LaPelusa’s Journey in the Dynamic Field of GI Oncology

In the latest episode of Emerging Experts, Michael LaPelusa, MD, hematology and oncology fellow at MD Anderson Cancer Center, shares his insights, experiences, and passion for cancer research, particularly in the realm of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.

LaPelusa delves into the importance of mentorship and education in shaping the next generation of oncologists. Drawing from his own experiences, he sheds light on the critical role of guidance and support when learning to navigate the ever changing and complex landscape of cancer care and research.

He also stresses the need for a strong network of mentors and sponsors to gain exposure to various diseases and therapies.

“I think oncology is changing so fast, and I am glad that this is the case, but so many new modalities of therapy and different diagnostic tools are making their way into practice…Making sure that people are exposed to a wide breadth of different types of diseases in their training, I think, is extremely important,” explains LaPelusa in an interview with Targeted Oncology^TM.

Currently, LaPelusa is conducting research on circulating tumor DNA in cancer prognosis and treatment response, with a focus on colorectal cancer. He shares some of the background of his work along with other studies in this space. He hopes that this kind of research will lead to better stratification of patients based on risk of recurrence and improved adjuvant therapy.

But the conversation does not stop there. LaPelusa also discusses promising targeted therapies for GI cancers, including antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies, and emphasizes the importance of early screening as the incidence of colorectal cancers in younger patients continues to rise.

“I think every person who treats patients with cancer is heartbroken when they see young people presenting to the clinic with advanced stage disease, so this is an area that urgently needs to be addressed,” adds LaPelusa.