Dr. Ignacio Gil-Bazo: family support is my key to success!
Editor’s note
The 18th World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) organized by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) was held in Yokohama, Japan from 14–18 October, 2017. As the world’s largest multidisciplinary oncology conference on lung cancer, it gathered more than 7,000 key opinion leaders, professionals and researchers from over 100 countries, who came together to unfold a series of in-depth academic exchanges and collaborations. In the meantime, AME seized the opportunity to conduct interviews with a number of experts.
Expert introduction
Dr. Ignacio Gil-Bazo (Figure 1) is the Director of Medical Oncology Department, Medical Oncology Specialist and Co-Director of the Lung Cancer Area at University of Navarra, Spain. His areas of expertise include the study and treatment of lung and prostate cancers.
In 2004, Dr. Gil-Bazo was awarded his doctorate in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Navarra Faculty of Medicine. Being a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, he completed the training of Cancer Biology and Genetics Program.
Summary
Dr. Gil-Bazo is a specialist in studying and treating lung cancer with special interest in new biological specific target therapies and clinical trials for lung cancer. He recalled the reason he wanted to become an oncologist in the first place, which is to help patients to solve their problems.
Regarding the expression pattern of CD26/DpP4 in human lung cancer on his study, he deemed that the bio-markers still need a lot of foundations to act as a potential target against cancer and reduce lung cancer burden.
Despite the success in becoming an oncologist and conducting research, Dr. Gil-Bazo encountered a lot of challenges. He stressed that finding sufficient funds to sustain the research work is never easy. Nevertheless, there are different funding resources to be applied in Spain and it is crucial to gain the support within the industry. “My family is the key to my success!” he said firmly. He works hard to strike a balance between work and life. “When you have the support and love, everything else is easier.” he assured, which motivates him to become the person he is today.
Interview questions
- What made you decide to become an oncologist?
- What is the significance of your findings about the expression of CD26/DPP4 in samples from lung cancer patients in improving the prognoses of lung cancer?
- What challenges have you met during the research?
- Would immunotherapy be used in NSCLC patients with CNS metastases? Are there any early-stage trials about immunotherapy in these population?
- In theory, what is the advantage of immunotherapy in NSCLC patients with CNS metastases?
- You are very active in medical services, research and education. How do you strike a balance? Can you share with us your key to success?
For the original content, please view the interview video (Figure 2).
Acknowledgements
None.
Footnote
Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
References
- Li B, Wong V. Dr. Ignacio Gil-Bazo: family support is my key to success! Asvide 2018;5:078. Available online: http://asvidett.amegroups.com/article/view/22852
(Science Editors: Brad Li, Vicky Wong, TLCR, tlcr@amepc.org)
