Acs Research - Theorylab

Early detection of cancer through screening reduces mortality from cancers of the colon and rectum, breast, uterine cervix, and lung (see https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/cancer-screening-guidelines.html). Cancer mortality has declined in recent decades in part due to progress in cancer screening technologies, awareness, research, and the general population’s improved uptake in screening services. But far too many individuals for whom screening is recommended remain unscreened, and this situation has been aggravated by the substantial decline in cancer screening resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the pandemic-related disruptions will likely exacerbate existing disparities in cancer screening and survival across groups of people who have systemically experienced social or economic obstacles to screening and care. Deana Baptiste, PhD, MPH—the American Cancer Society’s Director of Guideline Development Process—joined the TheoryLab podcast to talk about why cancer screening remains

Every year the American Cancer Society estimates the number of new cancer cases and deaths that will occur nationally and in each state. Published annually since 1951, “Cancer Facts & Figures” provides the most current information about cancer. These widely cited projections serve as a basis for research, are a valued resource by policymakers, and are also readily understood by the public. How many new cancer cases are there projected to be in 2021? What are the current cancer incidence, mortality, and survival statistics? What’s the latest information on cancer symptoms and risk factors? The just-released “Cancer Facts & Figures 2021” and “Cancer Statistics 2021” provide a comprehensive breakdown of the most up-to-date cancer statistics. This year’s report also includes a special section on cancer and COVID-19. To find Cancer Facts & Figures 2021, as well as slides and an interactive tool where you can dive deeper into the data, visit http://cancer.org/statistics Rebecca Siegel, MPH, is lead author of t

NCI-designated Cancer Centers play leading roles in their communities through cancer research, cancer prevention and control, and clinical research. Being the director of a Cancer Center is a position of immense responsibility. Now imaging taking on that role during a pandemic. Joann Sweasy, PhD—the inaugural holder of the Nancy C. and Craig M. Berge Endowed Chair for the Director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center—joined the podcast to talk about her approach to the position and how the Cancer Center has dealt with the challenges presented by COVID-19. She also talked about her lab’s ongoing research into DNA damage and repair and how that relates to cancer. And she spoke at length about mentoring, women in science issues, and what it was like to study under Dr. Evelyn Witkin, one of the leading cancer researchers of our time. Dr. Witkin helped change our understanding of DNA repair. In 1946, when the American Cancer Society’s extramural research program was launched, Dr. Witkin was one of the

Dr. Stacey Finley develops mathematical models to better understand cancer, tumor growth, and the effectiveness of different therapies. Her team creates a mathematical representation of what’s happening in biology, so they can understand how reactions are happening in cells, how cells are interacting with one other, and how that influences the growth of a tumor. They can use that data to create simulations and make predictions about what could happen, all with the goal of finding more effective treatments for cancer patients. Using mathematical modeling, “we can try as many ideas as we can think of, in a shorter amount of time, with fewer resources, and with fewer dollars to spend, compared to doing experimental studies.” Dr. Finley provides the best explanation of mathematical modeling you’re likely to hear. But she also spoke at length about her approach to scientific mentoring and had wonderful advice for other young women of color who are aspiring scientists. Stacey Finley, PhD, is Associate Profes

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is the 2nd most common sub-type of lung cancer, accounting for around 30% of lung cancer diagnoses. And it is a particularly deadly disease that’s characterized by poor therapeutic response, a high relapse rate, and poor prognosis. Furthermore, unlike other subtypes of lung cancer, to date there are no therapies to specifically target the LSCC subtype. Verline Justilien, PhD, has an American Cancer Society grant to study an oncogenic protein called Ect2. Too much of it is a bad thing, and the more you have of it as a LSCC patient, the worse your prognosis is. What if we could know which patients have a worse prognosis, so we could treat them more aggressively? What if a therapy could target Ect2? Dr. Justilien takes us through her very promising research into a kind of cancer where we urgently need progress. And she also Verline Justilien, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Cancer Biology at the Mayo Clinic. 3:28 – What is lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC)? 5:33 – A

The number of adults aged 85 and older is expected to triple by 2060, due in large part to better treatments and a decline in tobacco use. Because cancer risk increases with age, demand for cancer care in this population will continue to grow. William Dale, MD, PhD, joined the podcast to talk about the needs of older adults who are cancer patients and how we can better meet them. He also talked about “The Elephant in the Room,” a film executive produced by Dr. Dale and his wife that depicts the real-life experiences of Bonnie Freeman, who was a nurse practitioner at City of Hope. Ms. Freeman, who wrote the screenplay for the film, tragically passed away shortly before the film’s release. The film, which is available on Amazon Prime, is about a “comical nurse practitioner who treats his patients in an unconventional way, is challenged by a tough and stubborn patient, but is determined to show him the bright side, even when the end is so close.” Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Elephant-Room-Niko-Vitac

Clinical trials are the key step in advancing potential new cancer treatments out of the lab and into the clinic. Patient participation in trials is crucial to this success. But only a small fraction of patients end up enrolling in a cancer clinical trial due to barriers that make participation difficult or even impossible. As a result, approximately 20% of cancer clinical trials fail due to insufficient patient enrollment. Understanding and addressing these barriers is critical to accelerating progress in cancer research. Mark Fleury, PhD, is Policy Principal at ACS CAN – the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (https://www.fightcancer.org/). Dr. Fleury joined the podcast to help us understand where we are falling short and how we can reduce these barriers to patient enrollment in clinical trials. 5:36 – What is ACS CAN? 7:55 – A recent piece of cancer-related legislation where ACS CAN was involved that he is particularly proud of 13:07 – Why clinical trials in cancer research are so import

Resistance to treatment – it’s one of the most important issues in cancer research. If cancer cells aren’t killed during treatment, either because they weren’t affected or because they changed enough to survive the treatment, it could lead to cancer recurrence. Tuomas Tammela, MD, PhD, has an American Cancer Society grant to explore resistance to treatment in lung adenocarcinoma, the most common subtype of lung cancer. In this conversation he walks us through new findings from his lab on the “highly plastic state” of certain cells in tumors. He explains how this relates to tumor heterogeneity, why this is a problem in lung cancer and other cancer types, and how it could be used in combination therapies. Tuomas Tammela, MD, PhD, is Assistant Member at the Sloan Kettering Institute at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. 3:01 – What does it mean for cancer to become resistant to treatment? 5:24 – What does resistance to treatment mean in terms of the cellular makeup of a tumor? 7:21 – A helpful way t

It is no exaggeration to say that Jennifer Temel, MD, has helped change how cancer care is practiced. Through her research, she has shown that integrating palliative care and oncology care from the time of cancer diagnosis improves patient outcomes. This early integrated care model is now the standard of care in the United States and many other countries. Now, however, because it’s the standard of care, demand for early palliative care is so great that the palliative care workforce is unable to meet every patient’s needs. So Dr. Temel is now working to use novel healthcare technologies—such as telehealth and mobile apps—to deliver patient-centered palliative care to cancer patients and their families everywhere. Jennifer Temel, MD, is an American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor. She is Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Cancer Outcomes Research Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. 2:17 – On what motivated her to become an oncologist 3:

Just as telemedicine is changing the ways in which primary care is delivered, much of cancer care can be delivered safely, effectively and less expensively from home. Penn Home Infusion Therapy has been providing infusion therapy at home for around two decades, but starting last year, in November 2019, just a few months before the pandemic started to complicate health care in America, Penn Medicine launched Cancer Care at Home. A joint initiative of the Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, the Center for Healthcare Innovation and the Division of Hematology and Oncology at Penn, the goal of the program is “to establish the home as a place where appropriate patients can receive appropriate care.” In this conversation, Dr. Justin Bekelman and Katherine Major describe the benefits of Cancer Care at Home, some of the barriers for home care that exist in America, and how the program navigated a 700% increase in patient care when the Covid-19 pandemic took hold in America. Justin Bekelman, MD, a former Americ

Dawn Hershman, MD, MS, was recently named an American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor for the seminal contributions she’s made to the field of cancer health services research. Her contributions to the field are so wide ranging and impactful, they defy summary. From identifying patients who are at risk of receiving poor cancer care and intervening to improve their outcomes, to conducting trials to improve patients’ compliance with care, to examining strategies to manage cancer-related toxicities, Dr. Hershman’s work has had a remarkable impact on cancer patients’ quality of care and quality of life. She has also been a leader in health equity and cancer disparities, demonstrating why Black cancer patients may have worse outcomes and improving clinical trial recruitment and retention of Black patients. Dawn Hershman, MD, MS, is Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at Columbia University Medical Center. 3:49 – What kinds of things can stand in the way of patients receiving optimal cancer ther

In the TheoryLab podcast, we usually highlight the work of American Cancer Society scientists and funded researchers. But in this episode, we speak with some amazing women who exemplify why we support cancer research. In this two-part episode, you'll hear from a metastatic breast cancer THRIVER, a cancer survivor, and the managing director of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC). (2:49) First, we spoke with Valerie Mortimer—a metastatic breast cancer thriver—and Joya Harris—a stage 3 breast cancer survivor. They shared what it was like to be diagnosed with breast cancer, how they found strength during their journey, and advice they have for newly diagnosed patients. They also talked about how helpful it can be to become part of a community of survivors and caregivers. (26:40) In the second half of the episode, we spoke with Susan Petre, Managing Director of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. What is Making Strides? How much money is raised through it, and how does the American Cancer Society u

Siran Koroukian, PhD, is a leading health policy and health services researcher whose work bridges health equity, big data, public health, and cancer. In her new study—funded through a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and Flatiron Health—Dr. Koroukian will use real world data from Flatiron’s national de-identified oncology datasets curated from electronic health records. Using clinical and genomic data gathered from routine care, she will explore patterns of genomic testing and precision medicine among patients with metastatic colon cancer. With this research she hopes to “unravel new opportunities to improve the quality and equity of cancer care in colorectal cancer patients with metastatic disease, thus informing new interventions to improve cancer outcomes, and lead to a more equitable distribution of scarce healthcare resources.” Siran Koroukian, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. She also le

Leticia Nogueira, PhD, MPH—Senior Principal Scientist in the Data Science Research team at the American Cancer Society—has broken new ground with her research into climate change and cancer. In 2019, she published work showing how disasters such as hurricanes can interrupt the provision of oncology care. Radiotherapy is particularly vulnerable, because it requires dependable electrical power and the daily presence of specialized teams and patients for treatment delivery. She followed that up this year with a look at how climate change increases exposure to carcinogens and disrupts access to cancer care: “Climate change is already increasing cancer risk through increased exposure to carcinogens after extreme weather events such as hurricanes and wildfires. In addition to increasing cancer risk, climate change is also impacting cancer survival. Extreme weather events can impede patients' access to cancer care and the ability of cancer treatment facilities to deliver care. For these reasons, cancer treatment

What is it that goes so wrong when cancer cells develop the ability to divide indefinitely? Dr. Johannes Walter joined the TheoryLab podcast to help answer that question. He and his lab are at the leading edge of discovery science aimed at understanding DNA replication and repair, areas that are critical to understanding cancer and developing new therapies. Johannes Walter, PhD, is an American Cancer Society Research Professor, Professor of Biological Chemistry at Harvard Medical School, and Member of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Research Professor. He’s also the co-founder of MOMA Therapeutics, which aims to “discover the next generation of precision medicines by targeting the molecular machines that underlie human disease.” 3:04 – What is DNA? Why is it so important to cell division? 7:39 – What causes DNA damage? 11:34 – How damaged DNA is most often repaired 14:36 – When DNA repair goes wrong 17:43 – Using frog egg extract to study DNA repair and understand cancer in humans 21:44 – Why f

The American Cancer Society has updated its guideline on diet and physical activity for cancer prevention. Dr. Laura Makaroff—Senior Vice President of Prevention and Early Detection at the American Cancer Society—joined the podcast to explain how staying at a healthy weight, staying active throughout life, following a healthy eating pattern, and avoiding or limiting alcohol may greatly reduce a person's lifetime risk of developing or dying from cancer. At least 18% of all cancer cases in the US are related to a combination of these factors. These lifestyle habits are the most important behaviors after not smoking that people can control and change to help lower their cancer risk. The updated guideline reflects the latest evidence published since the last update in 2012. It appears in the American Cancer Society’s peer-reviewed journal, CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians: https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3322/caac.21591. A summary can be found on our home page: https://www.cancer.o

It’s difficult to comprehend how busy and densely packed it is on the inside of a cell. But understanding cell structure and organization is critical to developing new cancer drugs. Isaac Klein, MD, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Richard Young Laboratory at the Whitehead Institute, recently published findings that could have wide-ranging implications for the understanding of how cancer drugs work. Dr. Klein joined the podcast to explain why knowing how to get cancer drugs to exactly the right place in a cell—at a sufficient concentration—is critical to developing new and more effective cancer treatments. Isaac Klein, MD, PhD, is the American Cancer Society Layla Rohani Postdoctoral Fellow. His grant was specially funded by the Rohani Family and Friends. He is a physician and scientist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Center and Whitehead Institute at MIT. 4:11 – What is it like inside of a cell? Is organization a challenge for cells? 8:30 – A great analogy to help us understand cell organization and “con

The financial burden that can result from cancer treatment is a widespread problem that not only affects quality of life—it can also affect care and outcomes for patients. But many of the things that lead to financial hardship can be changed, like health insurance coverage and communication with providers about anticipated costs of care. Robin Yabroff, PhD—Senior Scientific Director of Health Services Research at the American Cancer Society—is leading the way in research into why and how financial problems affect cancer patients and survivors. 4:33 – On how expensive it is to go through cancer treatment, the variation in cost for different types of cancer, and financial challenges that are unique to cancer survivors 6:50 – On different categories of financial hardship: material, psychological and coping. 9:29 – Is financial hardship a common concern for cancer patients? 12:00 – An age group of cancer patients that tends to be more impacted by financial hardship 15:33 – How health insurers have bee

Collaboration is critical to cancer research, but it’s not easy. Matt Bochman and Seth Herzon teamed up on a project focused on a particularly dangerous type of DNA damage. They talked about the keys to a successful scientific collaboration and how to overcome some of the common challenges. Their collaboration actually started in TheoryLab. That’s the American Cancer Society’s research podcast, but it’s also the name of the American Cancer Society’s online research community for scientists and clinical professionals who have a current or previous relationship with ACS as a grant recipient, mentor, peer reviewer, staff researcher, or adviser. This year the American Cancer Society partnered with Emerson Collective to support collaborative research projects between scientists in this online community. TheoryLab Collaborative (TLC) Grants are designed to support new and transdisciplinary collaborations among TheoryLab users to explore high-risk ideas, including Covid-19 research relevant to cancer or persons l

There might never have been a time when more people have been interested in learning about science—from a safe distance. Skype a Scientist matches up scientists with classrooms and groups of adults for Q&A sessions over video chat. Sarah McAnulty, PhD—Executive Director of Skype a Scientist and a squid biologist—joined the podcast to talk about the goals of Skype a Scientist and how scientists from all disciplines share their work with groups of all ages and backgrounds. People interested in learning from a scientist—and scientists interested in sharing their work with the public—can sign up to find a match at https://www.skypeascientist.com/. 3:05 – Her research into how animals and bacteria communicate… 4:39 - …and why this matters. Why is it important to know this? 6:33 – On how Skype a Scientist connects people with scientists and helps them overcome the “intimidation factor” with science 8:22 – On how scientists across all disciplines participate 9:41 – On the audience, which is five or more p