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.

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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
www.CityOfHope.org