Five Under 5: Top Oncology Videos for the Week of 9/28

Welcome to The Five Under 5, your go-to roundup of the top 5 videos of the week.

These short videos are designed for busy oncologists to view on the go, and feature expert insights on breaking news, regulatory updates, practice-changing data shared at medical meetings, and other key topics in the realm of oncology.

Here’s what you may have missed:

FDA Approval of Maintenance Lurbinectedin Plus Atezolizumab for ES-SCLC: Joshua K. Sabari, MD

Joshua K. Sabari, MD, of NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Perlmutter Cancer Center, discussed the FDA approval of lurbinectedin (Zepzelca) plus atezolizumab (Tecentriq) as first-line maintenance therapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). The decision on October 2, 2025, was based on data from the phase 3 IMforte trial (NCT05091567), in which the combination experienced a median progression-free survival of 5.4 months vs 2.1 months with atezolizumab alone. Sabari noted that this marks the first established option in the first-line maintenance setting, representing a practice-changing advance for patients with ES-SCLC. He emphasized that the regimen showed improved survival outcomes but carries hematologic toxicities, including neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. As such, patient selection is critical, with use reserved for those with good performance status and adequate hematologic parameters.

Results From a Survey on Barriers to Prostate Cancer Screening: Phillip J. Koo, MD

Phillip Koo, MD, of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, discusses findings from a survey evaluating prostate cancer screening rates. He noted that although new drugs improve outcomes for advanced disease, increasing screening could have the greatest impact on patient outcomes. The survey revealed that 48% of men did not know screening is done with a simple prostate-specific antigen blood test, and only about 50% of men aged 45 years or older are getting regular screenings as recommended. Koo also highlighted that African American men face a higher risk for aggressive prostate cancer, yet roughly half are unaware of this increased risk, emphasizing the need for targeted screening initiatives.

Advantages and Limitations of Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer: Paul Gellhaus, MD

Paul Gellhaus, MD, of City of Hope Cancer Center Phoenix, discussed the benefits and limitations of focal therapy for prostate cancer. He explained that focal therapy allows treatment of cancer while minimizing the adverse effects associated with whole-gland surgery or radiation. Gellhaus noted challenges such as multifocal disease and discrepancies between imaging and actual histopathology and underscored the need for improved imaging accuracy. He added that early detection through screening is critical, as identifying cancers at a lower stage and smaller volume increases the effectiveness of these less invasive, partial therapies.

Relevance of QOL End Points in Myelofibrosis Clinical Trials: Andrew Kuykendall, MD

Andrew Kuykendall, MD, of Moffitt Cancer Center, discussed the use of quality of life (QOL)– and symptom-related end points in myelofibrosis clinical trials. He explained that QOL end points remain reasonable because they reflect clinically relevant aspects of myelofibrosis, including inflammatory symptoms and splenomegaly. Kuykendall discussed the phase 3 MANIFEST-2 trial (NCT04603495), where ruxolitinib (Jakafi) plus pelabresib (CPI-0610) improved spleen volume reduction but did not meet statistical superiority for symptom burden reduction, exemplifying challenges in evaluating additive benefits. He emphasized the need for better understanding, validation, and long-term data to strengthen the role of these end points in therapeutic development.

Using AI to Address NGS Testing Barriers in Oncology Practice: Brian P. Mulherin, MD

Brian P. Mulherin, MD, of Hematology Oncology of Indiana, an affiliate of the American Oncology Network, discussed using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing rates at the 2025 MiBA Community Summit. He explained that AI-driven insights, called TIPS, identify patients who should receive NGS but have not yet been tested, enabling timely notifications through the electronic medical record or other platforms. In advanced non–small cell lung cancer, NGS testing rates increased from 89% to almost 100% after implementing this AI system. Mulherin emphasized that this improvement is significant, as it ensures more patients undergo essential molecular testing and become eligible for targeted therapies.