Charlie Swanton on perseverance, scientific change and asking questions
In this episode of The Cancer Researcher Podcast we interview Professor Charlie Swanton, Deputy Clinical Director of the Francis Crick Institute and Chief Clinician at Cancer Research UK on his research interests, the evolution of the field and how he turned round his failing PhD. Charlie also shares with us what he’s looking forward to at the EACR Congress ahead of his Keynote Lecture and gives some excellent advice to early-career researchers on how to break away from the shyness that could hold some back from asking questions and networking at conferences.
🔗 Access transcripts for all our episodes at magazine.eacr.org/podcast.
🔗 Find out more about the EACR Congress at eacr.org/congress
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24:08
Research focus: beating cancer at its own game - the effects of oncogenic signaling hyperactivation on cancer progression
In this episode of the Cancer Researcher Podcast we interview Matheus Diaz about his research in Rene Bernards' lab on a ‘paradoxical’ approach to cancer treatment involving the activation of oncogenic signaling. The conversation explores how this method potentially kills cancer cells and addresses drug resistance, based on Diaz's fascinating recent publication in Cancer Discovery.
🔗 Read more about the publication: https://magazine.eacr.org/highlights-in-cancer-research-december-2024/10/
🔗 Access transcripts for all our episodes at magazine.eacr.org/podcast
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25:42
Insights from a Keynote Speaker
In this episode of The Cancer Researcher Podcast we welcome back Professor Carlos Caldas, Clinician Scientist and Professor of Cancer Medicine at the University of Cambridge. As a keynote speaker at the upcoming EACR Congress, he shares insights into his breast cancer research, the evolution of cancer science, and the power of patient-derived xenograft models. We also discuss the Congress programme, networking tips for early-career researchers, and why Lisbon is the perfect host city.
🔗 Access transcripts for all our episodes at magazine.eacr.org/podcast.
🔗 Find out more about the EACR Congress at eacr.org/congress
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20:15
Collaborating Across Borders
Cross-border collaboration is crucial in cancer research because it fosters knowledge-sharing, accelerates innovation, and maximises the impact of research by leveraging diverse expertise and resources. However, it also comes with many challenges.
In this episode of The Cancer Researcher Podcast we're joined by four renowned experts — the Director of EMBO, the Director of Research and Partnerships at Cancer Research UK, the Past President of the European Academy of Cancer Sciences, and the Past President of the EACR.
The guests discuss the complexities and benefits of cross-border collaboration in cancer research, emphasising the need for careful planning and understanding diverse funding models. They also explore the balance between discovery science and translational research, the importance of investigator-initiated and pragmatic clinical trials, and how such approaches can drive innovation and reduce healthcare costs.
🔗 Access transcripts for all our episodes at magazine.eacr.org/podcast.
🔗 Celis, J. and Ringborg, U. (2024), From the creation of the European research area in 2000 to a Mission on cancer in Europe in 2021-lessons learned and implications. Mol Oncol, 18: 785-792. https://doi.org/10.1002/1878-0261.13632
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47:25
Research focus: the impact of chronic stress on tumour progression
A cancer diagnosis is understandably stressful for a patient. But how does chronic stress influence cancer progression and metastasis? In this episode, Dr. Xue-Yan He discusses her recent research on the impact of stress on the tumour microenvironment, with a focus on the altered balance between neutrophils and lymphocytes and its role in promoting tumour spread.
This study, published in Cancer Cell (Volume 42, Pages 474–486), was selected for the EACR Highlights in Cancer Research, showcasing its significance to the field.
🔗 Read the Cancer Cell article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccell.2024.01.013
🔗 Explore the EACR Highlights: https://magazine.eacr.org/highlights-in-cancer-research-june-2024/3/
🔗 Access transcripts for all our episodes at magazine.eacr.org/podcast.
Tune in for an in-depth discussion on the interplay between stress and cancer biology, and its implications for understanding tumour progression.
By cancer researchers, for cancer researchers. Join us as we sit down with renowned researchers from around the world to discuss their personal experiences and insights on navigating a career in cancer research.
Whether you’re dealing with imposter syndrome or trying to figure out your next career step, this podcast offers valuable advice and powerful examples from the experts themselves to help you succeed in the world of cancer research. Join us monthly for an enlightening and empowering journey towards a fulfilling career in science.
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