The Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre Podcast: Recent Episodes
Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre
The Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre unites more than 1,000 world-leading biologists, chemists, physicists, engineers, mathematicians, computer scientists, clinicians, nurses and allied healthcare professionals across Cambridge, UK to tackle cancer from every angle.
Our mission is to end death and disease caused by cancer through research, treatment and education. We are detecting cancer at its earliest stage and are developing personalised treatments for every patient through facilitating new collaborations and driving the translation of new scientific discoveries into clinical applications to improve patient care. By working together across a range of different disciplines, our members are breaking down the barriers between the laboratory and the clinic, enabling patients to benefit from the latest innovations in cancer science.
Professor Kevin Brindle joins Ellie Wolmark to discuss his life's work in imaging research as he reaches retirement. Kevin is particularly interested in metabolic imaging. His research group has developed novel magnetic resonance-based molecular imaging techniques to detect the early responses of tumours to therapy, with a view to translating these into clinical application. He talks about how he got into this topic in the first place, his amazing contributions to the field over the past four decades, and about how his techniques can be translated into the clinic to impact patient treatment.Kevin is Emeritus Professor of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance in the Department of Biochemistry and a Senior Group Leader in the CRUK Cambridge Institute at the University of Cambridge, UK. He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and of the Royal Society.
Dr Ines Machado, Dr Gabriel Funingana, Thomas Buddenkotte and Amied Shadmaan talk about the research they are undertaking within the collaborative project between GE Healthcare, the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. They also provide an update on the development of the Oncocare platform.Ines is a Research Associate in the Crispin Lab at the CRUK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, UK.Gabriel is a Clinical Fellow and PhD student in the Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, UK.Thomas is a consultant to the Crispin Lab. He obtained his PhD at the University of Cambridge, UK, working at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics and the Department of Radiology. He is now affiliated with the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany, and the Hamburg-based company Jung Diagnostics.Amied is Director of AI & Clinical Collaborations at GE Healthcare.
This week, Ellie Wolmark is joined by Dr Claire King, Cherry May Sanchez and Dr Rhys Grant to discuss some of the amazing engagement, involvement and inclusion initiatives that we run here at the CRUK Cambridge Centre at the University of Cambridge, UK. They share how and why we engage and involve patients and the public in our research, and focus on the importance of championing equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in all aspects of our work. You will also hear about some of our projects for working with hard-to-reach communities, including how our Nursing and Allied Health Professionals Programme are helping to tackle health inequalities for people experiencing homelessness.Claire is a Programme Manager for the Advanced Cancer Imaging and Cancer Immunology Programmes and an EDI Champion at the CRUK Cambridge Centre.Cherry May is the CRUK Senior Research Nurse and co-Lead for the Nursing and Allied Health Professionals Programme at the CRUK Cambridge Centre.Rhys is the Engagement Lead and an EDI Champion at the CRUK Cambridge Centre.
In today's episode, Marika Reinius and Maria Delgado Ortet talk about the multidisciplinary 3D mould guided radiogenomics project in ovarian cancer. They highlight how the process works and why it is potentially game changing in the treatment of a cancer where the standard of care has not really changed in over 20 years.Marika is a clinical research fellow at the CRUK Cambridge Centre, University of Cambridge, UK.Maria is a PhD Student in the Department of Radiology and the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, UK.
Professor Jason Carroll speaks about his research in molecular oncology, with a focus on the work underpinning the PIONEER breast cancer trial and the outcomes of this clinical trial.Jason is Professor of Molecular Oncology and Senior Group Leader at the CRUK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, UK. He is also co-lead for the Precision Breast Cancer Virtual Institute at the CRUK Cambridge Centre, UK.
In today's episode, Ellie Wolmark is joined by Professor George Vassiliou to talk about his research on clonal haematopoiesis and a new clinic that he has recently set up. We'll uncover what clonal haematopoiesis is and how it can sometimes lead to the development of blood cancer.George is a CRUK Senior Clinical Fellow and Professor of Haematological Medicine at the University of Cambridge, UK. He is also a member of Faculty at the Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and a Consultant Haematologist at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
In this episode, Professors Grant Stewart and Stephen Price discuss what it means to be both a cancer surgeon and a clinical researcher. They talk about how they can improve surgery for brain and kidney cancer patients, how they can identify cancer as quickly as possible through screening, and how they can improve on the outcomes of surgery by augmenting it with other treatments such as radiotherapy and drugs.Grant is co-lead of both the Institute for Integrated Cancer Medicine and the Urological Malignancies Virtual Institute at the CRUK Cambridge Centre, UK, and is Professor of Surgical Oncology in the Department of Surgery at the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.Stephen is co-lead of the Brain Cancer Virtual Institute at the CRUK Cambridge Centre, UK, and is Professor of Neurosurgical Oncology and Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon at the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Dr Raj Jena talks about his research on analysis of the images used for radiotherapy planning and for modelling the effects and outcomes of radiotherapy treatment. As a clinician, he uses radiotherapy and drug treatments on patients with tumours in the brain or spine. He also talks about the InnerEye Project, a collaboration with Microsoft Cambridge, which uses algorithms to map and segment tumours from CT/MRI scans.Raj is a Clinical Consultant and Radiation Oncologist at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK, and is a member of the CRUK Cambridge Centre at the University of Cambridge, UK.
Ellie Wolmark introduces part four of our Integrated Cancer Medicine: Research in Focus series. She talks to members of the CRUK Cambridge Centre about a diverse range of topics, including Dr Raj Jena to hear about his ground-breaking research, specifically the InnerEye project and how this amazing collaboration with Microsoft Cambridge has been brought into the clinic to benefit patients. Other topics include combining being a surgeon and a clinical researcher, Professor George Vassiliou talking about his research on clonal haematopoiesis and a new clinic that he has recently set up, as well as much, much more. As always you will hear discussions about research and research collaborations, the techniques that are being developed and how they translate to the clinic to affect patient treatments and outcomes.Ellie is Communications Manager for Integrated Cancer Medicine at the University of Cambridge, UK, and the CRUK Cambridge Centre, UK.
In this special episode of our podcast, we bring you a recording of a live 'Ask Me Anything (AMA)' event held by our Pancreatic Cancer Programme for World Pancreatic Cancer Day on 16 November 2023. The AMA webinar saw specialists from across different disciplines answering questions submitted by members of the public and discussing topics related to day-by-day living with pancreatic cancer.In alphabetical order, the AMA panel consisted of:Dr Bristi Basu, an Academic Consultant in Medical Oncology specialising in experimental cancer therapeutics at the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and the clinical co-lead of the CRUK Cambridge Centre Pancreatic Cancer Programme.Yvonne Cartwright, a Consultant in Palliative Medicine at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.Dr Paulo Fidalgo, a Gastroenterologist at the Digestive Unit of the Champalimaud Clinical Centre in Portugal, and head of their Risk Assessment and Early Diagnosis Programme.Kirsty Hoare, a Cancer Support Specialist at Maggie's.Dr Asif Jah, a Consultant Surgeon in hepato-pancreatico-biliary (HPB) and transplant surgery at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Clinical Lead of the Department of HPB Surgery and Associate Lecturer at the University of Cambridge.Jeni Jones, a Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Nurse at Pancreatic Cancer UK.Laura McGeeney, a Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Dietician at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.Sally Pascall, a 13-year survivor of pancreatic cancer, and one of our patient representatives who advises the Pancreatic Cancer Programme on issues that are relevant to patients.Abigail Redman, an HPB Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
In this special episode of our podcast, Hui-Ling Ou is joined by Isobel Turbin to talk about inherited pancreatic cancer, genetic testing, and genetic counselling. They also discuss which genetic tests are currently available, why these genes are important, and how testing results may help pancreatic cancer patients.Dr Hui-Ling Ou is the Programme Manager for the Pancreatic Cancer Programme at the CRUK Cambridge Centre at the University of Cambridge, UK.Isobel Turbin is a Principal Genetic Counsellor within the East Anglia Regional Genetics Service, UK. She currently holds cancer genetic, general genetic, and prenatal genetic clinics at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, UK, as well as monthly general genetic clinics in King's Lynn, UK. Isobel is also the Education and Training Co-lead in the East Anglian Genetic Counselling Team.Useful links mentioned in this podcast episode:National Genomic Test Directory: www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directoriesEUROPAC: www.europactrial.comGenetic Alliance UK: www.geneticalliance.org.ukGenetic and Genomic Testing (NHS webpage): www.nhs.uk/conditions/genetic-and-genomic-testingClinical Genetics at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: www.cuh.nhs.uk/our-services/clinical-genetics
In today's episode, Ellie Wolmark is joined by Natalie Ellis, Ellen Nowak and Lauren Gardiner to talk about the development of the Arts Strategy for the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital (CCRH). They also discuss the benefits of the arts in cancer care and in supporting patient treatment and recovery.If you would like to get involved in the CCRH project by joining any of the groups that Ellen mentions in this episode, further information can be found at: www.cambridgecancer.org.uk/our-community/get-involvedNatalie is Head of Arts at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.Ellen is Arts Programme Manager at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.Lauren is Curator of the Cambridge University Herbarium and has recently recovered from cancer.About CUH Arts:CUH Arts is Cambridge University Hospitals' arts-in-health programme, dedicated to shaping care through creativity. They strive to promote wellbeing, distract from illness, and improve the hospital experience by providing excellent creative and cultural opportunities for patients, staff, visitors and the wider community. Embedded within one of the world's leading hospital trusts, their diverse, person-centred, multi-disciplinary programme of live, participatory and visual arts is facilitated and managed by an expert team of arts professionals in collaboration with artists and cultural partners.
In this episode, Professor Charlotte Coles talks about her work on the personalisation of radiation techniques to give patients with cancer the best chance of cure with the least side effects. Charlotte is Professor of Breast Cancer Clinical Oncology and Deputy Head of the Department of Oncology at the University of Cambridge, UK. She is also the Director of CRUK RadNet Cambridge.
In this week's episode, Professor Florian Markowetz talks about his work and recent publication on chromosomal instability. Chromosomal instability is a dynamic process of DNA change, which leads to some DNA being present multiple times and some being lost altogether. Some cancers are dominated by this process of genomic disruption; ovarian, pancreatic and triple-negative breast cancer for example. These chaotic DNA changes mean that there are not good biomarkers present to guide treatment decisions. Florian's laboratory has found a structure underlying chromosomal instability and has identified genomic fingerprints which enable them to read out the fundamental reasons for the DNA changes.Florian is a group leader at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute at the University of Cambridge, UK.
Dr Marcel Gehrung talks about how his research at the CRUK Cambridge Centre led him to co-found the start-up Cyted with Rebecca Fitzgerald, Professor of Cancer Prevention and Director of the Early Cancer Institute at the University of Cambridge, UK, and Maria O'Donovan, lead pathologist for upper gastrointestinal cancer and diagnostic cytology at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.Cyted combines innovative AI-driven diagnostics with a new sample collection method to detect and prevent oesophageal cancer, developed at Cambridge University.
In this week's fascinating episode, Ellie Wolmark is joined by Dr Dario Bressan to discuss how the IMAXT Cancer Grand Challenge project has brought cancer researchers together with astronomers and video game designers to build the world's first virtual reality map of a tumour. By developing this entirely new way to study cancer, IMAXT could revolutionise the diagnosis and treatment of people with the disease.Dario is Head of the IMAXT Laboratory at the CRUK Cambridge Institute at the University of Cambridge.
In the first episode of part three, podcast host Ellie Wolmark is joined by Professor Robert Rintoul and Lauren Wallis to talk about biological sampling. They discuss what biosamples and biobanks are, how they are collected and used, and why they are so important for both patient treatment and cancer research.Robert is Professor of Thoracic Oncology in the Department of Oncology at the University of Cambridge, and Honorary Consultant Respiratory Physician at Royal Papworth Hospital.Lauren is Translational Research Manager in the Urological Malignancies Programme at the CRUK Cambridge Centre, University of Cambridge.
Ellie Wolmark introduces part three of our Integrated Cancer Medicine: Research in Focus series. In the coming episodes, the net continues to be spread a little wider to include conversations about biosampling, the IMAXT project, the company Cyted, personalised radiotherapy, and much, much more. As always you will hear discussions about research and research collaborations, the techniques that are being developed, and how they translate to the clinic to affect patient treatments and outcomes.Ellie is Communications Manager for Integrated Cancer Medicine at the University of Cambridge and the CRUK Cambridge Centre.
In the final episode of this series, we are joined by a special guest, Robert Chuter, a researcher from the Christie Hospital. Robert shares with us his research into the impact radiotherapy has on climate change. We are all aware of the effects that we have on the world around us, and the way in which we minimise our impact on the environment is crucial for the future of the planet. Neil, a member of our Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Group, joins us this week to discuss radiotherapy, the environment, and what can be done to reduce our carbon footprint.Robert works with the Clinical Radiotherapy Physics Team at the Christie Hospital in Manchester, UK, and the Radiotherapy-Related Research (RRR) Group at the University of Manchester. Whilst his main focus is on the Magnetic Resonance Linear Accelerator (MR-Linac), he is also the Chair of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine's (IPEM) Environmental Sustainability Group, which he set up in February 2020. As part of this, he has written many articles and presented at numerous meetings on this critically-important topic. He was also successful in being awarded nearly £10,000 by the North-West Greener NHS Innovation Fund to estimate the carbon footprint of the radiotherapy treatment pathway.
Today, Andrew Robinson talks to us about adaptive radiotherapy, where we are with it now, and the potential it has for the future. Adaptive radiotherapy has been around for many years, but it is not currently standard practice. Essentially, there are different ways in which we can adapt radiotherapy treatment, which Andrew explains during this episode. Helene, a member of our Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Group, asks questions about what this may mean for radiotherapy practice and how the workforce may manage some of the associated challenges.Andrew is the Head of Radiotherapy Physics in the Radiotherapy Department at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK. He is a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)-registered Clinical Scientist, Medical Physics Expert, and Higher Specialist Scientist. Andrew has experience across many areas of radiotherapy physics including quality control, dosimetry, prostate brachytherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy planning, and equipment replacement projects.
Today we speak with David Fernandez-Antoran about his involvement in the FLASH Radiotherapy Working Group to find out more about the exciting prospect of FLASH radiotherapy and the pre-clinical work currently happening within CRUK RadNet Cambridge. Amy, our patient representative, joins us once again to learn more about this exciting new research and to share how she managed the side effects of her radiotherapy treatment.David is the CRUK RadNet Group Leader at the Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, UK, running the Radiation Biology and Cell Competition Laboratory, and is the co-Chair of the Emerging Radiotherapy Technologies UK group and the Principal Investigator of the FLASH Radiotherapy Working Group in the UK. He studies how tissues respond to radiotherapy treatments, not just the tumour but in healthy tissues too, in order to develop more effective 'tumour killing' radiotherapy and to be less aggressive with the healthy surrounding tissues.
In today's episode, Dr Indrani Bhattacharya introduces proton beam therapy. This technique is in its infancy in the UK, with The Christie NHS Trust in Manchester and University College London Hospital building the first proton beam therapy centre as a part of their hospitals' radiotherapy services and to serve the entire UK population. With all this new research being prepared, we want to know what this means for radiotherapy practice in the near future. Amy, our patient representative, shares her experiences of radiotherapy and asks how proton beam therapy might have impacted upon her treatment pathway.Indrani is a Clinical Oncology Consultant at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK, specialising in breast cancer. She has expertise in technical breast radiotherapy and clinical trials radiotherapy quality assurance, as well as delivery of systemic therapies for breast cancer patients. She is also the Principal Investigator for PARABLE, a recently-opened proton beam therapy clinical trial.
In this episode, Cristina Ferreira discusses with us a new technology, soon to be implemented here in Cambridge, UK, called Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT). Our patient representative Caroline shares her experiences of radiotherapy treatment and the challenges that this new technology could help overcome.Cristina is the Head of Technical Operations in the Radiotherapy Department at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK. Her current role involves providing professional leadership and expert technical knowledge, not only to the Radiotherapy Department but to our wider professional group. Cristina is a core member of a team implementing complex radiotherapy techniques, driving service improvement and staff development.
Podcast host Rachael Webster is joined by Dr Raj Jena to find out about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on radiotherapy practice and how this is already being used in radiotherapy today. The Radiotherapy Department at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, UK, has been using some machine learning approaches that were developed in house for many years, but what does this mean? Beverly from our Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Group asks Raj the questions that patients would like to know the answers to regarding AI and the benefits it can have on radiotherapy treatment planning.Raj is an Academic Radiation Oncology Consultant specialising in the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spine, at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in the UK. He is currently researching the use of AI and machine learning to improve radiotherapy treatments. Raj is also the lead researcher on a multi-centre study of AI in radiotherapy called Hamlet.RT.
Welcome to our "Future of radiotherapy" series, hosted by Rachael Webster. In this introductory episode, Rachael gives us an overview of the Cancer Research UK Radiation Research Network, known as CRUK RadNet, and introduces CRUK RadNet Cambridge's first patient and public involvement project which has led to the creation of this podcast series. You'll also find out from Rachael what's coming up in our next few episodes.Rachael is a Senior Therapeutic Radiographer and CRUK Translational Research Radiographer at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, UK. She has been qualified for seven years, working at multiple centres across the UK, and joined CRUK RadNet Cambridge two years ago. She has recently completed her MSc in Radiotherapy and Oncology in Practice, with her dissertation focusing on respiratory motion management for stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy to renal cell carcinoma. She also works closely with the Society and College of Radiographers on improving patient safety and on inclusive practice for transgender, non-binary and intersex people when enquiring about pregnancy status. Rachael additionally works with charities such as Live Through This as an advocate for LGBTIQ+ people.
In today's special episode, Dr Kelly Fagan Robinson joins podcast host Ellie Wolmark to talk about her career as a social anthropologist and the research that she is undertaking with the Early Cancer Institute at the University of Cambridge and the International Alliance for Cancer Early Detection.
The field of early cancer detection encompasses a diverse collective of research disciplines, with each representing different kinds of expertise and relying on different data collection methods and analysis techniques. We could say that these disciplinary differences mean that they speak different languages, so how then can evidence of risk be effectively communicated between them? Find out in the 'Shared Risk' mini-MOOC on the CRUK Cambridge Centre website: www.crukcambridgecentre.org.uk/sharedrisk
Kelly is a Leverhulme and Isaac Newton Trust Early Career Research (ECR) Fellow in the Department of Social Anthropology at the University of Cambridge.
Ellie is Communications Manager for Integrated Cancer Medicine at the CRUK Cambridge Centre at the University of Cambridge.
In this special episode of our podcast, we bring you a recording of a live 'Ask Me Anything (AMA)' event held by our Pancreatic Cancer Programme for World Pancreatic Cancer Day on the 17th November 2022. The AMA session saw specialists discussing the broad supportive aspects of living with pancreatic cancer, whilst also answering questions that were submitted by members of the public.
If you have a question that you would like us to answer in a future podcast episode, or if you have ideas for topics that you would like us to discuss in a future series, please let us know by visiting our website: www.crukcambridgecentre.org.uk/podcast.
The AMA session was chaired by Jim Smith, a seven-year survivor of pancreatic cancer and one of our patient representatives who advises the Pancreatic Cancer Programme on issues that are relevant to patients.
The AMA panel consisted of:
Dr Bristi Basu, an Academic Consultant in Medical Oncology specialising in experimental cancer therapeutics at the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and the clinical co-lead of the CRUK Cambridge Centre Pancreatic Cancer Programme.
Anna Burton, a Senior Specialist Pancreatic Dietitian at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Gerald Coteman, Director of the Elizabeth Coteman Fund.
Nicola Day, a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in oncology rehabilitation and exercise at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Dr Sarah Galbraith, an Honorary Consultant in Palliative Medicine at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Anna Gorick, a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Oncology at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Kirsty Hoare, a Cancer Support Specialist at Maggie's.
Jeni Jones, a Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Nurse at Pancreatic Cancer UK.
Laura McGeeney, a Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Dietician at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Amanda Winwood, the Founder and Managing Director of Made for Life Organics and the Made for Life Foundation.
In the final episode of this series, we speak to Katy Cooper, Suzanne Miller and Cathy Philpot from our research team. Radiotherapy research is critically important for the advancement of radiotherapy practice, whether this is in the way we deliver radiotherapy or how we can use it in combination with other treatments such as immunotherapy or chemotherapy.
Katy is part of the Cambridge Clinical Trials Centre at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust who oversee the planning, running and recording of clinical trials for radiotherapy. Katy's role is key in assessing patients to join clinical trials right through to their follow up and the dissemination of results, ensuring that every patient's contribution is valued and recorded.
Suzanne works for CRUK RadNet Cambridge in a similar role to Katy. She has been pivotal in the planning of applications for funding for large-scale, multi-centre trials within our team.
Cathy works in translational research for radiotherapy breast cancer trials with CRUK RadNet Cambridge. She works closely with patients with breast cancer and has been involved with an exciting new trial looking at drug combinations for patients who may not have been suitable for radiotherapy.
Dr Yvonne Rimmer and Dr Saif Ahmad talk to us about their roles as clinical oncologists in radiotherapy and what their roles mean to patients coming in for cancer treatment. Clinical oncologists undergo years of continued training and learning to become specialists in the field of radiotherapy and for a specific part of the body. They work closely with our radiographers, physicists and planning team, and with many other members of the wider multi-disciplinary teams such as surgeons, nurses and dieticians (to name a few) so that each patient has an individualised treatment plan tailored specifically for their needs.
Yvonne is a Clinical Oncology Consultant for urological cancer, which includes prostate and bladder cancer. She is also a Specialist Research Lead for radiotherapy clinical trials for Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the wider region of the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) for East of England, UK.
Saif is a Clinical Oncology Consultant, primarily treating people with breast cancer, and also works with CRUK RadNet Cambridge investigating why certain tumours respond to radiotherapy whilst others do not.
Andrew Robinson and Ian Dulgarn talk to us about the roles of a physicist and radiotherapy technician, and the importance of these positions in our Radiotherapy Department. The Radiotherapy Physics Department at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, UK, plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and accuracy of radiotherapy treatment, and makes sure that the radiation is delivered exactly as planned. Our physicists and technicians work closely together, knowing the precise working of our machines – linear accelerators, or LINAC for short.
Dr Hannah Chantler and Katie Hutchinson talk to us about their roles in planning radiotherapy treatment and how this fits into the patient pathway. Hannah is our Head of Radiotherapy Planning, working closely with leaders in the Radiotherapy Department at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, UK, and guiding the planning team, whilst Katie is one of our leaders in dosimetry. They explain the importance of radiotherapy planning right from the beginning of the patient pathway, and highlight the interesting ways that they found out about radiotherapy as a career option.
In this episode, three of Addenbrooke's Hospital's therapeutic radiographers, Daniel Driver, Cristina Ferreira and Poppy Howe, discuss their roles and how they are important to patients coming in for radiotherapy. Therapeutic radiographers are specialists trained specifically in radiotherapy planning and delivery. We are so lucky to be able to pin down three of Addenbrooke's finest who all work together, but in different ways, to ensure the safe and accurate delivery of radiotherapy treatment.
Daniel is one of our Radiotherapy Treatment Floor Radiographers, meaning that he is someone who patients will see daily for radiotherapy. Daniel also looks after our student radiographers from the University of Suffolk, UK, offering support and guidance throughout their training.
Cristina is our Head of Technical Operations in Radiotherapy, meaning that she is in charge of implementing new techniques into the Addenbrooke's Radiotherapy Department and provides leadership across the Department for our radiographers.
Poppy is our Advanced Practitioner for Breast Radiotherapy, and her work focuses on breast cancer treatment. She is a pivotal person for patients with breast cancer as she helps in the planning, reviewing and supportive care of this patient group whilst they are undergoing radiotherapy and afterwards.
In this two-part episode, podcast host Rachael Webster talks with two of our amazing patient representatives, Hilary and Neil. Hilary and Neil have both worked in radiotherapy departments in years gone by, in radiotherapy physics and as an oncologist respectively. They share their experiences of what radiotherapy has been like from the 1970s to the present day, including the old techniques and how technology has been pivotal in the advancement of radiotherapy planning. They also share what it was like to come back to radiotherapy for treatment as patients many years later, and how they felt during this time. It is a privilege for us to have them on our podcast!
In this two-part episode, podcast host Rachael Webster talks with two of our amazing patient representatives, Hilary and Neil. Hilary and Neil have both worked in radiotherapy departments in years gone by, in radiotherapy physics and as an oncologist respectively. They share their experiences of what radiotherapy has been like from the 1970s to the present day, including the old techniques and how technology has been pivotal in the advancement of radiotherapy planning. They also share what it was like to come back to radiotherapy for treatment as patients many years later, and how they felt during this time. It is a privilege for us to have them on our podcast!
Welcome to our “All about radiotherapy” series, hosted by Rachael Webster. In this introductory episode, Rachael gives us an overview of the Cancer Research UK Radiation Research Network, known as CRUK RadNet, and introduces CRUK RadNet Cambridge's first patient and public involvement project which has led to the creation of this podcast series.
Rachael is a Senior Therapeutic Radiographer and CRUK Translational Research Radiographer at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, UK. She has been qualified for seven years, working at multiple centres across the UK, and joined CRUK RadNet Cambridge two years ago. She has recently completed her MSc in Radiotherapy and Oncology in Practice, with her dissertation focusing on respiratory motion management for stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy to renal cell carcinoma. She also works closely with the Society and College of Radiographers on improving patient safety and on inclusive practice for transgender, non-binary and intersex people when enquiring about pregnancy status. Rachael additionally works with charities such as Live Through This as an advocate for LGBTIQ+ people.
Podcast host Rachael Webster is joined by Diana Domingues to introduce the exciting world of radiotherapy and answer the most common question that we hear from our patients: "What is radiotherapy?". Rachael and Diana also explain how radiotherapy works and address some of the common misconceptions. We hope this episode helps to alleviate some of the anxieties that surround radiotherapy and gives you a broader knowledge about this treatment.
Diana is a Senior Therapeutic Radiographer in the Radiotherapy Department at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, UK. She has been qualified since 2011 and has recently completed her MSc in Radiotherapy Practice with her dissertation focusing on the impact of metabolic imaging in head and neck cancer treatment.
For more information about radiotherapy treatment, please visit the Cancer Research UK website at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/radiotherapy/about
In this special episode of our podcast, we bring you three short talks about patient involvement in lung cancer clinical trials from our annual ‘Experimental Cancer Medicine Demystified’ event that was held earlier this year.
In the first talk, Dr Huiqi Yang gives an overview of some of the lung cancer clinical trials that are being conducted right now in Cambridge in the UK. Elizabeth Blake will then speak about some of the clinical trials that she works on and how she supports patients going through them. You’ll next hear from Jacek Obuchowicz about his personal experiences of being diagnosed with lung cancer and deciding to take part in a clinical trial. To wrap up, Katie Mills leads a Q&A session where the speakers answer questions that were submitted by members of the public.
If you have a question that you would like us to answer in a future podcast episode, or if you have ideas for topics that you would like us to discuss in a future series, please let us know by visiting our website: www.crukcambridgecentre.org.uk/podcast.
Dr Huiqi Yang is a Consultant in Medical Oncology at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Senior Research Lead for Lung Cancer Clinical Trials within the Cambridge Cancer Trials Centre.
Elizabeth Blake is a Clinical Trials Research Nurse for Lung Cancers at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Jacek Obuchowicz was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020. He had a left lower lobectomy at Royal Papworth Hospital followed by adjuvant chemotherapy at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Jacek then consented to the CANOPY A clinical trial, an interventional clinical trial. He is currently in the follow-up period of the study having had a year on treatment.
Katie Mills was a Programme Manager at the Cambridge Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre.
In this special episode of our podcast, we bring you a series of four short talks about patient and public involvement in research from our annual ‘Experimental Cancer Medicine Demystified’ event that was held earlier this year.
In the first talk, Jean Mullin gives an overview of the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Group at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre and the Cambridge Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre. Liz Chipchase then shares her personal reflections on being involved in PPI work in Cambridge. You’ll next hear from Dr Cathal McCague about his research into using artificial intelligence in ovarian cancer care. Neil Stutchbury then reveals how patients and the public helped to shape Cathal’s research project. To wrap up, Katie Mills leads a Q&A session where the speakers answer questions that were submitted by members of the public.
If you have a question that you would like us to answer in a future podcast episode, or if you have ideas for topics that you would like us to discuss in a future series, please let us know by visiting our website: www.crukcambridgecentre.org.uk/podcast.
Jean Mullin is the Lead CRUK Research Nurse at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Patient and Public Involvement Co-Lead at the Cambridge Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, Co-Director of the CRUK Cambridge Centre’s Nursing and Allied Healthcare Professionals Programme, and Deputy Operations Manager for Clinical Operations at the Cambridge Cancer Trials Centre.
Liz Chipchase’s oesophageal cancer was diagnosed at an early stage through her involvement in the Cytosponge clinical trial. As a result, her cancer was treated at Addenbrooke’s Clinical Research Centre using relatively simple endoscopic techniques. She joined the PPI Group at the Cambridge Experimental Cancer Medical Centre and has a strong interest in the development of new techniques for early diagnosis of cancer.
Dr Cathal McCague is a Welcome Trust Research Associate and PhD student at the University of Cambridge, and an Honorary Radiology Registrar at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Neil Stutchbury has been a patient representative on the Cambridge Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre PPI Group for four years. He was successfully treated for bladder cancer at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and now enjoys the role of patient advocate. He is also Lead Governor at Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH), a member of the CUH PPI panel, and a member of the CUH Cancer Patient Partnership Group.
Katie Mills was a Programme Manager at the Cambridge Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre.
Dr Hugo Ford, Elaine Chapman and Professor Jean Abraham talk about the progress of the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, what will be integrated into the new building, and how it will impact both the researchers and clinicians who will work there and the patients who will be treated in the new hospital.
Hugo is a Consultant Medical Oncologist and the Director of Cancer Services at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, UK.
Elaine is Lead Advisory Nurse and Co-production Lead for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
Jean is Director of the Precision Breast Cancer Institute at the University of Cambridge, UK, Academic Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology and Professor of Precision Breast Cancer Medicine in the Department of Oncology at the University of Cambridge, UK, co-leader of the CRUK Cambridge Centre’s Breast Cancer Programme, and co-leader of the Integrated Cancer Medicine Programme.
Dr Sarah Welsh and Mr Tom Mitchell talk about their translational research and how it has helped to determine cancer genetics in renal cancer.
Sarah is a Clinical Consultant in the Department of Oncology at the University of Cambridge, UK, specialising in urological malignancies.
Tom is a Clinician Scientist Fellow at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK, specialising in understanding how kidney tumours initiate, evolve, and evade treatment. He is also a Consultant Urologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, UK.
Ben Newton, Professors Evis Sala and James Brenton, and Dr Mireia Crispin-Ortuzar talk about the new research collaboration between GE Healthcare, the University of Cambridge, and Addenbrooke's Hospital.
Ben is Global Head of Oncology Solutions at GE Healthcare, UK.
Evis is Professor of Oncological Imaging at the University of Cambridge, UK, co-leader of the CRUK Cambridge Centre’s Advanced Cancer Imaging Programme, and co-leader of the Integrated Cancer Medicine Programme.
James is Professor of Ovarian Cancer Medicine at the University of Cambridge, UK, Academic Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology (Ovarian) at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, co-leader of the CRUK Cambridge Centre’s Ovarian Cancer Programme, and co-leader of the Integrated Cancer Medicine Programme.
Mireia is University Lecturer in Integrated Cancer Medicine at the University of Cambridge, UK.
Rebecca Lucey and Lynsey Drewett from the Precision Breast Cancer Institute at the University of Cambridge talk about co-ordinating the delivery of chemotherapy and targeted therapy in the early breast cancer setting, and how they manage recruitment of patients to the Personalised Breast Cancer Programme and the PARTNER and PARTNERING breast cancer clinical trials.
Both Rebecca and Lynsey are Clinical Research Associates and Honorary Clinical Fellows. They are both employed by the University of Cambridge, UK, and have honorary contracts with Cambridge University Hospitals, UK, acting as a bridge between the bench and bedside to translate research into the clinic to positively impact patients.
Dr Joo Ern Ang and patient Melanie Newman talk about the translation of Cambridge’s ovarian cancer research into the clinic, how this has positively affected Melanie’s treatment in real time, and what the impact and outcome has been.
Joo Ern is a Consultant Medical Oncologist within the Cambridge University Health Partners, UK.
Melanie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in October 2018 and was treated by Joo Ern as part of the OV04 translational study.
Ellie Wolmark introduces part two of our Integrated Cancer Medicine: Research in Focus series. The next five episodes spread the net a little wider to highlight not only the work of our Integrated Cancer Medicine researchers, but also our partners in the form of patients, scientists within our partner institutions, and industry collaborators. You will hear discussions about their research and collaborations, the new techniques that are being developed, and how this work is translated to the clinic to positively affect patient treatments and outcomes. You will also hear an update on the progress of the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital project.
Ellie is Communications Manager for Integrated Cancer Medicine at the University of Cambridge, UK, and the CRUK Cambridge Centre, UK.
In this special episode of our podcast, we bring you a recording of a live ‘Ask Me Anything (AMA)’ event held by our Pancreatic Cancer Programme for World Cancer Day on the 4th February. The AMA session saw specialists from Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust answering questions submitted by members of the public about how pancreatic cancer patients can keep fit. You will hear about what patients can do before, during, and after treatment for pancreatic cancer to improve their ability to withstand forthcoming treatment and improve outcomes.
If you have a question that you would like us to answer in a future podcast episode, or if you have ideas for topics that you would like us to discuss in a future series, please let us know by visiting our website: www.crukcambridgecentre.org.uk/podcast.
The AMA session was chaired by Laura McGeeney, a Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Dietician at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The AMA panel consisted of:
Nicola Day, a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in oncology rehabilitation and exercise at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Édáin Martin, a Respiratory Specialist Physiotherapist and the Surgical Physiotherapy Team lead at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Claire Traub, a Specialist Occupational Therapist at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
In this special episode of our podcast, we bring you a recording of a live 'Ask Me Anything (AMA)' event held by our Pancreatic Cancer Programme for World Pancreatic Cancer Day on the 18th November. The AMA session saw pancreatic cancer specialists from across the CRUK Cambridge Centre answering questions about pancreatic cancer that were submitted by members of the public.
If you have a question that you would like us to answer in a future podcast episode, or if you have ideas for topics that you would like us to discuss in a future series, please let us know by visiting our website: www.crukcambridgecentre.org.uk/podcast.
The AMA session was chaired by Dr Bristi Basu, an Academic Consultant in Medical Oncology specialising in experimental cancer therapeutics at the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and the clinical co-lead of the CRUK Cambridge Centre Pancreatic Cancer Programme.
The AMA panel consisted of:
Dr Giulia Biffi, a Research Group Leader at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, and the research co-lead of the CRUK Cambridge Centre Pancreatic Cancer Programme.
Dr Pippa Corrie, a Consultant in Medical Oncology at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Associate Lecturer in Medical Oncology at the University of Cambridge.
Dr Asif Jah, a Consultant Surgeon in hepato-pancreatico-biliary (HPB) and transplant surgery at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Clinical Lead of the Department of HPB Surgery and Associate Lecturer at the University of Cambridge.
Jill Barker, a Clinical Nurse Specialist in oncology at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Laura McGeeney, a Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Dietician at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Nicola Day, a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in oncology rehabilitation and exercise at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Édáin Martin, a Respiratory Specialist Physiotherapist and the Surgical Physiotherapy Team lead at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Frances New, a palliative care Clinical Nurse Specialist at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Jim Smith, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer six years ago and had a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy at Addenbrooke's Hospital. Jim is one of our patient representatives who advises the Pancreatic Cancer Programme on issues that are relevant to patients.
Professor Richard Gilbertson talks about the integrated cancer medicine vision both now and in the future with a line of sight into the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital due to open in 2026.
Richard is Director of the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, Li Ka-Shing Chair of Oncology and Head of the Department of Oncology at the University of Cambridge, UK, and is the overall lead of the Mark Foundation Institute for Integrated Cancer Medicine.
Professor Jean Abraham and Catharine Scott talk about integrated cancer medicine within the Personalised Breast Cancer Programme and the PARTNER clinical trial, and how the research has been translated into the clinic to positively affect Catharine’s treatment in real time and what the impact and outcome has been.
Jean is Director of the Cambridge Breast Cancer Research Unit, Academic Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology and Professor of Precision Breast Cancer Medicine in the Department of Oncology at the University of Cambridge, UK, co-leader of the CRUK Cambridge Centre’s Breast Cancer Programme, and co-leader of the Integrated Cancer Medicine Programme.
Catharine Scott was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in September 2016. She was treated by Jean as part of the PARTNER clinical trial and took part in the Personalised Breast Cancer Programme.
Dr Emma Beddowes, Dr Christopher Smith and Professor James Brenton talk about circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA): what it is and how it is currently used to help assess or determine a patient’s treatment, how it integrates as a data pipeline to contribute to personalised treatment for a patient, and how its use might develop in the future.
Emma is a Clinical Senior Research Associate and Honorary Academic Consultant in Medical Oncology at the University of Cambridge, UK.
Christopher is a Senior Research Associate specialising in cancer genetics and circulating tumour DNA analysis at the University of Cambridge, UK.
James is Professor of Ovarian Cancer Medicine at the University of Cambridge, UK, Academic Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology (Ovarian) at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, co-leader of the CRUK Cambridge Centre’s Ovarian Cancer Programme, and co-leader of the Integrated Cancer Medicine Programme.
Professor Ferdia Gallagher and Dr Mary McLean discuss the use of hyperpolarised carbon-13 magnetic resonance imaging (13C-MRI) in clinical body imaging to probe cancer metabolism. This ground-breaking technique helps to understand how a tumour metabolises sugars to see the effects of chemotherapy and whether treatment has been successful for a patient. The results are available very quickly, in a matter of days, which is game changing in analysing treatment efficacy.
Ferdia is Cancer Research UK Senior Cancer Research Fellow and Professor in Translational Imaging at the University of Cambridge, UK, and is Honorary Consultant Radiologist at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Mary is a Senior Research Associate at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, UK.
Dr Helena Andres Terre, Dr Nikola Simidjievski and Dr Zohreh Shams talk about integrative and interpretable artificial intelligence (AI) tools for bench to bedside research in cancer medicine. They highlight their project to build an AI platform to integrate multiple data modalities, initially with retrospective data, but eventually with the aim of using prospective data from cancer patients in real time thereby tailoring treatment for patients. They work in collaboration with the CRUK Cambridge Centre’s Breast Cancer Programme as well as with experts from within the data streams: genomics, imaging, and digital pathology.
Helena, Nikola and Zohreh are all Research Associates from the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Cambridge, UK. All three are both members of and are funded by the Mark Foundation Institute for Integrated Cancer Medicine.
Dr Shubha Anand and Dr Ezequiel Martin-Rodriguez discuss the Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (CMDL) at the CRUK Cambridge Centre, UK and how it enables clinical trials and translational studies. CMDL was established in 2015 to develop new technologies in relation to detailed molecular genetic profiling using next generation sequencing and for sequencing modified bases in DNA. They collect samples for molecular analysis and extractions as well as helping to set up new assays, providing a bespoke service for all Integrated Cancer Medicine Programme trials and studies and beyond.
Shubha is the Director of the Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, UK.
Ezequiel is Senior Bioinformatician within the Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, UK.
Professor Duncan Jodrell talks about the ATRiUM clinical trial for pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer often presents in an advanced stage and tends to be fairly resistant to standard of care treatments. The ATRiUM trial aims to identify a new combination strategy for treating patients with pancreatic cancer and to determine new predictive biomarkers to recognise the sub-set of patients who are mostly likely to respond to treatment.
Duncan is Professor of Cancer Therapeutics at the University of Cambridge, UK, Director of the Cambridge Cancer Trials Centre (CCTC), Lead for the Cambridge Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC), Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Chief Investigator for the ATRiUM trial.
Professor James Brenton, Dr Ramona Woitek and Dr Mireia Crispin-Ortuzar discuss integrated radiogenomics for virtual biopsy and treatment monitoring in ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is often a very complex disease that varies between patients and generally presents at a very advanced stage. This makes standard of care treatment difficult to establish as each patient presents so differently. Integrating radiogenomics data with information from other data streams, collected as standard of care, via machine learning can help understand whether a tumour will respond to treatment and leads to personalised treatment plans for each patient.
James is Professor of Ovarian Cancer Medicine at the University of Cambridge, UK, Academic Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology (Ovarian) at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, co-leader of the CRUK Cambridge Centre’s Ovarian Cancer Programme, and co-leader of the Integrated Cancer Medicine Programme.
Ramona is a Senior Research Associate and Honorary Consultant Radiologist at the Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, UK.
Mireia is Lecturer in Integrated Cancer Medicine at the University of Cambridge, UK.
Professor Grant Stewart and Professor Evis Sala discuss the WIRE clinical trial for kidney cancer. WIRE evaluates the effectiveness of giving a short course of drug treatment to patients in the one month “window of opportunity” between diagnosis and surgery. Patients on the WIRE trial also undergo a suite of new imaging techniques that have been brought together for the first time globally in this clinical trial.
Grant is Professor of Surgical Oncology at the University of Cambridge, UK, co-leader of the CRUK Cambridge Centre's Urological Malignancies Programme, co-leader of the Integrated Cancer Medicine Programme, and Chief Investigator for the WIRE trial.
Evis is Professor of Oncological Imaging at the University of Cambridge, UK, co-leader of the CRUK Cambridge Centre’s Advanced Cancer Imaging Programme, and co-leader of the Integrated Cancer Medicine Programme.
Dr Daniel Hodson talks about the DIRECT clinical trial for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). DIRECT focuses on both stratifying the different sub-types of DLBCL in order to provide personalised treatment for patients and on prioritising patients who do not respond well to current standard of care in order to introduce alternative treatments to their care plan.
Daniel is a Principal Investigator and Honorary Consultant at the Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, UK and is Chief Investigator for the DIRECT clinical trial.
Ellie Wolmark introduces the Integrated Cancer Medicine: Research in Focus series. She gives a summary of the series which showcases the diverse research from across the Integrated Cancer Medicine Programme at the CRUK Cambridge Centre, including the cutting-edge techniques that are being developed, such as the use of novel artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches in cancer research, and how the resulting data streams will be integrated and then finally translated into the clinic in order to tailor treatment for each individual cancer patient.
Ellie is Communications Manager for Integrated Cancer Medicine at the University of Cambridge, UK and the CRUK Cambridge Centre, UK.