Pelotonia is an emotional rollercoaster filled with special moments, connections, community and lots of memories. In this new episode, David Cohn, MD, joins Steve as co-host. Dave is the interim chief executive director of the James, has ridden in every Pelotonia, and has a lot of memories. “It’s truly an emotional experience and I’m not hesitant to say I’ve cried at every Pelotonia at some point,” he said. We’ll also hear from five other James physicians who participate in Pelotonia. Tim Pawlik came to Ohio State and the James a few weeks before a Pelotonia ride, and “I was blown away … the number of people riding and the number of people supporting the ride and the number of people along the side of the road.” Eric Singer is brand new at the James, recruited from a cancer hospital in New Jersey. However, the urologist knew about Pelotonia from one of his patients, a New Jersey man who rode ever year in Pelotonia. Joel Mayerson, an orthopedic oncologist, said his favorite memories are riding with patients. “It’s an amazing feeling,” he said. Samantha Jaglowski was treated for a brain tumor and has some related physical issues that prevent her from riding. Instead, over the years, she has been a volunteer and a Challenger, raising money for Pelotonia. Mary Dillhoff has a rather unique way to cover the Pelotonia course: she runs. As much as 72 miles.

Episode 143: My Favorite Pelotonia Memory, Featuring Six James Physicians

Clinical trials are “the foundation of cancer research and lead to better treatment options and outcomes for patients,” said John Hays, MD, PhD, a James medical oncologist who treat patients with peritoneal cancers. He is also one of the leaders of the James clinical trials office and “at any given time we have between 500 to 600 clinical trial open and we put 1,000 patients a year on clinical trials, which is one of the largest numbers in the country.” In this episode, Hays explained the process of how an idea that begins in the lab (usually a new drug) goes through several different phases before it becomes approved for treatment. “Less than one percent of the Phase 1 clinical trials are ever approved,” he said, adding this is done to ensure patient safety and ensure the new treatment is an advancement over current options. “But, even if they’re not successful, we can learn something we can apply to the next trial.” He also said there is a common misconception that clinical trials are the “last resort” for patients. “It can be at any phase during treatment, from a front-line treatment setting or a later stage,” he said. “In most cases it’s adding something to the standard of care to make the standard of care work better … And, I never present to a patient that you have to do this trial. It’s always their decision and my goal is to help them understand everything, answer their questions and allow them to make the best-informed decision for them.” A new national trend in clinical trials the James is helping to lead is decentralizing the location of the trials in order to reach more patients. “We’re developing clinical trials by James people for patients all over the state and beyond,” Hays said. “We utilize tele-med and work with the patient’s local oncologist. COVID opened our eyes about what we can do from a distance.” Advancing cancer science and bringing new treatment options to patients is what motivates Hays. “We want to be there for our patients and bring them the newest and best options,” he said. “The real joy for me is talking to a patient and giving them the option to participate in a clinical trial and maybe bring them a drug [or treatment option] that isn’t available anywhere else.”

Episode 158: The Importance of Clinical Trials, with Dr. John Hays

In the premier episode of The James Cancer-Free World Podcast, we talk with a cancer detective: Sameek Roychowdhury, MD, PhD. He’ll explain how breakthroughs in genetic coding now allow doctors to detect and target the mutations causing a patient’s cancer … and, in many cases, bring patients back from the brink.

Episode 1: Precision Cancer Medicine with Dr. Sameek Roychowdhury

Join us on The James Cancer-Free World Podcast as we talk to the top scientists and doctors at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). They’ll discuss – in easy-to-understand language – all the cutting-edge cancer research going on at Ohio State and how this is improving patient care and ultimately saving lives.

About the OSUCCC – James:
The OSUCCC – James strives to create a cancer-free world by integrating scientific research with excellence in education and patient-centered care, a strategy that leads to better methods of prevention, detection and treatment. Since 1976, the OSUCCC – James has been a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers and one of only a few centers funded by the NCI to conduct both phase I and phase II clinical trials on novel anticancer drugs. As the cancer program’s adult patient-care component, The James is one of the top cancer hospitals in the nation as ranked by U.S. News & World Report and has achieved Magnet ® designation, the highest honor an organization can receive for quality patient care and professional nursing practice.

Episode 158: The Importance of Clinical Trials, with Dr. John Hays

The James Cancer-Free World Podcast

Related tracks