Joe DePinto, MBA, Head of Cell, Gene & Advanced Therapies at McKesson, joins the show to discuss InspiroGene, McKesson’s end-to-end platform built to address the complex delivery, coordination, and commercialization needs of cell and gene therapies. He breaks down how InspiroGene integrates logistics, specialty pharmacy, patient support services, and real-time data tracking to close critical gaps in the CGT ecosystem—especially around why many eligible patients are still not being identified...
Jul 08, 2025•44 min
Chadi sits down with Lou Weisbach, entrepreneur and founder of the American Center for Cures, who shares his ambitious mission to raise $750 billion through an innovative public-private bond model to accelerate the prevention and cure of chronic diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and Parkinson’s. Weisbach discusses how his model is designed to align incentives across government, industry, and research institutions, bridging political divides and pharmaceutical interests to focus on cur...
Jul 01, 2025•52 min
Dr. Vivek Subbiah returns for another edition of Vivek’s Takes, offering his expert insights on the standout science from the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. He breaks down key developments including trispecific antibodies, the growing role of radioligand therapies, a new standard of care in small cell lung cancer, and paradigm-shifting data in adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer. The discussion also highlights a long-term exercise intervention, adjuvant vaccine studies, ctDNA and MRD integration, ...
Jun 24, 2025•38 min
Dena Marrinucci, PhD, co-founder and COO of Truvian Health, joins the show to discuss her mission to transform blood diagnostics through a point-of-care device that delivers rapid, actionable results. She shares the origin story of founding Truvian in 2015—coincidentally just weeks before the Theranos exposé—and reflects on navigating industry skepticism in the post-Theranos landscape. Marrinucci also outlines the company’s FDA submission process, the importance of empowering immediate patient-p...
Jun 17, 2025•45 min
Former FDA Commissioner Robert Califf returns to the show for an in-depth discussion on the integration of artificial intelligence into regulatory processes, including how AI is currently being used—and should be used—in drug and medical device approvals, the detection and review of fraudulent data, and clinical decision support systems. He also explores the boundaries between algorithmic automation and human judgment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining transparency, accountability, and t...
Jun 10, 2025•32 min
Last week, Chadi and researchers explored the KETO-CTA study, which investigated the effects of the ketogenic diet on coronary plaque formation in Lean Mass Hyper-Responders (LMHR), or individuals who experience significant LDL cholesterol elevations on low-carb diets. This week, the other side of the conversation is presented. A leading cardiologist joins the show to critically examine the KETO-CTA study findings, questioning their clinical significance and broader applicability. What do these ...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 7 min
The ketogenic (keto) diet has surged in popularity, with many touting its weight loss and metabolic benefits. However, some individuals—particularly those following a low-carb, high-fat regimen—experience a significant rise in LDL cholesterol, a phenomenon now known as the Lean Mass Hyper-Responder (LMHR) phenotype. What does this mean for cardiovascular risk? In this episode, Chadi is joined by three of the lead investigators of the KETO-CTA study, recently published in The American Journal of ...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Cardiologists Andrew Foy and Anish Koka return to the show for a deep and often contentious debate on one of the most pressing healthcare policy issues of our time: should the government negotiate drug prices? Using the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as a springboard, the conversation explores the underlying causes of inflated drug prices in the US, including the role of third-party payers, lack of transparency, and market distortions. The discussion also examines the global landscape—how other c...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 9 min
With over 513,000 licensed advanced practice providers (APPs) in the U.S.—including 355,000 nurse practitioners and 158,470 physician assistants—and a projected 31% growth in the next five years, APPs are playing an increasingly vital role in oncology care. In this episode, Chadi is joined by Mary DiLorenzo and Clare Stone, two seasoned APPs practicing in North Carolina, for an in-depth conversation about how the field has evolved over the past 10–15 years. Together, they explore the nuances of ...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Drs. Emil Lou and Shruti Patel join Chadi on the podcast to unpack the alarming rise of gastrointestinal cancers in younger patients. They explore a range of possible environmental contributors—from plastic exposure and processed meats to alcohol and tobacco use—and discuss how these factors might be investigated through laboratory science. The conversation also highlights the promise of genomic profiling in shedding light on these trends, and reviews key findings from ASCO GI that could help st...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Drs. Sanam Loghavi and Amer Zeidan delve into the history behind the recent classification split between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Consensus Classification (ICC) for myeloid and lymphoid malignancies, and how a few years of minor disagreement have culminated in a unified system. They explore the critical differences in how myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms are now categorized, what this alignment means for pathologists, oncologists, regulators, and patients, when the...
Apr 22, 2025•42 min
Where does AI truly fit into the future of biomedicine and healthcare, beyond the usual headlines in radiology and pathology? Jonathan Carlson, Managing Director of Research Health Futures at Microsoft, joins the show to explore the evolution of AI in medicine, from the early days to cutting-edge innovations like ambient clinical intelligence. Together, he and Chadi unpack how pretrained models and machine learning are transforming care delivery, as well as the ethical and practical questions we...
Apr 15, 2025•40 min
A Georgia court recently awarded over $2 billion to a plaintiff who developed lymphoma due to Monsanto’s Roundup exposure, but a new bill could prevent future victims from suing the company. Patient advocate Kelly Ryerson unpacks the legal maneuvering behind this legislation, its potential impact on consumer rights, and what it means for the future of environmental and food safety. Don’t miss this critical discussion on the intersection of law, public health, and corporate accountability. For mo...
Apr 08, 2025•48 min
Dr. Mohammad Jahanzeb, a renowned oncologist specializing in lung and breast cancer who opened his own virtual second opinion clinic, joins the podcast to explore the growing need for second opinion clinics and the challenges patients face in accessing them, from financial barriers to lingering stigmas. He delves into how often second opinions lead to changes in patient management, which disease settings benefit most, and how virtual second opinion models provide expert guidance while overcoming...
Apr 03, 2025•53 min
Dr. Simrit Parmar, founder of Cellenkos, joins the show to discuss her journey from the lab to the biotech startup world, detailing the inspiration behind launching her company, the challenges of securing funding, and the resilience required to overcome rejections. She shares insights into Cellenkos’ lead product, its progress toward market approval, and the rigorous process of demonstrating safety and efficacy to the FDA. Additionally, she provides a glimpse into the company’s pipeline of innov...
Apr 01, 2025•58 min
Carol Rausch—a healthcare professional, cancer researcher, and former patient with lymphoma—shares how her journey from researcher to patient transformed her understanding of medical language. She discusses the impact of word choice on patients, why certain battle and war metaphors can be harmful, and how language used in clinical settings differs from what resonates with those facing a diagnosis. Carol also explores the consequences of unfiltered language on social media and her efforts to prom...
Mar 25, 2025•51 min
Drs. David Braun and Toni Choueiri join to discuss a groundbreaking Nature study on a personalized neoantigen vaccine for adjuvant renal cell carcinoma. They explore the inspiration behind the trial, how the vaccine was developed and administered, and its safety profile. The conversation also covers patient outcomes after 3-4 years, including immune responses and disease recurrence, as well as the rapid enrollment of this innovative study and what it means for the future of kidney cancer treatme...
Mar 18, 2025•54 min
Dr. Jay Giri, Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, joins the show to break down the recent NIH funding cuts and their impact on the medical research ecosystem. Together, he and Chadi explore the distinction between direct and indirect funding, the federal government's decision to reduce direct research funding to 15%, and how this shift affects researchers, institutions, and scientific progress. With growing concerns across the medical...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Returning to the show, Drs. Vincent Rajkumar and Aaron Goodman engage in a dynamic debate over the evolving landscape of smoldering multiple myeloma, focusing on the highly anticipated study recently co-authored by Dr. Rajkumar and published in The New England Journal of Medicine after being presented at ASH 2024. They dissect the study’s findings, which highlight the impact of early intervention with daratumumab in delaying disease progression for patients classified as high-risk. The discussio...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Dr. Sakhr (Sam) Youness, a Syrian entrepreneur and engineer, provides a comprehensive primer on artificial intelligence (AI), tracing its origins from WWII-era innovations to the breakthroughs of the 1990s that shaped modern AI capabilities. He demystifies key concepts like machine learning, large language models, and the role of labeled data in training AI systems, offering insights into how AI interprets and processes human language. Dr. Youness also examines the rise of generative AI, the dev...
Feb 18, 2025•55 min
Amy Abernethy and Brad Hirsch, co-founders of Highlander Health, delve into their mission to transform healthcare through innovative, data-driven strategies. They discuss their firm's unique approach to investing in companies and technologies that advance personalized care, the creation of the Evidence Accelerator to streamline high-quality real-world data, and their efforts to solve critical challenges in building faster, more reliable demonstration projects. Furthermore, they share how they en...
Feb 10, 2025•41 min
Chadi sits down with Creed McKinnon, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of VersaWare, to explore how this cutting-edge startup is redefining the intersection of technology and nutrition. VersaWare’s AI-powered platform integrates voice assistants and real-time chatbot support from expert nutritionists to simplify meal building, enhance recipe discovery, and streamline pantry management. Creed shares insights into the challenges of developing a solution for users who often abandon traditional nu...
Feb 04, 2025•39 min
Dr. Andrew Foy, a cardiologist at Penn State Health, returns to the show to unpack the findings of his JAMA publication exploring industry payments in medicine and their influence on clinical practice. He examines how financial relationships with the industry may shape guideline recommendations, alter quality-of-care metrics, and contribute to potentially inappropriate prescribing practices, particularly in cases of expanded indications. Together, Chadi and Dr. Foy consider critical questions ab...
Jan 28, 2025•54 min
Dr. Lecia Sequist, an expert in lung cancer and early detection, and Dr. Jeff Yang, a renowned thoracic surgeon, join Chadi to unravel the complexities of early lung cancer detection. Together, they explore the nuances of lung cancer screening, including the challenges of overdiagnosis and managing false-negative and false-positive results. The discussion delves into cutting-edge advancements like multi-cancer early detection tests, current patient screening eligibility criteria, and the critica...
Jan 21, 2025•54 min
Maz Jobrani, star standup comedian and actor, joins the show to share his career journey and his beginning as an immigrant turned comedian and celebrity. Maz shares his sister's journey when diagnosed with breast cancer at a very young age. He opens up with details on challenges of being one of her caregivers and how he balanced comedy with tragedy. His sister catalogued her journey in a documentary available on Amazon Prime, titled "Everything Must Change," that is a must-watch. Maz and Chadi c...
Jan 14, 2025•46 min
Chadi sits down with Dr. Matt Davids, Director of Clinical Research in the Division of Lymphoma at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to unpack the latest breakthroughs in leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) from the ASH annual meeting. A pioneer in CLL treatment, Dr. Davids recounts the development of venetoclax, a transformative therapy he helped bring to clinical use over a decade ago, setting the stage for discussions on emerging updates. Together, they explore advancements in BTK inh...
Jan 07, 2025•45 min
As the holidays approach, questions about maintaining nutrition, wellness, and a healthy lifestyle take center stage. Australian nutrition icons Kim Morrison and Cyndi O'Meara join Chadi to explore vitalistic principles that emphasize natural health approaches without relying on medication. They dive into how the holiday season amplifies mental health and nutritional struggles and share actionable strategies to tackle these challenges beyond mere willpower. With an anthropological lens, they bre...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Leading into the ASH Annual Meeting, Dr. Kami Maddocks, professor in the Division of Hematology at The Ohio State University and medical director of infusion services at The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, provides an in-depth analysis of advancements in non-Hodgkin lymphoma care, with a focus on aggressive B-cell lymphoma. She explores the evolving roles of immunotherapies like CAR-T cells and bispecific antibodies in high-risk patient populations, discusses the impact of cell-of-origin test...
Dec 03, 2024•40 min
Dr. Vivek Subbiah returns for another edition of Vivek's Takes, sharing his insights on key updates from ESMO Congress 2024, including breakthroughs in neuroendocrine tumors, gastric cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer. He also delves into the highlights of his AACR debate on integrating early cancer detection with AI, arguing for the transformative potential of humans with AI versus the readiness of AI today. Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content....
Nov 26, 2024•30 min
Chadi welcomes Dr. Andrea Apolo, an internationally recognized leader in bladder cancer research from the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Apolo shares her expertise on recent advancements in urothelial cancer therapy, including key breakthroughs in checkpoint inhibition that have marked a significant turning point in treatment. The conversation delves into optimal sequencing and combination strategies for checkpoint inhibitors, contrasts in treatment approaches between early-stage and late-stage ...
Nov 19, 2024•59 min
