Interview with Prof. Robert C. Bast: A Pioneer in Ovarian Cancer Research
On June 9, 2025, the editorial team of Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment (JCMT) had the great honor of interviewing newly appointed Advisory Editor Prof. Robert C. Bast, an internationally renowned leader in oncology and Director of Translational Research Career Development at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
In this interview, Prof. Bast reflected on the inspiration behind his breakthrough work on combining immune biomarkers with carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) for the early detection of ovarian cancer. He explained how such multi-analyte panels may also aid in the detection of other elusive cancers, including endometrial, breast, and pancreatic tumors. Additionally, he offered valuable perspectives on the evolving understanding of metastasis and recurrence in ovarian cancer, highlighting key biological mechanisms and future research priorities. Looking ahead, Prof. Bast discussed the transformative promise of emerging technologies - such as multi-cancer early detection tests, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven imaging, and proteomics - in reshaping cancer screening and diagnosis. As an esteemed mentor who has guided numerous young scientists, he also offered thoughtful guidance for early-career cancer researchers.
Watch the following video for expert insights from Prof. Robert C. Bast:
Interview Questions:
Q1: Your important publication in British Journal of Cancer, titled "Autoantibodies, antigen-autoantibody complexes and antigens complement CA125 for early detection of ovarian cancer," represents a major breakthrough in biomarker-based early detection. What inspired you to explore the combination of immune biomarkers with CA125, and how did you hypothesize their complementary diagnostic potential?
Q2: Your research aligns with a broader shift toward immuno-oncology approaches in early cancer detection. Do you anticipate similar biomarker panels being effective for other cancers such as endometrial, breast, or pancreatic tumors, where early detection remains a challenge?
Q3: Beyond diagnostics, your work has significantly contributed to understanding metastasis and recurrence in ovarian cancer. What have we learned about the biology of metastasis in this disease, and what areas should future research prioritize?
Q4: You have long been an advocate for cancer prevention and early diagnosis. How do you envision emerging tools such as multi-cancer early detection tests, AI-powered imaging, and proteomic profiling shaping the future of cancer screening?
Q5: Congratulations on receiving the 2025 Distinguished Service Award from Friends of Egyptian Children with Cancer and the Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). As a role model to many, what message or advice would you like to share with the next generation of cancer researchers embarking on their scientific journeys?
About the Interviewee:
Prof. Robert C. Bast, Director of Translational Research Career Development, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Prof. Bast is a globally recognized expert in ovarian and breast cancer biology and immunology. His scientific contributions span cancer biomarker discovery, early cancer detection, kinase-regulated therapy resistance, imprinted tumor suppressor genes, the regulation of Ras activity, autophagy, and tumor dormancy.
He was honored with the 2025 Distinguished Service Award from Friends of Egyptian Children with Cancer and the AACR Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research, recognizing his remarkable impact on oncology research, mentorship, and leadership in the scientific community.
We sincerely thank Prof. Bast for taking the time and sharing his insights. We look forward to his continued contributions to JCMT and to his leadership in advancing high-quality research and promoting multidisciplinary progress in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Editor: Frida Zhai
Language Editor: Catherine Yang
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment
