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Treating (advanced) cancers successfully requires understanding the specifics of cancer biology. Without that knowledge, the targeting of tumors and metastases and minimizing “bystander effects” is not possible. During the last decades, the community of cancer researchers has discovered that tumors are not just a growing mass of cells, but highly differentiated and often behave in many ways like another organ in the body, consisting of complex tissues that interface with the entire host organism. Cancer stem cells are often able to escape during classic tumor therapies that target fast growing cells, ultimately causing cancer relapse. The researchers in our department work toward understanding what makes cancers different from healthy tissue and how to take advantage of this therapeutically. We are the basic research department of KUMC with an emphasis on translating our results into the clinic and the lives of cancer patients.

News and Updates

September 15, 2023
Ben Woolbright
Ben Woolbright, Ph.D.

Ben Woolbright has been awarded a NIH grant titled "Role of Gut-Immune Interactions in Aging-Associated Bladder Cancer" Congratulations Dr. Woolbright!


August 28, 2023
Stefan Bossmann
Stefan H. Bossmann, Ph.D.

Dr. Stefan Bossmann has been named Chair of the Cancer Biology department. Stefan served as interim chair for the past two years. His innovations have helped expand and grow the department during this time. We look forward to seeing the strides the Cancer Biology department will make under his direction. Congratulations Dr. Bossmann!

KU School of Medicine

University of Kansas Medical Center
Cancer Biology
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Mailstop1071
Kansas City, KS  66160
cancerbiology@kumc.edu