City of Hope

From an early age, Andri Leó Lemarquis, M.D., Ph.D., knew he wanted to be a doctor. When his older brother was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, 8-year-old Andri immersed himself in his grandfather’s library, fascinated by the science and mysteries of the human body. Today, Dr. Lemarquis leads City of Hope’s efforts to restore the thymus gland, a vital part of the immune system where T cells develop and learn to recognize and attack viruses, bacteria, and other invaders. Dr. Lemarquis is working to revive the thymus and sustain T cell production for a lifetime, collaborating with Marcel van den Brink, MD, PhD, president of City of Hope Los Angeles and National Medical Center, whose renowned research explores the gut microbiome and CAR T cell mechanisms. Their work could lead to groundbreaking strategies for strengthening the immune system against disease. Read more: https://bit.ly/3FrjkUi

A phase 1 clinical trial led by researchers at City of Hope has demonstrated the safety and early efficacy of combining pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) with systemic chemotherapy for patients with colorectal and appendiceal cancer that has spread to the peritoneum of the abdominal cavity. This promising research will be featured at a March 18 press briefing highlighting some of the most consequential advancements to be presented at this year’s Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting (#SSO2025). Of all possible sites where cancer can spread, peritoneal metastases are among the most challenging to treat. Systemic chemotherapy struggles to reach this region due to its low vascularity, leading to poor survival rates. Without intervention, patients with peritoneal metastases often survive only a few months, with few surpassing one year on standard treatment. City of Hope’s researchers are working to change that. "Up until recently, delivering a uniform dose of chemotherapy in the abdomen has not been possible. At City of Hope, we have been evaluating the use of PIPAC, which is the most optimized way to deliver chemotherapy in the abdominal cavity. It increases targeted medicinal exposure while limiting toxicity,” said Mustafa Raoof, M.D., M.S., assistant professor in City of Hope’s Division of Surgical Oncology. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/egGy3Pgf

21-year-old Toni Bravo was a senior at the University of Notre Dame when an unexpected ER visit changed her life. She had been experiencing anxiety for months, but one particularly intense episode led her mother to suggest a hospital visit — just to be safe. The visit unexpectedly led to a shocking discovery. Doctors found a tumor on the head of her pancreas. Looking back, Toni believes her body was trying to warn her. Just two months earlier, she was involved in a car accident and had a CT scan at the same hospital. But the tumor went undetected. In many ways, she sees that anxiety attack as a second chance. Toni returned to Los Angeles during Winter break and scheduled an appointment at City of Hope. Here, she met Laleh Melstrom, M.D., M.S., who confirmed Toni’s diagnosis: Solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas. Although a rare tumor, Dr. Melstrom assured Toni that it was treatable through surgery alone and didn’t require chemotherapy or radiation. On top of that, Dr. Melstrom said it was possible for Toni to return to school and to come back for surgery in the summer. In June 2024, Toni underwent robotic Whipple surgery to remove the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, gall bladder and bile duct. It’s a highly complex and complicated surgery, but it’s also minimally invasive and allows for faster recovery. Throughout her treatment, Toni found immense comfort in the kindness of her care team. Dr. Melstrom always made time to check in, and the nurses stood out for their compassion. Toni says one of the biggest lessons from her experience is the importance of paying attention to your body. She encourages others to seek medical care if something doesn’t feel right. Whether it turns out to be serious or not, catching a health issue early can make all the difference. Knowing her cancer was found in its early stages was what gave her peace of mind throughout her journey.

City of Hope Research Spotlight shines a light on breakthrough discoveries driving innovative treatments for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Our monthly RSS feed brings you the latest in research milestones — recognitions, innovative collaborations and leading-edge discoveries — highlighting our purpose to make hope a reality. Catch up on our latest edition: https://lnkd.in/e8W-atJ6

At City of Hope, we take great pride in serving our patients. No matter the role, our people show up with compassion and share the same goal: to bring hope and healing to our patients when they need it most. Board-certified oncologists, vote for City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in the U.S. News & World Report #BestHospitals rankings to recognize our commitment to compassionate care. Cast your vote: cityofhope.org/top5

In the latest episode of, "On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research," Sumanta Pal, MD, FASCO sits down with Yuman Fong, M.D., The Sangiacomo Family Chair in Surgical Oncology and chair of the Department of Surgery at City of Hope. Together, 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. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3R55w4k Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3R39EBM

For Kristin Higgins, MD, chief clinical officer at City of Hope Atlanta, expanding access to high-quality cancer care isn’t just a professional goal — it’s a personal mission. Growing up, she saw firsthand how cancer affected her own family, and today, she is committed to ensuring that patients in the Southeastern U.S. receive the best possible care without having to travel long distances. A nationally recognized lung cancer expert and radiation oncologist, Dr. Higgins has published over 150 research papers advancing treatment in her field. At City of Hope Atlanta, she is leading transformative efforts, including launching the bone marrow transplant and cellular therapies program. For Dr. Higgins, delivering exceptional care means more than offering the latest treatments — it’s about providing clarity, compassion and hope. Inspired by her grandfather’s battle with cancer, she prioritizes patient communication, ensuring every person feels informed and supported throughout their journey. “At City of Hope, everyone is aligned to the same mission—helping patients with cancer,” she said. “And you can see the wonderful impact that has on patients and their families.” Read more: https://bit.ly/43DfKAj #WomensHistoryMonth

City of Hope was excited to be part of Real Chemistry's Healthcare Innovation Weekend at SXSW 2025. Principal data scientist, Kingson Man, participated on a dynamic panel with Gabi Viljoen, VP of eCommerce for Nestle Health Sciences, and Shawna Butler, Nurse Economist and SEE YOU NOW podcast host. The experts explored how cutting-edge technologies such as AI and machine learning are enabling more personalized health solutions and improving lives. #RealChemSXSW

At City of Hope, we’re committed to turning breakthrough science into real-world solutions for those affected by cancer and diabetes. A critical part of that commitment? Supporting the bold ideas and trailblazing innovators who drive progress forward. The Office of Technology Licensing plays a key role in this effort, helping to identify, protect and translate discoveries into life-changing therapies. But innovation doesn’t happen in isolation — it thrives on collaboration.? We sat down with Xin "Ginnie" Xu, Ph.D., City of Hope’s executive director of business innovation, to discuss how her team supports visionary breakthroughs. She also shared insights on the Women’s Entrepreneurs Forum — an event happening March 13 in Duarte, California, designed to inspire and empower innovators.?

At City of Hope in Duarte, California, our clinical nutrition team — comprised of 20 incredible women — plays a vital role in patient care. As a cancer center, every admitted patient receives care from clinical nutrition services. The team also provides outpatient care, participates in research studies and leads community education. What sets this team apart? ??? Food as medicine — They integrate nutrition into cancer treatment and recovery. ?? Diversity and cultural connection — Representing 8+ languages and cultures, they connect with patients about cultural foods and offer classes in English and Spanish. ?? Collaboration and mentorship — As an all-women team, they support one another during life stages unique to women while mentoring and supporting each other professionally. ?? Work-life balance advocates — Many are caregivers outside of work, lifting each other up through their shared experiences. Affectionately calling themselves “foodies,” they frequently exchange recipes and meals — bringing warmth and support not just to patients, but to each other. On International Women’s Day, we celebrate their dedication, expertise and representation in a field where they uplift and support one another — inside and outside of work. Tag a woman who inspires you!