The Cancer Researcher Podcast

In recent years, the neuronal component of the cancer microenvironment and the metabolic plasticity of cancer cells have become increasingly recognised as essential for cancer progression. Dr Simon Grelet and Dr Gustavo Ayala are two key researchers who work at the interface of cancer neuroscience and cancer metabolism, investigating metabolic reprogramming as a consequence of tumour innervation....

What does it take to bridge the gap between researchers and patients? This episode features a panel of scientists, researcher-oncologists, and patient advocates from several European countries (France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Slovenia) as well as Canada and the United States. They discuss how collaboration between patients and researchers can be promoted in order to strengthen research outcomes....

What happens when clinical care directly informs scientific discovery? This episode sees EACR award winners Charlie Swanton, Ayelet Erez and Daniel Kirschenbaum reflect on what drew them to pursuing cancer research alongside patient care, how bedside experiences guide lab investigations, and what it takes to turn a promising finding into real clinical progress. We also touch on recent breakthrough...

Professor Xin Lu, Director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Oxford Branch, and keynote speaker at EACR 2026 , talks about her scientific journey shaped by the early, influential studies of P53 and its role as a central tumour suppressor. Tracing her journey from early training in China to landmark work in the UK, the conversation explores how fundamental questions about DNA damage, cel...

Professor Bernhard Küster, keynote speaker at EACR 2026, talks about his scientific journey from chemistry to chemical proteomics and precision medicine. He reflects on how an interdisciplinary mindset - combining chemistry, biology, and computational science - has shaped his approach to understanding how drugs act on proteins and how this knowledge can inform personalised cancer treatments. He al...

What you eat – specifically the type of fat – might matter for how well your immune system can fight cancer under conditions of obesity. Dr. Hannah Prendeville and Dr. Britta Kunkemoeller, two key researchers behind this work, will discuss the key mechanisms they uncovered that involve weakened immune systems’ “killer” cells. 🔗 Read more about the publication: https://magazine.eacr.org/highlights...

Conferences don’t just happen – people make them. In this episode, Johanna Joyce, Joana Paredes and Mariangela Russo take you behind the scenes of the Annual Congress of the European Association for Cancer Research, from shaping sessions and selecting speakers to fostering early career opportunities and spotting emerging science. Hear their reflections on EACR 2025 in Lisbon and get an insider gli...

In this episode, we take a quick dive into the rapidly evolving field of cancer neuroscience. Joining us are Dr. Andreas Trumpp and Dr. Vera Thiel from DKFZ and HI-STEM, who introduce Trace-n-Seq, a groundbreaking technology that enables the molecular characterization of neurons within tumours at single-cell resolution. We discuss the application of this cutting-edge innovation in pancreatic cance...

Two of the biggest challenges for the treatment of most solid cancers are drug toxicity, particularly systemic toxicity, and drug permeation in the tumoral tissue. These obstacles may be mitigated through the development of intracellular delivery systems designed to selectively deliver drugs to the tumour. In this episode, we discuss with Dr. Vishnu Raman, CSO and co-founder at Ernst Pharmaceutica...

We speak with Dr. Georgia Konstantinidou and Dr. Chiara Pozzato from University of Bern about their recent pre-clinical research investigating a new potential treatment approach for KRAS driven cancers. The conversation explores the role of FAK signalling in KRAS driven NSCLC and potential approaches to bypass drug resistance against FAK inhibitors from the molecular mechanisms involved to the imp...

In this insightful and honest conversation, award winners Karin de Visser, Ido Amit and Marta Kovatcheva talk about their research, career journeys, and excitement for the future of cancer research. From curiosity  and scientific breakthroughs to diversity and balancing life in the lab, they reflect on what it really means to be a researcher today. This episode explores the evolution of the cancer...

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 s...

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 ab...

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 programm...

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...

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 Ce...

Dr. Jessica Chitty and Dr. Thomas Cox generated and validated a novel selective and irreversible pan-lysyl oxidase inhibitor: PXS-5505. Their experiments in a series of pre-clinical models show that by acting on the tumour microenvironment, this small molecule drug has the ability to significantly enhance chemotherapy efficacy. Listen to this episode to find out direct from the authors about the e...

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to pursue a career in scientific management? What would a regular workday look like? What skills are valued in this sector and what are the opportunities for career progression? Tune into this episode of The Cancer Researcher Podcast for an insightful conversation with our three expert guests who each work in scientific management in different positions...

Welcome to The Cancer Researcher Podcast, from the European Association for Cancer Research. 

Does becoming an editor mean you are leaving research? Can you ever go back to academia? And why should you "follow the cookies"? Join us as we chat with seasoned professionals who have transitioned from the lab bench to the editorial desks at Molecular Oncology, Nature Reviews and Cell. They share their personal journeys, highlight the skills necessary for this unique career path, and offer advic...

In this episode we're joined by editors from Cell, Nature Reviews and Molecular Oncology to discuss the process of scientific publishing: from the steps involved, including the peer review stage, to choosing the best home for your research; from preprints to peer-reviewed journals; from APCs and how to get a discount to the importance of engaging in an open conversation about your research with ed...

In this episode you'll learn top tips from experts in both academia and industry to help you master your next interview. Discover strategies for overcoming nerves, handling unexpected questions, and making a lasting impression, whether in-person or via Zoom. Learn how to navigate job descriptions, emphasise desirable skills, and leave a positive impression even after a rejection. This conversation...

When studying TRAIL expression in the tumour stroma, Dr Massimiliano Mazzone and Dr Carla Riera-Domingo made a surprising discovery with great therapeutic potential: this immunoregulator acts as a gatekeeper of the vasculature at the pre-metastatic niche. Listen to this episode to find out what implications this has for the formation of the premetastatic niche and the therapeutic value this novel...

In this episode we continue our exploration of gender diversity in cancer research with Johanna Joyce, Marisol Soengas, and Mireia Crispin Ortuzar. Drawing from the challenges discussed in the previous episode, they discuss practical measures to break the glass ceiling for women in cancer research. They share insights into the importance of supportive networks, mentorship, and the involvement of b...

In this episode, we engage in a dynamic discussion on gender diversity in cancer research with guests Johanna Joyce, Marisol Soengas, and Mireia Crispin Ortuzar. Exploring challenges faced by women in science, they address the leaky pipeline, postdoc instability, and the importance of fostering inclusive work environments. Our guests share valuable insights into the need for tailored diversity str...