Advertise on podcast: Cancer Frontiers (Audio)

Aging is the leading risk factor for cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and heart disease, and Robert A.J. Signer, Ph.D., studies how aging stem cells shape pre-cancer and healthspan. As deputy director of the Sanford Stem Cell Discovery Center, Signer focuses on rare blood-forming stem cells that self-renew, generate all blood and immune cells, and normally sustain more than 35 trillion blood cells, including about 2 million new red blood cells every second. His group finds that these “Zen” stem cells slow protein production to limit damaging “trash,” but aging stresses overwhelm these defenses. Stress response programs such as HSF1 then help both healthy and mutant stem cells, fueling clonal hematopoiesis, a common, untreated pre-cancerous condition linked to cardiovascular disease, inflammation, cancer, and increased mortality. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41253]

Join Chancellor May as he meets a couple of UC Davis researchers and the people who have been impacted by their positive work on the UC Davis Health campus. Joseph Tuscano, M.D., oncologist at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, receives federal funding to look for less toxic therapies for treating cancer such as immunotherapy. And Christine Nordahl, director of the Autism Phenome Project at the UC Davis MIND Institute, focuses on understanding how the brain develops during early childhood in children with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism. Both researchers rely on federal funding to continue their life-saving and vital work. Series: "UC Davis News" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41064]

Urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction are common side effects of prostate cancer treatment, but both are manageable. Dr. Lindsay Hampson explains the types of incontinence—stress, urge, mixed, and overflow—and how identifying the cause guides treatment. Management strategies include pelvic floor physical therapy, medications, and surgical options like slings or artificial urinary sphincters. For sexual dysfunction, approaches range from oral medications and vacuum devices to injections and implants. Dr. Michael Rabow also highlights the side effects of androgen deprivation therapy, including fatigue, depression, hot flashes, and cardiovascular risk. He outlines evidence-based strategies—like exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medications—to help preserve well-being and quality of life during treatment. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40869]

Dr. Rahul Aggarwal presents emerging treatments for advanced prostate cancer, highlighting rapid advances in drug development. He outlines therapies targeting cancer cell surface proteins beyond PSMA, including CD46, B7-H3, and DLL3, and explains how antibody-drug conjugates deliver potent chemotherapy directly to tumors. He also discusses bispecific T-cell engagers designed to trigger immune attacks on cancer cells, including promising results from agents like Talquetamab. Aggarwal explores new isotopes such as actinium-225 for radioligand therapy, which may offer stronger and more durable responses than current treatments. He emphasizes continued innovation in targeting the androgen receptor, with drugs that degrade the receptor or block androgen production more effectively than existing therapies. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40813]

Scott A. Armstrong, M.D., Ph.D., of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, studies how certain aggressive forms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) develop and survive. His work centers on a protein called menin, which helps leukemia cells keep cancer-promoting genes switched on. Armstrong’s team has found that blocking menin with specially designed drugs can shut down these gene programs, push leukemia cells to mature, and slow or stop the disease in lab models and patients. While some leukemias adapt by developing mutations in menin or finding other ways to survive, his research is revealing why certain genes are especially dependent on menin and how to target them more effectively. These discoveries are now shaping new treatments, drug combinations, and potential strategies for other cancers that rely on similar mechanisms. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40875]

Dr. Lindsay Hampson discusses urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction following prostate cancer treatment, emphasizing that both are common and treatable. She explains the different types of incontinence—stress, urge, mixed, and overflow—and outlines how understanding the cause helps guide treatment. Options include pelvic floor physical therapy, medications, surgical interventions like slings or artificial sphincters, and supportive devices. Dr. Hampson also reviews effective strategies for managing erectile dysfunction, such as oral medications, vacuum devices, injections, and penile implants. She highlights the importance of shared decision-making and reassures patients that even small symptoms can significantly affect quality of life and deserve attention. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40814]

Radiologist Dr. Julian Hong plains how stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is used to treat oligometastatic prostate cancer—cases where cancer has spread but only to a few limited sites. This approach targets small clusters of metastases with high-dose, image-guided radiation in five or fewer sessions. Hong reviews clinical trial evidence showing that adding focal radiation can improve outcomes, especially when all visible metastases are treated. He highlights the value of modern imaging, like PET scans, in identifying lesions and shaping personalized treatment plans. Studies suggest SBRT offers effective disease control with low toxicity and minimal impact on quality of life, making it a promising option for patients with limited metastatic spread. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40807]

Experts present new tools for managing PSA-recurrent prostate cancer. Dr. Steven Seyedin describes how PET/CT imaging enhances detection by reducing false positives and improving staging accuracy. Dr. Thomas Hope highlights PSMA PET imaging, now the standard approach, which identifies cancer more precisely by targeting tumor-specific proteins. Dr. Julian Hong discusses stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for patients with limited metastases, showing that it offers effective, low-toxicity treatment while preserving quality of life. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40867]

Kimberly Peters, a stage four uterine cancer patient at UC San Diego Health, urges government leaders not to cut science funding. She warns that reduced federal support risks delaying vital research and life-saving cures. [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41071]

Experts from UCSF outline the latest treatments and research for advanced prostate cancer, highlighting improved outcomes and promising therapies. Dr. Kelly Fitzgerald reviews intensified androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and the evolving role of imaging, triplet therapy, and local treatments. Dr. Ivan de Kouchkovsky shares how radioligand therapies like Lutetium-177 PSMA target cancer with precision and are now approved earlier in care. Dr. David Oh explains immunotherapy strategies, including cancer vaccines and checkpoint inhibitors, and explores new options like bispecific T-cell engagers. Dr. Terry Friedlander discusses bone health and the impact of hormone therapy, offering strategies to reduce fracture risk and improve quality of life. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40868]

Urologic oncologist Dr. Peter Carroll presents the latest research on active surveillance as a preferred approach for managing low-risk prostate cancer and selected cases of intermediate-risk disease. Drawing from two decades of UCSF data, he explains how long-term outcomes support the safety and effectiveness of delaying treatment for carefully monitored patients. Carroll emphasizes that surveillance decisions should be guided by MRI imaging, PSA density, cancer volume, histologic subtype, and genomic testing. He notes that while many men experience gradual changes over time, only a small percentage require immediate treatment. Carroll also discusses innovations such as AI-assisted pathology and risk profiling to reduce unnecessary procedures. His data-driven approach offers patients a personalized path that preserves quality of life without compromising outcomes. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40801]

Hear about cutting-edge advances in regenerative medicine, from lab breakthroughs to patient impact. Catriona Jamieson, MD, PhD, introduces efforts at the Sanford Stem Cell Institute to develop therapies that enhance the body’s ability to heal itself. Dan Kaufman, MD, PhD, shares progress in cancer immunotherapy using engineered natural killer cells derived from pluripotent stem cells. Karen Christman, PhD, explains how her team creates injectable hydrogels from pig heart tissue to support heart repair and regeneration after a heart attack. Tiffani Manolis highlights industry support for making cell and gene therapies more accessible. Patient advocate Justin Graves describes his life-changing experience receiving a stem cell-based therapy for epilepsy, underscoring the real-world promise of these innovations. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40705]

Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of cancer death among men in the U.S., with evolving screening and treatment practices reshaping care in 2025. Dr. Cornelia Ding explains how to read and understand a prostate cancer pathology report by breaking down its five key sections. Dr. Rahul Aggarwal explores how clinical trials improve prostate cancer care by advancing personalized treatment, increasing access, and correcting misconceptions about placebos. Dr. Jonathan Chou highlights the expanding role of precision medicine and how genetic insights guide individualized treatment based on each tumor’s molecular makeup. Dr. Eric Small explains how androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) targets the cancer’s dependence on testosterone and how newer therapies and combinations are improving outcomes, while also emphasizing the need to balance effectiveness with side effects through shared decision-making. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40865]

UCSF experts present four major approaches to managing prostate cancer, each tailored to disease risk and patient needs. Dr. Peter Carroll explains how active surveillance uses MRI, PSA, and genomic testing to safely delay treatment in low-risk cases while preserving quality of life. Dr. Samuel Washington details prostatectomy, highlighting robotic-assisted surgery’s precision and its impact on recovery, fertility, and sexual function. Dr. Julian Hong outlines radiation therapy options like SBRT and brachytherapy, emphasizing targeted delivery to limit side effects and the importance of ongoing follow-up. Dr. Hao Nguyen introduces focal therapy, which treats only the tumor using techniques like cryotherapy or high-intensity ultrasound, helping patients avoid surgery or radiation while maintaining function and quality of life. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40866]

Amanda Lewis, Ph.D. investigates how glycan-degrading enzymes contribute to bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common condition linked to infertility, preterm birth, pelvic inflammatory disease, and increased cancer risk. Her research shows that BV-associated bacteria strip protective sugar coatings—glycans—from vaginal epithelial cells, disrupting normal function and increasing vulnerability to infection. Lewis and her team study specific enzymes, such as sialidases, that remove sialic acid from glycoproteins and mucins. Using clinical samples and imaging techniques, they identify how these changes in glycan composition correlate with disease severity. Their work reveals how glycan degradation contributes to persistent or recurrent BV and opens new pathways for understanding the microbiome's role in women’s health. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40678]