Brain Tumors
Getting treatment for brain and spinal tumors at City of Hope puts you at the center of the most innovative and groundbreaking research and clinical trials for brain cancer in the world. It gives you access to promising treatments that directly target tumors — and the biology of your cancer.
Our Brain Tumor Program has several exciting experimental therapies — some only offered at City of Hope — as part of our clinical trials program. We are pioneering new treatments for brain tumors, including:
- Genetically fortified immune system cells called CAR T cells; a groundbreaking case study, conducted here and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found CAR T cell therapy effective at treating glioblastoma.
- Neural stem cells modified to deliver chemotherapy to advanced and treatment-resistant brain cancer
- Nanoparticles that unleash cancer-killing therapies directly at tumor sites
Clinical Trials For Brain Cancer
If you have a newly developed or recurrent brain tumor and are interested in learning about our clinical trials or referring a patient for enrollment, please email neurosurgerymail@coh.org.
Brain tumors are rare — fewer than 1% of the population is diagnosed with a malignant (cancerous) brain tumor during their lifetime. In addition, cancers that begin in the brain — primary brain tumors — are uncommon, while those that travel to brain tissue from other organs — called metastatic tumors — are more frequently diagnosed.
Brain tumors are highly complex, requiring an expert and deeply experienced team that can accurately diagnose your tumor type — so that you get the best and most effective treatment.
City of Hope’s approach to treating brain cancer starts with a coordinated, multidisciplinary care team whose primary goal is finding a treatment plan that extends your life.
City of Hope is a hub of innovation and progress when it comes to treating brain tumors.
Being diagnosed with brain cancer is a challenging and life-altering event. In addition to leading-edge care, City of Hope provides all patients with counseling, physical therapy and nutritional support.
Patient Stories
When you get brain tumor treatment at City of Hope, you are partnering with a world-class team of experts spanning multiple disciplines who see and treat challenging and complex brain tumors daily. And you have access to transformative surgical methods and technology, groundbreaking research studies, and highly focused radiation therapy. We treat all tumor types, including:
- Malignant (cancerous) tumors
- Benign (noncancerous) tumors, including pituitary gland disorders
- Tumors that have spread or developed resistance to treatment
- Complex spinal tumors
Promising New Therapies
City of Hope's focus on basic research keeps us on the cusp of significant discoveries. For example, we are the only cancer center in the country injecting cancer-killing immune cells directly into the brain to treat patients with advanced brain tumors — to boost your immune system's natural cancer-fighting abilities. And we were the first research institution in the world to use neural stem cells in patients with glioblastoma.
Our commitment to providing exceptional care includes:
- Advanced immunotherapy and gene therapy clinical trials including using modified T cells to fight brain tumors
- Revolutionary neural stem cell therapy that delivers chemotherapy directly to tumors
- Promising research into immunotherapeutic approaches to killing brain cancer cells using nanoparticles
- Neurosurgeons who expertly perform minimally invasive procedures — including endoscopic and image-guided surgery — to remove as much tumor tissue as possible while preserving the quality of life
- A comprehensive pituitary tumor clinic
- Noninvasive, alternating electric field therapy that disrupts tumor cell division
- A brain tumor board that meets at least twice a month to discuss patient treatment plans, allowing for tailored and individualized treatment
- Palliative procedures designed to improve quality of life
Seamless, Coordinated Care
City of Hope's team of neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, researchers, nurses, radiation oncologists and genetic counselors work together closely at all stages to provide seamless, coordinated care. We balance that approach with personalized medicine — not just when it comes to your cancer, but the kind that makes you feel supported throughout your treatment. And our commitment to personalized care means preserving your quality of life is at the heart of your treatment.
City of Hope is internationally recognized for its research and breakthrough treatments and has been named one of America's top cancer hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for more than a decade.
City of Hope is one of the few facilities designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute.
Our developments in the areas of breakthrough cancer drugs, bone marrow transplants and CAR T cell therapy are recognized internationally.
Our leadership in research and innovation continually enhances our ability to provide novel and differentiated approaches to cancer care.
