LOS ANGELES — City of Hope® Research Spotlight offers a glimpse into groundbreaking scientific and clinical discoveries advancing lifesaving cures for patients with cancer, diabetes and other chronic, life-threatening diseases. Each spotlight features research-related news, such as recognitions, collaborations and the latest research defining the future of medical treatment.
To learn more about research at City of Hope, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States with its National Medical Center ranked among the nation's top cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report, visit our newsroom .
Scientists uncover how subtle RNA changes can steer cancer behavior
Researchers have identified over 170 different RNA modifications; several common types — including m6A, m5C and pseudouridine — can shape where RNA goes in the cell, how long it lasts and how much protein it makes. These chemical marks can profoundly shape cellular behavior in cancer, opening the door to new therapeutic targets and biomarkers that may enable improved treatments and better prediction of tumor behavior and therapeutic response.
In their Cancer Cell review paper , systems biologists Xiaolan Deng , Ph.D., and Jianjun Chen , Ph.D., lay out a practical framework linking specific RNA regulators and pathways to cancer biology. The message is bold and clear: If these RNA marks help drive cancer behavior, then measuring or blocking them could become a fresh strategy for precision oncology.
Immunotherapy timing matters in aggressive lung cancer
A major international study found that combining immunotherapy with chemoradiation at the same time does not improve survival for patients with limitedstage small cell lung cancer. Researchers followed patients for several years and saw no meaningful difference in overall survival, cancer control or spread when immunotherapy was added during chemoradiation.
Kristin Higgins , M.D., a radiation oncologist and chief clinical officer at City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta, led the study, which helps clarify how best to use powerful new immune-based drugs. The results suggest that giving immunotherapy after radiation treatment — rather than during it — is a better strategy for patients. The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology .
Preclinical study shows stem cells repair brain damage after disease onset
Scientists showed that a stem cell therapy can reverse established brain damage in a severe childhood neurological disorder — even after symptoms have begun. In mice with Canavan disease, a fatal genetic condition that damages brain white matter, researchers transplanted human stem cell–derived brain cells engineered to replace a missing enzyme. The treated mice had lower levels of a harmful brain chemical, healthier brain tissue and stronger movement months after treatment.
The research was led by Yanhong Shi , Ph.D., a professor in neurodegenerative diseases at City of Hope, and Natasha Jackson, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow at City of Hope. Importantly, the therapy worked when given after disease symptoms had already developed — a critical finding for patients who are often diagnosed late. The study was published in Stem Cell Reports .
AI reveals hidden barriers to lifesaving lung cancer screening
A new study shows that artificial intelligence can help identify why many people skip recommended lung cancer screening followups. Using a machine learning model, City of Hope researchers found that neighborhood conditions, including poverty levels and access to quality education, predicted missed screenings better than smoking history alone. The AI model successfully flagged patients most likely to miss their next scan.
The study was led by Loretta Erhunmwunsee , M.D., surgeon-scientist and chief health access and community enrichment officer at City of Hope, and Kun-Han (Tom) Lu, Ph.D., a City of Hope scientist specializing in applied AI and data science. By pinpointing who is at risk of falling through the cracks, the approach could guide more targeted outreach and patient navigation. The findings appear in Lung Cancer .
New immune cell sheds light on how the body controls immunity
A City of Hope–led study has uncovered a new subset of immune cells that may play an important role in controlling immune activity. Scientists found that CD318positive CD8 T cells behave like regulatory cells, helping prevent immune responses from becoming overactive. This discovery challenges traditional views that only certain immune cells can perform this regulatory role.
The work was led by Helena Reijonen , Ph.D., an associate professor in immunology and theranostics at City of Hope. Understanding how these cells function could open new paths for research into autoimmune conditions such as type 1 diabetes. The findings appear in Science Advances .
Protein helps immune system learn when not to attack
Scientists discovered a key protein that helps the immune system stay balanced and avoid attacking the body's own tissues. The study shows that a protein called TDRD3 is essential for creating a specific type of immune cell known as induced regulatory T cells that act as the immune system's "brakes." Without this protein, mice developed widespread inflammation as they aged.
The research was led by Yanzhong (Frankie) Yang , M.D., Ph.D., a professor of cancer genetics and epigenetics at City of Hope, and Zuoming Sun , Ph.D., a professor of immunology at City of Hope. Understanding how this protein guides immune tolerance could inform new ways to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The findings were published in Science Advances .
Awards, Honors and Leadership
John D. Carpten , Ph.D., received the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Allen Lichter Visionary Leader Award , which recognizes ASCO leaders who have driven meaningful progress in cancer care and inspired the field forward.
Tanya B. Dorff , M.D., is serving as the advanced prostate track leader on the 2026 ASCO GU Symposium Program Committee and has worked with international colleagues to plan educational sessions and abstract presentations at this genitourinary cancers symposium.
John D. Carpten , Ph.D., is a member of the AACR-Minorities in Cancer Research Jane Cooke Wright Lectureship Committee until April 2027. This committee selects an individual who has furthered the advancement of minority investigators in cancer research and who has made meritorious contributions to this field.
Ten City of Hope clinicians were honored by the Los Angeles Business Journal as Leaders of Influence: 2026 LA Top Doctors :
- Andrew Artz , M.D., director, Aging and Blood Cancers Program
- Marwan Fakih , M.D., deputy director, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Thomas J. Gernon , M.D., head and neck surgeon
- Lorena Gonzalez , M.D., breast surgeon
- Andreas Kaiser , M.D., chief, Division of Colorectal Surgery
- Clayton Lau , M.D., chief, Division of Urology and Urologic Oncology
- Ferra Lin-Duffy , D.O., breast surgeon
- Michael Rosenzweig , M.D., chief, Division of Multiple Myeloma
- Ping H. Wang , M.D., chair, Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Janet Yoon , M.D., medical director, Pediatric Musculoskeletal Tumor Program
