Ep 66:ASCO 2024 Recap: Advancements in Cancer Treatments - The Patient From Hell Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Doug Blayney—oncologist, former President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and Chief Medical Officer of Manta Cares—discusses key advancements in breast cancer treatment from ASCO’s 2024 Annual Meeting. He explores the latest breakthroughs in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), a promising treatment approach that precisely targets cancer cells while minimizing side effects.

The Manta Cares team also attended ASCO 2024, where they presented an abstract on Manta Maps—a personal treatment management tool designed to help cancer patients, survivors, and their families navigate their care journey with greater confidence.

About Our Guest

Dr. Doug Blayney is a leading oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the Chief Medical Officer of Manta Cares. His work focuses on improving cancer care quality, advancing new drug development, and enhancing patient experiences.

A former President of ASCO, Dr. Blayney played a key role in launching the ASCO Quality Symposium and laying the groundwork for CancerLinq. He was also the founding Editor-in-Chief of ASCO’s flagship practice journal and has served on key advisory panels, including the FDA’s Oncology Drugs Advisory Committee and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Board of Directors.

Key Moments

1 minute:
"As a breast cancer specialist, I believe expanding treatment options beyond chemotherapy is crucial. Even if some studies didn't show improved survival rates, delaying chemotherapy and its toxicities is a major step forward."

22 minutes:
"We need better tools to predict who will respond to ADCs. These therapies are proving to be a game-changer for breast cancer and beyond."

35 minutes:
"The immune system routinely eliminates small cancerous cells before they develop. But when cancer evades the immune response, it grows unchecked. Immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors help remove those barriers, allowing the immune system to fight back."