How Speed and Scale Can Drive Innovation in Cancer Care

Why It Matters

Accelerating and scaling clinical‑trial access transforms patient outcomes and positions City of Hope as a national template for rapid, community‑focused oncology innovation.

Key Takeaways

• City of Hope activates trials in under 90 days across 40 sites.
• Speed, scale, serve model expands trial access to diverse communities.
• New Orange County campus reduces patient outflow, adds 100+ oncologists.
• AI and telehealth integrated to streamline enrollment and care delivery.
• Early‑stage screening programs target Latino, Asian populations, boosting prevention.

Summary

Dr. Edward Kim, Physician‑in‑Chief of City of Hope’s Orange County campus, outlined a bold strategy to reshape cancer care through what he calls the "speed, scale, serve" model. By opening a new facility in Orange County, the network not only captures the roughly 20% of local patients who were traveling elsewhere for treatment, but also adds over 100 oncology specialists and 500 nurses, positioning the center as a dedicated, single‑purpose cancer hub. The core of Kim’s vision is accelerating clinical‑trial availability. City of Hope can identify and activate a trial in less than 90 days and simultaneously launch it across up to 40 sites spanning California, Illinois, Georgia and Arizona. This rapid, multi‑state rollout, coupled with a "just‑in‑time" activation for patients identified locally, expands trial participation from late‑stage to early‑stage disease, promising higher cure rates and fewer side effects. Kim emphasized that the standard of care reflects yesterday’s practice; his goal is to deliver tomorrow’s therapies today. He highlighted concrete examples—AI‑driven patient matching, telehealth enrollment, and new screening programs for pancreatic, gastric and thyroid cancers tailored to Orange County’s diverse Latino and Asian populations. These initiatives illustrate how the institution blends precision medicine with industrial‑scale operations. The implications are far‑reaching: faster trial access can improve survival, attract patients who might otherwise leave the region, and set a benchmark for academic health systems seeking to balance research, teaching and community care. If replicated, this model could accelerate innovation across the U.S. oncology landscape, reshaping how patients experience cutting‑edge treatment.

Original Description

Learn how faster access to treatment, personalized medicine, and expanded community-based care in clinical trials are reshaping cancer care. Edward Kim explains how City of Hope is accelerating clinical trials and expanding access to next-generation cancer care.