Advanced cancer diagnostics can provide increasingly sophisticated information about tumor biology, but developing the test is only part of the challenge. How do we make these technologies available to patients wherever they receive care?

In this episode of MedInsights Unleashed, Dr. Oliver F. Bathe, MD, MSc, FRCSC, FACS, Professor of Surgery and Oncology at the University of Calgary and Founder and CEO of Qualisure Diagnostics, discusses the challenges of centralized testing and the move toward more decentralized approaches. He explores RNA and transcriptomics, computational assays, and the potential role of AI in helping make advanced cancer diagnostics more reproducible, scalable and accessible to patients.

Qualisure Diagnostics Inc contact information:

Oliver F. Bathe, MD - CEO & Founder

3655 36th Street NW Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8

p: +1 403.614.7124

e: obathe@qualisuredx.com | www.qualisuredx.com

In this episode of MedInsights Unleashed, Hannah Timm, PhD Candidate at the Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine in Essen, Germany, who specializes in computational pathology, discusses using AI to quantify blood vessel branching patterns in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Histopathology slides contain complex information not always captured by TNM staging, and Hannah’s team used AI to identify high- and low-branching vascular patterns. They found a continuous relationship between vessel branching and patient outcomes, with a greater proportion of high-branching patterns associated with better disease-free and overall survival.

Hannah also discusses how AI can augment—not replace—pathologists by helping quantify complex tissue patterns and potentially reveal additional biological information. The conversation explores the use of pathology slides from the CheckMate 914 trial, how AI could support future biomarker research, and the need for prospective validation before approaches such as this can move toward clinical practice.

In this episode of MedInsights Unleashed, Dr. Richard S. Finn, MD, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, joins John Collins to explain the ABCs of liver cancer—from who is at risk and why screening and early detection matter to diagnosis and treatment. Because hepatocellular carcinoma frequently develops in people with underlying liver disease, treating liver cancer often means considering both the tumor and the health of the liver.

Using his memorable “bad soil and weeds” analogy, Dr. Finn explains why removing a liver tumor may not eliminate the underlying risk of another cancer developing. He discusses multidisciplinary care, surgery and liver transplantation, locoregional treatments, immunotherapy and targeted therapies, while emphasizing the importance of patient advocacy, appropriate screening and access to experienced liver cancer centers.

In this episode of MedInsights Unleashed, Dr. Ari Rosenberg, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago Medical Center, returns to discuss a rapidly changing era in head and neck cancer. He examines the practice-changing KEYNOTE-689 data establishing a role for perioperative immunotherapy in selected surgically treated patients, while explaining the important differences between HPV-associated and HPV-unrelated disease.

Ari also explores emerging approaches to treatment de-escalation in HPV-positive disease, the growing potential of ctDNA and minimal residual disease to identify recurrence risk, and promising therapies for recurrent and metastatic disease, including bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates and new combinations. His message is one of genuine progress, but also the continued need for clinical trials, collaboration and better outcomes for patients.

Can the communities we build become part of the healthcare system?

In this episode of MedInsights Unleashed, Pascal Mittermaier explores how the environments in which we live influence physical health, mental well-being, and disease prevention. Drawing on decades of experience in healthcare, sustainability, and urban development, he explains why healthier cities are becoming an essential component of preventive healthcare.

From cleaner air and better water management to green spaces that reduce stress, improve cardiovascular health, and support mental well-being, Pascal discusses the growing scientific evidence that nature-based solutions can improve health outcomes before people become patients. He also shares inspiring examples from Philadelphia's "Soak It Up" initiative, the Green Heart Study in Louisville, and Nature Sacred's work creating restorative green spaces in hospitals and communities (https://naturesacred.org)

Cancer rehabilitation is changing the way we think about cancer care. Rather than waiting until treatment has ended or function has been lost, rehabilitation is becoming an essential part of comprehensive cancer care from the time of diagnosis.

In this episode of MedInsights Unleashed, Dr. Kelley C. Wood, PhD, MS, ACSM-CEP, CET, Director of Research, ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation, Select Medical, and Dr. Alina Hedaya, PT, DPT, OCS, Cert MDT, Program Director, ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation, Kessler Rehabilitation Center, discuss how early intervention, prehabilitation, and individualized rehabilitation help patients maintain strength, function, independence, and quality of life throughout the cancer journey. They also review research presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting, discuss the growing evidence supporting rehabilitation and exercise, and highlight how these findings complement Episode 26 of MedInsights Unleashed featuring Dr. Sharlene Gill, which explores the landmark CHALLENGE Trial and its impact on long-term outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer.

Breast cancer care continues to evolve rapidly as new research helps clinicians personalize treatment and improve patient outcomes. In this episode of MedInsights Unleashed, Dr. Christine Simmons MD, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and specialist in breast cancer and sarcoma, reviews the most important breast cancer studies presented at ASCO 2026 and explains their implications for clinical practice.

The discussion explores advances in genomic testing, immunotherapy, GLP-1 agonists, antibody-drug conjugates, and circulating tumor DNA, highlighting how precision medicine is transforming breast cancer care.

Many patients believe that once a prescription is written, receiving treatment is a straightforward process. In reality, prior authorizations, insurance requirements, specialty pharmacy restrictions, and affordability challenges can create significant barriers to accessing care.

In this episode of MedInsights Unleashed, Patrick R. Coyle MBA, joins John Collins to discuss the complexities of healthcare access and affordability. Together, they explore how patients can better understand the prescription journey, navigate insurance denials, utilize available support programs, and become stronger advocates for their own care.