Gyn-Oncology Fellow Dr. Hutchcraft’s Research Recognized on National Stage

Megan Hutchcraft, MD, a gynecological oncology fellow at the UK College of Medicine and UK Markey Cancer Center, was recently recognized by the premier organization for professionals in gynecologic cancer care. During the Society of Gynecology Oncology’s (SGO) winter meeting, Dr. Hutchcraft was awarded the SGO 2022 Best Oral Abstract Award. She was selected among nearly 200 submissions and was one of 45 accepted abstracts. “I've never won an award like that before, so it's really motivating for me,” Dr. Hutchcraft said. “I'm just humbled to have been the recipient so that I could present the great work that we're doing here at Markey Cancer Center.” Dr. Hutchcraft’s research centers on finding treatment solutions for patients with advanced cancer. As part of the Markey Cancer Center Molecular Tumor Board (MTB), she is involved in testing tumors for genetic mutations to see if there are targeted therapies to treat the specific mutations in specific tumors – also known as “personalized medicine.” The study recognized by the SGO compared previous patient treatment results with the successive, targeted treatment approach. Dr. Hutchcraft said that historically, “any subsequent treatment that somebody gets, they typically don't do as well. Typically, they do better earlier on in their cancer treatment.” Dr. Hutchcraft’s research had different results. Approximately 66 percent of patients did 30 percent better on the treatment recommended by the MTB than the previous treatment. “This was a pretty big deal for patients with advanced or metastatic cancer,” Dr. Hutchcraft said. It was also a big deal for Dr. Hutchcraft, whose passion is helping women with cancer by providing care and working toward scientific solutions. She pursued a gynecologic oncology fellowship because she enjoys caring for women across the spectrum of their cancer treatment. She said her specialty is a way to get to know patients at a personal level. “As a gyn-oncologist, we're in a really unique specialty. We take care of women’s cancer care from the surgical standpoint and from a medical standpoint, and that's pretty unusual,” she said. “The fact that I can be the person advocating for my patients was really important to me. I really, really appreciate the opportunity to connect with my patients and develop relationships.” When she applied for fellowship programs, Dr. Hutchcraft was drawn to the Markey Cancer Center and the College of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for the positive learning environment. She “completely connected” with the faculty, who she said were clearly invested in their patients and cared for one another. Two years into her UK fellowship, Dr. Hutchcraft said that supportive environment remains. She is grateful for those who have helped her advance her career skills, including her mentors Rachel Miller, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and Jill Kolesar, PharmD, MS, Early Phase Clinical Trials Center director and MTB co-director. Dr. Kolesar praised Dr. Hutchcraft’s coordination of a large and interprofessional study team. She said Dr. Hutchcraft was able to interpret and present the results of a clinical trial evaluating the impact of the Molecular Tumor Board on improving patient care outcomes, “demonstrating improved progression-free survival in patients treated with a MTB-recommended therapy.” “Dr. Hutchcraft is hard-working, conscientious, and a true team player who has helped us understand the benefit of MTB-recommended therapy for our patients,” Dr. Kolesar said. Dr. Hutchcraft’s SGO award has reignited her passion for helping her patients live longer, healthier, and happier lives through cancer research and care.