JCO Article Insights: Xevinapant Plus Chemoradiotherapy in Unresected LA SCCHN

What long-term outcomes can be achieved with neoadjuvant cemiplimab, and how does immunotherapy reshape the treatment landscape for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma? Host Dr. Davide Soldato interviews Dr. Neil Gross on his simultaneous publication presented at ESMO 2026 "A Phase 2 Study of Neoadjuvant Cemiplimab for Stage II–IV Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Final Analysis." They explore the clinical rationale, long-term survival and durability outcomes, and the profound impact of this approach on surgical morbidity and patient quality of life. Dr. Gross also shares insights on how these results are paving the way for ongoing randomized trials and the future of treatment personalization in advanced skin cancers.

What pCR rates can be achieved with neoadjuvant THP, and which patients are most likely to respond? Host Dr. Davide Soldato interviews Dr. Nadine Tung on her article, "Pathologic Complete Response (pCR) Rate and Predictors of Response to Taxane, Trastuzumab, and Pertuzumab in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Secondary Analyses of EA1181/CompassHER2 pCR." They examine differences in pCR by estrogen receptor status and the clinicopathologic and HER2DX features associated with response, while considering how these findings may inform treatment personalization as the trial's 3-year recurrence-free survival data mature. LINK TO FULL TRANSCRIPT

Host Dr. Jake New interviews Dr. Makoto Tahara about the JCO article "Long-Term Follow-Up of JCOG1008, a Randomized Phase II/III Trial of Chemoradiotherapy Comparing 3-Weekly Cisplatin With Weekly Cisplatin in Postoperative Head and Neck Cancer." They discuss clinical considerations for individualizing treatment schedules and impact of treatment schedule on toxicity and patient quality of life. LINK TO FULL TRANSCRIPT

How does dexrazoxane affect left ventricular function over time after doxorubicin treatment for childhood cancer? Host Dr. Davide Soldato sits down with Dr. Erin Mobley and Dr. Eric Chow to discuss their article, "Longitudinal Change in Cardiac Function After Doxorubicin and Dexrazoxane: A Report from COG ALTE11C2." They examine the longitudinal echocardiographic findings, the durability of cardioprotection, and how dexrazoxane exposure might eventually inform cardiomyopathy risk stratification and surveillance. LINK TO FULL TRANSCRIPT

Guest Dr. Vedang Murthy and host Davide Soldato discuss JCO article, "Bladder Adjuvant Radiotherapy: Phase III Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of Adjuvant Radiotherapy or Observation for Postcystectomy Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer" and delve into trial design, results, clinical implications, and future directions in bladder cancer treatment. LINK TO FULL TRANSCRIPT