City of Hope’s Podcast on Cancer Research Breakthroughs

Sumanta Kumar Pal, M.D. | City of Hope
Sumanta Kumar Pal, M.D., FASCO


"On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research" takes you inside the world of cancer treatment and research at City of Hope® and beyond. Hosted by Sumanta (Monty) Kumar Pal, M.D., FASCO, an internationally recognized leader in the area of genitourinary cancers and co-director of City of Hope's Kidney Cancer Program, this podcast features exclusive conversations with the experts driving the latest scientific discoveries and lifesaving therapies. Whether you're a health care professional, researcher or simply passionate about the fight against cancer, you won't want to miss an episode. Check out the trailer.

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Why every decision must start with the patient with City of Hope CEO Robert Stone

Oct. 13, 2026

In the Season 5 debut of "On the Edge of Breakthrough," City of Hope CEO Robert Stone openly shares the experiences that shaped his career and ultimately led him to the organization 30 years ago. He reveals how a visit to the Duarte campus changed his perspective and set him on a career path he never expected to take.

Previous Episodes
ASCO 2026 Edge of Breakthrough interview with Drs. Alan Bryce, Kristin Higgins and Joseph Mikhael
Live from ASCO 2026 — Insights on the latest prostate, lung and multiple myeloma research

In this special episode of "On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research," Sumanta (Monty) Kumar Pal, M.D., F.A.S.C.O., sits down onsite at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting with three City of Hope leaders to discuss the research drawing attention across the global oncology community. Alan Bryce, M.D., Kristin Higgins, M.D., and Joseph Mikhael, M.D., share findings they are watching most closely and what those developments could mean for patients and the future of cancer care.

Leo Wang, Edge of Breakthrough podcast | City of Hope
What it takes to close the gap in pediatric cancer care with Leo Wang, M.D., Ph.D.

In this episode of "On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research," Leo Wang, M.D., Ph.D., pediatric oncologist, Clinical Director of the Gene Therapy Program and Director of the City of Hope Alpha Clinic, discusses the realities of caring for children with cancers that still have few effective treatments. He reflects on what it takes to begin changing those realities for patients and families.

Dr. Christine Brown, Edge of Breakthrough podcast | City of Hope
Reengineering CAR T for solid tumors: What glioblastoma has taught us with Christine Brown, Ph.D.

In this episode of "On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research," Christine Brown, Ph.D., Deputy Director of the T Cell Research Laboratory at City of Hope, joins Monty Pal, M.D., F.A.S.C.O., to discuss how years of research in glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and difficult brain cancers, are helping scientists rethink how CAR T cell therapy could effectively treat solid tumors.

John Carpten, Edge of Breakthrough podcast | City of Hope
The long game of cancer genomics: John Carpten, Ph.D., on building precision oncology that reaches patients

In this episode of "On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research," John Carpten, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at City of Hope, discusses the evolution of cancer genomics — how early genome mapping enabled today’s targeted approaches and what infrastructure and equity considerations will determine what comes next.

Anna Wu, Edge of Breakthrough podcast | City of Hope
How engineered antibodies and next‑generation imaging tools are reshaping cancer care with Anna Wu, Ph.D.

In this episode of "On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research," Anna Wu, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Immunology and Theranostics at City of Hope, joins host Monty Pal, M.D., for an engaging discussion on how innovations in antibody engineering and imaging are improving clinicians’ ability to visualize tumors and guide more effective treatment strategies.

Stacy Gray, Edge of Breakthrough podcast | City of Hope
Unlocking the future of cancer care: Precision medicine, AI and the patient voice with Stacy Gray, M.D.

In this episode of "On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research," Stacy W. Gray, M.D., A.M., Director of Clinical and Scientific Strategy and Vice President of System Strategy at City of Hope, joins Monty Pal, M.D., F.A.S.C.O., for an engaging discussion on how precision medicine and AI are transforming cancer care — and why elevating the patient voice is key to driving progress.

Marcel van den Brink, Edge of Breakthrough podcast | City of Hope
How team science fuels cancer breakthroughs: A conversation with Dr. Marcel van den Brink

In this episode of "On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research," Monty Pal, M.D., F.A.S.C.O., welcomes Marcel van den Brink, M.D., Ph.D., President of City of Hope Los Angeles and City of Hope National Medical Center, Chief Physician Executive and the Deana and Steve Campbell Physician Executive Distinguished Chair.