S14 Ep30: FDA Approval Insights: Subcutaneous Pembrolizumab for Solid Tumors: With J. Thaddeus Beck, MD, FACP

Dr Mehta discussed practice-changing urothelial carcinoma data that have been presented throughout 2024 and 2025, the clinical utility of enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab for select patients with advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer, and differing treatment approaches for patients with lymph node–only vs distant metastases.

In today’s episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Armeen Mahvash, MD, about the FDA approval of SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres for the treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Dr Mahvash is a professor in the Department of Interventional Radiology in the Division of Diagnostic Imaging at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, as well as an assistant professor in the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. In our exclusive interview, Dr Mahvash discussed the significance of this approval, key clinical findings that led to the approval, and how multidisciplinary collaboration is crucial for implementing radioembolization in practice.

In today’s episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Vishal A. Patel, MD, FAAD, FACMS, about the FDA approval of adjuvant cemiplimab-rwlc (Libtayo) for the treatment of patients with high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). Dr Patel is an associate professor of dermatology at the GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences, as well as the director of the Cutaneous Oncology Program at the GW Cancer Center in Washington, DC. In our exclusive interview, Dr Patel discussed the clinical relevance of this approval, key details about the pivotal phase 3 C-POST trial (NCT03969004), and the safety profile of cemiplimab in patients with CSCC.

In this podcast, experts Tina Cascone, MD, PhD; Christina Baik, MD, MPH; and David Planchard, MD, PhD discuss data-driven treatment for EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer.

In today’s episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Eunice Wang, MD, about the secondary AML treatment paradigm. Dr Wang is a professor of oncology, leader of the Leukemia Clinical Disease Team, chief of leukemia in the Department of Medicine, and an assistant member of the Tumor Immunology Program in the Department of Immunology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York; as well as an associate professor in the Department of Medicine and an academic scholar at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the State University of New York at Buffalo. In our exclusive interview, Dr Wang discussed the prevalence of secondary AML, and explained that this population lacks standard therapies, often relying on allogeneic stem cell transplantation. She noted that CPX-351, a liposomal formulation of cytarabine and daunorubicin, has generated improved outcomes compared with 7+3 chemotherapy in this population. She also highlighted future research, which includes targeted therapies and less intensive regimens.

Two Onc Docs, hosted by Samantha A. Armstrong, MD, and Karine Tawagi, MD, is a podcast dedicated to providing current and future oncologists and hematologists with the knowledge they need to ace their boards and deliver quality patient care. Dr Armstrong is a hematologist/oncologist and assistant professor of clinical medicine at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis. Dr Tawagi is a hematologist/oncologist and assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Illinois in Chicago. In this episode, OncLive On Air® partnered with Two Onc Docs to feature a comprehensive review of the current management of metastatic breast cancer, emphasizing evidence-based treatment strategies across molecular subtypes, toxicity management, and patient-centered care. Drs Armstrong and Tawagi discussed that the primary goals of metastatic breast cancer therapy include prolonging survival, controlling symptoms, minimizing toxicity, improving quality of life, and incorporating patients’ goals and preferences into care decisions. Their discussion also highlighted the importance of recognizing when transitioning to best supportive care is most appropriate. For estrogen receptor–positive metastatic breast cancer, they noted that first-line therapy includes an aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant (Faslodex) combined with a CDK4/6 inhibitor, with ovarian function suppression for premenopausal patients. PARP inhibitors are recommended for patients with BRCA1/2-positive disease. In visceral crisis, chemotherapy remains the category 1 recommendation. Second-line treatment options include therapies guided by repeat molecular testing. fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd; Enhertu) is approved for patients with HER2-low disease. For HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, first-line treatment consists of a taxane plus pertuzumab (Perjeta) and trastuzumab (Herceptin), followed by T-DXd in the second-line setting. For triple-negative metastatic breast cancer, therapy depends on PD-L1 status. The episode concluded by underscoring the role of bone-protective agents such as zoledronic acid, pamidronate, or denosumab (with dental clearance to prevent osteonecrosis). Key takeaways emphasize tailoring therapy to molecular subtype, recognizing drug-specific toxicities, and prioritizing patient-centered decision-making in the management of metastatic breast cancer.

In today’s episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with J. Thaddeus Beck, MD, FACP, about the FDA approval of pembrolizumab and berahyaluronidase alfa-pmph (subcutaneous pembrolizumab; Keytruda Qlex) for subcutaneous injection in adult and pediatric patients at least 12 years of age with solid tumors for which the intravenous formulation of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is indicated.

Cancer, Character, and Calling: The Oncologist's Journey, hosted by Girindra Raval, MD, is a podcast highlighting how top oncologists have navigated the field over the course of their careers, the passion that drove them to enter the oncology space, and the ongoing work that will continue to transform cancer care. Each episode, Raval will sit down with a top oncologist to dive into their background, highlight their career achievements, discuss key issues still being addressed in their field, and explore their interests outside of the clinic and lab. In this episode, Raval welcomed Anand Jillella, MD, who is the J. Harold Harrison, MD Distinguished University Chair in Medicine, a professor of medicine & pediatrics, and chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Augusta University Medical College of Georgia. He is also associte director of Clinical Affairs and director of the Georgia Cancer Center Clinic, Ambulatory Services, and Network and Outreach. Their conversation focused on discussed Jillella's career journey, starting from his oncology internship in 1989 to establishing a bone marrow transplant program. Jillella noted the initial successes of the program that led to its exponential growth over the years. He also emphasized the importance of community outreach and collaboration with referring practices, explaining the early work that he and colleagues did to maintain working relationships with other practices and get the program on the map. Furthermore, Jillella highlighted the historical development of the treatment algorithm for patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia, emphasizing that proper physician training and research significantly reduced mortality rates in this disease over the years. Raval and Jillella concluded by addressed the evolving landscape of oncology, the growing effects of AI tools on medical practice patterns, and the need for academic institutions to stay on the cutting edge of new treatments and technologies to advance the field and ultimately improve patient care.

In today’s episode, leading experts across oncology specialties previewed the key studies and data they are most anticipating ahead of the 2025 ESMO Congress. Dana M. Chase, MD, a professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at UCLA, discussed her excitement to see findings from a phase 1 trial (NCT05403554) investigating NI-1801 in patients with heavily pretreated, mesothelin-expressing platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer. Premal H. Thaker, MD, MS, the David G. and Lynn Mutch Distinguished Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and director of Gynecologic Oncology Clinical Research at Siteman Cancer Center in Saint Louis, Missouri, discussed the anticipation for findings from a multi-omic analysis of the phase 3 AtTEnd/ENGOT-EN7 trial (NCT03603184) of atezolizumab in patients with endometrial cancer and data demonstrating that the WES-derived Aneuploidy Score may identify patients with mismatch repair–deficient endometrial cancer who derive reduced benefit from immunotherapy. Zev Wainberg, MD, the Estelle, Abe, and Marjorie Sanders Chair in Cancer Research at UCLA, shared his anticipation for new data in gastrointestinal oncology, particularly the overall survival results from the phase 3 MATTERHORN trial (NCT04592913) of durvalumab plus fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel in patients with resectable gastric and gastroesophageal cancer, which are expected to provide pivotal updates following previously reported event-free survival outcomes. Sagus Sampath, MD, an associate clinical professor and medical director of the Department of Radiation Oncology at City of Hope in Duarte, California, highlighted the phase 2 NorthStar trial (NCT03410043) evaluating osimertinib (Tagrisso) with or without local consolidative therapy in patients with metastatic EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

In today’s episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Joseph Jacob, MD, MCR, about the FDA approval of the gemcitabine intravesical system (formerly TAR-200; Inlexzo)​ for the treatment of patients with BCG-unresponsive non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Dr Jacob is an associate professor of urology and the director of Urologic Oncology in the Department of Urology at State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. In our exclusive interview, Dr Jacob discussed the significance of this approval, key efficacy findings from the pivotal phase 2b SunRISe-1 trial (NCT04640623), and the TAR-200 administration procedure, which he describes as straightforward for practitioners and convenient for patients.