Advertise on podcast: Veterinary Cancer Pioneers Podcast

In this episode of the Veterinary Cancer Pioneers Podcast, host Dr. Rachel Venable welcomes Dr. Michael Nolan, the Randall B. Terry Jr. Distinguished Professor of Oncology at North Carolina State University and a board-certified veterinary radiation oncologist. Dr. Nolan discusses how advances in radiation technology have transformed cancer treatment, from precisely targeting challenging tumors to exploring how radiation can enhance immunotherapy. The conversation also dives into his pioneering research on the connection between pain, the nervous system, and cancer biology, and how these discoveries could improve both patient comfort and cancer outcomes. Finally, Dr. Nolan shares promising early work combining radiation with novel targeted therapies for feline oral squamous cell carcinoma and offers insight into why pursuing overlooked research questions often leads to the biggest breakthroughs. 📝Transcripts are available at https://www.imprimedicine.com/podcast. To learn more about ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile, please visit https://www.imprimedicine.com/ppp Music Credit: Hazy by Beat Mekanik

In this episode of the Veterinary Cancer Pioneers Podcast, host Dr. Rachel Venable welcomes Dr. Christopher Pachel, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, educator, and owner of the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon, who also serves as Vice President of Behavior for Instinct Dog Behavior and Training. Dr. Pachel explores what happens to the caregiver relationship when a pet faces cancer or another chronic illness, and how a shift from providing structure to anxious hovering can quietly destabilize a dog. The conversation covers practical ways to reduce fear at the clinic, the order effect that determines whether treats build trust or teach avoidance, when to advocate for sedation, and how kindness and curiosity build the trust veterinary teams rely on when conversations get hard. 📝Transcripts are available at https://www.imprimedicine.com/podcast. To learn more about ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile, please visit https://www.imprimedicine.com/ppp Music Credit: Hazy by Beat Mekanik

In this episode of the Veterinary Cancer Pioneers Podcast, host Dr. Rachel Venable welcomes Dr. David Ruslander, a dual-trained medical and radiation veterinary oncologist and past president of the Veterinary Cancer Society. Dr. Ruslander shares how he found his way into a specialty that barely existed at the time, including a formative chapter helping build veterinary oncology programs in Europe. The conversation covers how multimodality thinking shapes his approach to every case, how advances in radiation technology have expanded what is treatable, and why staying curious and current is non-negotiable for anyone who signed on for a career in veterinary medicine. 📝Transcripts are available at https://www.imprimedicine.com/podcast. To learn more about ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile, please visit https://www.imprimedicine.com/ppp Music Credit: Hazy by Beat Mekanik

In this episode of the Veterinary Cancer Pioneers Podcast, host Dr. Rachel Venable welcomes Dr. Karin Sorenmo, Professor Emeritus of Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and co-founder of Lesley's Place. Dr. Sorenmo shares her journey from Norway to becoming a leading researcher in canine mammary tumors and discusses the complex role hormones play in tumor development and progression. The conversation explores how spaying patterns influence mammary cancer risk, why classification and pathology remain challenging worldwide, and what dogs can teach us about breast cancer through comparative oncology. Dr. Sorenmo also highlights the mission of Lesley's Place, where homeless dogs with mammary tumors receive surgical care, follow-up, and the opportunity to find loving homes while contributing valuable insights to cancer research. 📝Transcripts are available at https://www.imprimedicine.com/podcast. To learn more about ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile, please visit https://www.imprimedicine.com/ppp Music Credit: Hazy by Beat Mekanik

In this episode of the Veterinary Cancer Pioneers Podcast, host Dr. Rachel Venable welcomes Dr. Guannan Wang, founder of VetOmics, to discuss how comprehensive genomic profiling is advancing precision oncology for dogs. Dr. Wang shares her path from molecular biology research to veterinary cancer genomics, and explains why the field is shifting from "should we use genomics?" to "how do we do it well?" The conversation covers how genomic testing can guide therapy selection, support difficult diagnoses, and help identify true cancer drivers, while emphasizing the importance of real-world outcome follow-up and biomarker-guided combination strategies to improve patient care. 📝Transcripts are available at https://www.imprimedicine.com/podcast. To learn more about ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile, please visit https://www.imprimedicine.com/ppp Music Credit: Hazy by Beat Mekanik

In this episode of the Veterinary Cancer Pioneers Podcast, host Dr. Rachel Venable is joined by Dr. Doug Thamm, Stuart Presidential Chair in Oncology and Director of Clinical Research at the Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center. Dr. Thamm discusses how naturally occurring cancers in dogs are advancing cancer drug development and informing treatment strategies in both veterinary and human medicine. He shares real-world examples of comparative oncology in action and the role clinical trials play in bringing new therapies to patients. The conversation also explores the challenges of oncology drug development, regulatory pathways, and emerging areas such as biologics, genomic sequencing, and AI-driven tools—offering a clear-eyed view of where veterinary oncology is headed. 📝Transcripts are available at https://www.imprimedicine.com/podcast. To learn more about ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile, please visit https://www.imprimedicine.com/ppp Music Credit: Hazy by Beat Mekanik

In this episode of the Veterinary Cancer Pioneers Podcast, host Dr. Rachel Venable welcomes Dr. Joseph Impellizeri, a true trailblazer in targeted electrochemotherapy and gene electrotransfer immunotherapy. Dr. Impellizeri shares how electroporation-based treatments are transforming cancer care by allowing localized delivery of chemotherapy and immunotherapy with minimal side effects. He discusses how this technology has evolved from treating skin tumors to tackling complex cases like oral, nasal, and even bone cancers — and how it can complement traditional modalities such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The conversation also explores his groundbreaking work combining gene electrotransfer with PD-1 inhibitors, offering a glimpse into the future of veterinary oncology and more compassionate, targeted treatment options for patients. 📝Transcripts are available at https://www.imprimedicine.com/podcast. To learn more about ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile, please visit https://www.imprimedicine.com/ppp Music Credit: Hazy by Beat Mekanik

In this episode of the Veterinary Cancer Pioneers Podcast, host Dr. Rachel Venable welcomes Dr. Chad Johannes, Associate Professor and Executive Director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University and former medical director at Aratana Therapeutics, who also helped launch Palladia at Pfizer Animal Health (Now Zoetis). Dr. Johannes reflects on his path across private practice, industry, and academia — sharing practical lessons on burnout, career pivots, and the value of mentorship and flexibility in professional growth. The conversation explores how immunotherapy and AI are advancing precision oncology and how empowering general practitioners with options like CCNU, Laverdia, and Palladia can expand access to care. Tune in for a candid look at the economics and innovations shaping the next chapter of veterinary oncology. 📝Transcripts are available at https://www.imprimedicine.com/podcast. To learn more about ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile, please visit https://www.imprimedicine.com/ppp Music Credit: Hazy by Beat Mekanik

In this episode of the Veterinary Cancer Pioneers Podcast, host Dr. Rachel Venable welcomes Dr. Kelly to share insights from her career as a solo practitioner in veterinary oncology. Dr. Kelly reflects on the realities of running a private practice and the unique challenges and opportunities it presents. She highlights her open-minded approach to integrating a wide range of therapeutics and diagnostic tools, always with the goal of providing the best possible patient care. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Kelly also discusses how adaptability, clinical curiosity, and a patient-centered mindset have guided her work and shaped her contributions to the field. 📝Transcripts are available at https://www.imprimedicine.com/podcast. To learn more about ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile, please visit https://www.imprimedicine.com/ppp Music Credit: Hazy by Beat Mekanik

In this episode of the Veterinary Cancer Pioneers Podcast, host Dr. Rachel Venable welcomes Dr. David Vail, renowned veterinary oncologist, professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and co-editor of the widely used Small Animal Clinical Oncology textbook. Dr. Vail reflects on the evolution of veterinary oncology over the past four decades, sharing pivotal developments such as the introduction of Tanovea and the wide-reaching impact of Cerenia. He explores the rise of comparative oncology and the increasingly bidirectional collaboration between veterinary and human medicine. The discussion highlights cutting-edge advances in immunotherapy and how combination therapies and naturally occurring canine cancer trials are shaping human clinical research. Tune in for a thoughtful look at the past, present, and future of oncology through the lens of a true pioneer. 📝Transcripts are available at https://www.imprimedicine.com/podcast. To learn more about ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile, please visit https://www.imprimedicine.com/ppp Music Credit: Hazy by Beat Mekanik

In this episode of the Veterinary Cancer Pioneers Podcast, host Dr. Rachel Venable welcomes Dr. Steve Dow, professor of immunology at Colorado State University and Director of the Center for Immune and Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Dow shares insights from his groundbreaking work on myeloid-targeted immunotherapies and the innovative use of repurposed, FDA-approved drugs like losartan, palladia, and propranolol in treating canine cancers such as osteosarcoma and brain tumors. He also discusses the development of tumor vaccines, promising adjuvant trial results, and the critical role dogs play as translational models in advancing human cancer therapies. The episode highlights the future potential of bispecific antibodies and CAR-T cell therapies in both veterinary and human oncology. 📝Transcripts are available at https://www.imprimedicine.com/podcast. To learn more about ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile, please visit https://www.imprimedicine.com/ppp Music Credit: Hazy by Beat Mekanik

In this episode of the Veterinary Cancer Pioneers Podcast, host Dr. Rachel Venable speaks with Dr. Steve Suter, a trailblazer in canine bone marrow transplantation, about his unexpected path into transplant research and the launch of the world's only academic bone marrow transplant program for dogs. Dr. Suter discusses the differences between autologous and allogeneic transplants, clinical protocols, and the emotional and logistical challenges behind this advanced treatment for canine lymphoma and leukemia. They delve into powerful case stories, donor matching hurdles, and the growing importance of early intervention and immunotherapy in veterinary oncology. Tune in to hear how Dr. Suter is reshaping cancer care for dogs—and why bone marrow transplants may offer new hope where traditional chemotherapy falls short. 📝Transcripts are available at https://www.imprimedicine.com/podcast. To learn more about ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile, please visit https://www.imprimedicine.com/personalized-prediction-profile Music Credit: Hazy by Beat Mekanik

In this episode of the Veterinary Cancer Pioneers Podcast, host Dr. Rachel Venable welcomes Dr. Duncan Lascelles, a distinguished professor at North Carolina State University and a leading expert in veterinary pain management and surgery. Dr. Lascelles explores the complex relationship between pain and cancer in veterinary patients, highlighting how both cancer and its treatments can cause significant discomfort—and how pain itself may even influence cancer progression. Together, they dive into findings from clinical and laboratory studies and share best practices for pain assessment and management. Dr. Lascelles also emphasizes the importance of early intervention, client education, and the profound impact of effective pain control on patient outcomes and quality of life. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how thoughtful pain management can shape the future of veterinary oncology. 📝Transcripts are available at https://www.imprimedicine.com/podcast. To learn more about ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile, please visit https://www.imprimedicine.com/personalized-prediction-profile Music Credit: Hazy by Beat Mekanik

In this episode of the Veterinary Cancer Pioneers Podcast, host Dr. Rachel Venable welcomes Dr. Mark Mamula, an immunologist and professor at Yale University School of Medicine, to discuss his groundbreaking work in canine cancer immunotherapy. Dr. Mamula shares how his background in autoimmune diseases led him to develop an experimental vaccine targeting EGFR and HER2 proteins in dogs with cancer. He explains the science behind this therapy, its clinical trial progress, and its potential to improve survival outcomes for cancers such as osteosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma. They also explore the challenges of bringing new therapies to veterinary medicine, the role of combination treatments, and the importance of accessible, cost-effective options for pet owners. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the evolving landscape of canine cancer treatment and the promising future of immunotherapy. 📝Transcripts are available at https://www.imprimedicine.com/podcast. To learn more about ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile, please visit https://www.imprimedicine.com/personalized-prediction-profile Music Credit: Hazy by Beat Mekanik

In this episode of the Veterinary Cancer Pioneers Podcast, host Dr. Rachel Venable welcomes Dr. William Culp, a professor of soft tissue surgery at UC Davis specializing in surgical oncology and interventional radiology. Dr. Culp shares his journey into veterinary medicine, the role of mentorship in his career, and his groundbreaking work in interventional oncology. They explore the evolving use of interventional radiology as a "fourth pillar" in oncology, discussing treatments like urethral stenting, prostate embolization, and liver tumor therapies. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on how these minimally invasive techniques are transforming options for veterinary cancer care. 📝Transcripts are available at https://www.imprimedicine.com/podcast. To learn more about ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile, please visit https://www.imprimedicine.com/personalized-prediction-profile Music Credit: Hazy by Beat Mekanik