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!