In this episode, ACCRU podcast host Dr. Ciara O'Sullivan interviews Dr. Jian L. Campian a medical neuro-oncologist with longstanding research in the development of novel immunotherapeutic approaches to treating brain tumors. She has been the principal investigator or co-investigator of numerous trials involving primary brain tumors and metastatic brain tumors. In this episode, Dr. Campian shares her experience in brain cancer research. She also offers wisdom to early-career investigators. She discusses the evolving path doctors often take when selecting their field of focus, the value of mentorship, and the importance of persistence and staying motivated. Her current study in development is a randomized open label Phase II study in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. It has broad eligibility and will enroll 134 patients across eight to ten ACCRU sites.

High-risk myeloma is a moving target. Myeloma plasma cells always learn to fight back. The key to treating myeloma is to fight multiple targets, understand the biology, and find out why myeloma is becoming more aggressive. In this episode, ACCRU podcast host Dr. Kristen Ciombor interviews Dr. Shebli Atrash, who specializes in hematology and oncology at the Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, N.C. He is also a Community Member of the ACCRU Board of Directors. Dr. Atrash discusses what drew him to hematology oncology and shares what needs to be improved in high-risk myeloma research. His current myeloma study with ACCRU will enroll approximately 42 patients across 7 centers. Dr. Atrash also shares his advice for junior investigators getting started in their field of research.

Staffing shortages frustrate leaders at many research centers, both academic and community settings. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Flora discusses the many challenges of conducting research and his team's exploration of AI and outsourcing solutions to help screen cancer patients for trials. A Medical Oncologist at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Kentucky, Dr. Flora also leads an ACCRU Phase 2 study to test a novel SERM in premenopausal, ER Positive breast cancer patients. With a background in pharmacology, Dr. Flora has a special interest in “personalized medicine,” in which each individual’s treatment plan is developed to minimize toxicity.