Maen Hussein, as he dives into the critical role state oncology societies play in advancing cancer care. In this inaugural episode, Dr. Hussein discusses the importance of becoming an active member of your state society, sharing how FLASCO stands as a dedicated supporter and advocate for oncology professionals across Florida. From educational programs to networking opportunities and legislative advocacy, learn how FLASCO continues to empower oncologists, pharmacists, nurses, and allied professionals, helping them navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cancer care. Tune in to be inspired and get involved!