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.
Read MoreInnovation 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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Retired U.S. Air Force Sergeant Survives a Rare and Aggressive Stage 4 Melanoma Diagnosis
Dr. Kim Margolin Treated Michael at City of Hope, though many believed he was not going to make it.
“Dr. Margolin came into the picture and basically saved my life…I’ll follow her wherever she goes.”
– Michael Antonson
Learn more about Mike’s unique case and listen to him explain Dr. Kim Margolin’s problem-solving approach to treatment.
Dr. Kim Margolin Treated Michael at City of Hope, though many believed he was not going to make it.
“Dr. Margolin came into the picture and basically saved my life…I’ll follow her wherever she goes.”
– Michael Antonson
Learn more about Mike’s unique case and listen to him explain Dr. Kim Margolin’s problem-solving approach to treatment.
Blog, Video (18:02): Dr. Kim Margolin, Her Patient with Stage 4 Melanoma, and the Art of Medicine
Clinical Trials Day at Saint John’s Cancer Institute
Experts discuss the importance of clinical trials for patients and the advancement of medical science
“All of the advancements that we’ve made in oncology, all these transformational treatments that we have are really the result of participation of patients in clinical trials.”
– Przemyslaw Twardowski, MD
Learn more and listen to doctors, Kim Margolin, Leland Foshag, Przemyslaw Twardowski, Santosh Kesari, Parvin Peddi, and Emma Chocan, RN, reflect on Clinical Trials Day, May 20th, 2023.
Experts discuss the importance of clinical trials for patients and the advancement of medical science
“All of the advancements that we’ve made in oncology, all these transformational treatments that we have are really the result of participation of patients in clinical trials.”
– Przemyslaw Twardowski, MD
Learn more and listen to doctors, Kim Margolin, Leland Foshag, Przemyslaw Twardowski, Santosh Kesari, Parvin Peddi, and Emma Chocan, RN, reflect on Clinical Trials Day, May 20th, 2023.
Blog, Video (16:45): International Clinical Trials Day: Hear from the Experts In Cutting-edge Research
Open or Actively Recruiting Clinical Trials
Breast Cancer: Precision Medicine
Principal Invenstigator: Dr. Parvin Peddi: Learn more.
Melanoma Cancer: Drug Trials:
Principal Investgator: Dr. Kim Margolin: Learn more.
Neurological & Brain Cancer: Precision Medicine
Principal Investigator: Dr. Santosh Kesari: 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.
Bladder Cancer Awareness
Dr. Jennifer Linehan, Urologic Oncologist and Robotics Surgeon, Discusses Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment
“If you see blood in the urine…get checked out with a CAT scan, camera in the bladder, and possibly one of the 5 urine tests that I talked about…”
– Jennifer Linehan, MD
Listen to Dr. Linehan explain diagnosis and treatments, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Blog, Video (08:47): Bladder Cancer Awareness: Dr. Jennifer Linehan Details Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment
Conditions: Bladder Cancer
Blue Light Cystoscopy Now Available
Dr. Jennifer Linehan, Director of Urology Translational Research, urologic oncologist, and robotics surgeon, explains how Blue Light Cystoscopy transforms bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“We can look inside the bladder, see areas of tumor that are growing that we would not have seen before, and treat those automatically.”
– Jennifer Linehan, MD
Learn more about Blue Light Cystoscopy by Cysview®.
Conditions, Video (02:42): Bladder Cancer: Signs & Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Melanoma Awareness
Dr. Trevan Fischer recommends precautions for a younger demographic, offers what to look for.
“The rate of death for melanoma is decreasing across all age groups but the incidence, especially in younger patients, is rising.”
– Trevan Fischer, MD
Listen to Dr. Fischer explain what to look for as part of early detection measures.
Blog, Video (04:53): Melanoma Awareness: Dr. Trevan Fischer explains the ABCDEs
Blog: Melanoma Awareness: Melody Simanian, PA-C stresses the importance of skin exams.
Conditions: Melanoma Skin Cancer
IN THE NEWS: Dr. Kim Margolin Appears on Circle of Health, ABC7 News, Los Angeles.
Vaccine for Stage 4 Melanoma: Stage 3 Study Reveals Promise for Melanoma Patients
“It is one the first cancer-directed vaccines that appears to show activity against melanoma…a pretty big breakthrough.”
– Kim Margolin, MD, FACP, FASCO
Listen to Dr. Margolin comment on the study with ABC7, Los Angeles.
News, ABC7 News Video (02:10): Vaccine for Stage 4 Melanoma: Dr. Kim Margolin Discusses on ABC7 Eyewitness News.
Outstanding Speakers, Outstanding Presentations!
The 2nd Annual Santa Monica Melanoma Symposium Brings Top Experts Together
“I think this was a great conference. We heard a lot of the newest updates in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers…not only experts from around California but around the country, which is really impressive for a local symposium.”
– Allison Betof Warner, MD, Ph.D.
Learn more about this CME event sponsored by the Borstein Family Melanoma Program at Saint John’s Cancer Institute.
The 2nd Annual Santa Monica Melanoma Symposium Brings Top Experts Together
“I think this was a great conference. We heard a lot of the newest updates in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers…not only experts from around California but around the country, which is really impressive for a local symposium.”
– Allison Betof Warner, MD, Ph.D.
Learn more about this CME event sponsored by the Borstein Family Melanoma Program at Saint John’s Cancer Institute.
Blog: The 2nd Annual Santa Monica Melanoma Symposium!
Dr. Akanksha Sharma of PNI lends her expertise to Brain Tumor Awareness
A Neuro-oncologist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Dr. Sharma explains how surgical oncology, pathology, radiology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology work together and how clinical trials are providing patients greater access to treatments for primary and metastatic brain tumors.
“…Our research has resulted in patients living longer with systemic cancer, such as breast, or lung, or melanoma.”
–Akanksha Sharma, M.D.
Learn more and listen to Dr. Sharma describe brain tumor treatment and the importance of clinical trials.
A Neuro-oncologist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Dr. Sharma explains how surgical oncology, pathology, radiology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology work together and how clinical trials are providing patients greater access to treatments for primary and metastatic brain tumors.
“…Our research has resulted in patients living longer with systemic cancer, such as breast, or lung, or melanoma.”
–Akanksha Sharma, M.D.
Learn more and listen to Dr. Sharma describe brain tumor treatment and the importance of clinical trials.
Blog, Video (6:00): Brain Tumor Awareness: Facts, Symptoms, and Treatment
What is it like to have Stage 3 Esophageal Cancer?
Jack had trouble swallowing and getting an endoscopy at another hospital, then he found Dr. Anton Bilchik and Dr. Baiya Krishnadasan.
“…the planets have lined up for me with having not only Dr. Bilchik, but now Dr. Krishnadasan. Why wouldn’t I have both of them in the room…this is the team that is going to make it the most successful.”
– Jack, Esophageal Cancer Survivor
Listen to Jack’s story and learn more about how he managed to find the right team of doctors.
Blog, Video (22:49): Advice From A Stage 3 Esophageal Cancer Survivor
Peer-reviewed Research Studies at Saint John’s Cancer Institute
A Culmination of Expertise in the Fields of Oncology: 2022 Academic Year
“…Our oncology clinicians and scientists strive unwaveringly to contribute knowledge focused on improving the standard of care for our cancer patients today, and collaborations with other institutes for innovative translational and clinical medicine. Cure of cancer is the hallmark of this institution.”
– Dr. Neil Martin, Medical Director, Saint John’s Cancer Institute, and Neurosurgeon.
Learn more and download the Saint John’s Cancer Institute Research Spotlight, 2022.
Blog, PDF: Peer-Reviewed Research Studies at Saint John’s Cancer Institute
Saint John’s: A Legacy of Care Excellence
30 Major Healthcare Awards for 2022 and 2023
“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. I am honored to share that this commitment to excellence has continued in our 80th year.”
– Michael Ricks, CEO, Saint John’s Health Cancer and Institute
Healthgrades awards include the Pulmonary Care Excellence Award (top 10% in the nation), Five-Star Ratings for Total Knee Replacement, Total Hip Replacement, as well as Treatment of Stroke, COPD, Pneumonia, Bowel Obstruction, and Sepsis. Several surgical awards for cancer were recognized by U.S. NEWS & World Report.
About Us, Awards: Saint John’s Health Center 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.
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