Imaging Cancer Drug Resistance - Getting the Bigger Picture on FSPG

09/27/21 • 17 min

What if you could predict whether your cancer is going to respond to chemotherapy? Dr. Tim Witney's lab focus on cancer drug resistance and, in particular, trying to work out which cancers will respond to chemotherapy.
In this episode, Maggie talks to Tim about a new radiotracer called F-18 FSPG which gets transported into cancer cells and can show whether cancer has responded to chemotherapy. However, this radioactive drug has the added feature of being able to tell if the cancer is becoming resistance to that chemotherapy. Tim explains how we might be able to use F-18 FSPG to tailor treatment to patients in a personalised medicine approach.
To find out more about the Witney Lab and the exciting research going on follow this link: http://witneylab.com
If you'd like to support Chris Johnson (last episode's guest) running the London Marathon then please click here.
Thanks to the Center for Medical Engineering, Public Engagement Team, at King's College London for supporting this podcast.

Previous Episode

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour - Getting the Bigger Picture on GIST

Chris, a 42 year old father of 3, was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) in 2019. Having undergone surgery and started chemotherapy, it was found that the cancer had spread to the liver.
Maggie spoke to Chris about his diagnosis, the steps that were taken to identify the cancer originally and the treatment that he subsequently had. There are some fascinating insights into how the diagnosis was made, the symptoms that led to Chris seeking medical help and how he responded to the treatment that he had. Also, some great tips to help overcome some of the stresses of living with cancer and all that goes with that.
Chris is so positive about his situation and it's an inspiration just listening to him. One of the ways that he has coped with living with his cancer is to start running again. As part of that, he has just completed the Great North Run (half marathon) and will take part in the London Marathon at the beginning of October. A combination of the running and the fundraising has helped Chris to remain so positive and it was really great to have the opportunity to chat to him about his cancer and about running.
Chris is raising money for Children with Cancer UK, you can sponsor him for the London Marathon at his Virgin Money Giving page and you can follow him on Twitter @gotthegistofit
This episode is a bit unusual in that we don't have an interview with one of our scientists about the work that they are doing with radioactive drugs for cancer but we will be putting out that interview in another episode in a couple of weeks for you to enjoy.
As ever, thanks to the Public Engagement Team at the Centre for Medical Engineering at King's College London for their support for this podcast.

Next Episode

Living with Prostate Cancer - Getting the Bigger Picture on living life to the full with cancer

John says "I've been extremely lucky in life" despite having had cancer of the bladder and then being diagnosed with terminal cancer of the prostate. His positive attitude rings through this interview.
John's prostate cancer was missed and by 2012 it had already advanced to stage 3 when it was eventually picked up. He was told that he had 2 years to live. He spent about 18 months feeling sorry for himself before he found a support group which changed his life. This episode is his story. It's full of interesting and amusing anecdotes and bits of advice which will help other people finding themselves in a similar situation.
Thanks to the Public Engagement team in the Centre for Medical Engineering at King's College London for their support for this podcast.
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