Oncology Insights with Petros Grivas

About Oncology Insights with Petros Grivas

Cancer experts and scientists "Meet the Greek" – Fred Hutch Cancer Center's Dr. Petros Grivas – to discuss their work. This biweekly podcast explores the latest developments in cancer care and research. Dr. Grivas emphasizes the importance of learning from colleagues, engaging with patients, and fostering community partnerships. The podcast will feature diverse guests and cover a range of topics, including innovative treatments, clinical trials, and educational initiatives in oncology.

Publisher

Petros Grivas

Category

health & fitness · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Nov 2025

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

24 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2026

   Keith Jerome on HSV research, cure efforts and the future of virology

   On this episode of Oncology Insights, Fred Hutch virologist Keith Jerome, MD, PhD joins Petros Grivas, MD, PhD, FASCO to discuss his decades-long pursuit of better ways to prevent, treat and ultimately cure viral infections including herpes simplex virus (HSV). Their conversation explores the biology of HSV, the barriers that have slowed progress in the field and the translational research required to turn bold scientific ideas into real-world therapies. One theme runs throughout the episode: the importance of taking more shots on goal. Despite infecting well over half the world's population, HSV has historically attracted less research attention and investment than many other diseases. Jerome argues that progress will require more scientists, more approaches and more opportunities to test promising ideas in parallel. Whether through gene editing, epigenetic silencing, vaccines or other emerging strategies, advancing the field depends on building a broader pipeline of potential solutions. Key topics Jerome's path from MD-PhD training and cancer research into virology, and how Fred Hutch's culture of challenging scientific dogma shaped his career. Early advances in viral diagnostics, including PCR-based monitoring of cytomegalovirus in transplant patients, and the importance of improving outcomes for immunocompromised people. Why HSV became a major focus of Jerome's research, including its lifelong persistence, recurrent disease burden and impact on vulnerable patients. The role stigma has played in limiting public discussion, funding and scientific momentum around HSV, and efforts to normalize conversations about the virus. The challenge of translating laboratory discoveries into therapies, where safety, efficacy and prioritization guide every step toward clinical trials. Emerging strategies for HSV control and cure, including gene editing, gene-drive concepts, epigenetic regulation and vaccines, and why the field needs more researchers pursuing multiple paths at once. Timestamps ·  00:00 – Introduction and Keith Jerome's path to Fred Hutch ·  01:28 – From cancer immunology to virology ·  04:22 – Building an infectious diseases program: CMV and beyond ·  07:14 – Challenging scientific dogma in cancer and infectious diseases ·  09:15 – Turning laboratory discoveries into clinical trials ·  13:56 – The foundations of HSV research ·  15:22 – HSV biology, persistence and the search for a cure ·  17:13 – Stigma, prevalence and why HSV needs more attention ·  22:22 – Funding, advocacy and community support ·  24:52 – Why HSV research needs more "shots on goal" ·  26:29 – Durable control versus cure ·  28:27 – Safety and the path to first-in-class cure trials ·  30:23 – Future strategies: gene editing, gene drives, epigenetic silencing and vaccines ·  32:26 – Closing thoughts

2. 

   29 Sept 2026

   The future of lymphoma care with Dr. Ajay Gopal

   Host Petros Grivas, MD, PhD, FASCO sits down with Ajay Gopal, MD, medical director of clinical research in hematologic malignancies and hematology at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, for a wide-ranging conversation about the past, present and future of lymphoma care. They cover how clinical trials are changing treatment duration, how translational science is helping overcome immunotherapy resistance and why bringing research closer to patients matters. Key topics A career shaped by lymphoma research, mentorship and immunotherapy Using clinical trials to deliver more personalized care ctDNA, bispecific antibodies and the next generation of lymphoma treatments Tackling treatment resistance through translational science Expanding access to research and outpatient cancer care AI's potential to accelerate discovery and trial matching The future of lymphoma treatment: more cures with less therapy Leadership lessons and a tribute to mentor Oliver Press Timestamps (00:00) Introduction to Dr. Ajay Gopal (01:05) How fellowship in 1997 led to a lifelong focus on lymphoma and immunotherapy (02:49) Why clinical research starts with unmet patient need (03:41) Intensifying curative regimens for aggressive lymphomas (05:02) Using ctDNA to de-escalate chemotherapy duration (06:37) Translational strategies to overcome checkpoint inhibitor resistance (08:17) Low-dose bispecific antibody therapy and immune correlates (10:59) Getting comfortable with bispecifics in community practice (13:10) The mission of scientific review at an NCI-designated cancer center (14:35) Bringing trials to community sites like Northwest Hospital (16:38) The move toward outpatient-first care and the role of the ACE clinic (18:58) The future of aggressive and indolent lymphoma treatment (21:41) How AI could support trial matching and research hypothesis generation (24:13) Leadership lessons: humility, mentorship, and leading from behind (25:52) What Oliver Press meant as a mentor and role model

3. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Prostate Cancer Genetics, Germline Testing and Expanding Access with Dr. Heather Cheng

   In this episode, host Petros Grivas MD, PhD, FASCO speaks with Heather Cheng, MD, PhD, professor at Fred Hutch Cancer Center and the University of Washington and director of the genetics program at Fred Hutch. They discuss how germline and tumor testing inform cancer care, the growing role of telehealth in expanding access to genetics services, and efforts to ensure more people with metastatic prostate cancer can benefit from testing and counseling. Key topics Dr. Cheng's path from physician-scientist to cancer genetics leader How genetics became a focus of her prostate cancer research and care The value of multidisciplinary, patient-centered cancer care Expanding access through telehealth and at-home testing Evolving approaches to genetic counseling and education Understanding germline testing vs. tumor testing How clinicians interpret variants of uncertain significance (VUS) Closing gaps in access to genetic testing through research and outreach Why genetic information matters for treatment decisions and family health Timestamps 00:01 Introduction and Dr. Cheng's background 01:09 Training, oncology, and genetics 03:03 A patient experience that shaped her career 04:25 Broadening the reach of cancer genetics 07:20 Multidisciplinary cancer care 08:40 Telehealth and remote genetic testing 11:08 Modernizing genetic counseling 15:46 Germline vs. tumor testing 20:17 Interpreting genetic test results 23:17 The GENTleMEN study and expanding access 26:37 Identifying patients who may be missing testing opportunities 28:27 Bringing access innovations into routine care 31:20 Looking ahead: progress, partnership, and patient care

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

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Guest appearances

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