KYSCO Oncology Voices

This episode explores the most up to date advances in bladder cancer care with a focus on Kentucky. Host Dr. Rafeh Safdar from the University of Kentucky speaks with oncologist Dr. Vikas Singh, Oncologist, Baptist Health. Host: Dr. Rafeh Safdar, Fellow, University of Kentucky Guest: Dr. Vikas Singh, Oncologist, Baptist Health The Kentucky Society of Clinical Oncology (KYSCO)  Email: [email protected]

With a focus on individualizing patient care and understanding tumor biology, this episode explores the extraordinary transformation of prostate cancer management for patients across Kentucky. Host Dr. Shreyas Kalantri from the University of Cincinnati speaks with oncologist Dr. Chandler Park from the Norton Cancer Institute to discuss the shift from standard androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to modern doublet and triplet therapies for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Host: Dr. Shreyas Kalantri, University of Cincinnati  Guest: Dr. Chandler Park, Oncologist, Norton Cancer Institute  The Kentucky Society of Clinical Oncology (KYSCO)  Email: [email protected]  

In the concluding episode of our breast cancer series, host Dr. Matthew Kurian (St. Elizabeth Young Family Cancer Center) reunites with Dr. Laila Agrawal (Norton Cancer Institute) and Dr. Brian Dong (University of Louisville Health, Brown Cancer Center) to navigate major metastatic trial updates and their real-world clinical implications across Kentucky. The panel compares first-line HER2-positive metastatic strategies from the HER2CLIMB-05 and DESTINY-Breast09 studies, debating the quality-of-life trade-offs between indefinite antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapy and non-chemotherapy maintenance regimens while highlighting key depth-of-response data presented at ASCO 2026. Host: Dr. Matthew Kurian, St. Elizabeth Young Family Cancer Center Guests: Dr. Laila Agrawal, Medical Oncologist, Norton Cancer Institute Dr. Brian Dong, Breast Oncologist, University of Louisville Health, Brown Cancer Center The Kentucky Society of Clinical Oncology (KYSCO) Email: [email protected]  

Focusing on hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) early breast cancer, this episode explores landmark trial updates in genomic risk stratification and novel endocrine therapies, alongside their real-world clinical application for patients across Kentucky. Host Dr. Matthew Kurian (St. Elizabeth Young Family Cancer Center) reunites with medical oncologists Dr. Laila Agarwal (Norton Cancer Institute) and Dr. Brian Dong (University of Louisville Health, Brown Cancer Center) to evaluate several trials. Host: Dr. Matthew Kurian, St. Elizabeth Young Family Cancer Center Guests:  Dr. Laila Agarwal, Medical Oncologist, Norton Cancer Institute  Dr. Brian Dong, Breast Oncologist, University of Louisville Health, Brown Cancer Center The Kentucky Society of Clinical Oncology (KYSCO) Email: [email protected]  

Evaluating practice-changing clinical trials, this episode examines recent breakthroughs in HER2-positive breast cancer management and their real-world application for patients across Kentucky. Host Dr. Matthew Kurian (St. Elizabeth Young Family Cancer Center) is joined by medical oncologists Dr. Laila Agarwal (Norton Cancer Institute) and Dr. Brian Dong (University of Louisville) to analyze landmark studies, including DESTINY-Breast05, DESTINY-Breast11, and the Phase 3 NeoHealer trial. The panel discusses the integration of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) like T-DXd in both post-neoadjuvant residual disease and upfront settings, balancing impressive pathologic complete response (pCR) rates against toxicities such as interstitial lung disease (ILD), 14-cycle treatment burdens, and travel considerations for rural Commonwealth residents. Host: Dr. Matthew Kurian, St. Elizabeth Young Family Cancer Center Guests:  Dr. Laila Agarwal, Medical Oncologist, Norton Cancer Institute  Dr. Brian Dong, Breast Oncologist, University of Louisville Health, Brown Cancer Center The Kentucky Society of Clinical Oncology (KYSCO) Email: [email protected]  

This episode walks through the patient journey and clinical management of Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT) for multiple myeloma, with an emphasis on multidisciplinary coordination and community practice collaboration.  Host Dr. Rafeh Safdar draws from his clinical experience on the Bone Marrow Transplant service at UK Chandler Hospital alongside Dr. Zena Chahine to break down candidate evaluation, stem cell mobilization, high-dose conditioning and Day 0 reinfusion. The discussion offers practical insights for community oncologists on dynamic candidate eligibility, patient preparation, and streamlining referrals to academic transplant centers. Host: Dr. Rafeh Safdar, Hematology/Oncology Fellow, University of Kentucky Guest: Dr. Zena Chahine, Hematologist & Multiple Myeloma Specialist, UK Markey Cancer Center The Kentucky Society of Clinical Oncology (KYSCO) Email: [email protected]  

With a focus on early intervention and modern risk stratification, this episode explores how recent advancements in plasma cell dyscrasia management are transforming care for multiple myeloma patients across Kentucky.  Host Dr. Rafeh Safdar, Hematology/Oncology Fellow at the University of Kentucky, speaks with myeloma specialist Dr. Zena Chahine from the UK Markey Cancer Center to discuss the evolution from classic CRAB to modern SLIM CRAB criteria, diagnostic workups, cytogenetics, and frontline quadruplet induction regimens.  The conversation highlights real-world clinical implications, supportive bone-directed care, and the importance of personalized, long-term disease management in the Commonwealth. Host: Dr. Rafeh Safdar, Hematology/Oncology Fellow, University of Kentucky Guest: Dr. Zena Chahine, Hematologist & Multiple Myeloma Specialist, UK Markey Cancer Center The Kentucky Society of Clinical Oncology (KYSCO) Email: [email protected]  

With a focus on improving access and modernizing surgical techniques, this episode covers how the hepatic artery infusion (HAI) pump is transforming the landscape for patients with liver-directed malignancies in Kentucky. Host Dr. Zach Pulliam, Medical Oncology Fellow at University of Louisville, speaks with expert Dr. Michael Cavnar from the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center to discuss the history, clinical benefits, and new accessibility trials for HAI pump therapy. The conversation focuses on the logistics of rural cancer care, survival benefits for colorectal liver metastases and cholangiocarcinoma, and the future of home-based chemotherapy infusion. Host: Zach Pulliam, MD, Guest: Michael Cavnar, MD The Kentucky Society of Clinical Oncology (KYSCO) [email protected]  

This episode explores the latest advancements in hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) pump therapy and its impact on cancer care in Kentucky. Surgical Oncologist Brent Xia, MD of the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center, discusses the multidisciplinary effort required to implement this technology and its role in providing targeted, high-dose chemotherapy for liver-directed  The conversation highlights the survival benefits of regional therapy, the importance of multidisciplinary tumor boards, and new ways to reduce financial toxicity for patients. Host: Andrew Hearn, MD, Hematology & Oncology Fellow, University of Louisville Guest: Brent Xia MD Surgical Oncologist, St. Elizabeth Healthcare / The Yung Family Cancer Center The Kentucky Society of Clinical Oncology (KYSCO) https://www.interaoncology.com/patients-caregivers/find-an-hai-center [email protected]  

With a focus on improving access and managing toxicity, this episode covers how new therapies are transforming the landscape for small cell lung cancer patients across the state.   Host Dr. Shreyas Kalantri, Hematology and Oncology Chief Fellow at University of Louisville, speaks with experts Dr. Goetz Kloecker and Dr. Firas Badin to discuss groundbreaking trials and treatment advances for small cell lung cancer like the IMforte and DeLLphi-304 studies. The conversation focuses on real-world implications, survival benefits, and the future of cancer care in Kentucky.    Host: Dr. Shreyas Kalantri Guest: Dr. Goetz Kloecker Guest: Dr. Firas Badin The Kentucky Society of Clinical Oncology (KYSCO)   Email: [email protected]