Episode Details

Trigger Warning: this episode talks about cancer, HPV, anal cancer, cancer treatment, clinical trials and stigma.

Supported by an unrestricted grant from Incyte Biosciences. Incyte had no involvement in the development, content, or editorial review of the activities associated with this initiative.

Description: In this educational episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Prof. David Sebag-Montefiore. This episode is a deep dive into the role radiotherapy plays in the treatment of anal cancer along with clinical trials. 

David is the Audrey and Stanley Burton Professor of Clinical Oncology at the University of Leeds. He is the Director of the Leeds Cancer Research UK Radiotherapy Research Centre of Excellence, Clinical Director (Radiotherapy) at Leeds Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, and previous Director of the Leeds Cancer Research Centre. David received the Royal College of Radiologists Rohan Williams medal in 1989, and its Gold Medal in 2019 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of clinical oncology.

His research focuses on improving outcomes for patients with rectal and anal cancer through radiotherapy and clinical trials. He has led several landmark studies, including MRC CR07, CRUK ACT2, ARISTOTLE, STAR-TREC, and PLATO ACT3, ACT4 and ACT5 trials, and has authored two Research Excellence Framework Impact Case Studies in anal and rectal cancer. He recently presented the practice-changing ACT4 trial results that show shorter lower-dose radiotherapy achieves high cure rates with fewer side-effects - the first anal cancer trial to change practice in nearly 30 years. His work continues to define clinical practice and improve patient outcomes on a national and international scale.

CPD Reflection Points:

1. How might the evidence from the PLATO (ACT4) trial influence the current approach to prescribing radiotherapy dose and duration for patients with early-stage anal cancer?
2. What strategies can you implement in your practice to better assess and address treatment-related toxicities and quality-of-life outcomes in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy for anal cancer?
3. How can increased awareness and participation in clinical trials improve treatment outcomes and shape future standards of care in anal cancer?

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Links from the Episode:

• Symptoms of Anal Cancer
• Anal Cancer BMJ Best Practice 
• Breakthrough in anal cancer treatment
• PLATO Act 3, 4 and 5
• Cancer Research UK RadNet Leeds

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Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.