Healthcare Unfiltered

Chadi sits down with Dr. Daniel Olson to discuss the growing excitement surrounding tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy in melanoma, including how these personalized cellular therapies are created (and sometimes engineered in the lab), the logistical challenges of collection and reinfusion, and the clinical data that led to FDA approval based on a single-arm study. Dr. Olson also explores treatment sequencing with immunotherapy and targeted therapy, the severity and duration of associated toxicities, response rates seen in practice, and the expanding potential for TIL therapy in other malignancies such as lung and cervical cancers, offering a practical and forward-looking look...

Chadi is joined by Dr. Sewanti Limaye to discuss what precision oncology looks like in India, exploring the realities of access, affordability, infrastructure, and innovation in cancer care. Drawing on her experience training and practicing in the United States before returning to Mumbai to lead oncology and translational research programs, Dr. Limaye explains which genomic tests, liquid biopsies, and targeted therapies are currently available in India, the challenges surrounding out-of-pocket costs and insurance coverage, and why helping even a small percentage of patients access precision medicine can have a major impact. The conversation also covers clinical trial capabilities, lab...

Chadi sits down with sit down with Sue S. Yom, MD, PhD, FASTRO—radiation oncologist at UCSF, Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, and leader within NRG Oncology—to explore the critical role of cooperative groups in advancing cancer research. She unpacks their history, the benefits and challenges of large-scale collaboration, and how federal funding and partnerships with industry shape the design and execution of clinical trials. Dr. Yom also shares insights from her editorial perspective and highlights what’s ahead in radiation oncology, including the growing role of biomarkers, personalized treatment strategies, and smarter sequen...

Gary L. Simmons, DO, MSHA—physician and entrepreneur in a Virginia community practice—dives into the rapidly evolving world of cell and gene therapy (CGT), including bone marrow transplant, CAR-T, and TILs, and what it takes to bring these cutting-edge treatments safely into the community setting. He unpacks the operational, financial, and workforce challenges of building and scaling a CGT program outside of academia, from payer hesitancy and 340B pressures to the infrastructure and staffing required for success. The conversation also explores the future of CGT, how innovation may reshape access, and why community practices could play a critical role...

Returning guest Dr. Tom Beer, Chief Medical Officer for Multicancer Early Detection (MCED) at Exact Sciences, joins the show to break down the promise and complexity of MCED testing—what it is, the clinical gap it aims to fill, and how it could reshape cancer diagnostics. He explores which patient populations may benefit most, the current limitations across different cancer types, and whether MCED tests are poised to complement or replace traditional single-cancer screening approaches. The conversation also tackles key nuances like balancing sensitivity and specificity, interpreting negative results, and how clinicians and patients should think about repeat testing in...

Chadi sits down with Dan Golden, MD, MHPE, Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at Rush University, to discuss his deeply personal and recently published account of physician burnout. He shares the mental and physical toll of burnout, clarifies how it differs from depression and anxiety, and reflects on the pressures of academic medicine’s “say yes to everything” culture that leaves little room for setting boundaries. From masking symptoms and navigating a job change that added stress, to ultimately taking leaves of absence and undergoing intensive therapy, Dr. Golden offers an unfiltered look at how dire things became—and why spea...

Chadi sits down with Nina Sanford, MD, Chief of Gastrointestinal Radiation Oncology Service at UT Southwestern, to explore the evolving landscape of radiation therapy in upper and lower GI malignancies. They discuss how advances in systemic treatments are reshaping radiation strategies, current standards of care in colorectal, gastroesophageal, pancreatic cancers, and liver cancers, and the growing role of organ preservation and adaptive radiation in improving patient outcomes. Dr. Sanford also shares insights into emerging clinical trials, personalized treatment approaches, and what she is most excited about in the future of GI radiation oncology.

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Chadi sits down with Amy Comander, MD, a breast cancer medical oncologist at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute and author of “Paving Your Path Through Breast Cancer and Beyond,” to discuss how patients can take control of their health and quality of life after a breast cancer diagnosis. She shares the inspiration behind her book and offers a practical, lifestyle medicine–focused roadmap—covering nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and social connection—along with her “PAVING” framework for sustainable change. The conversation also explores her perspectives on popular diets, the psychological aspects of survivorship, and the key takeaways she hopes pati...

Chadi sits down again with Dr. Urvi Shah for an in-depth, evidence-driven exploration of the often confusing relationship between food and cancer. They dive into how nutritional research is actually conducted—and why it’s so challenging—while separating widely regarded myths from what high-quality data truly support, including nuanced discussions on processed foods, red meat, plant-based diets, ketogenic diets, intermittent fasting, and alcohol use. Dr. Shah also offers practical, science-backed recommendations for cancer prevention in the general population, as well as thoughtful guidance on how patients might approach diet and lifestyle changes after a cancer diagnosis.

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Chadi sits down with Dr. William “Bill” Small, Jr., a nationally recognized radiation oncologist and cancer center director at Loyola University Chicago, to explore the evolution of radiation oncology from its historical foundations to its rapidly advancing future. They discuss cutting-edge developments including proton therapy, radiopharmaceuticals, and the growing integration of molecular tumor profiling with precision radiation techniques, as well as the field’s increasing collaboration with medical oncology. Dr. Small also shares insights on mentoring the next generation of researchers, expanding clinical trials in radiation oncology, and addressing critical challenges such as overtreatment while shaping the future of the di...

Chadi sits down with Katherine Stueland, President and CEO of GeneDx, to explore how genomic sequencing is transforming the diagnosis of rare diseases—especially for pediatric patients who often endure years searching for answers. She discusses the company’s work analyzing the full genome to uncover gene–disease correlations, its efforts to bring advanced genetic testing directly into pediatricians’ offices through education and access initiatives, and how its massive rare-disease dataset is helping clinicians deliver faster, more precise diagnoses. The conversation also looks ahead to the expanding role of genomics in adult conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, the potential of partn...

Chadi sits down with Dr. Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, a pediatric emergency physician at UPMC, to discuss her role as a medical advisor for the HBO Max series “The Pitt” and how she helped bring real-world authenticity to the show. She explains how the writers first approached her and asked a key question—what stories have not yet been told on medical dramas—which led her to highlight issues such as the challenges of sickle-cell pain management and share the powerful real-life story of a 17-year-old patient that ultimately inspired a storyline in the series. Dr. Owusu-Ansah also reflects on how her own...

Chadi sits down with Misty Shields, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Indiana University School of Medicine, to explore the evolving translational research landscape in small cell lung cancer. Together, they discuss the pivotal shift in how small cell lung cancer is biologically classified, the modern roles of prophylactic cranial irradiation and immunotherapy, and how these approaches are being refined through ongoing research. Dr. Shields also highlights the importance of next-generation sequencing, biomarker development, and the exciting compound combinations under investigation—offering a compelling look at how today’s lab discoveries are...

Chadi sits down with award-winning legal scholar Elizabeth (Beth) Chamblee Burch to explore “The Pain Brokers: How Con Men, Call Centers, and Rogue Doctors Fuel America’s Lawsuit Factory,” her deeply reported investigation into a multilevel scam involving a pelvic mesh product that preyed on vulnerable patients and exploited mass tort litigation. Together, they discuss how she uncovered her sources and evidence, the harrowing stories of the women caught up in this web of telemarketing, shady medical referrals, and legal profiteering, and what the fallout reveals about the broader tort law system.

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Paolo Tarantino, MD, PhD, medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, joins Chadi for a deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)—sometimes dubbed “super-chemotherapies.” He traces the fascinating origins of the ADC concept, including a centuries-old scientific insight that foreshadowed their development, and explains the biology behind how these targeted therapies deliver potent cytotoxics directly to cancer cells across tumor types. Dr. Tarantino also reflects on launching his career alongside the infancy of modern ADCs, explores innovations like multi-payload constructs, and weighs in on whether ADCs could ultimately replace conventional chemotherapy as research continues to push t...

Chadi sits down with Nora Disis, MD—Editor in Chief of JAMA Oncology and professor at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center—for a candid, wide-ranging discussion on the modern state of peer review and medical publishing. Dr. Disis reflects on the founding of JAMA Oncology and her role as its inaugural Editor in Chief, then pulls back the curtain on what actually happens when a manuscript is submitted (yes, she reads every one), how impact factors shape—and sometimes distort—the field, and what truly defines a high-quality peer reviewer. From the promises and pitfalls of AI to the pressures facing a...

Award-winning stem cell transplant pioneer, Dr. Richard Burt, discusses his book “Kill Switch: The History of How Viruses Shaped Humanity and Led to COVID-19,” guiding listeners through the deep, often surprising role viruses like smallpox, polio, HIV, and COVID-19 have played in shaping human civilization and global health responses. With factual clarity and a historian’s eye, Dr. Burt explains the development of scientific understanding and vaccines without political agenda, offering historical perspective that sheds light on the ups and downs of vaccine innovation and what we can learn from the COVID-19 era.

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Drs. Shaalan Beg, Shruti Patel, and Emil Lou—the “Only Oncologists in the Building”—offer an in-depth, clinically focused review of the most important research presented at the ASCO GI Annual Meeting. The conversation spans the rising incidence and outcomes of early-onset colorectal cancer, survivorship considerations, and a nuanced discussion of ctDNA in the adjuvant setting for high-risk stage II disease, including whether its role has evolved from purely prognostic to truly predictive. They also critically analyze practice-defining trials such as BREAKWATER in BRAF V600E–mutated metastatic colorectal cancer, COMMIT in dMMR/MSI-H disease, upper GI studies including HORIZON-GE...

In this cross-collaboration episode, Drs. Sam Armstrong and Karine Tawagi—hosts of the “Two Onc Docs” podcast—join the show to share their personal journeys into oncology and the inspiration behind launching a podcast for the oncology community. The conversation then expands into a candid, practical discussion of oncology career paths, offering fellows and early-career physicians real-world guidance on choosing a first job, negotiating contracts and compensation, evaluating mentorship, and balancing professional goals with life outside of medicine. From academic practice to alternative stakeholder roles, this honest dialogue unpacks the many decisions that shape a sustainable and fulfilling career in medic...

VK Gadi, MD, PhD, of the University of Illinois Cancer Center, joins the show for a deep dive into antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in breast cancer, tracing the history and basic science that fueled their development and early interest in the field. Dr. Gadi breaks down where ADCs currently fit in breast cancer care, including key toxicities, evolving data presented at ESMO, and findings that may support FDA approval in early-stage and neoadjuvant HER2-positive disease. The conversation also explores advances in TROP-2–expressing and HER2-low disease, along with practical insights on incorporating and sequencing these agents in earlier li...

Returning guest Megan Melody, MD—lymphoma and CAR-T hematologist at Tampa General Hospital and the University of South Florida—joins the show for a practical, data-driven discussion on the evolving role of measurable residual disease (MRD) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in lymphoma. The conversation explores which lymphoma subtypes benefit most from MRD assessment, the available commercial assays and their sensitivity and specificity, how MRD and PET imaging should be used together (or not), and how to manage real-world scenarios such as PET-positive/ctDNA-negative patients at the end of therapy. Dr. Melody also reviews NCCN guidance, emerging frontline data in l...

Returning guest Doug Flora, MD, LSSBB, practicing oncologist and healthcare innovator, joins the show to discuss his new book Rebooting Cancer Care and his pragmatic vision for how artificial intelligence is reshaping oncology today. Dr. Flora explores how AI is already being leveraged to accelerate drug discovery and development, redesign smarter clinical trials, and support more informed, efficient decision-making—while emphasizing that these tools are meant to augment and “save” the oncologist, not replace them. Written for clinicians, industry leaders, patients, and caregivers alike, his book breaks down complex technology into accessible insights, highlighting how AI can reduce burnout, restor...

Chadi sits down with Gregory Vidal, MD, PhD, medical oncologist at the West Cancer Center, for a comprehensive, state-of-the-field discussion on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Dr. Vidal walks listeners through how TNBC emerged as a diagnosis of exclusion, who is most commonly affected, current treatment paradigms and sequencing in early-stage and metastatic disease, and key considerations around surgery, recurrence risk, and unresolved questions. The conversation also explores modern decision-making in metastatic TNBC, including PD-L1 testing, first- and second-line strategies, antibody–drug conjugates versus chemotherapy, PARP inhibitors for BRCA-mutated disease, and the critical role of clinical trials in shaping the fu...

Jonathan Chen, MD, PhD—Assistant Professor of Medicine and Biomedical Informatics at Stanford University—joins the show and offers a pragmatic look at how data science and AI can be meaningfully integrated into everyday medical practice. He breaks down how complex clinical data can be translated into intuitive, real-world use cases, from algorithm-driven decision support in cancer diagnosis to recommendations that fit seamlessly into day-to-day clinician workflows. The conversation also explores whether these approaches can scale across specialties and procedures, while thoughtfully addressing the ethical considerations that come with deploying AI in clinical care.

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Chadi sits down with Sanjay Juneja, MD—board-certified hematologist/oncologist, healthcare futurist, and physician executive—to demystify artificial intelligence and explain what it truly means for patient care today and in the years ahead. Dr. Juneja breaks down how AI is already influencing healthcare broadly and oncology specifically, from generative AI applications to emerging tools that can analyze voice patterns to estimate physiologic markers like glucose levels. They also explore where AI is headed over the next 5–10 years, the risks and potential for misuse outside of medicine, strategies to minimize AI error, and whether human experts will continue to play a...

In this reflective and wide-ranging conversation, ASCO President Robin Zon, MD, FACP, FASCO, looks back on the formative moments that led her to oncology and the grit required to build a thriving community-based research program while balancing the demands of leadership, motherhood, and clinical practice. She shares the path that took her from ASCO member and fellow in 1997 to the presidency, unpacking the three-pillar theme she crafted for her term and the accomplishments she’s most proud of, especially those rooted in her identity as a community oncologist connecting with colleagues nationwide. Dr. Zon also weighs in on emerging in...

Chadi sits down with Dr. Sairah Ahmed just ahead of the ASH Annual Meeting for a comprehensive deep dive into the state of Hodgkin Lymphoma management in 2026. Dr. Ahmed walks through how clinicians should interpret the newest data releases, revisits whether histologic subtyping still influences decision-making in an era increasingly shaped by biomarkers, and details her practical framework for approaching patients with stage I/II disease—including when and how radiation therapy still plays a meaningful role. She further explores the strength and limitations of interim PET, whether treatment should truly pivot based on those scans, and how nivolumab is...

Journalist Erin O’Hearn joins Chadi to share her deeply personal story as both a patient and a caregiver navigating the healthcare system for more than two decades. Drawing from her lived experiences, Erin reflects on how today’s advances in artificial intelligence could have supported her journey—easing the emotional and logistical burdens of care while improving communication and empathy between patients and providers. She offers a thoughtful and forward-looking take on the MAHA movement, as well as explores how AI should be used to enhance time spent with patients, foster genuine human-to-human connection, and help clinicians care for th...

Chadi sits down with Dr. Debra Patt, Executive Vice President of Texas Oncology and President of the Community Oncology Alliance (COA), for an in-depth conversation about the evolving landscape of community oncology. Dr. Patt outlines her vision for bringing innovation and artificial intelligence into routine cancer care—addressing challenges from clinical decision-making to physician burnout—while ensuring equitable access to cutting-edge treatments across all practice settings. She also discusses her leadership role on the ASCO Board, her efforts to expand clinical research opportunities to smaller community sites, and how these initiatives collectively aim to advance the global standard of onco...

Chadi resumes his WCLC review with Dr. Eric Singhi of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, exploring the most significant updates in mutation-driven lung cancer presented at this year’s meeting. The discussion dives into advances in sequencing and molecular profiling to identify actionable genomic alterations (AGAs) and how these findings are transforming both early- and late-stage treatment strategies. Dr. Singhi highlights key data from the ADAURA, TARGET, and NAUTIKA1 studies, as well as the expanding role of EGFR-, ALK-, BRAF-, and KRAS-targeted therapies in neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. The conversation also examines the challenges of financial to...

Dr. Estelamari Rodriguez, thoracic oncologist at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, joins the show to break down the latest advances in non-mutation driven and small cell lung cancer presented at the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) and how they translate into everyday clinical practice. She discusses pivotal studies including the ALCHEMIST trial exploring adjuvant therapy in ALK-fusion–positive early-stage lung cancer, PACIFIC-2 assessing concurrent immunotherapy and radiation, and the FLAURA2 and MARIPOSA trials redefining targeted approaches for advanced disease. The conversation also delves into next-generation drugs transforming outcomes in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, upda...

Returning guest Dr. Amer Zeidan of Yale Medicine and Smilow Cancer Hospital joins to discuss how clinicians should approach low-risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), which is most often managed in community settings. He breaks down how to risk-stratify patients using molecular and prognostic markers, when to treat versus observe, and his preferred first-line therapies in today’s landscape. Dr. Zeidan also delves into the COMMANDS trial and the role of luspatercept, emerging questions shaping the future of low-risk MDS management, and offers a preview of high-risk MDS developments, including insights from the VERONA study.

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Returning guest Jill Feldman, a prominent lung cancer survivor and patient advocate, shares her reflections on the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) from a patient’s point of view. She discusses how patients and advocates interpret complex scientific data, why attending conferences like WCLC is vital for bridging the gap between research and real-world experience, and how the dialogue between scientists and patients continues to evolve. Jill also highlights key takeaways from the meeting, including the growing focus on survivorship and the need for a more patient-centered lexicon when communicating about side effects and treatment outcomes.

Ch...

Investigative journalist and New York Times bestselling author Gardiner Harris joins the podcast to dive deep into his groundbreaking book, “No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson.” Harris recounts the extensive research and challenges behind uncovering how J&J—long regarded as a trusted “goliath” of American healthcare—played a far greater role in fueling the opioid epidemic than Purdue Pharma, a contribution he argues led to more than two million American deaths yet received a fraction of the public scrutiny. He discusses the pushback he faced while exposing the company’s practices, critiques how the FDA failed to act...

Returning guest Anthony DiGiorgio, DO, a practicing neurosurgeon at UCSF and noted health policy commentator, takes a deep dive into the 340B Drug Pricing Program—one of the most consequential yet misunderstood mechanisms in US healthcare. He traces the program’s origins in the early 1990s, designed to help safety net hospitals stretch scarce federal resources to better serve vulnerable patients. Dr. DiGiorgio examines how, over time, many institutions have leveraged 340B as an ancillary revenue stream rather than a patient-centered support system, detailing when and how these practices emerged, the financial incentives at play, and the consequences for both...

Dr. Anand Patel, DO, founder of LV8 Health, walks us through the philosophy and mechanics of concierge-style longevity medicine. He explains how LV8 applies Medicine 3.0, combining precision diagnostics (DEXA, VO₂ max, resting metabolic rate, advanced blood panels) with regenerative and geroprotective therapies, nutrition, fitness, and sleep optimization. You’ll hear how he translates data from wearables and diagnostics into bespoke plans, how he helps patients sustain behavior change, and how he answers critics who question the scientific basis of his approach.

View the LV8 website.
https://www.lv8.health/

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Gavin MacBeath, CEO of TScan Therapeutics, takes us inside his journey from scientist to biotech leader and what it means to build and run a therapeutic development company at the cutting edge of immuno-oncology. He breaks down how TScan’s platform works to discover and match T-cell receptors (TCRs) with their antigens, and why TCR-T therapies may provide distinct benefits over CAR-T approaches, especially when tackling solid tumors. He also discusses which diseases are most likely to respond to TCR therapies and shares the latest updates on TScan’s clinical programs, from early-phase trials to an upcoming phase III stud...

Dr. Sameer Keole, radiation oncologist at Mayo Clinic Arizona and president of ASTRO, joins the show to preview the upcoming ASTRO Annual Meeting and its key themes. He reflects on his presidential term, discussing accomplishments, lessons learned, and initiatives like his “defense to offense” vision and community outreach efforts. Dr. Keole also tackles hot-button topics in radiation oncology, including the evolving roles of proton therapy and artificial intelligence in patient care.

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Dr. Mark Lewis visits Healthcare Unfiltered Express to provide how data presented at major scientific meetings, such as ASCO, needs to be put in context from a patient perspective.

In this follow-up episode, Dr. Ed Livingston—renowned surgeon, educator, researcher, and former deputy editor at JAMA—returns to discuss the latest developments in his ongoing legal battle. He reflects on what has transpired in the three months since his last appearance, offering insights into the discovery process and the legal details shaping the case as it heads toward a July 2026 trial date.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/ Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA