#4 IN THE SERIES “BRINGING PRECISION MEDICINE TO EVERYONE”
Liquid Biopsy Part 1: Breaking Speed and Access Barriers in Precision Oncology with Dr. Kashyap Patel
Host Karan Cushman and Dr. Kashyap Patel, CEO of Carolina Blood and Cancer Care Associates and national leader in value-based oncology, explore how liquid biopsy is changing the diagnostic and treatment landscape and closing gaps in precision oncology today.
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In this first episode in a two-part focus, Karan and Dr. Patel reflect on oncology’s rapid evolution, from limited chemotherapy options to today’s targeted therapies and advanced diagnostics. Their conversation centers on liquid biopsy as a practical tool for breaking speed and access barriers in precision oncology.
This blood-based test can deliver results in days, be repeated as needed, and reduce the need for invasive procedures. Tissue biopsy remains important, but when the samples are too small or unsuitable for testing, liquid biopsy provides a valuable alternative in guiding treatment decisions and monitoring disease.
For patients with aggressive “turbo cancers” such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or small cell lung cancer, the time saved can be lifesaving. Karan shares her own experience with DLBCL, while Dr. Patel highlights real-world cases where liquid biopsy revealed actionable mutations, informed therapy, or enabled minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring.
Dr. Patel underscores the need for standardization and payer alignment to move liquid biopsy from innovation to everyday practice. This candid discussion frames liquid biopsy not as a futuristic idea, but as a clinically powerful and scalable tool that is closing gaps in precision oncology today.
Listen now and subscribe to the Precision Medicine Podcast to hear how leaders like Dr. Patel are helping redefine what’s possible for patients—no matter their zip code.
Download the episode transcript here.
Listen to the series Bringing Precision Medicine to Everyone:
Episode #1: Dr. Kashyap Patel and Dr. Angela Katsikas, Bringing Precision Medicine to Everyone
Episode #2: Ellen Matloff and Dr. Angela Katsikas, Understanding Inherited Cancer Risk
Episode #3: Dr. Arif Kamal, Bringing Precision and Compassion to Every Cancer Journey
Special thanks to Dr. Kashyap Patel and his No One Left Alone initiative for collaborating with us on this series.
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About Our Guest
Kashyap Patel, MD, FACCC, LSSBB
Hematologist & Medical Oncologist
Kashyap Patel is the CEO of Carolina Blood and Cancer Care Associates. Dr. Patel is a practicing medical oncologist, board certified in Hematology, Oncology, and Internal Medicine.
Dr Patel is the immediate past president for the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) and the past chair for the clinical affairs and trustee for the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC). He
has published/presented over 150 papers and is frequently interviewed and cited in mainstream
media including The New York Times, Washington Post and NPR. He has been an advisor for the large payers including DHHS (SC), Palmetto GBA and serves on an advisory board for Medicaid HMOs. He has a special interest in end-of-life care, health care policy and economics. He has expertise in value-based care and has successfully led Oncology Care Model pilots with two payers including CMMI.
Additionally, Dr Patel has been working directly with cancer patients for the last twenty years. He has served as chairman of several committees in numerous South Carolina hospitals. Moreover, he has extensive research experience in oncology. Dr. Patel has extensive legislative experience both at the local and national level. He has testified in state senate as well as has carried out capitol hill briefing on precision medicine. He has been honored by the US Congress for his exceptional contribution to the healthcare. Multiple journals have written about his life. He is now working with multiple national entities on cancer health disparities and has started his own foundation www.nooneleftalone.org to address disparities. In addition, he is an author and his book Between Life and Death is published by the Penguin Random House www.betweenlifeanddeath.org. He is a nominee for the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for 2024.