This month, Hoosier Cancer Research Network features our member, the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah and Benjamin Maughan, MD, PharmD, assistant professor in the Division of Medical Oncology at Huntsman Cancer Institute, who specializes in genitourinary cancers.

Dr. Maughan is a site principal investigator for the HCRN bladder cancer studies GU16-257, GU16-287, and GU17-294, and a member of the HCRN Genitourinary Clinical Trial Working Group.

Research Interests and Expertise

Dr. Maughan’s research focus is on studying innate and acquired resistance mechanisms to therapy in genitourinary malignancies. In metastatic prostate cancer, he has studied how resistance pathways may play a role in expression of truncated androgen receptors (e.g., AR-V7 expression) and loss of tumor suppressors such as PTEN and Rb. More recently, Dr. Maughan has studied the resistance mechanisms toward immunotherapy in metastatic bladder, kidney, and prostate cancers in the context of novel immune therapy combinations for each of these cancers. For instance, one of his investigator-initiated clinical trials involves a combination of cancer vaccines (PSA and brachyury antigen directed) in combination with PD-L1 inhibition.

Educational Background

• PharmD: Idaho State University College of Pharmacy
• Pharmacy Resident: Idaho State University College of Pharmacy and St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute
• Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
• Medical Resident: University of Utah School of Medicine, Internal Medicine
• Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University, Medical Oncology

Little-Known Facts

• I am an avid endurance athlete. I recently completed a 24-hour team cycling relay. Additionally, I have competed in Olympic distance triathlons and marathons.
• I love reading classic literature and philosophy. My favorite book is The Count of Monte Christo by Alexandre Dumas.
• I have three wonderful daughters and we recently acquired a puppy, Cinnamon, for them. Unfortunately, she seems to always follow me around the house everywhere, even though she is not my dog.

About Hoosier Cancer Research Network:

Hoosier Cancer Research Network (formerly known as Hoosier Oncology Group) conducts innovative cancer research in collaboration with academic and community physicians and scientists across the United States. The organization provides comprehensive clinical trial management and support, from conception through publication. Created in 1984 as a program of the Walther Cancer Institute, Hoosier Cancer Research Network became an independent nonprofit clinical research organization in 2007. Since its founding, Hoosier Cancer Research Network has conducted more than 210 trials in a variety of cancer types and supportive care, resulting in more than 350 publications. More than 8,500 subjects have participated in Hoosier Cancer Research Network clinical trials.