Lung Cancer Considered

How could cellular therapies and cancer vaccines transform the future of treatment for ALK-positive lung cancer? Host Dr. Narjust Florez sits down with Dr. Vincent Lam and Dr. Carmen Mecca to explore the latest research, the science driving these innovative approaches, and what these advances could mean for patients and the future of precision oncology.
Key Topics Covered:
• ALK-positive lung cancer
• Cellular Therapy
• Vaccines

Guests:

Vincent Lam, MD
Associate Professor of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Director, Thoracic Oncology Clinical Research Program
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Carmen Mecca. PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, Chiarle Lab
Department of Pathology
Boston Children’s Hospital

Starting your first faculty position can be both exciting and overwhelming. In this episode of Lung Cancer Considered, host Dr. Narjust Florez is joined by Dr. Arthi Sridhar to discuss the transition from fellowship to independent practice, sharing practical insights on navigating clinical responsibilities, building professional relationships, balancing personal and professional priorities, and developing a sustainable career in oncology. Whether you're beginning a career in academic or community practice, this conversation offers actionable advice to help you thrive in your early years as faculty.

Guests:

Arthi Sridhar, MD - Arthi.Sridhar@UTSouthwestern.edu
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
UT Southwestern Medical Center

In this episode of Lung Cancer Considered, Dr. Balazs Halmos reflects on a career at the forefront of thoracic oncology, sharing the pivotal moments, lessons learned, and hard truths that have shaped modern lung cancer care.

Guest:
Balazs Halmos, MD, MS
Professor of Medicine
Associate Director, Clinical Science
Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center

This episode of Lung Cancer Considered provide a preview of the upcoming IASLC 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer in Seoul, South Korea this September. Key topics covered include
WCLC26 highlights - Multidisciplinary, WCLC26 deadlines and information about Seoul.

Guests:

Myung-Ju Ahn, MD, PhD
Distinguished Professor
Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine
Hanyang University Medical Center, Hanyang University School of Medicine
Seoul, Republic of Korea

Vincent Wentao Fang, MD
Professor, Department of Thoracic Surgery
Shanghai East Hospital
Tongji University Medical School

Jiraporn Setakornnukul, MD, PhD
Radiation Oncologist, Associate Professor
Division of Radiation Oncology Department of Radiology
Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University
Bangkok, Thailand

Yasushi Yatabe, MD, PhD
Chief, Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Cancer Center Hospital
Chief, Division of Molecular Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute
National Cancer Center Japan

In Part 2 of the ASCO 2026 Highlights series, hosts Dr. Narjust Florez and Dr. Stephen Liu are joined by Dr. Julie Brahmer and Dr. Solange Peters to discuss some of the most notable immunotherapy advances presented at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting. The conversation explores emerging data for PD-1/VEGF and PD-L1/VEGF bispecific antibodies, the growing role of antibody-drug conjugates in combination with immunotherapy, and promising new strategies targeting KRAS-mutant lung cancers, highlighting how these approaches may reshape the future treatment landscape.

Guests:

Julie R. Brahmer, MD, MSc, FASCO, FAIO
The Marilyn Meyerhoff Professor of Thoracic Oncology
Co-Leader, Cancer Immunology Research Program
Co-Director, Upper Aerodigestive Cancers Program
Director, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Bayview Campus

Professor Solange Peters, MD, PhD
Chair of Medical Oncology
Director of Oncology Department - CHUV
Lausanne University Hospital