On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research

Epizode

• Live from ASCO 2026: Insights on the Latest in Multiple Myeloma, Prostate and Lung Cancer Research 11.06.2026 18min

  In this special episode of On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research, Monty Pal, M.D., F.A.S.C.O., sits down live onsite at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting with three City of Hope leaders to discuss the research drawing attention across the global oncology community. Alan Bryce, M.D., Kristin Higgins, M.D., and Joseph Mikhael, M.D., share findings they are watching most closely and what those developments could mean for patients and the future of cancer care.
• What it Takes to Close the Gap in Pediatric Cancer Care with Leo Wang, M.D., Ph.D. 21.04.2026 46min

  In this episode, Leo Wang, M.D., Ph.D., pediatric oncologist, Clinical Director of the Gene Therapy Program and Director of the City of Hope Alpha Clinic, discusses the realities of caring for children with cancers that still have few effective treatments. He reflects on what it takes to begin changing those realities for patients and families.
• Reengineering CAR T for Solid Tumors: What Glioblastoma Has Taught Us with Christine Brown, Ph.D. 07.04.2026 42min

  In this episode of On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research, Christine Brown, Ph.D., Deputy Director of the T Cell Research Laboratory at City of Hope, joins Monty Pal, M.D., F.A.S.C.O., to discuss how years of research in glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and difficult brain cancers, are helping scientists rethink how CAR T cell therapy could effectively treat solid tumors.
• The Long Game of Cancer Genomics: John Carpten, Ph.D., on Building Precision Oncology that Reaches Patients 24.03.2026 56min

  In this episode of On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research, John Carpten, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at City of Hope, discusses the evolution of cancer genomics—how early genome mapping enabled today’s targeted approaches and what infrastructure and equity considerations will determine what comes next.
• How Engineered Antibodies and Next Generation Imaging Tools are Reshaping Cancer Care with Anna Wu, Ph.D. 10.03.2026 41min

  In this episode of On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research, Anna Wu, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Immunology and Theranostics at City of Hope, joins host Monty Pal, M.D., for an engaging discussion on how innovations in antibody engineering and imaging are improving clinicians’ ability to visualize tumors and guide more effective treatment strategies.
• Unlocking the Future of Cancer Care: Precision Medicine, AI and the Patient Voice with Dr. Stacy Gray 24.02.2026 43min

  In this episode of On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research, Stacy Gray, M.D., A.M., Director of Clinical and Scientific Strategy and Vice President of System Strategy at City of Hope, joins Monty Pal, M.D., F.A.S.C.O. in an engaging discussion of how precision medicine and AI are transforming cancer care and why listening to patients is the key to it all.
• How Team Science Fuels Cancer Breakthroughs: A Conversation with Dr. Marcel van den Brink 10.02.2026 57min

  In the season 4 premiere of On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research, Monty Pal, M.D., F.A.S.C.O., welcomes Marcel van den Brink, M.D., Ph.D., President of City of Hope Los Angeles and City of Hope National Medical Center, Chief Physician Executive and the Deana and Steve Campbell Physician Executive Distinguished Chair. From mentorship and team science to the intersection of clinical care, innovation and personal resilience, this episode offers a candid look at the experiences and values driving one of cancer research’s most impactful leaders.
• How Mentorship Sparks Innovation: A Conversation with Dr. Wesley Yip 07.01.2026 35min

  In the season 3 finale episode of On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research, Dr. Monty Pal welcomes Wesley Yip, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Urology and Urologic Oncology, Department of Surgery at City of Hope. The conversation delves into Dr. Yip’s innovative work investigating the role of the microbiome in kidney cancer, the rigorous protocols required for scientific discovery and the promise of microbiome modulation to improve patient outcomes. He discusses the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and building multidisciplinary teams, as well as the challenges and rewards of balancing clinical practice, research, and family life.
• Bonus: The Future of Cancer Surgery: Innovations, AI and Remote Robotics 23.12.2025 32min

  This is an audience favorite episode. Dr. Yuman Fong shares insights on AI, robotics, the future of surgical oncology, plus his groundbreaking work in oncolytic viruses and the importance of mentorship.
• The Quest to Cure: Exploring the Latest Frontiers in Autoimmune Disease Treatment 11.12.2025 39min

  Dr. Monty Pal welcomes Dr. Enrique Montero, research professor within the Arthur Riggs Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, to discuss his global journey in immunology and the pioneering work underway at City of Hope. The episode dives into the significance of the CD6 molecule on T cells - how its overexpression drives inflammation in conditions like type 1 diabetes and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Dr. Montero shares early insights from the first-in-human clinical trial of CAR Tregs for GVHD, noting promising safety and signs of durable benefit in patients who had exhausted other treatment options, and outlines the vision for expanding this technology to tackle type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune conditions.
• Translating Discovery: Shaping Tomorrow’s Prostate Cancer Therapies 26.11.2025 31min

  In this episode of On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research, Dr. Monty Pal welcomes Dr. Tanya Dorff, professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research and section chief of the Genitourinary Disease Program at City of Hope. Together they dive into Dorff’s pioneering work in immunotherapy for prostate cancer - from the challenges of moving treatments from bench to bedside, to the importance of collaborative team-science, and the role of deep biological correlates in informing future studies. Beyond her clinical and research achievements, Dr. Dorff reflects on mentorship, work-life balance, and the importance of supporting diversity of thought in academic medicine. She shares how creative pursuits help her recharge and offers advice for aspiring oncologists to pursue their passions and embrace bold leaps at the edge of breakthrough. Tune in to discover how clinical innovation, collaboration, and a patient-centered approach are the secret sauce driving advances in cancer care. Follow Us: • LinkedIn @city-of-hope • X @cityofhope • Facebook @cityofhope • Instagram @cityofhope Presented by City of Hope: www.CityOfHope.org
• Asking the Impossible: How Bold Questions are Unlocking Diabetes Biggest Breakthroughs 11.11.2025 51min

  In this episode of On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research, Dr. Monty Pal sits down with Dr. Alberto Pugliese, Samuel Rahbar Chair in Diabetes & Drug Discovery, chair of the Department of Diabetes Immunology and director of The Wanek Family Project for Type 1 Diabetes. Tune in to discover how Dr. Pugliese’s translational diabetes research, collaborative spirit, and commitment to mentorship are driving breakthroughs in diabetes care.
• Movement as Medicine: The Science Reshaping Oncology 28.10.2025 55min

  In this episode of "On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research," host Dr. Monty Pal welcomes Dr. Lee Jones, Head of the Exercise Oncology Program in the Department of Medicine at City of Hope, to discuss how exercise science is helping reshape cancer treatment and care. Dr. Jones shares his journey from the UK to City of Hope, highlighting the challenges and breakthroughs in establishing exercise as a vital part of oncology research. He explains how the field of exercise oncology has taken lessons from NASA and their work to prepare astronauts going to and coming back from space to improve outcomes for cancer patients throughout their treatment journey.
• How Team Science is Driving Lung Cancer Breakthroughs 20.08.2025 32min

  Dr. Loretta Erhunmwunsee explores her latest groundbreaking research investigating the impact of air pollution on lung cancer and shares how team science is critical to advancing cancer care for all.
• Expanding the Reach of TIL Therapy: What Will it Take? 05.08.2025 38min

  Dr. Mahuron shares how tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy is evolving to reach more patients and improve cancer outcomes.
• Rewriting the Rules of Cellular Therapy 22.07.2025 47min

  Dr. Stephen Forman shares the past, present, and future of cellular therapy and how City of Hope is building care systems to reach more patients.
• At the Crossroads of Cancer and Metabolism 08.07.2025 37min

  Dr. Charles Brenner explores the metabolic links between cancer, diabetes, NAD, and the future of liver-focused therapies.
• Three Leaders, One Vision: Principles for Transforming Cancer Care Delivery 24.06.2025 43min

  Dr. Walter Stadler & Dr. Alan Bryce share how City of Hope is building a national system for smarter research, greater access, and better cancer care.
• How a Bold Yes Became a Scientific Breakthrough 10.06.2025 47min

  Dr. Linda Malkas shares the story behind AOH1996—how one bold “yes” led to a new cancer drug and a legacy built from love and science.
• Building the First AI Agent for Cancer Research 06.05.2025 49min

  Dr. Enrique Velazquez Villarreal on AI, genomics, and why young Latinos are at the heart of his work to improve colorectal cancer research and care.