Podcast
Melanoma Matters
Hosted by Melanoma Matters Pod · EN
From the UK to the USA - Melanoma Matters is on a mission!
Hosts James Larkin and Sapna Patel are spreading the word on melanoma, one podcast at a time. Tune in for a critical review of the literature and a discussion of how we incorporate the data into our practices...across the pond(s).
#MelanomaMatters video podcast
11episodes
Episodes
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Ep 83: Guest Megan Othus and Time of Day Administration
3w ago00:40:12Tap to summarizeJames and Sapna welcome Megan Othus, Professor of Biostatistics at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center and one of the key statisticians at SWOG.Megan talks about growing up in the PNW and going East to get back West. She helps us digest the time of day analyses and some of the missing analyses that should have been shown in the papers published to date. She teaches us about confounders, accounting for multiple comparisons, and guarantee time bias.
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Ep 82: Best of ASCO: 2026
Jun 1301:04:04Tap to summarizeIn this episode, James & Sapna tease the size of ASCO and ESMO and number of simultaneous publications.They review the most impactful melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma presentations from ASCO 2026, focusing on practice-changing trials and innovative strategies that could shape future treatment landscapes.Studies discussed include:OptimUM-02 phase 2/3 trial for metastatic uveal melanoma ADAM phase 3 trial for MCC5yr update of the phase 2 Keynote 942 trial (adjuvant melanoma)Pilot neoadjuvant studies (NeoReNi, NeoINR)Time of day of infusion and immunotherapy efficacy
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Live from ASCO 2026: a preview
Jun 100:06:15Tap to summarizeJames & Sapna sent a brief message from ASCO 2026 about what they are looking forward to hearing at the meeting.OptimUM-02ADAMKN-942Neoadjuvant pilot studies... and more
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Ep 81: IGNYTE trial (RP1 + nivo)
Feb 1300:32:38Tap to summarizeSummaryThe conversation covers the published data from the IGNYTE study - RP1 + nivolumab: response rate and safety profile, RNA-seq analysis, and toxicity. The key takeaways include insights into clinical trial interpretation and treatment efficacy (and incorrect graphs).TakeawaysClinical Trial DataTreatment EfficacyChapters00:00 Introduction to IGNYTE Study14:04 Response Rate and Safety Profile25:17 RNA-seq Analysis and Toxicity
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Ep 80: 2025 Holiday Special
Dec 3000:35:32Tap to summarizeSummaryHappy Holidays and Festive Season Everyone! In this episode of Melanoma Matters, hosts Sapna Patel and James reflect on their "cultural" experiences over the past year, discussing movies, music, books, plays, and television shows. They share personal anecdotes about memorable trips, culinary highlights, gym feats, and their podcasting journey, while also looking ahead to their goals and aspirations for 2026.Keywordsmovies, music, books, plays, television, travel, culinary, podcast, goals, aspirations, Happy Holidays, 2025, reflections, bestTakeaways"Culture"James and Sapna read a lot of books.Theatrical performances can be a delightful family experience - James highly recommends Matilda.There is lots of television watching on both sides of the pond.Traveling memories in 2025.Culinary adventures include Ottolenghi in Richmond.Podcasting is fun when you do it with your best friend.Chapters00:00 Festive Reflections and Year-End Special02:50 Movies and Theater Experiences09:32 Books he read & bought for others to read12:29 Books she read or audio'ed15:56 TV shows we watched in 202520:38 Travel Highlights of the Year22:50 Culinary Adventures and Memorable Meals24:28 Podcast Highlights and Notable Guests32:34 Gym Goalz & PBs
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Ep 79: coBRIM, COMBI-d 5-year follow-up
Dec 2900:36:09Tap to summarizeSummaryIn this episode of Melanoma Matters, James awaits an invitation to a film premiere (The Penguin Lessons) and we all await a picture of him in his tuxedo! Sapna and James go on to discuss the 5-year outcomes of studies such as coBRIM, COMBI-d, and how those compare to 5-year benchmarks from the COLUMBUS study. They explore subgroups and characteristics of favorable (and durable) response, the role of MEK inhibitors on immune activation, and a potential fellow's project (looking at you, Rob?). KeywordsMelanoma, targeted therapy, co-BRIM, COMBI-d, COLUMBUS, immunotherapy, BRAF MEK inhibitors, overall survival, progression-free survival, patient outcomes, cohorts, LDH, organ sitesTakeawaysMEK inhibitors have a complex role in immune response.Normal LDH levels correlate with better patient outcomes.Immunotherapy and targeted therapy can have overlapping patient populations.Sound Bites"We thought we'd do more targeted therapy""Normal LDH is doing better.""Long-term follow-up for targeted therapy."Chapters00:00 Will he or won't he ... James awaits invitation to film premiere04:26 coBRIM 5y FU11:56 COMBI-d 5y FU13:19 LDH subgroups17:26 Normal LDH & <3 organ sites of metastasis 18:07 Invalid analysis & graph ... tsk tsk NEJM 22:36 Fact Check22:40 What's the color of James' t-shirt?25:34 Five-Year Results of BRAF Targeted Therapies28:37 Cure Potential of Adjuvant Targeted Therapy31:34 MEK Inhibition and Immune Activation
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Ep 78 TRAILER: MEK inhibitor trials
Dec 2900:01:06Tap to summarizeEnjoy this short trailer on MEK inhibitor monotherapy trials in melanoma
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Ep 78: MEK inhibitor trials (METRIC, NEMO, pimasertib)
Dec 2900:37:03Tap to summarizeSummarySo many shoutouts in this episode of Melanoma Matters! Sapna and James engage in a lively discussion about MEK inhibitors as monotherapy treatment. They explore the METRIC, NEMO, and pimasertib trials, and discuss side effects associated with this class of therapy. Sapna clears her own confusion regarding the PDUFA date for the NEMO study, and James objects to the way the NEMO abbreviation was derived. Keywordstargeted therapy, MEK inhibitors, METRIC, NEMO, pimasertib, NRAS, BRAF, melanoma, oncology, side effects, clinical trials, drug approval, patient care, cancer treatment, Owen, Dave Solit, Tom Newsom-Davis, Peter HillTakeawaysTargeted therapy is an important area of focus in oncology.MEK inhibitors have been in development for over 15 years.The NEMO trial aimed to evaluate binimetinib for NRAS mutant melanoma.PFS as a primary endpoint in clinical trials.Side effects of MEK inhibitors.The NEMO trial faced challenges in gaining FDA approval despite positive results.Sound Bites"What gets you to an ASCO?"Chapters00:00 Can we get James to go shirtless (req fr Owen the Trainer)04:28 MEK inhibitor trials07:40 Dave Solit is handsome09:50 Side Effects of MEK Inhibitors10:52 Shoutout to Tom Newsom-Davis12:29 Ocular Toxicity and Patient Management16:25 METRIC study19:33 NEMO trial27:16 NEMO and the fate of its PDUFA date29:03 Pimasertib: A New Player in NRAS Mutant Melanoma34:31 Shoutout to Peter Hill & what is the #1 cause of rhabdo in Central London
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Ep 77: Guest Merrick Ross
Dec 2900:44:38Tap to summarizeSummaryIn this episode of Melanoma Matters, hosts James Larkin and Sapna Patel engage with Merrick Ross, a seasoned surgical oncologist, discussing his background, the evolution of surgical practice with regards to melanoma treatment, and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration. They explore innovations in neoadjuvant therapy, the critical role of pathology in treatment decisions, and the future directions of surgical approaches in metastatic melanoma. They discuss the need for continuous adaptation and collaboration in the ever-evolving landscape of melanoma treatment.Keywordsmelanoma, surgical oncology, neoadjuvant therapy, multidisciplinary care, pathology, metastatic melanoma, melanoma treatment, melanoma surgery, immunotherapy, clinical trialsTakeawaysMerrick Ross shares his journey from Chicago to surgical oncology.Surgery for melanoma has evolved from a primary modality to a multimodal approach.The importance of collaboration between surgical oncologists and medical oncologists is emphasized.Neoadjuvant therapy is seen as a promising area for future research and treatment.Ultrasound imaging is more effective than cross-sectional imaging for assessing nodal basins.The role of pathology is crucial in understanding treatment responses and guiding future therapy.Surgical decisions should be tailored based on individual patient responses and disease characteristics.The need for less aggressive surgical interventions is highlighted as treatment evolves.Merrick emphasizes the importance of understanding tumor biology in surgical decision-making.The conversation underscores the collaborative nature of modern melanoma treatment.Sound Bites"We need to loop in the pathologist.""Surgery has evolved over time.""The decision to be aggressive or not is complex."Chapters00:00 Merrick's upbringing06:30 Evolution of Surgical Oncology for Melanoma12:44 The Role of Sentinel Node Biopsy18:35 Merrick waxes sentimental about neoadjuvant therapy24:47 Collaboration Collaboration Collaboration26:46 The Role of Pathology in Treatment Decisions36:41 Surgical Considerations in Immunotherapy39:44 A lovely closing anecdote about Merrick
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Ep 76: KEYNOTE 054 7-year follow-up
Dec 2800:28:49Tap to summarizeSummaryIn this Episode, hosts James & Sapna go into the 7-year follow-up from the randomized phase 3 adjuvant trial of pembrolizumab versus placebo for stage III melanoma, KEYNOTE-054There's a bit too much talk about weightlifting though...
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