Cancer Frontiers (Video)

UCTV Health & Medicine
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University of California researchers explain the latest developments in the fight against cancer.

  1. MAR 6 · VIDEO

    Aging Blood Stem Cells and the Roots of Cancer

    Aging is the leading risk factor for cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and heart disease, and Robert A.J. Signer, Ph.D., studies how aging stem cells shape pre-cancer and healthspan. As deputy director of the Sanford Stem Cell Discovery Center, Signer focuses on rare blood-forming stem cells that self-renew, generate all blood and immune cells, and normally sustain more than 35 trillion blood cells, including about 2 million new red blood cells every second. His group finds that these “Zen” stem cells slow protein production to limit damaging “trash,” but aging stresses overwhelm these defenses. Stress response programs such as HSF1 then help both healthy and mutant stem cells, fueling clonal hematopoiesis, a common, untreated pre-cancerous condition linked to cardiovascular disease, inflammation, cancer, and increased mortality. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41253]

    10 min

  2. 11/03/2025 · VIDEO

    That May Be The Chancellor: Episode 14

    Join Chancellor May as he meets a couple of UC Davis researchers and the people who have been impacted by their positive work on the UC Davis Health campus. Joseph Tuscano, M.D., oncologist at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, receives federal funding to look for less toxic therapies for treating cancer such as immunotherapy. And Christine Nordahl, director of the Autism Phenome Project at the UC Davis MIND Institute, focuses on understanding how the brain develops during early childhood in children with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism. Both researchers rely on federal funding to continue their life-saving and vital work. Series: "UC Davis News" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41064]

    11 min

  3. 10/27/2025 · VIDEO

    Prostate Cancer: Symptom Management and Optimizing Quality of Life

    Urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction are common side effects of prostate cancer treatment, but both are manageable. Dr. Lindsay Hampson explains the types of incontinence—stress, urge, mixed, and overflow—and how identifying the cause guides treatment. Management strategies include pelvic floor physical therapy, medications, and surgical options like slings or artificial urinary sphincters. For sexual dysfunction, approaches range from oral medications and vacuum devices to injections and implants. Dr. Michael Rabow also highlights the side effects of androgen deprivation therapy, including fatigue, depression, hot flashes, and cardiovascular risk. He outlines evidence-based strategies—like exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medications—to help preserve well-being and quality of life during treatment. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40869]

    42 min

  4. 10/06/2025 · VIDEO

    New Treatments for Advanced Prostate Cancer

    Dr. Rahul Aggarwal presents emerging treatments for advanced prostate cancer, highlighting rapid advances in drug development. He outlines therapies targeting cancer cell surface proteins beyond PSMA, including CD46, B7-H3, and DLL3, and explains how antibody-drug conjugates deliver potent chemotherapy directly to tumors. He also discusses bispecific T-cell engagers designed to trigger immune attacks on cancer cells, including promising results from agents like Talquetamab. Aggarwal explores new isotopes such as actinium-225 for radioligand therapy, which may offer stronger and more durable responses than current treatments. He emphasizes continued innovation in targeting the androgen receptor, with drugs that degrade the receptor or block androgen production more effectively than existing therapies. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40813]

    10 min

  5. 10/01/2025 · VIDEO

    Targeting the MLL Complex in Leukemia

    Scott A. Armstrong, M.D., Ph.D., of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, studies how certain aggressive forms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) develop and survive. His work centers on a protein called menin, which helps leukemia cells keep cancer-promoting genes switched on. Armstrong’s team has found that blocking menin with specially designed drugs can shut down these gene programs, push leukemia cells to mature, and slow or stop the disease in lab models and patients. While some leukemias adapt by developing mutations in menin or finding other ways to survive, his research is revealing why certain genes are especially dependent on menin and how to target them more effectively. These discoveries are now shaping new treatments, drug combinations, and potential strategies for other cancers that rely on similar mechanisms. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40875]

    59 min

  6. 09/25/2025 · VIDEO

    Prostate Cancer Survivorship: Urinary and Sexual Wellness

    Dr. Lindsay Hampson discusses urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction following prostate cancer treatment, emphasizing that both are common and treatable. She explains the different types of incontinence—stress, urge, mixed, and overflow—and outlines how understanding the cause helps guide treatment. Options include pelvic floor physical therapy, medications, surgical interventions like slings or artificial sphincters, and supportive devices. Dr. Hampson also reviews effective strategies for managing erectile dysfunction, such as oral medications, vacuum devices, injections, and penile implants. She highlights the importance of shared decision-making and reassures patients that even small symptoms can significantly affect quality of life and deserve attention. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40814]

    23 min

  7. 09/21/2025 · VIDEO

    Radiation Therapy for Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer

    Radiologist Dr. Julian Hong plains how stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is used to treat oligometastatic prostate cancer—cases where cancer has spread but only to a few limited sites. This approach targets small clusters of metastases with high-dose, image-guided radiation in five or fewer sessions. Hong reviews clinical trial evidence showing that adding focal radiation can improve outcomes, especially when all visible metastases are treated. He highlights the value of modern imaging, like PET scans, in identifying lesions and shaping personalized treatment plans. Studies suggest SBRT offers effective disease control with low toxicity and minimal impact on quality of life, making it a promising option for patients with limited metastatic spread. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40807]

    9 min

  8. 09/15/2025 · VIDEO

    Overview: PSA Recurrent Prostate Cancer

    Experts present new tools for managing PSA-recurrent prostate cancer. Dr. Steven Seyedin describes how PET/CT imaging enhances detection by reducing false positives and improving staging accuracy. Dr. Thomas Hope highlights PSMA PET imaging, now the standard approach, which identifies cancer more precisely by targeting tumor-specific proteins. Dr. Julian Hong discusses stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for patients with limited metastases, showing that it offers effective, low-toxicity treatment while preserving quality of life. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40867]

    32 min
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University of California researchers explain the latest developments in the fight against cancer.

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