The Cracking Cancer Podcast
The Cracking Cancer Podcast
Podcast Description
Welcome to Cracking Cancer, a podcast dedicated to breaking down the knowledge and cultural barriers between patients and healthcare providers. Our mission is to empower listeners with clear, accessible insights into cancer care and treatment options. Through expert interviews, patient stories, and Q&A, we aim to create a more informed and supportive cancer community. Join us as we crack the code to better communication, knowledge, and collaboration in the fight against cancer.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
Topics explored in Cracking Cancer include cancer biology, treatment options, emotional aspects of cancer, and the importance of community support. For instance, episodes discuss the significance of molecular profiling and how lifestyle factors can impact cancer, alongside personal narratives like Samantha Murrell's journey with stage four lung cancer.
Join Dr. Kyle Concannon, an MD Anderson–trained cancer doctor and scientist, together with the patient community, as we break down the knowledge and cultural barriers between cancer patients and cancer providers. Cracking Cancer empowers listeners with clear, accessible insights into cancer care, treatment options, and the complex world of cancer. Here, academic experts (providers) and experiential experts (patients) come together to discuss critical topics and build a more informed, supportive cancer community. Join us as we crack the code to better communication, knowledge, and collaboration in the fight against cancer. This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied upon as such. The views expressed are those of the participants and not of their affiliated organizations.
In this revealing episode of “Cracking Cancer,” host Dr. Kyle Concannon pulls back the curtain on his role as a physician-scientist at the University of Colorado. Joined by patient advocate Samantha Murrell, Dr. Kyle demystifies the “black box” of oncology research, discussing the intense process of setting up a new laboratory and the personal pivot that reshaped his career.
Dr. Kyle shares the logistical and emotional challenges of running an independent lab—from the high cost of reagents and the competitive nature of grant funding to the personal urgency that arose when his own boss was diagnosed with lung cancer. The conversation dives deep into the specific preclinical models used to fight disease, including cell lines and mouse models, explaining how they serve as the first line of defense before human trials. Dr. Kyle also highlights his lab’s most exciting work: developing enhanced CAR T-cell therapies designed to not just manage, but potentially cure metastatic cancer. This episode is a raw look at the grit required to move science forward and the powerful partnership between researchers and the patients who drive their mission.
Key Takeaways:
- The Reality of Setting Up a Lab
- Cell Lines vs. Mouse Models
- The High Cost of “Reagents”
- Pivoting for Impact
- The Promise of Next-Gen CAR T-Cell Therapy
Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast, visit the link below: ⬇️
https://www.crackingcancer.org/get-involved
Chapters:
(00:00) Dr. Kyle’s Secret Lab Revealed
(05:59) Understanding Reagents and Research Costs
(14:35) Building the Right Team
(27:17) Mouse Models in Cancer Research
(34:17) Challenges in Preclinical Research
(45:41) Funding and Collaborations
(56:48) The Future of Cancer Research
(01:05:46) Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action
The Cracking Cancer Podcast’s main focus is to further education about cancer and its effects on people and communities through continued discussion and to raise funds for the continued research of cancer treatments and positive outcomes. All raised proceeds go directly to the continued upkeep of this podcast and cancer research. To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org
Attributions
The music track – Progression Pulse – is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License
X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X
IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos
Disclaimer
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