A Comprehensive Cancer Center: Advances + Adva n t a ge s Some research hospitals specialize in basic science. Others test new drugs or study how to prevent disease. But few specialize in all of these — and even fewer integrate these elements to lead the fight against cancer nationally and around the world. Only those with close links among research, clinical care, education and outreach earn the title of “comprehensive cancer center.” From unraveling cancer’s molecular origins to improving long-term survival, City of Hope has evolved into a comprehensive health, research and educational center focused on rapidly translating discoveries from science into medicine. A Rigorous Challenge Only the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, can designate an institution as one of its cancer centers. And among these centers, only a select few meet the criteria of a comprehensive center. This designation plays out in City of Hope’s labs and clinics every day. Some of City of Hope’s scientists conduct groundbreaking research on disease mechanisms, stripping cancer of its mysteries. Others translate these discoveries into treatment strategies, launching innovative clinical trials of investigational therapies. Physicians participate in large-scale studies so they can share the benefits of more effective, less toxic treatments with patients as soon as possible. Leading doctors also collaborate with partners at other research and clinical centers to update treatment standards and improve outcomes. City of Hope reaches out to the public, too, keeping community members up to date on cancer prevention and early detection. The benefits of care at a comprehensive cancer center are simple: Patients receive treatment plans based on research breakthroughs and participate in trials of the latest investigational therapies. Studies show that outcomes are better at NCI-designated centers. Patients fare better after surgery and they have greater access to palliative care, easing the cancer journey. Advantages reach beyond cancer. Some of the risk factors for one disease may link to others. For example, some of the causes underlying malignancy risk are also associated with diabetes. Discoveries and lessons learned from cancer research may lead to therapies for HIV/AIDS, neurologic disorders and more. In this report, we take one type of cancer, leukemia, to tell the story of how all the parts of City of Hope’s comprehensive cancer center come together to influence the fight against cancer. In this disease — as in breast cancer, prostate cancer or any of the dozens of other cancers studied and treated at City of Hope — all parts of the cancer center come together for the most important mission: saving people’s lives. City of Hope’s Cancer Center Programs Basic studies > Cancer Novel therapeutics > Cancer Biology Program Immunotherapeutics Program Basic, translational and clinical research > Hematologic Clinical service, research and education > Cancer Malignancies Program Molecularly targeted cancer therapeutics > Developmental 4 Control and Population Sciences Program Cancer Therapeutics Program