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.
INTERVIEWS
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.
Chronic Kidney Disease and Anemia
Dr. Robert Provenzano, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan, discusses chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the often underdiagnosed and undertreated complication of anemia in CKD. He talks about the unmet need among patients with CKD and what patients are saying about the toll this takes on their daily lives.
Living With Multiple Myeloma
Dr. Saad Usmani, a specialist in hematology and oncology at Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, NC, discusses multiple myeloma and relapsed refractory multiple myeloma. He talks about signs, symptoms, and risk factors. He is joined by Robert Pugh who was diagnosed in 2014 and he shares how his life has been impacted by living with this disease.
Caris® Life Sciences – CODEai™ (Comprehensive Oncology Data Explorer)
Returning guest, Dr. David Spetzler, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Caris Life Sciences, discusses the company’s launch of CODEai™(Comprehensive Oncology Data Explorer), a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) framework, to deliver the most comprehensive cancer data solution in the genomics industry. He explains the importance of molecular insights for the treatment of cancer and how CODEai is set to have a dramatic impact on research initiatives, product development objectives, clinical trial services and target identification opportunities.
TargetCancer Foundation – TRACK Study Patient and Advisor
Susan, a woman living with an NTRK gene fusion, a rare genomic driver that drove her thyroid cancer shares her unique cancer journey and how she benefited from genomic testing. As an advisor on the TargetCancer Foundation’s TRACK (Target Rare Cancer Knowledge) Patient and Caregiver Advisory Council she was directly involved in the development of the TRACK Study and has first-hand understanding of the importance of early testing and broader access for patients like her.
Adjunct Laser Therapy in COVID-19 Clinical Pilot Trial
Dr. Scott Sigman, Founder and CMO of OrthoLazer and Team Physician at UMASS Lowell, discusses the publication of a second case report demonstrating positive outcomes for a COVID-19 patient treated with adjunct laser therapy. The patient is part of a randomized clinical pilot trial. The treatment is once-daily for four days using an FDA-cleared laser. Photobiomodulation Therapy is known to have anti-inflammatory effects and in this case study it helped treat the patients’ respiratory symptoms.Dr. Sigman is looking to expand this work and raise awareness among other healthcare providers for this novel therapeutic option.