City of Hope, a leading institution in cancer research and treatment, is set to showcase a wide array of groundbreaking studies and clinical advances at the upcoming AACR Annual Meeting 2025 in Chicago. This prestigious conference, held from April 25 to April 30, will feature more than 74 sessions chaired by City of Hope experts, underscoring their profound commitment to advancing cancer science through pioneering technologies and translational research. With its National Medical Center ranked among the top five cancer centers in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, City of Hope promises to deliver compelling scientific discourse that spans basic discovery, clinical innovation, and community engagement.
One of the overarching themes of City of Hope’s presentations is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and multiomics to decode the complex biology of tumors. Professor David W. Craig, an authority in integrative translational sciences, chairs the final plenary session titled “Opportunities in Predictive Oncology.” This session will explore emerging computational and biological strategies that leverage multi-level tumor data to refine precision oncology. Dr. Craig’s work particularly focuses on melding diverse data types—including genomic, proteomic, and spatial information—to dissect tumor heterogeneity and treatment resistance, fundamental barriers in effective cancer therapy.
Dr. Craig also helms an educational session dedicated to AI and data science, spotlighting how multi-scale, multi-modal integration enhances understanding of cancer’s genetic diversity. Highlighting methods such as spatial transcriptomics and single-cell genomics, this session illustrates how dissecting the spatial architecture within tumors reveals subclonal variations influencing tumor progression and therapeutic response. Graduate researcher Nina Song from Dr. Craig’s laboratory will present novel findings demonstrating the power of AI to fuse digital pathology with genomic data, offering unprecedented insights into aggressive cancers like glioblastoma, triple-negative breast cancer, and colorectal cancer.
Natural killer (NK) cells represent another focal point of City of Hope’s scientific agenda at AACR 2025. Michael A. Caligiuri, M.D., former president of City of Hope National Medical Center, chairs critical educational sessions on the biology and clinical translation of NK cells. These innate immune lymphocytes have emerged as potent anti-cancer effectors, capable of recognizing and eradicating transformed cells without prior sensitization. Dr. Caligiuri’s presentations will delve into molecular mechanisms regulating NK cell function and therapeutic strategies leveraging NK cells as immunotherapy agents, reflecting City of Hope’s leadership in harnessing innate immunity to combat cancer.
In addition to immunology, City of Hope scientists are pioneering research in precision medicine for underserved populations, an imperative often overlooked in cancer research. Postdoctoral scientist Francisco Carranza will unveil multi-omics analyses dissecting the MYC oncogene and WNT signaling pathway alterations in early-onset colorectal cancer among Hispanic/Latino patients. By integrating genomic and spatial transcriptomics technologies, this research elucidates the molecular underpinnings of cancer disparities and guides development of tailored diagnostics and treatments informed by ethnic diversity.
Precision artificial intelligence tools for clinical oncogenomics represent a further area of innovation. Assistant Professor Enrique Velazquez Villarreal and collaborators have developed PM-AI Agent, a conversational AI system designed to integrate extensive clinical, genomic, and social determinants of health data. This tool aims to facilitate equitable precision oncology by accounting for population-specific variables and social factors, providing clinicians with actionable insights that transcend traditional data silos. Such integrative approaches promise to reduce disparities and optimize therapeutic decision-making in complex cancer cases.
City of Hope’s clinical trial portfolio also features prominently at AACR 2025, highlighting advances in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Hope Rugo, M.D., newly appointed director of the Women’s Cancers Program, will present on managing toxicities associated with emerging ADCs, which combine targeted antibodies with potent cytotoxins to selectively eliminate cancer cells. Her expertise also extends to discussions on biologics and T-cell engagers, signaling ongoing efforts to refine immune-based therapies in breast and other cancers.
Among other high-impact clinical presentations, Aditya Shreenivas, M.D., M.S., will report phase 3 trial results for Penpulimab, a humanized anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody evaluated as first-line treatment for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. These findings could redefine therapeutic options for this aggressive malignancy by improving survival and tolerability in diverse patient populations, reflecting City of Hope’s commitment to global oncology.
Research connecting fundamental biology to therapeutic resistance mechanisms will be illustrated by Kimya Karimi, a postdoctoral scholar investigating ways to overcome cell cycle inhibitor resistance in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. By combining epigenetic and molecular analyses, this work aims to restore endocrine therapy efficacy, addressing a significant clinical challenge in breast cancer management.
The conference also spotlights the vital role of community engagement in translating scientific discoveries into health policy and patient outcomes. Kimlin Tam Ashing, Ph.D., will elaborate on frameworks for fostering community alliances and partnerships that promote equitable cancer care delivery. This integration of social science with biomedicine embodies City of Hope’s holistic vision of research impacting patients beyond the laboratory.
Highlighted poster sessions further reveal City of Hope’s versatile expertise. Senior research associate Jing Qian will present spatial transcriptomic data unmasking differences in tumor and immune microenvironments among high-grade serous ovarian cancers, providing insights into variable responses to checkpoint blockade immunotherapies. Similarly, hematology fellow Peter Zang will explore spatial proteomic distinctions in metastatic prostate cancer across ethnicities, informing biomarker development and personalized treatment strategies.
Lastly, cutting-edge computational approaches to cancer prognosis are represented by a team including postdoctoral fellow Sydney Grant and assistant professor Aritro Nath. Their application of survival-based variational autoencoders to integrate multimodal data advances predictive modeling of recurrence-free survival in breast cancer patients, potentially guiding individualized risk assessment and therapeutic planning.
City of Hope’s robust presence at AACR Annual Meeting 2025 exemplifies its unwavering commitment to integrating state-of-the-art technologies, clinical trials, and community-driven approaches. By harnessing artificial intelligence, multiomics, and immunotherapy research, their scientists and clinicians are shaping the future landscape of cancer care, striving to transform hope into tangible cures for patients worldwide.
Subject of Research: Advances in cancer research and treatment integrating artificial intelligence, multiomics, and immunotherapy at City of Hope.
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