Personalized Treatment: Kate’s Journey with Dr. Van Tine

In May of 2023, Kate Johnson noticed a mass. Within a matter of months, Kate was diagnosed with Stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma that is extremely rare in adults. Together with the help of Siteman Cancer Center and her oncologist Dr. Brian Van Tine, Kate was able to approach her cancer journey with hope, strength and resolve. 

“The care I received at Siteman made all the difference. Every aspect of my journey was met with unwavering support and expertise,” Kate reflects. 

Dr. Van Tine, the Sarcoma Program Director at Siteman and one of the top sarcoma specialists in the nation, had an indelible impact on Kate’s journey. 

“Dr. Van Tine became a pillar of strength during my treatment,” Kate says. “He took the time to understand me not just as a patient, but as a person. His honesty was something I valued deeply; he always provided hope and a clear path forward without sugarcoating the challenges. His philosophy of treating the whole person, not just the disease, helped me stay strong mentally and emotionally, which was just as important as the physical battle.”

“Personalized treatment is rooted in empathy,” Dr. Van Tine says. “I think it’s important to create a sense of trust and comfort with patients, helping them feel seen, understood and informed.”

By conducting innovative research on cutting-edge treatments that have the capability to bring forth new treatment opportunities for patients like Kate, Dr. Van Tine’s laboratory has become a leader in sarcoma treatment and understanding. 

“Our laboratory studies how to take advantage of molecular weaknesses in cancer cells to develop drugs and therapies that target those weaknesses,” Dr. Van Tine says. “By understanding the metabolism of tumor cells, my team takes bench-level findings to clinical trials, strategically developing combination drug therapies that will transform how sarcomas are treated.” 

Seeing the impact of Siteman’s dedicated physicians and advanced research firsthand, Kate became progressively more interested in Dr. Van Tine’s work. Guided by hope and gratitude, Kate formed ‘Kate’s Krew‘ to champion Dr. Van Tine and his research team’s groundbreaking efforts, working to help fuel the next big breakthrough in the treatment of this rare cancer.

“Kate’s Krew started as a support system during my treatment and has now grown into a community dedicated to making a difference. I hope to inspire others to support Siteman Cancer Center and contribute to the future of cancer research. Philanthropy ensures that institutions like Siteman can continue their vital work, and physicians like Dr. Van Tine can keep making life-changing discoveries and providing incredible care.” 

Dr. Van Tine agrees that visionary support is integral to the future of transformational cancer research. 

“Private philanthropy fuels innovation in cancer research. It provides the necessary funding for clinical trials, new therapies, and advanced technology that can save lives. Without private support, many groundbreaking advancements would not be possible,” Dr. Van Tine says. 

Make a gift to the Siteman Annual Fund in honor of the life-changing medical professionals like Dr. Brian Van Tine today and join Kate, Dr. Van Tine and the Siteman community in their mission to prevent cancer and transform cancer patient care through scientific discovery.