Winning the War on Cancer (Video)

Hear about cutting-edge advances in regenerative medicine, from lab breakthroughs to patient impact. Catriona Jamieson, MD, PhD, introduces efforts at the Sanford Stem Cell Institute to develop therapies that enhance the body's ability to heal itself. Dan Kaufman, MD, PhD, shares progress in cancer immunotherapy using engineered natural killer cells derived from pluripotent stem cells. Karen Christman, PhD, explains how her team creates injectable hydrogels from pig heart tissue to support heart repair and regeneration after a heart attack. Tiffani Manolis highlights industry support for making cell and gene therapies more accessible. Patient advocate Justin Graves describes his life-changing experience receiving a stem cell-based therapy for epilepsy, underscoring the real-world promise of these innovations. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40705]

UCSF researchers June Chan and Stacey Kenfield share evidence-based strategies for improving prostate cancer outcomes through exercise and diet. They highlight studies showing that physical activity—including resistance and high-intensity interval training—is linked to lower risk of prostate cancer progression and death. They discuss plant-based diets, dietary indices, and specific foods like tomatoes, fish, and nuts, along with the benefits of substituting plant oils for butter. Their analysis includes findings on racial disparities and underscores the need for inclusive research. They also describe current clinical trials exploring lifestyle tools and offer guidance on navigating diet and exercise choices during cancer survivorship. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40808]

Dr. Steven Seyedin presents an overview of PSA recurrence and risk factors for assessment. A PSA test is a blood test used to detect prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood, which can be elevated in cases of prostate cancer and is a common screening tool. He explains how PET, CT, and MRI work, highlighting the precision of PSA PET in detecting cancer spread by targeting PSA proteins on tumor cells. This imaging method combines PET and CT to reveal metastatic disease with greater accuracy than traditional scans. Seyedin addresses the strengths of different imaging agents, emphasizing that access, not brand, is key. He also cautions against false positives, especially in bone lesions, which can mislead diagnosis. By improving staging accuracy, PSA PET supports better treatment planning and outcomes. Ongoing studies explore its use earlier in diagnosis, potentially replacing biopsy or MRI in select cases. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40805]

Prostate cancer and its treatments can significantly impact bone health, increasing the risk of fractures and weakening the immune system. Dr. Terence Friedlander explains how hormone therapy, radiation, and chemotherapy contribute to bone loss and highlights the importance of regular monitoring. He reviews the role of bone-building cells and the effects of osteopenia and osteoporosis, conditions that become more common with age and can be worsened by cancer therapies. Friedlander outlines tools like the Dexa scan and FRAX calculator to assess bone density and fracture risk, and discusses prevention strategies, including adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, weight-bearing exercise, and the use of medications like bisphosphonates and denosumab. He emphasizes proactive bone care for men with prostate cancer to help reduce complications and improve outcomes. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40812]

UCSF's Dr. Cornelia Ding demystifies the prostate cancer pathology report and explains how to read and understand it. The report contains five key sections: patient information, diagnosis and comments, gross description, and any addendums or amendments. It serves multiple purposes—as a medical, legal, and clinical communication tool—and often contains technical language not written for patients. Dr. Ding walks through important terminology such as Gleason score, Grade Groups, and specific diagnostic patterns like intraductal carcinoma, emphasizing how each affects risk assessment and treatment planning. Patients are encouraged to focus on the diagnosis and comment sections and to discuss any unclear details with their doctors. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40797]

Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of cancer death among men in the U.S., with evolving screening and treatment practices reshaping care in 2025. UCSF's Dr. Matthew Cooperberg highlights a shift away from overdiagnosis and overtreatment of low-risk cancers, focusing instead on identifying aggressive disease through tools like MRI and advanced biomarker tests. A new “smarter screening” model now guides primary care, recommending long testing intervals for men with low PSA levels. While active surveillance has increased nationally, significant variation in care remains, and racial disparities—especially for Black men—persist. Patients are encouraged to take time in making treatment decisions, as prostate cancer often progresses slowly and allows for thoughtful, personalized care. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40796]

In this presentation, UCSF's Dr. Eric Small explains the role of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer treatment across various stages of the disease. He discusses how prostate cancer cells rely on testosterone to grow and how medications can effectively reduce testosterone levels by targeting hormone signals or blocking production. Dr. Small outlines the different forms of ADT—injectables, implants, and pills—and reviews their pros, cons, and side effect profiles, including cardiovascular considerations. He also describes how combining ADT with newer androgen signaling inhibitors has improved survival outcomes in patients with metastatic or recurrent disease. The talk emphasizes the importance of balancing treatment benefits with side effects and highlights the role of shared decision-making in choosing the right approach. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40799]

Dr. Hao Nguyen presents focal therapy as a promising treatment option for carefully selected prostate cancer patients, especially those with intermediate-risk, localized disease. Unlike whole-gland treatments, focal therapy targets only the tumor while preserving healthy tissue, reducing the risk of side effects like urinary or sexual dysfunction. UCSF offers multiple approaches—high-intensity focused ultrasound, cryotherapy, and irreversible electroporation—selected based on tumor location and anatomy. Dr. Nguyen emphasizes the importance of precise imaging, MRI fusion biopsy, and genomic testing for patient selection and treatment planning. Early outcomes show encouraging results, with most patients avoiding surgery or radiation within two years and maintaining quality of life. While not yet standard first-line care, focal therapy is gaining traction through research and expert consensus. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40804]

UCSF oncologist Dr. Jonathan Chou discusses how genetics and genomics are transforming the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. He explains how inherited and acquired mutations—especially in DNA repair genes like BRCA2—can impact both cancer risk and treatment decisions. Dr. Chou outlines how UCSF researchers use tumor and blood-based biopsies to identify key mutations and genomic features that help tailor care for each patient. Examples include how genomic scores can predict response to radiation and how targeted therapies like PARP inhibitors benefit patients with specific mutations. The talk highlights the growing role of precision medicine in guiding individualized treatment plans based on the unique genetic profile of each patient's cancer. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40798]

UCSF's Dr. Rahul Aggarwal explains the role of clinical trials in advancing prostate cancer treatment and how trial design is evolving to match today's more personalized approaches. He highlights how UCSF has contributed to major prostate cancer therapies and emphasizes the importance of genetic and genomic testing in identifying suitable trials for each patient. Dr. Aggarwal explains the different trial phases, clarifies common myths—such as concerns about placebos—and stresses that trials are considered at every stage of disease. He also discusses efforts to improve access, affordability, and diversity in trial participation, including regional partnerships and digital matching tools. The talk encourages patients to be informed and proactive when considering clinical trials as part of their treatment plan. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40800]

William Lowry, Ph.D., discusses manipulating metabolic pathways in hair follicle stem cells to inhibit tumorigenesis. By blocking glycolysis and glutamine lysis simultaneously, they observed tumor regression, highlighting the complex interplay between metabolism and cancer. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39256]

Scientists, leaders, and patients discuss the intersection of cutting-edge science and real-world impact. They explore the importance of patient perspectives in shaping medical advancements and how collaboration fuels groundbreaking research. Key scientific achievements in areas like regenerative medicine, cancer therapies, and space biology are highlighted. The group emphasizes the need for scientists to engage more with the public—through social media and media appearances—to help people understand and value the life-changing discoveries in science. Featuring: Catriona Jamieson, M.D., Ph.D. UC San Diego Sandra Dillon Patient Advocate Alexander Khalessi, M.D., M.B.A. UC San Diego Jana Stoudemire Celestial Strategy, LLC Alysson Muotri, Ph.D. UC San Diego Rebecca Moores Philanthropist and Patient Advocate Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40519]

The infections disease landscape is constantly changing - challenging our standard treatments. Can new - as well as ancient - therapies be the answer? Hear from experts on the cutting edge of phage therapy, HIV/AIDS research and cancer care about what is on the horizon to improve human health. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39982]

Examine how what we eat and how we live can promote wellness, enhance immunity, combat age-related diseases, and promote longevity. Gordon Saxe, M.D., Ph.D., and Anthony Lim, M.D., J.D., share a timeless perspective, supported by their own research and clinical experience, on how optimal nourishment, purposeful reflection, health movement, and generosity of spirit can improve age-related conditions and slow the aging process. They present evidence-based recommendations for diet and lifestyle, as well as a practical and simple framework to help foster extending healthy aging behavioral changes. Series: "Stein Institute for Research on Aging" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40049]

Curious about the secret to staying young? Rob Signer shares insights into how our bodies age, focusing on the role of stem cells and a critical protein called HSF1 that helps them cope with stress. Signer explores the delicate balance of keeping these cells healthy without increasing cancer risk and highlighted some promising progress in enhancing the cells' ability to manage waste. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39980]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. Eric Small discusses systemic therapy treatment in advanced prostate cancer, including AR-targeted therapy. The presentation includes definitions of disease states, categories of treatment types, and standards in treatment selection. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39768]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. David Oh presents on the use of immunotherapy as a treatment in advanced prostate cancer, including describing how immunotherapy works, possible side effects, and options available currently. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39770]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. Matthew Cooperberg discusses surgery as treatment for localized prostate cancer, including risk stratification, how prostatectomy is performed, surgery outcomes and potential side effects. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39758]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Drs. Julian Hong and Eric Small discuss oligometastatic prostate cancer and its management with radiation and systemic therapies. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39766]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, patient advocate Stan Rosenfeld leads a panel discussion including Dr. Benjamin Breyer, patients, and their partners, on living with prostate cancer. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39773]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. Rahul Aggarwal reviews emerging treatment approaches for advanced prostate cancer, including developments for antibody-drug conjugates, immunotherapy (T cell engagers), targeted radiation, and targeting Androgen Receptor Signaling. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39772]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. Thomas Hope presents information on PSMA-PET and discusses imaging in the evaluation of biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39762]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. Terence Friedlander discusses bone health in advanced prostate cancer. He reviews normal bone health and how it is affected by prostate cancer, defines important terms, and shares recommendations for optimizing bone health in prostate cancer. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39771]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. Hao Nguyen discusses focal therapy as a choice of therapy in patients with low and intermediate risk prostate cancer at high risk for progression. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39760]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. Eric Small reviews Androgen Deprivation Therapy, including choices of agents, side effects, considerations in timing, duration, intensity of therapy, and discusses interpretation of clinical trial results. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39756]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. Mack Roach discusses the phenomenon of “biochemical recurrence” and approaches to risk assessment, following treatments for localized prostate cancer. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39761]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. Julian Hong discusses radiation therapy as treatment for prostate cancer, including potential side effects, considerations in decision making, the radiation oncology care path. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39759]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Drs. June Chan and Stacey Kenfield present recommendations for diet and exercise based in research with prostate cancer patients. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39767]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. Ivan de Kouchkovksky discusses the use of both chemotherapy and radioligand therapy, including a “theranostic” approach, in metastatic treatment resistant prostate cancer. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39769]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. Jonathan Chou discusses individual genetics in the risk of developing prostate cancer, genomic testing to distinguish indolent verses more aggressive disease, and genomic testing to determine best treatment for individual patients. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39755]

This program demonstrates how to exercise when you don't have a great amount of time or energy. Natalie Marshall, MD, also discusses how to overcome barriers to daily exercise. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38814]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. Kevin Shee discusses active surveillance in the management of localized prostate cancer, including typical schedule of surveillance monitoring, outcomes, and observations from its use at UCSF. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39757]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. Samuel Washington summarizes the burden of prostate cancer, updates in early detection guidelines, treatment options, and discusses life after treatment. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39754]

Cancer has a major impact on our society with approximately 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. diagnosed during their lifetimes. This program looks at the role of exercise and physical activity and their benefits for cancer patients. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39647]

E-cigarettes were first sold in the United States in 2007. These battery-operated devices heat a liquid made of chemicals, including some with high levels of nicotine, to make an aerosol that users inhale into their lungs. This program discusses the numerous health concerns related with e-cigarette usage. Series: "Excerpts" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39593]

In this UC Santa Barbara GRIT talk, Dr. Meghan Morrissey discusses her work to get immune cells to eat cancer. Her goal is to uncover fundamental principles of macrophage signaling and tune macrophage function in the tumor microenvironment. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39441]

A diagnosis of prostate cancer can be scary. In this program, Dr. Matthew Cooperberg with the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center explains what prostate cancer is and what treatments options are available for newly diagnosed patients including active surveillance, surgery (prostatectomy), radiation therapy, and focal therapy. [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39376]

Ronald DePinho, M.D., explains how telomerase, typically linked to telomere maintenance, serves as a transcriptional co-activator in the brain. Epigenetic repression of TERT, the gene for telomerase, occurs with aging, contributing to aging hallmarks like cellular senescence and inflammation. DePinho's team developed a compound that reactivates TERT, which, when administered to mice, reverses age-related changes. It restores cognitive function, reduces amyloid plaque, and alleviates inflammation. This suggests that maintaining TERT levels can counteract age-related cognitive decline and neurodegeneration, offering potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. DePinho's work expands our understanding of telomerase's multifaceted role in aging and neurodegeneration, holding promise for interventions against these age-related processes. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39071]

Leonard Zon, M.D., discusses cutting-edge research on the intricate relationship between macrophages, stem cells, and the development of leukemia using the zebrafish model. He delves into the fascinating interactions between these cell types, highlighting the role of a "don't eat me" signal and the influence of the leukemic niche. Through cellular barcoding and single-cell RNA sequencing, he unveils a potential therapeutic target which may offer promising insights into treating leukemia by disrupting the stromal activities that support it. Zon showcases the power of zebrafish models in advancing our understanding of hematopoiesis and cancer, promising new avenues for research and treatment. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39064]

Aparna Bhaduri, Ph.D., shares insights into human brain development and its intricate processes. Explore the intriguing reappearance of developmental cell elements in brain cancers like glioblastoma. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 38329]

In this inspiring video, Elena Martinez, Ph.D., shares her journey as a first-generation student from Mexico who dedicated herself to a career in cancer epidemiology, prevention, and disparities. Dr. Martinez emphasizes the transformative power of education as a means of empowerment and opportunity. She candidly discusses the cultural and societal barriers she faced and the unwavering support from her family that fueled her determination to succeed. Dr. Martinez also underscores the significance of representation and diversity in the scientific community, emphasizing the need to break down barriers and create more opportunities for underrepresented individuals in STEM fields. Series: "Education Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Education] [Show ID: 38746]

Paul A. Northcott, Ph.D., St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, shares his work in multi-omic bulk and single-cell approaches to decipher molecular landscapes and developmental origins of medulloblastoma. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 38889]