The future of cancer innovation and care

Stanford Medicine’s leaders share their vision

Featured Media for The future of cancer innovation and care

With cancer research and care a top priority, Stanford Medicine’s leaders are charting a bold course to redefine how we understand, prevent and treat the disease. In this Q&A, Lloyd Minor, MD, dean of the Stanford School of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs at Stanford University; David Entwistle, president and CEO of Stanford Health Care; and Paul King, president and CEO of Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, answer our questions about how Stanford Medicine, through its integrated strategic plan, is laying the groundwork for the future.

Minor: At the heart of our vision is a deep integration of cancer research and clinical practice — seeing them not as isolated functions but as essential parts of a virtuous cycle. At Stanford Medicine, we aim to build an engine of cancer innovation where new discoveries in our labs rapidly reach the patient’s bedside and where these clinical experiences immediately inform ongoing research and improvement. Through new infrastructure, talent recruitment and retention programs, and other strategic investments, fostering this “bench to bedside and back” cycle will ensure that every patient benefits from the latest medical knowledge, enhancing care at all stages of the disease, both here at Stanford and globally. 

Entwistle: Every minute, four new cases of cancer are diagnosed in the United States. And it is projected that cancer’s share of the global disease burden will keep growing in the years ahead. These are people — and families — who deserve access to the latest advances in complex cancer care. To be ready for this demand, a cornerstone of our strategy is to develop a new cancer campus that embodies the integration of research and clinical care that Lloyd discussed. While it’s still in the planning stages, through this campus, we aim to double our capacity to treat patients, establish a hub for clinical trials across our cancer network, and design every facet of our new facility to support innovation and a world-class patient experience, from prevention to survivorship.

King: Our leadership in pediatric cancer is in part due to our commitment to studying patients in clinical trials. Pediatric cancer care remains a critical focus as we enhance our overall cancer framework at Stanford Medicine. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by our youngest patients, we are committed to integrating the latest breakthroughs in cancer research into their care. By expanding access to innovative therapies and scaling up our specialized clinical trials, we will ensure that children benefit from the most advanced treatments available. Our goal is not only to address the immediate health needs of our pediatric patients but also to contribute to a broader understanding of cancer, paving the way for new cures and prevention methods.

Minor: One of our greatest strengths is that we are part of Stanford University’s rich research ecosystem. Cancer is an extraordinarily complex disease that demands extraordinary collaboration among disciplines. The Stanford Cancer Institute, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, is a shining example of what sets us apart in cancer. Over the years, the institute has forged multidisciplinary relationships across the university, working with teams spanning biology, engineering, computer science, clinical medicine and many other fields to advance cancer science and medicine.

This collaborative approach is key to our strategy as we deepen our research in emerging fields such as cancer genomics and immunotherapy, which could help us tackle the most challenging forms of cancer. By fostering this interdisciplinary collaboration and investing in advanced research infrastructure to support these relationships, we will accelerate the development of new therapies, ensuring they rapidly transition from concept to clinic.

Entwistle: Building on Lloyd’s earlier comments, the vision for Stanford Medicine’s new cancer campus is to radically transform the field by bridging innovative research with high-touch, personalized patient care. This facility will not just focus on treating patients but on setting new standards in cancer treatment, research and education — all in one integrated space.

Preliminary plans for the campus include state-of-the-art facilities such as advanced operating rooms and interventional suites, cutting-edge radiation therapy and infusion capabilities, and spaces designed to redefine the patient and family experience. The idea behind the design is to integrate the latest treatment modalities, with the potential to evaluate the effectiveness of early stage trials in our clinical areas.

Additionally, the goal is to foster collaboration through spaces dedicated to education and interdisciplinary teamwork. This includes faculty offices equipped for telehealth consultations and areas for in-person and virtual tumor boards and clinical training. Applied at scale, these capabilities will help us extend the reach of new cancer innovations and protocols developed at Stanford Medicine to our affiliated and partner health facilities.

As you can probably gather, the impact of this campus will reach far beyond its physical footprint, ensuring that innovations sparked here are used everywhere — influencing patient care, clinical protocols and the educational landscape globally.

While still in development, this ambitious project reflects Stanford Medicine’s commitment to not only address the growing demand for cancer services but also to inspire breakthroughs that shape the future of oncology.

King: The journey toward better cancer outcomes has seen remarkable strides over the past decade, yet we know these advancements have not reached all corners of our society equally. At Stanford Medicine, we recognize the profound importance of expanding cancer care access to underserved communities, which often face barriers that prevent early diagnosis and treatment.

To bridge this gap, we’ve enhanced our focus on making clinical trials more accessible to all communities, especially those historically left behind. It’s essential that our research reflects the diversity of our population, ensuring that the breakthroughs in treatment benefit everyone, irrespective of their social or economic status.

Furthermore, we’re collaborating with community organizations to boost awareness and improve screening in areas where health care services are limited. By increasing early detection efforts, we aim to treat cancer at its most curable stages.

Our commitment extends to pediatric oncology, where we ensure that every child receives top-tier care. By addressing these gaps, we not only fulfill a moral obligation but also pave the way for a future where high-quality cancer care is a universal standard.

Minor: Curing advanced metastatic disease remains the “holy grail” for cancer scientists. I’m hopeful to see a future where even metastatic solid tumors can be cured with therapies that are not only effective but also far less toxic. That’s an important breakthrough we’re striving toward — in addition to efforts to advance the prevention of cancer and early detection.

Entwistle: Our cancer strategy champions a future in which prevention and early detection are equally prioritized alongside treatment. By harnessing the power of advanced technologies such as machine learning, we will not just detect cancer earlier; it will transform how we fight this disease. I believe in a future where every patient gets to hear, “It’s good we caught this early.” 

King: For pediatric cancer, I’m hopeful we’ll see cures for brain cancers that are currently fatal. We’ve already seen incredible promise with CAR T-cell therapy, and I believe these advances will soon become a reality for children who previously had no options.