Renowned Breast Cancer Specialist Joins City of Hope

When it comes to breast cancer research and treatment, few names carry as much weight as Hope S. Rugo, M.D. After a 35-year career at the University of California, San Francisco, the physician-scientist has joined City of Hope to lead the Women's Cancers Program.

As director of the Women's Cancers Program and division chief of Breast Medical Oncology, Rugo brings clinical excellence, research innovation and compassion for patients.

"It is hard to imagine anyone in the breast cancer field who has not heard of Dr. Rugo's extraordinary expertise, deep compassion and commitment to improving patients' lives," said Marcel van den Brink, president of City of Hope Los Angeles and City of Hope National Medical Center.

Rugo's journey to becoming one of the world's leading breast cancer specialists began at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where she earned her medical degree. She completed her residency in internal medicine and primary care at the University of California, San Francisco, followed by a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the same institution. She pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in immunology at Stanford University.

Following her training, Rugo spent 35 years at UCSF, where she served in clinical and academic leadership roles, establishing herself as a clinician and educator focused on providing patient care while advancing the field through research and education.

Research Breakthroughs that Transform Patient Lives

Throughout her career, Rugo has contributed to studies that led to new breast cancer treatments, serving on steering committees for multiple clinical trials that resulted in Food and Drug Administration approvals for PARP inhibitors, CDK4/6 inhibitors, PI3K inhibitors, checkpoint inhibitors and antibody drug conjugates. What sets her apart is her focus on improving the patient experience during treatment.

Rugo has led studies aimed at minimizing treatment-related side effects, resulting in FDA approval of scalp cooling caps to prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss and a steroid mouthwash to reduce targeted agent stomatitis. As co-chair of the Triple Negative Working Group of the Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium, she has led multicenter clinical translational research trials and served in leadership roles with the Breast Committee for the Alliance.

Her work extends to the I-SPY2 trial, where she serves as both investigator and chair of the Safety Committee. This multicenter adaptively randomized Phase 2 trial tests new therapies before primary treatment to improve outcomes for high-risk breast cancer patients. Her editorial work with the American Society of Clinical Oncology and co-chairing of recent guidelines for hormonal treatment of metastatic breast cancer demonstrate her commitment to shaping clinical practice globally.

With more than 500 peer-reviewed journal articles and over 100 journal perspectives, editorials and book chapters, Rugo has established herself as a thought leader whose influence reaches across continents through her work with European medical oncology organizations.

Advancing Women's Cancer Care at City of Hope

Rugo's arrival at City of Hope represents a significant moment for the organization's Women's Cancers Program. Her expertise and international recognition, including the Giants of Oncology in Breast Cancer and Education award and the European Society for Medical Oncology's 2024 ESMO Breast Cancer Award, position the organization to attract top physicians, nurses and staff while expanding clinical trials and translational research opportunities.

In her new role, Rugo will lead and enhance City of Hope's women's cancers research and clinical care across the enterprise, standardize cancer care to achieve superior patient outcomes and continue her mission of improving lives through innovative cancer treatment.

Building on the organization's reputation as a leading breast cancer program, Rugo's leadership will advance the fight against breast cancer while providing compassionate, leading-edge care.