Interviews

To safely and successfully use artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the pharmacy, credentialing bodies and professional associations will need to validate these tools for the individual pharmacist, said Harry Travis of The Travis Group.

Raymond Osarogiagbon, MD, highlights the potential benefits of increasing screening rates for patients diagnosed with lung cancer and the broader US health care system.

Lacking awareness of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) constitutes a critical barrier for enhancing patient care, said Naim Alkhouri, MD. Awareness efforts can not only increase patient access, but also improve the overall wellbeing, experience, and outcomes for this population.

Innovative financing and reimbursement models can improve access to cell and gene therapies, addressing cost barriers and improving patient outcomes, said Joe DePinto, MBA, of McKesson.

Antoine Keller, MD, discussed the future impact of technological advances for cardiovascular (CV) care and what other elements contribute to quality, accessible health care.

During interviews at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025, experts shared key insights from this year's conference.

Specialty distributors can help navigate complex health care regulations, ensuring compliance and adapting to changes in the landscape, said Natalie Bedford of McKesson.

Pieter Sonneveld, MD, PhD, chair of the Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, discussed the findings of a study modeling long-term progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) treated with a daratumumab quadruplet regimen.

Joe DePinto, MBA, of McKesson; Kathi Henson, MBA, of Orsini; and Natalie Bedford of McKesson discuss how Asembia's AXS25 Specialty Summit fosters collaboration among industry leaders, exploring technology trends to enhance specialty pharmacy and patient care delivery.

K. "Vish" Viswanath, PhD, discusses the impact of misinformation on trust in health care, emphasizing the importance of reliable sources and patient-physician communication.

Mingyang Song, MBBS, ScD, expands upon the link between ultraprocessed foods and cancer risks, emphasizing the need for better dietary choices and further research.

Higher social capital is associated with fewer treatment delays among cervical cancer survivors, with notable racial disparities in reported social capital levels and access to timely care.

Improving relationships between pharmaceutical makers, health systems, patients, and insurers can help to lower the price of health care for patients, according to John Michael O'Brien, PharmD, MPH.

Duke Appiah, PhD, MPH, discusses maternal health disparities, emphasizing the impact of racial and ethnic factors on pregnancy outcomes for women with cancer.

Lalan Wilfong, MD, of Thyme Care and Texas Oncology, discusses a session on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and shares insight as chair of the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) Payer Reform Committee.

Kate Baker, MD, MMHC, medical director of value-based care at Tennessee Oncology, talks about innovations in cancer care highlighted at the Community Oncology Conference.

Kimlin Tam Ashing, PhD, explores how strengthening community engagement can enhance cancer research and inform more effective policy development.

At the 2025 Community Oncology Conference, Nini Wu, MD, Navista, shares how AI can transform community oncology.

Duke Appiah, PhD, MPH, explores racial disparities in maternal health outcomes for pregnant women with cancer, revealing critical insights for informed decision-making.

Because clinical trials do not mimic the real-world application of multiple myeloma treatments, Ajai Chari, MD, discussed the variety of patient factors clinicians should consider in their practice.

Improving health equity is part of the core of quality improvement and requires data collection and community engagement strategies for underserved populations, said Shawn Griffin, MD, president and CEO of URAC.

Christine Funke, MD, spoke about the role of doctors in making sure their patients are receiving proper care after being diagnosed with glaucoma.

Strategic relationships and feedback can enhance specialty pharmacy operations, said Natalie Bedford, senior vice president of US pharmaceutical distribution services at McKesson.

Addressing the issues surrounding pharmacy benefit managers and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) would help to curb health care costs for patients, said John M. O'Brien, PharmD, MPH, president and CEO of the National Pharmaceutical Council.

Balancing technology and patient care can enhance communication and data collection, improving adherence and outcomes in specialty pharmacy, said Kathi Henson, MBA, of Orsini.

Mike Fazio, director of value-based care at Navista, Cardinal Health, discusses a trending topic at the 2025 Community Oncology Conference: optimizing oncology care with technology.

Mingyang Song, MBBS, ScD, discusses the link between ultraprocessed foods and cancer risk, emphasizing nutrition's role in prevention.

As the number of cell and gene therapies expands, it's increasingly important for long-term patient data, explained Fran Gregory, PharmD, MBA, vice president of emerging therapies at Cardinal Health.

New treatments for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) enhance patient care with gene therapies and new mechanisms of action on the horizon, explained Casey Koch, PharmD, from Select Health.

K. "Vish" Viswanath, PhD, explores the evolution of health misinformation, its sources, and the role of technology in shaping public understanding.