The Oncology Podcast, part of The Oncology Network, is proud to present the return of The OJC Meets: sister series of The Oncology Journal Club podcast.
Our Host Professor Craig Underhill meets Dr Ashray Gunjur as they share insights into the gut microbiome’s role in predicting how patients will respond to cancer immunotherapies.
Together, they unearth how the tiny worlds within us might hold the key to unlocking personalised medical approaches that are as unique as our microbial fingerprints.
Ashray’s expertise in analysing faecal microbiomes at the strain level using shotgun metagenomic sequencing is not just impressive—it’s a game-changer for oncologists and patients alike, offering hope for more targeted, effective treatment regimens.
We hope you enjoy the return of The OJC.
PAPER
Gunjur A, Shao Y, Rozday T, et al. A gut microbial signature for combination immune checkpoint blockade across cancer types. Nat Med. 2024 Mar 1. doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-02823-z. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38429524. Access online here.
HOST:
Craig Underhill
Professor Craig Underhill
Professor Craig Underhill completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery in 1987 at Melbourne University. He completed medical oncology training in Melbourne and worked as the Senior Clinical Research Registrar at Guy’s Hospital, London.
In 1998 arrived in Albury-Wodonga and established a medical oncology practice and clinical trials unit which has developed expertise and infrastructure to ensure the initiation of high quality trials. The research Unit lead by Dr Underhill has twice been awarded NSW Premier’s Award for Innovation in Cancer Clinical Trials, the inaugural award in 2009 and then again in 2012.
Dr Underhill is the VCCC Regional Oncology Lead and advocates for the increased access to clinical trials for regional Victorians and leads the VCCC teletrials program.
You can find Craig on X/Twitter here: @CraigUnderhill
GUEST:
Dr Ashray Gunjur
Ashray is a medical oncologist from Melbourne, Australia, currently undertaking a clinical PhD investigating the interplay between the gut microbiome and responses and/or toxicity to immune checkpoint blockade in patients with rare cancer types.
PRODUCER:
Rachael Babin
Rachael Babin is Host of The Oncology Podcast, Editor-in-Chief of The Oncology Newsletter, and Publisher of Oncology News Australia and The Oncology Network.
With a background in oncology communications and academic publishing, Rachael is happiest sitting behind the mic chatting to interesting people about the impact their work makes in oncology.
Connect on Twitter: @OncologyNewsAus
