Being overweight or having obesity is linked with a higher risk of getting 13 types of cancer. These cancers comprise 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States each year. In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, speaks with Dr. John Thyfault, professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology and in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Genetics, as well as director of the University of Kansas Diabetes Institute and co-leader of the Kansas Center for Metabolism and Obesity Research (KC-MORE), a new research hub based at the University of Kansas Medical Center to study human obesity and obesity-related disease. They discuss the significant impact of obesity on cancer incidence and mortality, as well as Dr. Thyfault’s work developing translational research to improve patient outcomes. The discussion also explores how hormonal disruptions caused by obesity affect tumor growth, the potential of pharmacologic interventions like Ozempic, and the importance of maintaining physical activity and a healthy diet in cancer prevention and management.

Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

Links from this Episode:

• Learn more about KC-MORE
• Read about KC-MORE’s research into obesity and cancer
• Learn more about Dr. Thyfault

In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast Joseph Hines, II, MPH, senior director of research operations at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, joins Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director, to discuss the launch and success of the CAREERS in CLINICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM (C-CLEAR Program). This groundbreaking initiative is designed to introduce college students in the region to the dynamic and impactful field of clinical research. Hines, along with students Mariah Slaughter, Hilary Tallman, and Angel Tchamnou, share their experiences and the program's impact on their understanding of clinical research and oncology. The conversation covers the program's objectives, the challenges of its inception, as well as the achievements of its first cohort. The students also offer advice for future participants and express gratitude towards their mentors. Future developments and application details for the program are also highlighted.

Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

Links from this Episode:

• Learn more about the C-CLEAR Program
• Watch “A Day in the Life” with the C-CLEAR student interns
• Learn more about high school and undergraduate programs at KU Cancer Center

In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer center, speaks with Dr. Jamie Myers, an advanced practice oncology nurse with more than 40 years of experience and Research Associate Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center’s School of Nursing. Dr. Myers’ research is focused on cognitive changes related to cancer and cancer treatment therapy. In this conversation, she shares more about this topic - often referred to as “chemo brain” – and how these cognitive changes affect memory, concentration and daily activities. Dr. Myers’ shares insights into her research on interventions to manage these cognitive changes and emphasizes the importance of physical activity and diet in aiding brain health, as well as offering resources for listeners wanting to learn more.

Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

Links from this Episode:

• Learn more about Dr. Myers
• Read “Lifting the Fog on Chemobrain” by Dr. Myers on the KU Cancer Center blog
• Watch Dr. Myers’ talk more about her research and nursing background

In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer center, speaks with Dr. Diane Mahoney, assistant professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Kansas Medical Center and member of KU Cancer Center’s Cancer Prevention and Control research program, about ovarian cancer, a disease often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to nonspecific symptoms. Dr. Mahoney discusses the importance of early detection, current treatment options and her promising research into the human microbiome's role in ovarian cancer. She also highlights the health disparities affecting African American women and her dedication to addressing these inequities. Dr. Mahoney's unique background as a bilingual nurse clinician and researcher further enriches her approach to patient care and research.

Links from this episode:

• Learn more about Dr. Mahoney’s research on the KU Cancer Center blog
• Read about ovarian cancer screening and treatment at KU Cancer Center
• Watch Dr. Mahoney discuss her health disparities research with The American Journal for Managed Care
• Learn more about ovarian cancer symptoms and awareness at KU Cancer Center

Approaching cancer from unique angles and perspectives is crucial for gaining an understanding of this disease and optimizing treatment strategies for patients. In the Department of Radiation Oncology at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, our specialists work to accelerate progress toward more personalized and effective ways to treat cancer through research and clinical trials. In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, speaks with Dr. Xinglei Shen, associate professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the cancer center. Dr. Shen directs clinical research efforts in the Department of Radiation Oncology and in this episode, he highlights the significant technological advancements in radiation therapy over the past decade, including innovations like proton beam therapy and precision medicine. Dr. Shen also explains the diverse types of cancer research conducted at KU, the importance of patient advocacy in clinical trials, and his vision for the future of radiation oncology.

Links from this Episode:

• Learn more about Proton Therapy at KU Cancer Center
• Dr. Xinglei Shen discusses the latest clinical trials and importance of patient-centered research on the KU Cancer Center blog
• Learn about the Department of Radiation Oncology at KU Cancer Center
• Follow the Department of Radiation Oncology on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram

Immunotherapy and cellular therapeutics represent the future of cancer care. These biological therapies involve manipulating the body’s cells to reactivate and strengthen their abilities to attack cancer cells. Immunotherapy is a precision cancer treatment and is considered the future of cancer treatment by the National Cancer Institute. Other, more traditional, types of cancer treatment include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Immunotherapy is a type of treatment for a variety of cancers that harnesses one’s own immune system to fight his or her specific cancer cells. Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte, or TIL therapy, is a type of immunotherapy and part of the body’s natural response to cancer. TIL cells are naturally occurring immune cells that are on constant surveillance to recognize, attack and kill cancer cells. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration approved lifileucel (Amtagvi), the first treatment for cancer that uses TILs. On this episode, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of KU Cancer Center speaks with Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq, associate professor of hematologic malignancies and cellular therapeutics at the University of Kansas Medical Center, about this exciting topic.

Links from this Episode:

• Learn more about TIL therapy via the National Cancer Institute
• Read the frequently asked questions about immunotherapy on the KU Cancer Center website
• Learn about Dr. Mushtaq
• Read the FDA’s announcement of approval for TIL therapy
• Learn more about cancer clinical trials at KU Cancer Center

After listening to this episode, we invite YOU to be a part of the podcast! We want to hear your thoughts on the conversations we have here, topics you’d like to learn more about and any questions you may have for our guests. Call our Bench to Bedside hotline at 913-588-3880 and leave us a voicemail, or you can email your comments and questions to benchtobedside@kumc.edu. Your comments may be shared on a future episode!

Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or rectal cancer, is one of the most treatable cancers when found early. However, it is also the most common type of gastrointestinal cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. For decades, colorectal cancer was most often diagnosed in people aged 50 and over. More recently, the incidence of colorectal cancer has declined in people 50 and over, while dramatically increasing in younger people. Because of this shift, the American Cancer Society recently revised its colorectal cancer screening guidelines for people at average risk. According to the updated guidelines, individuals at average risk of colorectal cancer should have regular screening for colon cancer beginning at age 45. On this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, discusses this topic with Dr. John Ashcraft, Associate Professor of Surgery and Division Chief of the Colorectal & Oncologic Surgery Division at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and Dr. Raed Al-Rajabi, Associate Professor of medicine in the division of medical oncology and leader of the gastrointestinal medical oncology group at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Links from this Episode:

• Read the new American Cancer Society guidelines for colon cancer screening

• Learn more about colon cancer screening and treatment at KU Cancer Center

• Read about Dr. Ajay Bansal’s Lynch Syndrome research and clinic

• Learn more about Dr. John Ashcraft and Dr. Raed Al-Rajabi

After listening to this episode, we invite YOU to be a part of the podcast! We want to hear your thoughts on the conversations we have here, topics you’d like to learn more about and any questions you may have for our guests. Call our Bench to Bedside hotline at 913-588-3880 and leave us a voicemail, or you can email your comments and questions to benchtobedside@kumc.edu. Your comments may be shared on a future episode!

On this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, sits down for a conversation with Drs. Byron Gajewski and Devin Koestler, co-leaders of the Biostatistics and Informatics Shared Resource at KU Cancer Center. Just as a coach uses a playbook to strategize and make informed decisions during a game, researchers use biostatistics to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions in their studies. On today’s episode, Drs. Gajewski and Koestler share more about how the Biostatistics and Informatics Shared Resource supports KU Cancer Center’s researchers by using examples from different sports teams. In addition, they discuss their career journeys and give their advice and tips for anyone who may want to pursue a career in mathematics.

Links from this Episode:

- Learn more about the Shared Resources at KU Cancer Center

- Read about the Biostatistics and Informatics Shared Resource at KU Cancer Center

- Learn about our Clinical Trials Finder App

- Learn more about Dr. Gajewski

- Learn more about Dr. Koestler