How Would an Expert Manage His Own Advanced Esophageal Cancer?
When facing a frightening new cancer diagnosis, some people ask their doctors, “What would you do if you were me?” Here, our Curious Dr. George asks gastrointestinal cancer expert Sarbajit […]
Alibrex: A New Blood Test to Reveal Whether a Cancer Treatment is Working
In cancer treatment, time is of the essence. Our Curious Dr. George asks Kevin B. Knopf, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer at Cadex Genomics, how his company’s new test, Alibrex, could […]
Common Sense Oncology: Moving Back Towards Outcomes that Matter
There are many ways to measure how well a particular cancer treatment works. But how much do these outcomes reflect a patient’s actual wellbeing? Our Curious Dr. George asks Christopher […]
PARIS Test Uses Lab-Grown Mini-Tumors to Find a Patient’s Best Treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved hundreds of drugs for the treatment of cancer. However, some approved drugs are more effective for certain patients than others. Our […]
How Would an Expert Manage His Own Advanced Bladder Cancer?
When facing a frightening new cancer diagnosis, some people ask their doctors, “What would you do if you were me?” Here, our Curious Dr. George asks Daniel E.C. Fein, MD, […]
Are You Getting Trustworthy Prostate Cancer Information?
When standard-of-care is an excuse for licensed medical malpractice Are you getting trustworthy prostate cancer information? The terms standard-of-care, medical practice guidelines, FDA approved and, covered by insurance certainly seem […]
The Sordid “Truth” about Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer has long been one of the most common types of cancers in American men. Our Curious Dr. George asks retired urologic surgeon Bert Vorstman, MD, and freelance science […]
A New Biomarker to Optimize Immunotherapy for People with Cancer
Immunotherapy—a type of treatment that harnesses a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer—has been a “game changer” for many patients. It can be difficult, however, to predict whether or […]
Learnings from Pilot Study: Creating Treatment Templates to Serve More Glioblastoma Patients
A recent pilot study between Cancer Commons and the Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research & Information is identifying patterns that are being translated into treatment templates to better serve a larger group […]
Using Live Cells from Patients to Find the Right Cancer Drug
Today, many cancer patients benefit from targeted drugs that are matched to the distinct genetic mutations found in their tumors. However, especially in late-stage cancer, this “precision oncology” strategy has […]
How Would an Expert Manage His Own Advanced Hodgkin Lymphoma?
When facing a frightening new cancer diagnosis, some people ask their doctors, “What would you do if you were me?” Here, our Curious Dr. George asks oncologist Kevin Knopf, MD, […]
All-Clear Follow-Up: Hydrogen Peroxide Appears to Treat Oral and Skin Lesions
In 2020, writer Ronald Piana shared with our readers his own experience of using hydrogen peroxide to quickly eradicate a clinically diagnosed pre-malignant oral leukoplakia—a condition that can develop into oral cancer. Here, […]
10 Things I Learned in 10 Years at Cancer Commons That Could Save Your Life
After facing his own cancer, Marty Tenenbaum, PhD, founded Cancer Commons to help others dealing with the disease. Here, Curious Dr. George asks him to share what he has learned. […]
A Powerful Knowledge Base for Precision Oncology
Genetic mutations found in a tumor can be important clues to the patient’s best treatment options. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in New York has developed a product called […]
Cancer Commons Helps Patients Benefit from Clinical Trials
For many years, people with advanced cancer who turn to Cancer Commons have benefitted from working with Chief Scientist Emma Shtivelman, PhD. Here, she shares three patients’ stories. Curious Dr. […]
People With Prostate Cancer See Their Journey Differently From Their Doctors
Typical approaches to cancer research don’t necessarily capture the whole picture of what a patient might experience. Here, our Curious Dr. George asks Nicole Jardine, BASc, how real-world evidence can […]
A New Champion for Cancer Caregivers
Many people with advanced cancer can benefit from helpful caregivers, but family and friends who take on this role may have little background or training to do such a difficult […]
Using AI and Drug Testing to Design Personalized Cancer Drug Combos
Advanced cancer treatment often involves combining multiple drugs. But with a huge number of possible combinations, it is difficult to know which mix might work best for each patient. Here, […]
How an Emory Professor would Treat Her Own Advanced Endometrial Cancer
When facing a frightening new cancer diagnosis, some people ask their doctors, “What would you do if you were me?” Here, our Curious Dr. George asks Jane Meisel, MD, how […]
How an Expert Would Manage His Own Advanced Prostate Cancer
When facing a new cancer diagnosis, some people ask their doctors, “What would you do if you were me?” Here, our Curious Dr. George asks Marc B. Garnick, MD, how […]
Harnessing Each Patient’s Data to Help Many More
At Cancer Commons, we don’t just help people navigate cancer treatment; we learn from everyone we help. Here, our Curious Dr. George asks Cancer Commons Clinical Scientist Kaumudi Bhawe, PhD, […]
Plain Language Summaries Improve Access to Medical Research
Cancer Commons helps people make sense of the latest research on treatments for their distinct type of cancer. Meanwhile, a growing number of research papers now include a plain language […]
Can Immunotherapy Be Effective for Brain Cancer?
Immunotherapy has reshaped the cancer treatment landscape. This type of treatment boosts the immune system to fight cancer. However, for people with advanced brain cancer, immunotherapy options remain slim. Here, our […]
Cancer Commons Adapts to Remain True to Our Mission
People facing advanced cancer come to Cancer Commons to ensure they have all the information they need to make their best-possible cancer care decisions. Here, Curious Dr. George asks our […]
Cellular Aging and the Development of Cancer
Cancer is so often a disease of older people that a whole medical field, “oncogeriatrics,” exists to address the topic. Deeper understanding of the links between cancer and aging could […]
More Information from Less Tissue: Strata Oncology Excels
For a growing number of advanced cancer patients, molecular testing of tumor tissue is an essential step in identifying their best options for treatment. Strata Oncology is one company offering this […]
Meet Deb Christensen, Nurse Navigator for People Facing Advanced Cancer
For people with advanced cancer, making sense of the complexities of cancer treatment can be truly daunting. Enter the oncology nurse navigator (ONN), a nurse with specialized training to help […]
Cardiometabolic Medications That Inhibit mTOR Might Help Prevent or Treat Cancer
Many people believe that cancer is a metabolic disease. A biological process known as the mTOR pathway controls cellular metabolism by way of central signaling, and it is involved in […]
Using Virtual Trials to Screen for Potential Glioblastoma Therapies
The existing drug development system “has failed miserably” for people with glioblastoma brain tumors, according to Al Musella, DPM, President of the Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research & Information, […]
How an Expert Would Manage His Wife’s Metastatic Breast Cancer
Curious Dr. George Cancer Commons Contributing Editor George Lundberg, MD, is the face and curator of this invitation-only column. Richard B. Schwab, MD Professor of Medicine – Division of Hematology/Oncology; […]
How an Expert Would Handle His Own Cancer of Unknown Origin Causing Severe Back Pain?
Curious Dr. George Cancer Commons Contributing Editor George Lundberg, MD, is the face and curator of this invitation-only column. Marc B. Garnick, MD Gorman Brothers Professor of Medicine at Harvard […]
How an Expert Would Treat Her Own Metastatic Melanoma
Curious Dr. George Cancer Commons Contributing Editor George Lundberg, MD, is the face and curator of this invitation-only column. Pauline Funchain, MD Director of the Melanoma Medical Oncology and Genomics Programs […]
The Latest in Melanoma Treatment: A Guest Perspective
Ryan Sullivan, MD Associate Director of the Melanoma Program at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School Curious Dr. George Cancer Commons Contributing Editor George Lundberg, […]
Helping Patients Access Investigational Treatments
Curious Dr. George Cancer Commons Contributing Editor George Lundberg, MD, is the face and curator of this invitation-only column. Lea Ann Browning-McNeeDirector of Communications & Stakeholder Engagement at the Reagan-Udall […]
When is the Best Time to Seek a Clinical Trial for Glioblastoma?
For some people with glioblastoma brain tumors, enrolling in a clinical trial enables access to cutting-edge treatment. Here, our Curious Dr. George talks clinical trials with Cancer Commons Expert Physician […]
How Can Detection of Tumor DNA in the Blood Aid Advanced Cancer Treatment?
As a tumor grows, it may shed fragments of its DNA into the patient’s bloodstream. After treatment, if part of the tumor remains or it begins to grow again, […]
Can Really Big Data Inform Precise Decisions for Individual Patients?
New technologies are transforming cancer research. By optimizing research protocols and leveraging data more efficiently and intelligently, these tools hold the promise to improve personalized cancer care. Here, our Curious […]
Just Diagnosed with Advanced Lung Cancer: What Now?
A new cancer diagnosis is overwhelming. Patients often ask their doctors, “What would you do if you were me?” Here, our Curious Dr. George asks lung cancer expert Howard (Jack) […]
How an Expert Would Manage Her Own Advanced Ovarian Cancer
Cancer patients often ask their doctors, “What would you do if you were me?” Here, our Curious Dr. George asks oncologist Summer Dewdney, MD, how she would handle her own […]
Behind the Scenes at Cancer Commons: Working with Patients
Cancer Commons helps advanced cancer patients identify and access their best-possible treatments. Here, our Curious Dr. George asks Chief Scientist Emma Shtivelman, PhD, for an inside look at how she helps the […]
How an Expert Would Manage Her Own Advanced Colorectal Cancer
When facing a new cancer diagnosis, some people ask their doctors, “What would you do if you were me?” Here, our Curious Dr. George asks Cancer Commons Expert Physician Advisor […]
What Is a Cancer Commons Options Report?
As a Cancer Commons Scientist, Lola Rahib, PhD, helps cancer patients and caregivers navigate treatment. Some of these patients receive a Cancer Commons Options Report. Here, our Curious Dr. George […]
Hydrogen Peroxide Appears to Treat Pre-Cancerous Oral Lesion in “N-of-One” Experiment
Numerous patients come to Cancer Commons because they wonder if their best cancer treatment option may lie beyond standard care. For many patients, this will mean receiving treatment through a clinical […]
How to Learn About Cancer in a Classroom: Shaping Compassionate Doctors
The patients and caregivers we serve here at Cancer Commons rely on their doctors to provide expert, compassionate care. Building the skills to give such care can begin early in […]
How an Expert Would Manage His Own Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer
When confronted with a new cancer diagnosis, some people ask their doctors, “What would you do if you were me?” Here, our Curious Dr. George asks Cancer Commons Expert Physician […]
How an Expert Would Treat His Own Glioblastoma
Two years ago, our Curious Dr. George asked Al Musella, DPM, what he would do if he were diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Here, he revisits that question. Dr. Musella is President […]
Is Cancer the Best Way to Die?
In 2014, the prestigious medical research journal The BMJ published a controversial piece called “Dying of cancer is the best death.” Here, our Curious Dr. George asks the author of that […]
The Power of Precision Medicine is Exemplified by Tempus
For some patients, a key step to finding their best treatment may be molecular testing of their tumor tissue. This type of test could reveal distinct features, such as genetic […]
Helping Cancer Patients Access their Own Health Data
For many cancer patients, the ability to access one’s own medical records can aid their treatment decisions, or allow them to donate their personal data for research that could help […]
How I Cope with the Tsunami of Cancer and COVID-19 Info
Oncologists worldwide face the challenge of staying on top of the latest treatments, research findings, and other information that could help them treat their patients more effectively. Now, they must […]
How the Coronavirus Pandemic Impacts Cancer Care: Our Survey Results
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic presents unprecedented challenges to cancer patients. Many have experienced changes to their care, and some face increased risk of infection or worse prognosis if they are […]
The Challenges of Using Artificial Intelligence to Improve Cancer Treatment
In a previous post, CureMatch co-founder Razelle Kurzrock, MD, told us all about her company’s artificial intelligence (AI) platform that matches patients with treatments based on their cancer’s molecular profile. […]
How to Beat COVID-19 with Real-Time, Real-World Data
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, researchers around the world are working quickly to develop strategies to treat and prevent this disease. In partnership with the company xCures, Cancer Commons is […]
What Sets Cancer Commons Apart?
Cancer Commons is a patient-centric, nonprofit network of patients, physicians, and scientists that helps identify the best options for treating an individual’s cancer. Here, our Curious Dr. George asks executive […]
Facilitating Access to Treatment for Children with Brain Cancer
A Q&A with Leslie Jared, RN, MSN, Nurse Navigator at Cancer Commons. Email: leslie.jared@cancercommons.org Q: A midline glioma is a type of brain tumor that is particularly dangerous because of its […]
Using Artificial Intelligence to Match Combination Targeted Therapies in Oncology
A Q&A with Razelle Kurzrock, MD, Director of the Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy and the Rare Tumor Clinic at U.C. San Diego, and Co-Founder and Board Member of CureMatch, […]
Comprehensive Molecular Testing Needed for Stage IV Lung Cancer
A Q&A with David Spigel, MD, Chief Scientific Officer, Director of the Lung Cancer Research Program, and Principal Investigator at Sarah Cannon Research Institute. Email: dspigel@tnonc.com Q: You are an […]
Weathering the Perfect Storm of the Vaping Threat
A Q&A with Alan Blum, MD, who founded the Center for the Study of Tobacco and Society in 1999 at The University of Alabama, where he serves as Professor and Gerald Leon […]
Using Molecular Testing to Guide Treatment for Advanced Colorectal Cancer
A Q&A with Kalpana Kannan, PhD, former Scientist at Cancer Commons Q: Colorectal cancer is common, and although many cases in earlier stages are cured by surgery alone or with […]
Emphasizing Oncogeriatrics
A Q&A with Nicolò Matteo Luca Battisti, MD, Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom, and Chair of the Young Interest Group of the International […]
Fixed and Variable Factors that Impact a Brain Tumor Patient’s Prognosis
A Q&A with Burt Nabors, MD, Professor and Director of the Division of Neuro-oncology at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and a member of the Cancer Commons Brain Tumor Advisory […]
How to Treat Uveal Melanoma that Recurs in the Liver?
A Q&A with Emma Shtivelman, PhD, Chief Scientist at Cancer Commons; emma@cancercommons.org Q: Malignant melanoma may arise from multiple sites, including the eye. What would you recommend be done for […]
The Importance of Brain Tumor-Initiating Cells in Glioblastoma
A Q&A with Anita Hjelmeland, PhD, Associate Professor of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology at the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Medicine Q: The inner workings of malignant gliomas […]
Navigating Pancreatic Cancer—The Basics
A Q&A with Lola Rahib, PhD, Lead Scientist, Pancreas Cancer, at Cancer Commons, Los Altos, CA Q: Navigating a pancreatic cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and confusing for patients and […]
Serious Caveats in Screening for Pancreatic Cancer
A Q&A with Rama Gullapalli, MD, PhD; a a physician-scientist in the departments of Pathology, Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of New Mexico. His research lab focuses on […]
Encouraging and Paying for Clinical Trials, Right to Try, and Expanded Access: Part Three
A Q&A with Mark Shapiro, PhD,Vice President of Clinical Development at xCures, Inc., Partner at Pharma Initiatives; mshapiro@xcures.com. This is the final installment in a three-part series in which Dr. Shapiro has shared his thoughts on […]
Encouraging and Paying for Clinical Trials, Right to Try, and Expanded Access: Part Two
A Q&A with Mark Shapiro, PhD,Vice President of Clinical Development at xCures, Inc., Partner at Pharma Initiatives; mshapiro@xcures.com. Last week, Dr. Shapiro shared his initial thoughts on the question below. Today, he discusses issues of cost and equitable […]
Encouraging and Paying for Clinical Trials, Right to Try, and Expanded Access: Part One
A Q&A with Mark Shapiro, PhD,Vice President of Clinical Development at xCures, Inc., Partner at Pharma Initiatives; mshapiro@xcures.com Q: Treatment of Americans with advanced cancer is complex and challenging and can be very expensive. Many […]
At Diagnosis, What Do Cancer Patients Want?
A Q&A with Laura Benson, RN, MS, ANP, president of Conversations in Care, LLC; LauraBensonRN@Gmail.com Q: In our digital communication world of 2019, some patients may receive the initial message that […]
Capturing Patients’ Real-World Experiences to Improve Cancer Research and Care
A Q&A with Grace Castillo-Soyao, founder and CEO of Self Care Catalysts; grace@selfcarecatalysts.com Q: You are well known as a visionary in the field of Real World Experience-Evidence (RWEE). As […]
The Crucial 90% Missed by Doctors on Computers
A Q&A with Kevin B. Knopf MD, MPH, chairman of hematology and oncology at Highland Hospital in Oakland, California; kevinbknopf@gmail.com Q: A successful patient-physician relationship depends upon effective bidirectional attention […]
The Promise of Plerixafor in Glioblastoma Treatment
A Q&A with Adan Rios, MD; Professor in the Division of Oncology-Department of Internal Medicine of The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Texas Medical Center; adan.rios@uth.tmc.edu Q: Glioblastoma multiforme […]
Might Cancer Be a Metabolic Disease?
A Q&A with Thomas N. Seyfried, PhD, Professor of Biology, Boston College Q: As a geneticist, you know that the genomic makeup of cancers recently has captivated much of the […]
Why the 21st Century Cures Act is a Good Thing
A Q&A with Mary Woolley, President and CEO of Research!America Q: You attended the December 2016 signing by President Obama of the 21st Century Cures Act and are recognized to […]
Options to Treat a Glioblastoma
A Q&A with Al Musella, DPM, President, Musella Foundation For Brain Tumor Research & Information, Inc., Hewlett, NY; email: musella@virtualtrials.com, phone: 888-295-4740 Q: You direct an established foundation that supports […]
Patient-Reported Outcomes Could Transform Cancer Care
A Q&A with Jared Adams MD, PhD, Chief Science Officer at Self Care Catalysts; jared@selfcarecatalysts.com Q: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are health care outcomes, such as symptoms or quality of life, […]
Cancer Pain and the Opioid Epidemic
A Q&A with Kevin Sevarino, MD, PhD, President-elect of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry and Consulting Psychiatrist at Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford, CT Q: Opioid abuse, addiction, and overdose […]
How to Tell a Patient Their Cancer Has Spread
A Q&A with crisis communication expert Lisa Dinhofer, MA, CT Q. As a counselor and communicator, you are expert and experienced in managing serious situational difficulties up to and including […]
Cancer Staging: Important Work of the AJCC
Jeffrey E. Gershenwald, MD, FACS, Dr. John M. Skibbter Professor, Dept. of Surgical Oncology; Professor, Department of Cancer Biology; Medical Director, Melanoma and Skin Center, The University of Texas MD […]
Foundation Medicine, CMS, FDA, CAP and Academic Molecular Pathology: A Clash of Values
Karen Kaul MD, PhD, Chair, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem; , Duckworth Family Chair of Molecular Pathology; Clinical Professor of Pathology, University of Chicago Pritzker School […]
Do you have pain, cancer, or diabetes? Your PBM may now be your doctor for these illnesses.
Charles L. Bennett MD PhD MPP, Smart State and Frank P and Jose M Fletcher Chair, Medication Safety and Efficacy, Smart State Center of Economic Excellence, University of South Carolina […]
Using High Content Imaging for Biomarker Discovery to Support Precision Oncology
Gavin J. Gordon, MBA, PhD, Vice President of Commercial Operations at Fluidigm Corporation, South San Francisco, CA Email: gavin.gordon@fluidigm.com Q: Huge new advances in technology continue to illuminate the research […]
Challenging Oncology Therapies With Moonshot Price Tags
Pramod John, PhD, CEO, VIVIO Health, San Leandro, CA; Email: pramod@viviohealth.com Q: Some American pharmaceutical companies are well-known for pricing drugs at “whatever the market will bear”. In oncology, some […]
Accuracy and Precision Define Radiation Oncology
Eddy Yang, MD, PhD, Professor and Vice Chair of Translational Sciences Department of Radiation Oncology; Deputy Director, Associate Director of Precision Oncology at the Hugh Kaul Precision Medicine Institute; Birmingham, AL; […]
Precision Oncology in the UK in 2017
Justin Stebbing, MA FRCP FRCPath PhD, Professor of Cancer Medicine and Medical Oncology at the Imperial College/Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK; Email: j.stebbing@imperial.ac.uk Q: Science is […]
Using Data Analytics to Make an Impact in Brain Cancer
Lisandra West-Odell, PhD, Scientist and Product Manager, Cancer Commons, Los Altos, CA; Email: lisandra@cancercommons.org Q: Reflecting the current reality of a brain cancer diagnosis, how can Cancer Commonspositively impact the treatment […]
Life After Oncology
Professor Michael Baum, Professor Emeritus of Surgery & Visiting Professor of Medical Humanities, University College, London, UK; Email: baum.michael3@gmail.com Q: You have recently decided to “withdraw from the field” after […]
Huge Progress in Palliative Care
Diane E. Meier, MD, FACP, Director, Center to Advance Palliative Care; Professor of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York, NY; Email: diane.meier@mssm.edu Q: […]
How I Survive Cancer
Erin Maloney, Intrepid explorer, Amateur photographer, Aspiring leader; Toronto, ON; Email: erinLmaloney@gmail.com Q: You have recently disclosed that you have had a diagnosis of cancer and described your experience in […]
Who Owns Patient Data in Clinical Research?
Charlotte J. Haug, MD, PhD, MSc, International Correspondent, New England Journal of Medicine; Senior Scientist, SINTEF Techology and Society; Adjunct Affiliate, Stanford Health Policy; Oslo, Norway; Email: charlottejohanne@gmail.com Q: Many people are coming […]
Nicotine Addiction: Harm Reduction by E-cigarettes and Snus
Joel L. Nitzkin, MD, Public Health Physician, New Orleans, LA Email: jlnitzkin@gmail.com Q: Tobacco smoking remains the most preventable primary form of cancer causation in Americans. A recent Medscape column urged that […]
Pharmacogenomics for Clinical Use of Cannabis
Saeed K. Alzghari, M.S., M.B.A. (HOM), Pharm.D., BCPS, Director of Clinical Pharmacy, Gulfstream Genomics, LLC., Dallas, TX; Email: salzghari@gulfdiagnostics.com Q: Proper use of Pharmacogenomics can inform better patient care in […]
Public Health Personalized Medicine
Gualberto Ruaño, MD, PhD, President, Genomas Inc.; Medical Director, Laboratory of Personalized Health; Hartford, CT; Email: g.ruano@genomas.net Q: Public participation by contributing specimens to assess personal genomic information is rapidly increasing. […]
Psychiatric Drug Use by Medical Students and Residents
Pamela Wible, MD, Founder of the Ideal Medical Care movement; Author of Physician Suicide Letters—Answered; Family medicine practitioner in Oregon; Q: Medical students and residents are among the most important human resources in […]
The Worst Phony Cancer Cures
Stephen Barrett, MD, Retired Psychiatrist; Medical Editor for Quackwatch.org and 24 other consumer-protection Web sites; Publisher for Consumer Health Digest; Chapel Hill, NC; Email: sbinfo@quackwatch.org Q: Who tops your list […]
Nordic Country Tobacco Control
Astrid Nylenna, MD, Acting Head of Department, Department of Global Health, Norwegian Directorate of Health, Oslo, Norway; Email: Astrid.Nylenna@helsedir.no Q: Norway has been very active in tobacco control and prevention […]
Surprise: Vitamin K2 and Cancer
Micki Jacobs, Independent Researcher, Dayton, OH; Email: mickijacobs@yahoo.com Q: You know a great deal about Vitamin K2 and its precursors in human health and disease. What is the best evidence […]
Precision Medicine in the Universal Healthcare System in the Netherlands
Jack A. Schalken, PhD, Professor of Experimental Urology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, NL Email: Jack.Schalken@radboudumc.nl Q: Science is universal but the practice of medicine varies widely by geography, economics, […]
The Role of “Rapid Science” in Facilitating and Rewarding Collaboration in Biomedical Research
Sarah Greene, MS, Chief Executive Officer, Rapid Science, Brooklyn, NY; Email sg@rapidscience.org Q: You are the leader of Rapid Science, an innovative initiative intended to speed up the process of […]
Q&A: Air Traffic Control for Cancer
David K. Cundiff, MD, Retired internist and palliative care physician from LA County + USC Medical Center; Email: dkcundiff@whistleblowerdoctor.org. Jeff Shrager, PhD, Director of Research, Cancer Commons; Adjunct Professor, Symbolic Systems Program, […]
Options to Treat a Glioblastoma
Al Musella, DPM, President, Musella Foundation For Brain Tumor Research & Information, Inc., Hewlett, NY; Email: musella@virtualtrials.com Phone: 888-295-4740 Q: You direct an established foundation that supports research and information […]
Lung Cancer Screening…The Clock is Ticking
Paul R Billings MD, PhD, CEO and Chairman of Synergenz LTD Q: Lung cancer screening of smokers (spiral CT over 3 years) is paid for by CMS (reimbursement), has a […]
The Value of Molecular Disease Models for Cancer Treatment Planning
Smruti Vidwans, PhD, Chief Science Officer at CollabRx Q: You have been notified that your article entitled “A Melanoma Molecular Disease Model” is among the top 10% of most cited […]
How to Initiate Treatment for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia March 2016 vs July 2017
Jerald P. Radich, MD, Director of the Molecular Oncology Lab at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine Q: […]
How to Initiate Treatment for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia March 2016 vs July 2017
Jerald P. Radich, MD, Director of the Molecular Oncology Lab at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine Q: […]
How to Treat Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Bassel El-Rayes, MD, Professor and Vice Chair for Clinical Research, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Associate Director for Clinical Research, and Director of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program Winship Cancer Institute […]
You, Me, and 23: DTC Gene Tests
Melinda Roberts, Web and Product Development Lead Globiana Inc. Q: Many people are interested in their own genes and wonder whether they are predisposed to cancer or other maladies. You recently […]
Leading Retractions in the Cancer Research Literature
Ivan Oransky, MD, is co-founder of Retraction Watch. Oransky is Distinguished Writer In Residence at New York University’s Arthur Carter Journalism Institute, and editor at large of MedPage Today. Adam Marcus is also […]
Treating Metastatic Malignant Melanoma, March 2016 vs April 2017
Keith Flaherty, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Director of Developmental Therapeutics, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital Q: A lot has happened in the field of Metastatic Melanoma […]
Is the PBM Now Your Doctor?
Charles Bennett, MD, PhD, MPP, Smart State and Frank P and Jose M Fletcher Chair, Medication Safety and Efficacy, Smart State Center of Economic Excellence, University of South Carolina and […]
Preventing Breast Cancer: Research Worth Watching
Susan Love, MD, MBA Chief Visionary Officer, Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, Encino, CA Q: The goal of the Dr Susan Love Research Foundation is “…..to find the cause of […]
2017 USPSTF on PSA: A Bad Idea
Richard J. Ablin, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon), Dr. h.c. Professor, Department of Pathology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, The Arizona Cancer Center and BIO5 Institute, Tucson, AZ 85724. Ronald Piana, Freelance […]
Big 2017 Change on PSA by USPSTF
Marc B Garnick, MD, Editor in Chief, HMS Annual Report on Prostate Diseases; Gorman Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA . E. David Crawford, […]
Forget Moonshots: Biomedicine Needs an Air Traffic Control System
Jeff Shrager, PhD, Director of Research, Cancer Commons; Adjunct Professor, Symbolic Systems Program, Stanford University Q: There never seem to be enough patients matched to cancer clinical trials to quickly test […]
Proposed FDA “Conditional Approval”- More Details
Al Musella, DPM, President, Musella Foundation For Brain Tumor Research & Information, Inc., Hewlett, NY. Marty Tenenbaum, PhD, Founder and Chair, Cancer Commons, Los Altos, CA. Q: Your April 5, 2017 blog […]
Next Steps for Improving Clinical Evidence and Consistency of Payment for Precision Oncology
Kathryn A. Phillips, PhD, Professor of Health Economics and Health Services Research; Founding Director UCSF Center for Translational and Policy Research on Personalized Medicine; Dept. of Clinical Pharmacy; Institute for Health […]
Conditional Approval: Right Solution for the Wrong Problem
Shannon Brownlee, MS, Senior Vice President of the Lown Institute, a think tank in Boston. She is also co-founder of the Right Care Alliance, a social movement for transforming health care. […]
In Memorium: Richard E. Horowitz, M.D.
by Dr. George Lundberg Searching for Truth in Cancer Clinical Trials Richard E. Horowitz, MD, Clinical Professor of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine at USC; Emeritus Professor of Pathology, UCLA School […]
Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Still Rare but Deadly
John R. Craig, MD PhD, Retired pathologist and formerly Medical Director, St. Jude Cancer Center, Fullerton, CA; Member, Board of Directors, FibroFoundation Q: You were the lead author in a […]
A Proposed New FDA Drug Approval Pathway: “Conditional”
Al Musella, DPM, President, Musella Foundation For Brain Tumor Research & Information, Inc., Hewlett, NY. Marty Tenenbaum, PhD, Founder and Chair, Cancer Commons, Los Altos, CA Q: The delay time […]
AACR: Advances in Immunotherapy to Continue
Srivani Ravoori, PhD, Associate Director, Science Communications; American Association for Cancer Research Intro: The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) publishes a forecast blog post at the start of each year to ask prominent […]
A Fully Integrated Histo-Molecular Pathology Report
Margaret L. Gulley, MD, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Q: The CAP, ASCO, ASCP and AMP have developed guidelines for interpretation and […]
Paying for Precision Oncology – Who Decides?
Patricia Deverka, Principal Researcher, Health Care Group American Institutes for Research, Chapel Hill, NC; Adjunct Associate Professor, Center for Pharmacogenomics & Individualized Therapy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill […]
A Plea for Gold Standards in Precision Oncology
George Lundberg, MS, MD, ScD, MASCP, FCAP, Chief Medical Officer and Editor in Chief, CollabRx, a Rennova Health Company; Editor at Large, Medscape; Executive Adviser, Cureus; Consulting Professor of Pathology […]
Precision Oncology: Requirements for the Next Leap Forward
Razelle Kurzrock, MD, Chief, Division of Hematology and Oncology, UCSD School of Medicine; Senior Deputy Director, Clinical Science; Director, Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy; Director, Clinical Trials Office, UCSD Moores […]
Clarity Still Awaited for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Nelson N. Stone, MD, Professor of Urology and Radiation Oncology at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, NY; CEO and Founder, 3DBiopsy, Inc., Aurora, CO. E. David Crawford, […]
AACR: Advances in Precision Medicine to Continue
Srivani Ravoori, PhD, Associate Director, Science Communications; American Association for Cancer Research Intro: The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) publishes a forecast blog post at the start of each year to ask prominent […]
Why the 21st Century Cures Act is a Good Thing
Mary Woolley, President and CEO of Research!America Q: You attended the December signing by President Obama of the 21st Century Cures Act and are recognized to be a strong supporter. […]
Best Uses of PM&R in Patients with Cancer
Val Jones, MD, Medical Director of Admissions, Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, Spokane, WA Q: Your principal practice in Spokane, Washington is Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. What do you find to […]
The Importance of Clinical Trial Matching
Adrienne Craig-Kennard, MBA, VP Global Business Development & Strategic Alliances at CollabRx Q: You have served as Vice President, Global Business Development and Strategic Alliances of CollabRx for more than […]
The Autopsy is Essential in Proper Cancer Care
David S. Priemer, M.D., Resident Physician in Anatomic Pathology and Neuropathology, Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; priemerd@iu.edu Q: The numbers show that […]
The Future of Nursing Care for Advanced Cancer Patients
Karen Donelan, ScD, EdM, Senior Scientist in Health Policy, Mongan Institute Health Policy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School Boston, MA 02114; kdonelan@mgh.harvard.edu Q: You […]
21st Century Cures Act, Societal Net Negative or Positive?
Daniel R. Hoffman, Ph.D., Health Care Consultant in Glenmoore, PA. Q: Many people are praising the recently passed 21st Century Cures Act. But there are also critics. What are some […]
The Role of the NCQA in Advancing Cancer Care
Margaret E. O’Kane, MHA. Founder and President, National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Washington, DC. Q: Under your visionary leadership, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has established and […]
Clinical Trial Matching for Patients with Molecularly Characterized Tumors
Smruti Vidwans, PhD, Chief Science Officer at CollabRx Q: Clinical Trials is such an important topic, but it is so broad. Is there a way to provide better matching for […]
Complementary/Alternative Approaches in Advanced Cancer
Marc S. Micozzi, MD, PhD, Editor of Fundamentals of Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 5th ed. (2015), Elsevier Health Sciences, 759 pp; Editor of Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Cancer and Prevention: Foundations […]
Best Use of Palliative Care in Cancer Patients
Malinda Bell, MD, Associate Professor Michigan State University College of Human Medicine; Clinical Associate Professor Western Michigan University Dept of Emergency Medicine Q: Many, even millions, of Americans are living […]
Will Advanced Computing Help Eradicate Cancer?
Helen Sadik, PhD, Scientific Knowledge Engineer, CollabRx Q: Computers and artificial intelligence show both great progress and great promise in many fields. Can “Big Data”, A.I., and the Watson ilk […]
The Essential Value of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
Catherine D. DeAngelis, MD, University Distinguished Professor Emerita, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Professor of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Editor in Chief […]
Making Cancer Care Great Again
Michael L. Millenson, President of Health Quality Advisors LLC and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine Q: Donald Trump’s campaign for the presidency included […]
How to Control American Drug Costs
Brian Klepper PhD, Health Care Analyst, CEO of Health Value Direct and an advisor to The Lundberg Institute Q: Many newer (as well as many older) drugs are of great […]
Expanded-Compassionate Use of an Investigational Drug
Vivek Subbiah, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Investigational Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX Q: You have exhausted surgical, radiation, and […]
The “Hutch” and Improving Baseball: World Series Edition
Jerald P. Radich, MD, Director of the Molecular Oncology Lab at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, […]
How to Decide to Offer a New Lab Test
Jared N. Schwartz, MD PhD LLC Past President, College of American Pathologists; Opinions his own; Charlotte, NC. Q: Pathologists are faced with the need to set up additional lab tests […]
Preventing Hair Loss from Cancer Chemotherapy
Richard B. Schwab, MD. Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine Q: Loss of hair is a predictable adverse effect of […]
Mutational Oncology: The Basics
Vivian B. Douglas, PhD. Associate Knowledge Engineer, CollabRx San Francisco, California Q: Many mature clinicians find “Mutational Oncology” to be a bit mysterious. Please help them understand. As they pertain […]
The Most Relied Upon Journals in Precision Oncology
George Lundberg, MS, MD, ScD, MASCP, FCAP, Chief Medical Officer and Editor in Chief, CollabRx, a Rennova Health Company; Editor at Large, Medscape; Executive Adviser, Cureus; Consulting Professor of Pathology […]
Length and Quality of Life in Cancer Patient Treatment
Professor Michael Baum, Professor Emeritus of Surgery & Visiting Professor of Medical Humanities. University College, London, UK. Q: Although you have practiced as a surgeon in the British National Health […]
Canadian/American Cancer
Cynthia Martin, MA is a freelance/ghost writer (who tried to write a serious piece). Q: As a journalist, you are a savvy native Canadian consumer/patient who also knows a lot […]
Conflict of Interest in Cancer Clinical Trials
Kevin B. Knopf, MD MPH, Medical Director, Cancer Commons San Francisco, California Q: Clinical trials are the lifeblood of continuing drug development in the US. Yet they are often undersubscribed. […]
Can Preclinical Data Guide Clinical Cancer Therapy?
Keith Flaherty, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Director of Developmental Therapeutics, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital. Q: Under what circumstances and to what extent are you willing […]
Circadian Cancer Therapy
William Hrushesky, MD FACP, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer Rythmalytics LLC (Cicada Circadian Coach), West Orange NJ; Chief Medical Officer Ambulatory Monitoring Inc., Ardsley, NY Q: Are there meaningful advantages […]
Generic Drugs vs. Biosimilar Biologics
Y. Tony Yang, ScD, LLM, MPH., Associate Professor, Department of Health Administration and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. Charles Bennett, MD, PhD, M.P.P., Smart State and Frank P and Jose […]
Driver and Passenger Mutations in Cancer Cell Genes
Michelle Turski, PhD, Senior Scientific Knowledge Engineer, CollabRx Q: What are the similarities and differences between “driver” mutations and “passenger” mutations and in what common malignancies is that distinction most […]
Patients and Physicians Should Share Decisions in Oncology
Brian Klepper, PhD, CEO and Founding Principal of Health Value Direct Q: Many of us have been touched by the publication of your sensitive but serious criticism of your wife’s care once her […]
Targeted Therapy for Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia
Javier Munoz MD, FACP, Hematologist/Oncologist at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert, AZ and Hematology-Oncology Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston […]
Using Patient Navigators to Improve Cancer Care
Valerie Fraser Cancer Research Advocate/Patient Navigator; Inflammatory Breast Cancer International Consortium (IBC-IC) Huntington Woods, Michigan Q: What are Patient Navigators and why are they sometimes necessary for some cancer patients. How […]
CollabRx and the 2016 Cancer Moonshot
George Lundberg, MS, MD, ScD, MASCP, FCAP, Chief Medical Officer and Editor in Chief, CollabRx, a Rennova Health Company; Editor at Large, Medscape; Executive Adviser, Cureus; Consulting Professor of Pathology […]
Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk
David Polsky, MD, PhD, Professor of Dermatology and Pathology; Alfred W. Kopf, MD, Professor of Dermatologic Oncology; Director, Pigmented Lesion Section; The Ronald O. Perelman Dept of Dermatology; New York […]
Is there a Better Descriptive Name than Personalized Medicine?
Jerald P. Radich, MD, Director of the Molecular Oncology Lab at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, […]
Seeing the Forest for the Trees: How Cancer Evolution Affects Treatment
Lisandra E. West, PhD, Senior Scientific Knowledge Engineer, CollabRx. Q: How might current thinking on tumor evolution/heterogeneity and sequential mutational profiling inform optimal therapy selection? A: I’d like to share some […]
Multiple Sequential Biopsies now Standard of Care in NSCLC
Gregory Otterson, MD, Professor of Internal Medicine; Interim Division Director of Medical Oncology; Co-Director, Thoracic Oncology Program; Program Director, Hematology & Medical Oncology Fellowship Program; The Ohio State University Wexner […]
Use CUREUS to Build Rapid Learning Communities
John R. Adler, Jr., MD, CEO & Editor-in-Chief Cureus.com; Dorothy & TK Chan Professor, Emeritus, Stanford University Q: CollabRx, and its “sister” not for profit organization “Cancer Commons”, are dedicated […]
Should All Potentially Lethal Tumors Be Sequenced?
Lisandra E. West, PhD, Senior Scientific Knowledge Engineer, CollabRx. Q: Is there enough benefit to justify sequencing all patients’ tumors? – Perspective from a scientific knowledge engineer. A: As a scientist […]
Use of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) in Detection and Management of Lung Cancer
Ruth L. Katz, MD, Professor of Pathology, Director Image Analysis Lab; Chief research Cytopathology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer center, Houston, Texas. Q: Liquid biopsy is “all the rage” […]
Can Precision Oncology Develop Despite Pharmaphobia?
Thomas P. Stossel, MD, American Cancer Society Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Senior Physician, Hematology Division, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA; Visiting Scholar, American Enterprise Institute; Secretary, Options […]
How do Phase 1 Clinical Trials for Cancer Drugs Work?
Razelle Kurzrock, MD, Chief, Division of Hematology and Oncology,UCSD School of Medicine; Senior Deputy Director, Clinical Science; Director, Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy; Director, Clinical Trials Office, UCSD Moores Cancer […]
NextGenU.org and the Prevention of Cancer
Erica Frank, MD, MPH, Professor and Canada Research Chair, University of British Columbia; Founder and President, NextGenU.org; Founding Member, CollabRx Editorial Advisory Board Q: What is Next Gen U and […]
Targeted Therapy and/or Immunotherapy for Cancer
Paul R. Billings MD, PhD, Internist, Clinical Geneticist, and Immunologist: Founder and Executive Chairman, PlumCare LLC; Chairman, Biological Dynamics Inc; Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Omicia; Principal, Bethesda Group LLC; […]
A Full House for Myeloma Therapy: What’s Next in the Cards?
Robert Orlowski, MD, PhD, Florence Maude Thomas Cancer Research Professor and Professor of Medicine (Lymphoma/Myeloma) and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX Q: Some […]
Managing Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Bassel El-Rayes, MD, Professor and Vice Chair for Clinical Research, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Associate Director for Clinical Research, and Director of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program Winship Cancer […]
Compassionate Use of Investigational Drugs
Arthur L Caplan, PhD Director, Division of Medical Ethics, NYU Langone Medical Center. Amrit Ray MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. Q: What is the ethical […]
Single Cell Biology in Cancer Research and Treatment
Gavin Gordon, PhD, Senior Director, Global Pharma & Clinical Trials Alliances, Fluidigm Corporation Q: What do you see as the best roll for single cell biology in cancer research and […]
How to Initiate Treatment for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Jerald P. Radich, MD, Director of the Molecular Oncology Lab at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine Q: […]
Making NGS Work for Oncologists
Smruti Vidwans, PhD, Chief Science Officer at CollabRx Q: Your group has recently described an Actionability Framework for designing treatment strategies for cancers that are characterized by mutations. What is […]
Treating Metastatic Malignant Melanoma
Keith Flaherty, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Director of Developmental Therapeutics, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital. Q: What is your basic approach to handling a new young […]
Introducing a New CollabRx Blog
George D Lundberg, MD, Editor in Chief and Chief Medical Officer & Denise Bartolome, Managing Editor and Webmaster Q: Why are we starting The CollabRx Blog? A: With our new blog, […]