Danielle Hicks, Chief Patient Officer at the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer shares her personal story of becoming a caregiver for her mother when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Through her own experience, and in connecting with patients and caregivers directly every day, Danielle knows the importance of providing the patient community with tangible resources and stories of inspiration, particularly now amidst the pandemic. She talks about why GO2 Foundation is collaborating with Merck on the patient program “Worth the Fight: Taking on Lung Cancer” which empowers lung cancer caregivers and survivors to take an active role in their cancer care.
INTERVIEWS
Racing for a COVID-19 Cure
Dr. Jeremy Levin, Chairman of the global Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and Chairman and CEO of OVID Therapeutics, Inc. discusses his perspective on vaccinations and his open letter to members of the biopharmaceutical industry which outlines how public health, and the public’s trust in new medical products, are dependent upon the integrity, transparency and objective assessment of new data as it emerges. He talks about why In the summer of 2020, he gathered 47 top leaders in biopharma to co-author “Biotechnology in the Time of COVID-19: Commentaries from the Front Line” (RosettaBooks).
Breast Cancer Awareness – Lymphedema
Dr. Sheri Prentiss, MD, best selling author and Certified Physician Executive, discusses her own personal breast cancer story and her partnership with medtech company ImpediMed®, whose product is used to help doctors detect and treat lymphedema as early as possible with an eye toward preventing it from becoming chronic. She is the founder of the Live Today Foundation that serves the breast cancer survivor community and is focused on the need to help survivors win the battle that most face at some point: the development of lymphedema.
Pegloticase in Patients Undergoing Dialysis
Returning guest, Dr. Brad Marder a nephrologist for nearly 20 years and now Medical Director of Nephrology at Horizon Therapeutics discusses findings from the Renal Data System study, on which he was an author, and how KRYSTEXXA (pegloticase) is applied in real-world care for people who receive dialysis for advanced kidney disease. These data were presented at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) 2020, Abstract PO1166 titled “A USRDS Database Study on the Use of Pegloticase in Patients Undergoing Dialysis”
Uncontrolled Gout in Kidney Transplant Patients
Dr. Abdul Abdellatif, MD, assistant professor, Baylor College of Medicine and primary investigator on the “Pegloticase for Uncontrolled Gout in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Early Data Report of a Multicenter, Open-Label, Efficacy and Safety” Study, otherwise known as PROTECT, discusses the latest data from this study that was presented at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) 2020 (Abstract PO2481). He also explains strategies to effectively manage uncontrolled gout within the vulnerable post-transplant population that will not compromise kidney function or transplantation.
The Critical Role of Communication to Avoid Risks When Treating Breast Cancer Patients
Dr. David Feldman, MD, MBA, FACS, Chief Medical Officer of The Doctors Company Group, a physician-owned, medical malpractice insurer, and for the TDC Group of companies discusses the risks of mismanaged communications as indicated by a new study that found that oncology malpractice claims are often due to: behavioural mistakes, including incorrect diagnosis, improper management of treatment, and improper medication management. He talks about how providers and patients can improve communication and how healthcare providers can mitigate risks to ensure continued high quality of care for breast cancer patients especially during COVID-19.
Exact Sciences – Oncotype MAP™ Pan-Cancer Tissue Test
Dr. Rick Baehner, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Precision Oncology at Exact Sciences discusses the Oncotype MAP™ Pan-Cancer Tissue test for patients with advanced, metastatic, refractory, or recurrent cancer. This rapid genomic tumor profiling test, previously known as PCDx, allows physicians to understand patients’ tumor profiles and effectively recommend targeted therapies or clinical trials based on the biology of their patients’ cancers. He also talks about the broader Oncology Business Unit at Exact Sciences.
Novocure® – Tumor Treating Fields
Pritesh Shah, Chief Commercial Officer of device maker Novocure® discusses Tumor Treating Fields, a cap-like device that aims electric fields at cancer cells to disrupt cell division and inhibit tumor growth. He describes how Tumor Treating Fields pinpoints aggressive tumors with minimal damage to healthy cells. He talks about research on possible future indications such as combining Tumor Treating Fields with Merck’s immunotherapy Keytruda® to treat non-small cell lung cancer.
Guardant 360® Liquid Biopsy Advances Clinical Trial Enrollment
Dr. Justin Odegaard, VP of Clinical Development at Guardant Health discusses a new study published in “Nature Medicine” (Oct 2020) which finds that the Guardant360® liquid biopsy rapid blood test is not only concordant to tissue biopsy, but more than doubles clinical trial enrollment and achieves similar treatment response and survival rates in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer.
New Technology for Patients that Suffer from Essential Tremors
Dr. Rohit Dhall, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology and Director of Neurodegenerative Disorders at the University of Arkansas discusses essential tremors (ET) and a new wrist-worn bioelectronic device, called the Cala Trio™ that is the only non-invasive, non-drug therapy that goes directly to the source of tremor by delivering advanced targeted therapy that safely and effectively reduces hand tremors. In a recent breakthrough study presented at the International Congress of Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Congress (MDS), it was shown to be safe and effective in a real-world setting. He is joined by Beverly who has been using Cala Trio™ for her condition.