During his professional tenure at medical institutions in Argentina (his native country), Italy, Spain, Belgium and the United States, Christian Rolfo, MD, PhD, learned that progress in oncology occurs when infrastructure, culture and accountability are seamlessly synchronized. He says that’s exactly the scenario that exists within Ohio State’s Division of Medical Oncology, in the Department of Internal Medicine, for which he’s served as director since August 2024, when he arrived at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). “I believe our division and the OSUCCC – James stand as a destination of choice not only for referring physicians seeking optimal care for their patients, but also for medical oncologists who want to advance their careers at a first-rate academic medical institution that continuously translates cancer research to innovative therapies,” Rolfo says. Click here to learn more about the Division of Medical Oncology at the OSUCCC – James. The division integrates discovery-driven science with precision clinical care across prevention, diagnostics, therapeutics and survivorship. “Our model is built on a robust operational framework that ensures every therapeutic decision is driven by real-time molecular data,” he says. “With over 320 cancer researchers and more than 200 subspecialized oncologists, we foster high-impact integration of cancer research and care. “Our team also manages hundreds of active or pending clinical trials, many of which are investigator-initiated, and some of which are available only here.” To further enhance patient care, Ohio State’s 90-member Division of Medical Oncology faculty is organized into disease-specific programs that balance scholarly autonomy with shared infrastructure. “Clinician-scientists have access to a CLIA-certified molecular diagnostics laboratory and an adjacent GMP-compliant cell therapy suite, allowing discoveries to progress to first-patient-first-dose studies,” Rolfo says. “Our Early-Phase Clinical Trials Unit conducts more than 50 first-in-human trials each year and partners with cooperative groups to accelerate promising agents into phase II and II testing.” Click here to learn more about cancer clinical trials at The Ohio State University. As examples of groundbreaking work within the division, Rolfo cites advancements in liquid biopsy that he and his colleagues are making, and also in lung cancer research being made by colleagues in the OSUCCC – James Thoracic Oncology Center, which is directed by world-renowned lung cancer specialist David Carbone, MD, PhD, who also is a member of the division. “In liquid biopsy, we can take any fluid from the body — most often from blood draws — and analyze it for biomarkers that correlate with cancer, such as extracellular vesicles and circulating tumor cells,” says Rolfo, who also is president of the International Society of Liquid Biopsy. “These help us understand biological processes and select patients for targeted therapies or immunotherapies.” Within the Thoracic Oncology Center at the OSUCCC – James, Carbone and lab are developing multiple therapies that target lung cancer and harness the body’s immune system to better fight it. Kai He, MD, PhD, recently published a study in the journal Cancer Discovery about the first global phase II clinical trial of a cellular therapy that uses a patient’s lymphocytes to combat cancer. Besides these and many other exciting advances being made by Division of Medical Oncology faculty, Rolfo points out that Columbus, home to Ohio State’s main campus and the OSUCCC – James, offers a thriving biomedical ecosystem and a favorable cost of living, enabling researchers and clinicians to build competitive teams while maintaining a high quality of life. “Academic promotions in our division are driven by both clinical outcomes and scientific merit, and our leadership-development programs prepare junior faculty for senior roles in national and international research initiatives,” he says. “Those who join our division find a network that is collaborative and invested in their long-term success.” Similarly, Rolfo says physicians who refer their patients to Ohio State can be certain that the division “will work closely with you at all times to help ensure the best outcomes. We pair each patient with a disease-specific nurse navigator who coordinates appointments, imaging, genomic testing and supportive services, thus eliminating redundant visits and reducing caregiver burden.” Not only that, he says, but referring physicians can expect swift communication about their patients’ test and procedure results. “Our secure, bidirectional interface returns progress notes, operative reports and molecular findings within 24 hours of documentation to facilitate shared decision-making. “The OSUCCC – James supports many study protocols across the spectrum, from chemoprevention to survivorship, to make sure all patients are assessed for a research option aligned with their disease biology and personal priorities.” Complementary features of Ohio State’s cancer program include subspecialty clinics in cardio-oncology, oncofertility, geriatrics, palliative medicine and integrative therapeutics. “Furthermore, our multidisciplinary case conferences and tumor boards often invite participation from referring providers, facilitating continuity of care.” Other differentiating aspects of the division and the OSUCCC – James include “a strong commitment to mentoring the next generation of physician-scientists, our investment in technology that supports clinical trial design and our unwavering culture of recognizing team-based science,” Rolfo says. “These elements collectively foster an environment of sustained excellence with an ultimate focus on patients.” Rolfo believes the defining challenge of modern oncology is to convert biological insights into durable clinical benefits. “Ohio State’s Division of Medical Oncology and the OSUCCC – James confront that challenge by embedding research literacy into every discipline, applying stringent quality metrics and providing transparent collaboration throughout the academic and community settings,” he says. “In short, we welcome alliances with clinicians, scientists and referring physicians who share our commitment to evidence-based, compassionate oncology. By working together, we can accelerate the discovery, development and dissemination of interventions that extend life, preserve function and sometimes prevent cancer altogether. “In doing so, we are meeting the clinical needs of today’s patients while also shaping a global research agenda, leading to tomorrow’s cures.” Click here to learn more about risks and symptoms for dozens of cancers, as well as treatment options at Ohio State.