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In this very special episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen hosts Dr. William Jewell, longtime surgeon and early leader of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, to recount how the center evolved from an uncertain idea into a nationally recognized program. Jewell describes early efforts after the 1971 Cancer Act, leadership transitions, and the challenges of aligning departments around a shared mission. Drawing on his NCI Subcommittee A experience and site visits, Jewell highlights that successful centers must show growth, collaboration, and an upward research trajectory. 00:00 Podcast Intro and Mission 00:18 Origin Story Setup 00:55 Meet Dr. William Jewell 02:11 Early War on Cancer Era 03:35 Leadership Changes 05:11 Building the Outpatient Center 06:25 NCI Pushback and Site Visit Experience 08:02 Internal Resistance and KU Lawrence Partnership 09:25 Recruiting Roy Jensen 12:04 Biggest Advances in Cancer Therapy 14:01 What Makes NCI Centers Succeed 16:17 Pride and the Role of Leadership 17:16 Masonic Support and Community Screenings 18:36 Closing Thanks and Looking Ahead  To ensure you get our latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for 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, talks with Dr. Lauren Nye, medical oncologist and breast cancer prevention specialist, about cancer prevention clinical trials and how they differ from treatment trials by aiming to lower cancer risk or detect cancer earlier in healthy, high-risk individuals. Dr. Nye explains who may qualify based on family history, genetics, prior precancerous biopsies, or lifestyle factors, and highlights prevention successes, such as tamoxifen and the HPV vaccine. They discuss current research exploring well-tolerated, affordable options including GLP-1 receptor agonist, the heightened safety expectations for prevention studies, and why multi-agent approaches can be limited by toxicity. Dr. Nye also shares how she communicates risk—especially absolute versus relative risk—and encourages listeners to ask their doctor about risk assessment, genetic counseling, and high-risk clinics at KU Cancer Center. 00:00 Prevention Trials Intro 01:17 What Prevention Trials Are 02:08 Who Is High Risk 03:03 Why Prevention Matters 03:55 New Prevention Strategies 04:39 Drug Development Challenges 06:19 Patient Concerns and Safety 08:12 Why Not Combine Agents 10:10 Future of Prevention Research 11:53 Talking About Risk 13:24 Relative vs Absolute Risk 15:08 Next Steps and Wrap Up Links from this Episode: ·       Learn about cancer prevention and risk reduction options at KU Cancer Center ·       See open cancer prevention clinical trials at KU Cancer Center ·       Learn about Dr. Lauren Nye ·       Read about breast cancer genetic counseling and testing at KU Cancer Center   To ensure you get our latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen is joined by Dr. Tara Lin, principal investigator for the myeloMatch clinical trial at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, and Dr. Jesus Gonzalez Lugo, recently recognized with a National Career Development Award. They revisit the NCI-sponsored, first-of-its-kind national precision medicine trial for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and share progress since its 2024 launch, including growth to five enrolling treatment protocols with seven more awaiting activation, more than 1,000 patients screened nationwide, and participation across 200+ U.S. sites. Dr. Lin explains how the master screening protocol returns comprehensive diagnostic results in 72 hours, improving treatment matching and access across KU Cancer Center's main campus, community satellites, and network sites. Dr. Lugo discusses outreach efforts to reduce barriers to trial participation, including education for physicians and patients, community partnerships, and Spanish-language media engagement, and both guests reflect on how myeloMatch could help guide use of the many new AML therapies now available. 00:00 Welcome Back to myeloMatch 01:09 Trial Growth and Milestones 02:58 How Precision Matching Works 04:57 Expanding Access Across Regions 06:15 Dr Lugo Award and Outreach 09:04 Future of AML Treatment 11:21 Closing and Resources Links from this Episode: ·       Listen to our first myeloMATCH episode, "MyeloMATCH: The New Front in the Battle Against Leukemia" ·       Learn more about myeloMATCH ·       Learn more about Dr. Tara Lin ·       Learn more about Dr. Jesus Gonzalez Lugo ·       Learn more about the Winn Career Development Award To ensure you get our latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

In this episode of Bench to Bedside, Dr. Roy Jensen welcomes Dr. Joseph McGuirk, division director of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapies at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, to discuss CAR T-cell therapy and the growing "CAR T crisis" in access. Dr. McGuirk explains how CAR T is made from a patient's own T cells and why it has produced unprecedented, potentially curative outcomes in blood cancers such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leading to FDA approvals in second- and third-line settings. He shares national data showing only 25% of eligible second-line patients and 35% of eligible third-line patients receive CAR T, with access declining as distance from a treatment center increases. The conversation highlights barriers including referral patterns, education gaps, logistics, socioeconomic factors, and disparities, and outlines KU's efforts to expand outreach, partner with community sites, and build infrastructure to improve timely evaluation and treatment. 00:00 Welcome and the CAR T Crisis 01:25 How CAR T works 05:00 Breakthrough results and approvals 06:52 The access gap data 10:16 Why delays are deadly 11:49 Barriers to referral and equity 17:31 Taking CAR T closer to home 19:37 What patients can do now 22:22 Rapid evaluation and parallel workflow 24:26 New cancer center and GMP expansion 28:46 Closing thoughts and resources Links from this Episode:  Learn more about CAR T treatment at KU Cancer Center Learn more about Dr. Joseph McGuirk Read Dr. McGuirk's research "Real-world treatment patterns and survival outcomes in second and third line settings in large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL)" Read Dr. McGuirk's article "Leading Oncologist Rings the Alarm Bell: 'We Have a Crisis in Life-Saving Access to CAR T-Cell Therapy' Hear Dr. McGuirk talk about CAR T access on KCUR's "Up to Date" podcast To ensure you get our latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for 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, is joined by Dr. Kristy Brown and Dr. John Jakicic, co-leaders of KU Cancer Center's new Obesity, Metabolic Health & Cancer research program, the first of its kind at an NCI-designated cancer center focused on the obesity–cancer link. They discuss rising obesity rates, obesity's link to at least 13 cancers, and key biological mechanisms including insulin and glucose signaling, inflammation, and hormone changes such as estrogen. The guests explain how this new program will harmonize cancer and obesity research, study how changes in adiposity and tissue quality affect cancer risk and treatment response, and develop interdisciplinary, community-informed prevention and intervention strategies, including lifestyle approaches and newer obesity medications, to improve outcomes and survivorship. 00:00 Obesity and Cancer Link 01:03 Why KU Cancer Center Launched Program 03:47 How Obesity Fuels Cancer 05:57 Reversing Risk Questions 07:10 First of Its Kind Program 09:30 Obesity as the New Tobacco 10:35 Team Science and Partnerships 13:10 Patient Impact and Trials 16:46 Tissue Quality and Muscle 18:52 Next Decade Opportunities 21:31 Equity and Real-World Barriers 22:12 Evidence and Expert Validation 24:25 Closing and Resources Links from this Episode: ·       Learn more about the new Obesity, Metabolic Health & Cancer Research Program at KU Cancer Center To ensure you get our latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for 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 researchers Dr. Nikki Nollen and Dr. Lisa Sanderson-Cox about building lasting collaborations to reduce tobacco use and cancer disparities, particularly in African American communities. They describe how their partnership began at KU Medical Center and grew through a long-term, trusted collaboration with Swope Health, a federally qualified health center in Kansas City. Drs. Nollen and Cox explain how community and patient advisory boards shape their clinical trials, influencing study questions, counseling protocols, and attention to issues like menthol use, tobacco marketing, spirituality, and unmet social needs. They also highlight broader collaborations that advanced genetic and pharmacotherapy insights and helped inform higher-dose nicotine replacement approaches for lighter smokers, and they discuss e-cigarettes as harm reduction for adults but a risk for youth. 00:00 Welcome and Episode Focus 00:59 How Their Collaboration Began 01:54 Building Trust with Swope Health 03:24 Community Advisory Boards in Action 06:50 Letting the Community Lead 08:18 Unmet Social Needs and Study Design 10:28 Genetics and Broader Research Partners 12:09 Updating Nicotine Replacement Dosing 13:32 Lessons from Long Term Teamwork 15:40 E-Cigarettes Harm Reduction Debate 17:21 Closing Thanks and Takeaways Links from this Episode: ·       Learn more the partnership with Swope Health ·       Learn about Dr. Nikki Nollen ·       Learn more about Dr. Lisa Sanderson Cox ·       Learn more about research on e-cigarette usage To ensure you get our latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

Dr. Roy Jensen introduces the season's focus on the people behind cancer research and hands hosting duties to Dr. Ronald Chen, chair of Radiation Oncology and associate director for Community Outreach and Engagement at The University of Kansas Cancer Center. Dr. Chen highlights the KU Cancer Center's K12 Paul Calabresi Career Development for Clinical and Translational Oncology program, which mentors and trains early career clinician-investigators, and interviews K12 scholar Dr. Yiduo Hu, a breast medical oncologist who joined KU after training at Yale and completing research and degrees at Case Western, Dana-Farber/Harvard, and Columbia University. Dr. Hu describes translational research as bridging communication between bench science and patient care, explains how the K12 Program's protected time and mentorship support his work on DNA damage repair and genome integrity in breast cancer, and discusses his newly activated pragmatic trial comparing two commonly used chemotherapy regimens for high-risk breast cancer. They also emphasize collaboration, including engagement with KU Cancer Center's PIVOT patient advocate group, to keep research patient-relevant and team-based. 00:00 Season Introduction 00:28 Guest Host Handoff 00:44 K12 Program Overview 01:18 Dr. Hu's Background 01:58 Translational Research Explained 03:08 K12 Support and Focus 04:09 Building A Clinical Trial 05:38 Protected Time Matters 06:22 Mentorship at KU Cancer Center 07:39 Community and PIVOT Collaboration 09:41 Career Reflections 10:33 Closing Thanks and Resources Links from this Episode: ·         Learn more about the K12 Paul Calabresi Career Development for Clinical and Translational Oncology Program To ensure you get our latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for 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, interviews Dr. Brent Sear, director of the Clinical Pharmacology Shared Resource at KU Cancer Center. Brent shares his unique career journey into clinical pharmacology, the role of clinical pharmacology in advancing cancer therapies, and the critical work his team does in guiding clinical trials and personalizing cancer treatment. They also discuss emerging technologies and their potential impact on the future of cancer research. Tune in to learn more about the intricate processes that ensure safe and effective cancer therapies. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 01:06 Brent Sear's Journey into Cancer Research 03:21 Understanding Clinical Pharmacology 04:54 The Role of Clinical Pharmacology Shared Resource 06:40 Importance of Precise Measurement in Cancer Treatment 08:40 Collaborative Projects and Scientific Insights 09:55 Advice for Aspiring Researchers 11:52 Future of Clinical Pharmacology in Cancer Research 13:33 Conclusion and Farewell Links from this Episode: ·       Learn more about the Clinical Pharmacology Shared Resource at KU Cancer Center ·       Learn about Brent Sear, director of the Clinical Pharmacology Shared Resource ·       Learn about Shared Resources and Core Facilities at KU Cancer Center To ensure you get our latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

In this episode of Bench to Bedside, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, hosts Dr. Kristy Brown, a nationally recognized expert in cancer metabolism and hormone signaling. Dr. Brown discusses the latest breakthroughs in understanding the relationship between obesity, estrogen, and cancer, along with how these discoveries shape more effective treatments. She reflects on her career and shares moving accounts of patient interactions that fuel her research. The conversation delves into emerging opportunities in cancer treatment and prevention, the role of artificial intelligence in research, and offers advice for early-career scientists on making a meaningful impact. Dr. Brown expresses optimism for future cancer research advancements and the potential for improved patient outcomes. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Today's Topic 00:28 Meet Dr. Kristy Brown: Expert in Cancer Metabolism 01:02 Optimism in Cancer Research: Key Developments 02:31 Proud Moments in Cancer Research 04:15 Obesity, Metabolism, and Cancer: Emerging Discoveries 06:10 Translational Research: From Lab to Clinic 09:08 Advice for Early Career Scientists 12:18 Hope for the Future: Personal Reflections 13:24 Conclusion and Resources Links from this Episode: ·       Learn more about Dr. Kristy Brown ·       Learn about Dr. Brown's research ·       Learn about cancer prevention at KU Cancer Center To ensure you get our latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

In this episode of Bench to Bedside, Dr. Roy Jensen speaks with Dr. Anna Arthur and Dr. Gregory Gan about their innovative cross-disciplinary work at the intersection of nutrition and radiation oncology. They explore how their combined expertise leads to holistic cancer treatment approaches, focusing on the effects of diet, inflammation, and treatment response on patient outcomes. Both experts share their personal and professional journeys into their respective fields, the collaborative projects they have undertaken, and the way they integrate multidisciplinary insights into improving cancer care. They also highlight their efforts to mentor the next generation of researchers, underscoring the value of collaboration in scientific innovation. 00:00 Introduction to Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration 00:41 Meet the Experts: Dr. Anna Arthur and Dr. Gregory Gan 00:48 Journey into Their Respective Fields 02:02 Challenges and Realizations in Cancer Research 05:22 The Intersection of Nutrition and Radiation Oncology 10:28 Collaborative Projects and Their Impact 19:31 Mentoring the Next Generation of Researchers 23:14 Future Directions in Integrating Nutrition and Cancer Treatment 25:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links from this Episode: ·       Learn more about Dr. Anna Arthur ·       Learn about Dr. Gregory Gan ·       Learn about the Nutrition Shared Resource at the cancer center ·       Learn about head and neck cancer To ensure you get our latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

In this episode of Bench to Bedside, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, talks with Marilyn Mahan and Karl Frees, members of Patient and Investigator Voices Organizing Together (PIVOT) – KU Cancer Center's patient research advocacy group – and co-chairs of the PIVOT Educational Task Force. They discuss PIVOT, an initiative bringing patients, survivors, caregivers, and researchers together to enhance cancer research. Marilyn and Karl share how PIVOT integrates patient perspectives into research, the ways advocates collaborate with researchers, and the program's impact on studies and researcher motivation. Both guests recount their personal cancer journeys and their dedication to influencing cancer research to become more patient-centered and effective. They stress the importance of patient advocacy, the empowerment that comes with shared knowledge, and the future goals of expanding PIVOT's reach and impact. 00:00 Introduction to Bench to Bedside 00:18 What is PIVOT? 02:03 How PIVOT Advocates Collaborate with Researchers 04:15 Impact of Patient Involvement on Research 06:34 Personal Cancer Journeys 13:53 Future Goals for PIVOT 18:58 Encouraging Advocacy and Involvement 21:17 Conclusion and How to Get Involved Links from this Episode: ·       Learn more about PIVOT and how to join ·       Learn about Lynch Syndrome ·       Learn about oral cancer ·       Follow PIVOT on Instagram To ensure you get our latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for 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. Ronald Chen, chair of Radiation Oncology and associate director for Community Outreach and Engagement at KU Cancer Center. Dr. Chen shares his personal and professional journey from growing up in Topeka to Harvard and a career on the East Coast and back to Kansas, focusing on his motivation to return home and how his work impacts rural communities. He discusses his efforts in cancer care, telehealth and clinical trials, emphasizing the importance of bringing skills back to Kansas to improve local healthcare. 00:00 Introduction to Bench to Bedside 00:47 Meet Dr. Ron Chen 01:33 Dr. Chen's Educational Journey 03:41 Returning to Kansas 05:40 Advice for Young Kansans 07:19 Midwest Reflections 09:50 Addressing Rural Healthcare Challenges 12:35 Community Engagement and Partnerships 14:46 Balancing Clinical Care and Research 17:02 Future of Cancer Care at KU 19:30 Conclusion and Farewell Links from this Episode: ·       Learn more about Dr. Ronald Chen ·       Read this Q&A with Dr. Chen focused on eliminating health disparities ·       Learn more about community outreach and engagement at KU Cancer Center ·       Read about the Masonic Cancer Alliance To ensure you get our latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for 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, is joined by Dr. Anthony Sung and Dr. Jennifer Klemp, leaders in cancer survivorship research. They discuss their personal motivations, the importance of comprehensive survivorship care starting from diagnosis, and the innovative programs and research efforts at the KU Center for Survivorship and Patient-Oriented Research. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by cancer survivors, the need for individualized care, and the role of community support and research in improving survivor outcomes. The episode emphasizes KU Cancer Center's mission to become a national leader in patient-oriented survivorship care and research. 00:00 Introduction to Bench to Bedside 00:33 Exploring Cancer Survivorship 01:09 Personal Motivations in Cancer Research 04:21 Defining Cancer Survivorship 07:40 Vision for the KU Center for Survivorship and Patient Oriented Research 13:29 Future of Cancer Survivorship Research 26:45 Conclusion and Resources Links from this Episode: ·       Learn more about Dr. Anthony Sung ·       Learn more about Dr. Jennifer Klemp ·       Learn more about the KU Center for Survivorship and Patient-Oriented Research 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.

In the season six premiere of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, sits down with his friend and colleague Dr. Gary Doolittle, medical director of the Masonic Cancer Alliance (MCA) and melanoma expert. Dr. Doolittle shares his personal and professional experiences in oncology, including his own cancer diagnosis and how it has influenced his approach to patient care. They discuss the unique challenges rural communities face in accessing cancer treatment and the role initiatives like the Masonic Cancer Alliance and telemedicine play in improving care accessibility. Dr. Doolittle offers insights from his dual perspective as a physician and a cancer survivor, emphasizing the importance of empathy, swift patient management and building trust in healthcare systems. 00:00 Introduction to Bench to Bedside 00:33 Meet Dr. Gary Doolittle 01:29 Dr. Doolittle's Personal Cancer Journey 03:01 Impact on Patient Care 06:36 Challenges in Rural Cancer Care 12:59 Telemedicine and the MCA 18:50 Advice for Patients and Physicians 21:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links from this Episode: ·       Learn more about Dr. Gary Doolittle ·       Learn more about the Masonic Cancer Alliance ·       Learn more about the MCA's community outreach and engagement efforts For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

In this episode of Bench to Bedside, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, sits down with Dr. David Akhavan, a physician-scientist pioneering cell therapy research for brain cancer. Dr. Akhavan discusses the revolutionary potential of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in treating cancers like glioblastoma, the complexities involved and the innovative approaches his team is employing, such as smarter engineered T-cells and nanoparticles. Highlighting the collaboration within KU Cancer Center, Dr. Akhavan also shares personal insights into his motivation and the future of cancer treatment. Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at [email protected], 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 cell therapy at KU Cancer Center Learn more about brain cancer Read more about Dr. Akhavan's work on the KU Cancer Center blog, "Exploring Immunotherapy Treatments to Treat Brain Cancer" Learn about Head for the Cure Read how physician-scientists at KU Cancer Center bridge the gap between the laboratory and the clinic