Special Interview with Prof. Stephen G. Swisher: Division Head of Surgery at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

On January 24, 2025, the Editorial Office of Mini-invasive Surgery (MIS, ISSN: 2574-1225) had the honor of interviewing Prof. Stephen G. Swisher, Head of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Below are the details of the interview:

Q1. As a co-leader of the lung cancer initiative in the Moon Shots Program, can you share insights into the goals and achievements of the Program?

Q2. Your pioneering work in gene therapy clinical trials for lung and esophageal cancer has been widely recognized. What motivated you to explore this area, and what are the most significant findings from your research?

Q3. Could you share some insights from your research on minimally invasive approaches and how they are advancing thoracic oncology?

Q4. How close are we to fully integrating technologies like augmented reality or haptic feedback into surgical practice?

Profile:

Prof. Stephen G. Swisher

Prof. Swisher is the Head of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he is also a professor. Additionally, he serves as the co-leader of the Lung Cancer Initiative in the hospital's Moon Shots Program, dedicated to significantly reducing cancer mortality through innovation and collaboration. Since joining MD Anderson Cancer Center in 1994, Prof. Swisher has focused on thoracic oncology. He became Chair of the Department of Thoracic Surgery in 2007 and Head of the Department of Surgery in 2014. He also holds the prestigious Charles A. LeMaistre Distinguished Chair in Thoracic Oncology.

Prof. Swisher is renowned for his pioneering work in gene therapy clinical trials for lung and esophageal cancer. He has published over 562 peer-reviewed articles and has received funding from the Department of Defense and the National Institutes of Health for his research. His work has advanced cancer treatment by targeting genetic abnormalities through precision therapies.

In addition to his academic accomplishments, Prof. Swisher serves on several key committees, including the NCI Thoracic Malignancies Steering Committee and the Lung Cancer Working Group of the Southwest Oncology Group. His leadership in collaborative initiatives like the Moon Shots Program highlights his commitment to translating research breakthroughs into clinical applications.

As Prof. Swisher states, "Everything we do is patient-centered. Our goal is to redefine the possibilities in cancer treatment and deliver better outcomes for our patients."

Prof. Swisher's work continues to inspire the medical community and significantly contribute to the progress in the fight against cancer.

Editor: Ivy Wang
Language Editor: Emma Chen
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office Mini-invasive Surgery