On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research

City of Hope
  • 5.0 (28)
  • Medicine

Welcome to On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research, your gateway to the latest in cancer care innovation. Hosted by Dr. Monty Pal, a medical oncologist and researcher at City of Hope, we’ll bring you inside one of the top 5 cancer research and treatment institutions in the U.S., where innovation and hope go hand-in-hand. Join Dr. Pal as he sits down with some of the world’s leading cancer experts as they explore some of the most pressing challenges and promising innovations in oncology today. Whether you're a seasoned healthcare professional, a curious researcher, or simply someone passionate about the fight against cancer, this podcast is your front row seat to hear about the discoveries defining the future of cancer care.

  1. Apr 21

    What it Takes to Close the Gap in Pediatric Cancer Care with Leo Wang, M.D., Ph.D.

    While many childhood leukemias are now highly curable, Dr. Wang explains children with certain aggressive brain tumors still face the same outcomes they did a decade ago. This lag in progress is what drives his work today investigating CAR T‑cell therapy gene therapy in early phase clinical trials. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Wang returns to the idea that progress in pediatric cancer care depends on collaboration across institutions, bringing together patient care, careful study and shared commitment across the research community. For him, the work centers on honoring the trust families place in the field and steadily moving discoveries from the lab to children who need more options and more time.

    46 min

  2. Apr 7

    Reengineering CAR T for Solid Tumors: What Glioblastoma Has Taught Us with Christine Brown, Ph.D.

    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.   Dr. Brown shares lessons learned from treating patients with few options, including how tumors change over time and how the brain’s environment can limit immune‑based treatments.  The conversation explores Brown’s early leadership in delivering CAR T cells directly into the brain, rather than through the bloodstream. The episode delves into her key clinical experiences that revealed both the potential of CAR T‑cell therapy and the challenges of making clinical responses last.  Dr. Brown explains new up and coming approaches designed to improve durability and effectiveness, how these advances could extend beyond cancer to autoimmune diseases. She returns to a simple point: studying how real patients respond—what works, what doesn’t, and why—will shape every next step in her research.

    43 min

  3. Mar 24

    The Long Game of Cancer Genomics: John Carpten, Ph.D., on Building Precision Oncology that Reaches Patients

    Dr. Carpten traces the less-linear path that brought him to the forefront of the field, from his early interests in biology and sports to a pivotal moment in college, when a red-covered Life magazine helped crystallize his career trajectory toward genomics. This curiosity led Carpten to his work on the Human Genome Project, where he significantly contributed to mapping the human genome years before a reference sequence existed. He later helped build translational genomics programs from the ground up, including as a founding member of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), turning limited resources into platforms for discovery and application. The episode tackles what makes breakthroughs durable: building programs, technologies and teams that are inclusive, scalable and designed for clinical impact. Carpten shares how City of Hope is integrating genomics, spatial biology and emerging approaches such as AI to accelerate translation—with an emphasis on rigor, implementation and access.

    56 min

  4. Mar 10

    How Engineered Antibodies and Next Generation Imaging Tools are Reshaping Cancer Care with Anna Wu, Ph.D.

    Dr. Wu shares insights on her team’s development of engineered antibodies and fast‑clearing mini‑body fragments. These fragments can initially be used for PET imaging and then later paired with therapeutic radioisotopes to precisely target tumors, which help clinicians see where the treatment is going and how well it may work.  She also talks about two exciting initiatives at City of Hope: CEA‑directed agents (targeted cancer therapies) that are being used in clinical imaging and therapy; and PSCA‑targeted radiopharmaceuticals, which are entering first‑in‑human studies for pancreatic and prostate cancers. These new approaches use imaging to zero in on the tumor target, confirm safety, then deliver the radiation therapy directly to cancer cells.

    42 min

  5. Feb 24

    Unlocking the Future of Cancer Care: Precision Medicine, AI and the Patient Voice with Dr. Stacy Gray

    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.  Dr. Gray highlights City of Hope’s leadership in precision medicine, from expanded germline testing and the INSPIRE program to emerging early‑detection studies using whole‑body MRI and liquid biopsy. The episode dissects how system‑wide integration and new technologies can expand access to expert opinions, match patients to clinical trials and ensure high‑quality cancer care, regardless of a patient’s geographic location. Oncologists sometimes worry that sharing genomic results without concrete recommendations may increase patients’ anxiety. But as Dr. Gray notes, research shows that what patients want most is actionable information that helps them understand what comes next. Her work has helped catalyze innovations such as molecular tumor boards and large‑scale genomic programs that make testing more accessible and clinically meaningful.

    44 min

  6. Feb 10

    How Team Science Fuels Cancer Breakthroughs: A Conversation with Dr. Marcel van den Brink

    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. Together, they trace Dr. van den Brink’s remarkable journey from his early medical training in Holland—including formative mentorship under pioneering immunologists—to pivotal experiences that brought him to the U.S. and shaped his career as a physician-scientist. Van den Brink reflects on the challenges of navigating academic systems, the grit required during demanding residency years and the turning points that led him to leadership roles at premier cancer centers. The conversation highlights Dr. van den Brink’s groundbreaking scientific contributions, including discoveries that have advanced understanding of T cell biology, the thymus, immune recovery and the microbiome’s role in transplant outcomes. He discusses his philosophy of fostering open, collaborative research environments and the importance of rethinking traditional academic models to empower the next generation of scientists.

    57 min

  7. Jan 7

    How Mentorship Sparks Innovation: A Conversation with Dr. Wesley Yip

    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 duo explores Dr. Yip’s career journey sparked by an early inspiration in his father’s urology practice to the cutting-edge urological oncology and microbiome research he now leads.  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. Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Yip reflects on the value of asking for help, the power of saying “no” to stay focused on long-term goals, and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of cancer researchers. He shares advice for aspiring surgeon-scientists on embracing collaboration, seeking guidance, and pursuing personalized approaches at the edge of breakthrough. Follow Us: LinkedIn @city-of-hopeX @cityofhopeFacebook @cityofhopeInstagram @cityofhopePresented by City of Hope: www.CityOfHope.org

    35 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    Bonus: The Future of Cancer Surgery: Innovations, AI and Remote Robotics

    This is an audience favorite episode. Dr. Monty Pal sits down with Yuman Fong, M.D., an internationally renowned surgical oncologist and Chair of Surgery at City of Hope, to explore the leading-edge innovations shaping the future of surgical oncology. Dr. Fong shares his incredible journey from studying medieval literature to being one of the first-ever surgeons to conduct surgery in space. They discuss the evolution of oncolytic viruses, the role of AI in cancer surgery, and how remote robotic surgical procedures are transforming patient care worldwide. Dr. Fong also shares  his insights on balancing an intense surgical career with family life, mentorship, and finding passions outside the operating room. Don’t miss this fascinating conversation about the future of cancer care, where groundbreaking science meets human connection. Subscribe via the links below to listen now. Follow Us LinkedIn @city-of-hopeX @cityofhopeFacebook @cityofhopeInstagram @cityofhopePresented by City of Hope: www.CityOfHope.org

    33 min
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Trailer

5
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28 Ratings

About

Welcome to On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research, your gateway to the latest in cancer care innovation. Hosted by Dr. Monty Pal, a medical oncologist and researcher at City of Hope, we’ll bring you inside one of the top 5 cancer research and treatment institutions in the U.S., where innovation and hope go hand-in-hand. Join Dr. Pal as he sits down with some of the world’s leading cancer experts as they explore some of the most pressing challenges and promising innovations in oncology today. Whether you're a seasoned healthcare professional, a curious researcher, or simply someone passionate about the fight against cancer, this podcast is your front row seat to hear about the discoveries defining the future of cancer care.

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