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 and co-host Samantha Murrell are joined by Kerry Wentworth, Chief Regulatory Officer at Nuvation Bio, to pull back the curtain on the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. Kerry, a veteran in the field, addresses the common perception that pharmaceutical companies are driven purely by financial metrics, stating that the primary mission is, in fact, patient-centered—to bring healthier, longer living to people.
The conversation dives deep into the high-risk reality of drug development. Kerry explains why drugs cost billions: the price must account for the staggering 90% failure rate of investigational new drugs, extensive animal and human trials, and complex manufacturing. They demystify the clinical trial process, clarifying the phases, the rigorous site selection process, and dispelling the myth that physicians receive financial kickbacks for enrolling patients. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants an honest, science-driven understanding of the dedication, cost, and high-stakes nature of the work required to bring a new cancer therapy to market.
Key Takeaways
- Mission is Patient-Driven, Not Just Financial
- Why Drugs Cost Billions
- The Clinical Trial Timeline
- Dispelling the Kickback Myth
- The Future is Chronic Care
Chapters
(00:00) Understanding the Pharmaceutical Industry
(08:08) The Role of a Chief Regulatory Officer
(11:55) The Drug Development Process
(17:19) Clinical Trials: Design and Execution
(26:10) Phase One Trials and FDA Approval
(35:15) Understanding Investigator Payments
(42:16) Challenges in Cancer Vaccine Development
(49:41) Mistrust in Pharmaceutical Companies
(59:08) New Developments at Nueva Bio
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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