On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research

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.

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Presented by City of Hope: www.CityOfHope.org

In this episode of On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research, 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. Dr. Montero shares how early clinical experiences with lupus inspired his lifelong mission to bridge basic science and clinical application, leading to innovative therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. 

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). The duo discusses the development of targeted monoclonal antibodies and a groundbreaking approach using genetically modified regulatory T cells—CAR Tregs—to modulate immune responses, aiming not just to control disease but to regenerate damaged tissue. 

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. 

Looking ahead, Dr. Montero envisions expanding this technology to tackle type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune conditions, driven by a collective dream to move beyond symptom management toward true cures.  

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Presented by City of Hope: www.CityOfHope.org

From a small Sicilian town to the forefront of diabetes research, Dr. Pugliese’s story is one of relentless curiosity and hope. He shares how early family experiences and clinical frustrations inspired his lifelong mission to improve outcomes type 1 diabetes.

The conversation delves into the role of viruses and the microbiome in triggering type 1 diabetes. Dr. Pugliese describes his leadership in the Network for Pancreatic Organ Donors with Diabetes (nPOD), which has enabled collaborative studies showing evidence of chronic viral infections in the pancreas and their potential contribution to disease onset.

This episode also dissects how generous giving becomes the driving force behind groundbreaking research and scientific breakthroughs. Dr. Pugliese shares details of a bold, new nationwide clinical trial led by City of Hope, inspired by philanthropic support from the Wanek Family Project. The innovative trial will assess a combination of approved therapies to investigate ways to preserve insulin secretion and control the autoimmune process in newly diagnosed patients, aiming to accelerate progress toward a cure.

 Tune in to discover how Dr. Pugliese’s translational diabetes research, collaborative spirit, and commitment to mentorship are driving breakthroughs in diabetes care.  

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Presented by City of Hope: www.CityOfHope.org

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. 

The episode explores how breast cancer studies lay the groundwork for integrating exercise into survivorship and treatment and they dive into landmark trials, such as the CHALLENGE study, which showed exercise can improve survival for colorectal cancer patients. Dr. Jones emphasizes the need for rigorous, drug-like trial designs to truly measure the impact of exercise interventions. He argues innovative approaches such as decentralized trials, using remote monitoring and home-based exercise equipment are critical to expand access and collect real-time data. 

Dr. Jones shares a sneak peak of new studies launching in prostate cancer, high-risk populations, and collaborations with national research networks. His vision is to move beyond a cancer-cell focus, embracing holistic interventions that consider the patient’s physiology and environment. 

Tune in to hear how City of Hope is pushing the boundaries of cancer research and care. 

Visit On The Edge of Breakthrough to learn more.

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Presented by City of Hope: www.CityOfHope.org

In this episode of On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research, Dr. Monty Pal sits down with Dr. Loretta Erhunmwunsee, a thoracic surgeon and lung cancer researcher at City of Hope,.

From her roots in underserved communities to today, where she is at the forefront of lung cancer research, Dr. Erhunmwunsee brings a unique perspective to understanding how environments and where we live can shape our health. Her latest groundbreaking research looks at how air pollution and neighborhood locations may not only increase cancer risk — but also influence tumor biology. She explores why diversity in healthcare matters and shares her vision for making leading-edge cancer care accessible to all.

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Presented by City Of Hope
www.CityOfHope.org

What does it take to bring tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy to more patients and make the therapy more effective for those already eligible?

In this episode of Edge of Breakthrough, Dr. Monty Pal sits down with Dr. Kelly Mahuron, a surgical oncologist at City of Hope, to unpack how TIL therapy is evolving. From identifying eligible patients and surgical harvesting of TILs to cell expansion and reinfusion, Dr. Mahuron breaks down the entire  process of TIL therapy, highlighting how her cross-disciplinary team is working to improve patient outcomes, reduce toxicity, and eventually expand treatment beyond melanoma.

They also explore the next generation of TILs  f, and  how oncolytic viruses and modified immune environments might bring TILs to more resistant cancers such as pancreatic and colorectal tumors.

Learn how surgical precision, immunotherapy, and translational research come together to push the boundaries of what's possible in cancer treatment. . Tune in to the full conversation now.

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Presented by City Of Hope
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In this episode of On the Edge of Breakthrough, Dr. Monty Pal is joined by Dr. Stephen Forman, a giant of cancer care and  hematologic malignancies and pioneer of cellular immunotherapy. 

Dr. Forman reflects on decades of progress in bone marrow transplantation, CAR T cell therapy, and the future of cellular therapies. But this conversation isn’t just about lab science. It’s about the human side of innovation: the infrastructure, access, and emotional support needed to truly care for patients through some of the most complex treatments in cancer care.

Dr. Forman also explains the urgency of expanding healthcare access, and reveals the  best practices for building scalable models to deliver the next-generation immunotherapy for patients who need them now.

Listen as they unpack what it means to move from an innovative experiment in the lab  to real impact on the front lines of cancer care.

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Presented by City Of Hope
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In this episode of On the Edge of Breakthrough, host Dr. Monty Pal sits down with Dr. Charles Brenner, an internationally recognized expert in metabolism and the founding Chair of the Department of Diabetes & Cancer Metabolism at City of Hope. Together, they explore the metabolic links between diabetes, obesity, and cancer, and how understanding those connections could lead to new ways to prevent and treat multiple diseases.

Dr. Brenner shares insights from his research into lean fatty liver disease (otherwise known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease or MASLD), and how certain genetic factors may be quietly driving both metabolic dysfunction and cancer risk. They also discuss the rise of GLP-1 therapies and how a new class of compounds targeting FGF21 might offer a potential  new therapeutic option that could help curb sugar cravings and support liver health.

This episode takes listeners deep into the science of energy balance, NAD metabolism, fatty liver disease, and what it truly means to be on the edge of a breakthrough.

Tune in now and stay updated on the science shaping the future of cancer care.

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Presented by City Of Hope
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In this special episode of On the Edge of Breakthrough, recorded live at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, host Dr. Monty Pal sits down with two of City of Hope’s newest clinical leaders: Dr. Walter Stadler, Chief Clinical Officer at City of Hope Chicago, and Dr. Alan Bryce, Chief Clinical Officer at Hope Phoenix.

Together, they explore what it takes to build a national model for research-driven care, from creating system-wide infrastructure for precision medicine to integrating AI across core services like  pathology, real-time cross-network collaboration, and genomic innovation throughout  40+ sites. The episode dives into the growing complexity of cancer treatment, the burden on individual providers, and how building smarter systems can accelerate access to trials, for all  communities.

The discussion touches on simplifying clinical trial design, rethinking dose strategies, and the institutional commitment to pushing forward both early detection and long-term survivorship.

If you're interested in where oncology is headed next—from both a research and systems perspective—this episode is a must-listen.

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Presented by City Of Hope
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