Translating Innovative Science into Compassionate, Patient-Centric Care

Saint John’s Cancer Institute is renowned for advancing therapeutics, translational science, and establishing standards of care. We foster robust fellowship programs, implement and initiate clinical trials, and collaborate with academic and industry partners worldwide.

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Innovation Starts Here

Saint John’s Cancer Institute (SJCI) is a pioneer in drug discovery, therapeutics, clinical trials, and research. SJCI established the Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy under the late Dr. Donald L. Morton, which has become the standard of lymph node care for melanoma and breast cancer worldwide.

Today, our patients continue to have access to innovative treatments, therapeutics, and trials. We are at the forefront of understanding the biology of cancer as well as expanding treatment for under-served communities.

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Galleri Multi-cancer Test Discovers Stage 2 Pancreatic Cancer

Dr. Ora Gordon speaks with Harris Bass at Saint John’s Health Center after his surgery with Anton Bilchik, MD.

“I would tell anybody to come here.”

– Harris Bass

Learn more about how Harris discovered he had pancreatic cancer and what led him to Saint John’s.

Blog, Video (5:58): Galleri Test Discovers Stage 2 Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer survivor, Harris Bass, talks to Dr. Ora Gordon at Saint John's about MCED (Multi-Cancer Early Detection).

Dr. Ora Gordon Spotlights the Promise of MCED – Multi-Cancer Early Detection

With a single blood test, as many as 50 different types of cancer can be identified before symptoms appear.

“The goal is to detect cancer early when it can be cured.”

– Ora Gordon, MD, FACMGG

Learn more and listen to Dr. Gordon explain how MCED is changing oncologic care.

Blog, Video (3:10): Dr. Ora Gordon Spotlights the Promise of MCED – Multi-Cancer Early Detection

Ora Gordon, MD - MCED - Multi-cancer Detection Spotlight

Multi-cancer Early Detection (MCED) Testing

Providence is offering Multi-cancer Early Detection (MCED) testing to empower providers and the public with a blood test that can detect a shared cancer signal across 50+ types of cancer through a simple blood draw.

“Providence is committed to collaborations that provide individuals with the best evidence-based care including advancements like early cancer screenings that can improve patient outcomes.”

– Ora K. Gordon, MD, Regional Medical Director of Providence’s Clinical Genetics & Genomics Program

Providers are encouraged to request a test kit for eligible patients. See list of detectable cancers.

NEWS: Providence Offers Multi-cancer Early Detection (MCED) Testing

providence-genomics-saint-johns-galleri-multi-cancer-early-detection

An Illuminating Celebration of Hope

The Margie Petersen Breast Center and Friends Promote Breast Cancer Awareness, lighting the Saint John’s Health Center Pink Throughout the Month of October.

“And they say that nobody else in the city really does this.”

– Janie Grumley, MD, FACS

Learn more and watch this year’s celebration kick-off video.

Events, Video (2:35): An Illuminating Celebration of Hope – The Margie Petersen Breast Center and Friends Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

Saint John's Health Center Llighting Event - 2024

New Clinical Trial for Advanced Metastatic Breast Cancer

A Randomized, Open-Label Study Of The Bria-IMT Regime And Check Point Inhibitor VS Physician’s Choice In Advanced Metastatic Breast Cancer is Now Open

“This study is for all patients with advanced breast cancer for whom traditional chemotherapy has failed.”

–Parvin F. Peddi, MD

Learn more about the Bria-IMT Study.

NEWS: Saint John’s Cancer Institute is Participating in the BC-IMT-04, Breast Cancer Study

Dr. Parvin Peddi - Saint Johns Cancer Institute

Why Are Clinical Trials Important?

Doctors, Kim Margolin, Przemyslaw Twardowski, Leland Foshag, Parvin Peddi, Santosh Kesari, and Emma Chacon, RN, Discuss the Impact of Clinical Trials and Advancement of Medical Science.

“This is how we’ve made stride after stride against all cancers, and how we’ve made a lot of cancers from being completely incurable to now curable.”

– Parvin Peddi, MD

Learn more and listen to some of the principal investigators at Saint John’s Cancer Institute.

Blog, Video (16:45): International Clinical Trials Day: Hear from the experts in cutting-edge research

Parvin F. Peddi, MD - The importance of clinical trials

An Educational Event on Women’s Health

Oncologists conjoin practice with research, taking questions.

“Women over the age of 50 have a better survival if they save their breast…It’s much like thyroid, sometimes less is more.”

– Janie Grumley, MD

Learn more from our expert panel and watch the hour-long program.

Blog, Video Preview (4:12): An Educational Event on Women’s Health: Oncologists Conjoin Practice with Research

New Dietary Clinical Trial for Glioblastoma

Principal Investigator, Akanksha Sharma, MD, Leads DIET2TREAT Study for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Patients.

“If you have been diagnosed with gliobastoma within the past 2 months and have not started standard-of-care, you may qualify to participate in this new trial.”

–Akanksha Sharma, M.D.

Learn more about the DIET2TREAT Study.

NEWS: New Dietary Clinical Trial for Glioblastoma – Principal Investigator: Akanksha Sharma, MD

Akanksha Sharma MD - Neuro-oncologist-Brain-Tumor-Awareness

Synchronous Breast & Kidney Cancer Uncovered: A Rare Occurrence

Dr. Crystal Fancher and Dr. Ramkishen Narayanan treated Cristina, having both breast and kidney cancer.

“…And you make it easy to trust you guys, both of you.”

– Cristina Torres

Learn more about how Saint John’s and Saint Joseph collaborated on Cristina’s care.

Blog, Video (15:56): Synchronous Breast & Kidney Cancer Uncovered: A Rare Occurrence

Cristina Torres survives breast and kidney cancer - Saint John's

Saint John’s Cancer Institute’s 2024 Fellows Graduating Commencement Ceremony

Graduates of The Donald L. Morton Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship, Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship, Urologic Oncology Fellowship, and Neurosurgical Oncology Fellowship celebrate the moment among mentors and peers.

“Our fellows are leading cancer programs nationally, and presenting all over the world.”

– Dr. Ora Gordon

Listen to SJCI and PNI professors, our graduating fellows, and watch the full-length program sponsored by the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation.

Blog, Video Preview (3:40): A Long Legacy of Fellowship Trained Oncologic Surgeons

SJCI 2024 Fellows Graduation Ceremonyy

Inspirational Leadership at Saint John’s

Dr. Ora Gordon and Lynda Baxter, MBA, MPH, discuss their shared vision of oncologic care leveraging shared resources.

“We’re going to have the ability to accelerate discovery into care delivery for everybody.”

– Lynda Baxter, MBA, MPH

Learn more about how Saint John’s and Saint Joseph will collaborate to improve access to clinical services and trials among health centers.

Blog, Video (5:12): Inspirational Leadership – A Shared Vision for Cancer at Saint John’s and Saint Joseph

Dr. Ora Gordon and Lynda Baxter - Inspirational Leadership - Saint John's

HIFU Therapy is Making a Difference in Men’s Health

Dr. Mehran Movassaghi, a board-certified and fellowship-trained urologist, reached another significant milestone; 100 successful HIFU treatments using the Focal One Robotic System for early-stage prostate cancer.

“Men in our community now have greater options to treat prostate cancer. This out-patient procedure, which is a one-time session, is making a real difference. There’s no cutting or recovery involved.”

– Mehran Movassaghi, MD

Learn more about the significance of this milestone and how this procedure is reducing surgical complications and related side effects.

News: Dr. Mehran Movassaghi Reached 100 HIFU Treatments for Prostate Cancer Using the Focal One Robotic System.

Focal One - Movassaghi & Team - 100th Success Case

Understanding Prostate Cancer Screening: Saint John’s Urologist Provides Important Information for Men.

Dr. Mehran Movassaghi discusses High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) on the Talk With A Doc Podcast and cancer risk in a recent blog.

“There’s a newer treatment for men that is revolutionizing how early-stage prostate cancer can be treated.”

– Mehran Movassaghi, MD

Learn more and listen to Dr. Movassaghi’s podcast, Wellness Brief: Prostate Cancer + Focal Therapy Treatments.

Podcast, Talk With A Doc: Wellness Brief: Prostate Cancer + Focal Therapy Treatments

Blog, Providence.org: Understanding prostate cancer screening

Dr. Mehran Movassaghi - Talk-with-a-Doc - Saint John's Cancer Institute

What’s Next in Immunotherapy?

Principal Investigators at Saint John’s Cancer Institute, Kim Margolin, MD, and Przemyslaw Twardowski, MD, discuss immunotherapy developments in clinical trials.

“There are times when a patient really wants to try a drug and they heard of it already…The FDA calls it, ‘expanded access,’ or compassionate use protocols for individual patients…, a ‘right to try.’”

– Kim Margolin, MD, FACP, FASCO

Learn more in this in-depth immunotherapy interview with Dr. Kim Margolin.

Blog, Video (23:18): What’s Next In Immunotherapy?

Dr. Twardwoski and Dr. Margolin - Immunotherapy Month - Saint Johns Cancer Institute

Open or Actively Recruiting Clinical Trials

Brain Cancer and Solid Tumors Clinical Trials

Principal Invenstigator: Dr. Akanksha Sharma: Learn more.

Breast Cancer: Precision Medicine

Principal Invenstigator: Dr. Parvin Peddi: Learn more.

Melanoma Cancer: Drug Trials:

Principal Investgator: Dr. Kim Margolin: Learn more.

Prostate Cancer: White Button Mushroom

Principal Invenstigator: Dr. Przemyslaw Twardowski: Learn more.

Current Trials

Search using key terms or filter by Centers of Excellence or by Lead Doctor. Learn more.

Saint John's Cancer Institute - Featured Clinical Trials

Saint John’s: A Legacy of Care Excellence

Major Healthcare Awards for 2023 and 2024

“All of these achievements reflect the outstanding care our caregivers and physicians provide to our patients each and every day, …providing leading-edge, award-winning care in a compassionate, community hospital setting.”

– Michael Ricks, CEO, Saint John’s Health Cancer and Institute

Healthgrades – America’s 250 Best Hospitals for Clinical Excellence, including
America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery and Joint Replacement, and Five-star ratings in six specialties: Total Knee Replacement, Total Hip replacement, Hip Fracture, Pneumonia, Bowel Obstruction and Sepsis, U.S. News & World Report – Best Hospital for Maternity Care 2024, Top Six Hospitals in Los Angeles County and Orange County, Recognized among the top 15 “Best Hospitals” in California, and Newsweek – World’s Best Hospitals 2024

About Us, Awards: Saint John’s Health Center Awards

Saint John's Health Center, 2023-2024 Awards

A Legacy of Research Excellence

Donald L. Morton, Surgical Oncologist best known for developing sentinel lymph node evaluation

“He was ahead of his peers in anticipating the genetics era of cancer research, for decades he carefully maintained archival specimen resource for correlative translational studies.”

– Laura Morton Rowe, Chief Human Resources Officer, Saint John’s Health Center

Learn more about the Donald L. Morton Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship.

OVERVIEW & VIDEO (18:43): Learn more about the Donald L. Morton Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship.

Donald L. Morton Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship - Saint John's Cancer Institute

Fellowship Programs

Breast Surgical Oncology
Surgical Oncology
Neurosurgery
Translational Molecular Medicine
Urology

Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship

The Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the Saint John’s Cancer Institute provides a diverse and comprehensive exposure to the multidisciplinary aspects of breast cancer care and benign breast disease over a one-year time period with a potential second year for continuation of clinical or basic science research.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS FELLOWSHIP

Donald L. Morton Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship

With a longstanding history of excellence in multidisciplinary cancer care and research, the Saint John’s Cancer Institute continues its legacy in surgical oncology through the Donald L. Morton Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship.

Learn more about this fellowship

Neurosurgical Fellowship

This training program focuses on endonasal endoscopic and keyhole surgical approaches, neuro-endoscopy, pituitary tumor management and multimodality neuro-oncology treatments.

Learn more about this fellowship

Postdoctoral Lab-Based Translational Molecular Medicine Fellowship

As pioneers in translational studies on “liquid biopsies” involving circulating tumor cells in multiple types of solid tumors, the fellowship program also consists of studying epigenetic mechanisms regulating solid tumor as well as pharmacogenomics and immunogenomic based prediction of response to therapy.

Learn more about this fellowship

Urologic Oncology Fellowship

Providing world class, multidisciplinary training in genitourinary malignancies and urologic oncology research with innovative and cutting edge technology.

Learn more about this fellowship
Breast Oncology Fellowship - Saint John's Cancer Institute
Donal L Morton - Saint Johns Cancer Institute
neuroscience fellowship
translational molecular medicine
davinci Xi surgical robot

Saint John's Health Center
Saint John's Health Center Foundation
Pacific Neuroscience Institute
Associate of Breast and Prostate and Prostate Cancer Studies