In this episode of All Things Cancer, NFCR CEO Dr. Sujuan Ba sits down with Dr. Isaac Witz, the 2023 Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research laureate and a pioneer in tumor microenvironment science. Decades before it became a central focus of oncology, Dr. Witz recognized that cancer is not just about tumor cells—it’s about the environment that surrounds them.
Dr. Witz shares how he challenged conventional thinking, why keeping patients at the center of research matters, and how his discoveries reshaped cancer treatment worldwide. From immune responses inside tumors to overlooked “orphan results” and the role of collaboration, this conversation explores both the groundbreaking past and the future of holistic, patient-driven cancer research.
Listeners will hear Dr. Witz’s insights on:
The origins of tumor microenvironment research.
Why therapies must go beyond targeting cancer cells.
The importance of integrating overlooked discoveries into clinical progress.
His vision for AI and international collaboration in advancing cures.