Dr. Alice P. Chung

Dr. Alice P. Chung directs the Comprehensive Breast Program at Cedars-Sinai Cancer, bringing breast surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation specialists, genetic counselors, plastic surgeons, physiotherapists, and psychosocial‐care experts together in one coordinated clinic. From the first visit, digital mammography, tomosynthesis, and core-biopsy pathology are reviewed in a same-day conference so staging, receptor status, and surgical options are clear before the patient leaves. Nurse navigators create an integrated calendar that links neoadjuvant therapy, operating-room scheduling, and survivorship services, uploading plain-language notes to a secure portal families can revisit at home. Symptom-monitoring apps track fatigue, lymphedema, and emotional wellbeing, prompting timely referrals for physical therapy or counseling and reducing emergency-department visits. Quality-improvement rounds compare local outcomes with national registries, and protocol adjustments roll out immediately when new evidence appears. Supportive teams address nutrition, fertility, and financial counseling in parallel with oncologic care, turning complex treatment pathways into manageable steps. This comprehensive approach reassures patients that their medical, practical, and emotional needs receive equal priority, fostering confidence from diagnosis through long-term follow-up. 

 

Dr. Chung leads a translational research laboratory that studies immune activation and clonal evolution in triple-negative and HER2-positive breast cancer, then converts discoveries into investigator-initiated trials. Her group cultures patient-derived organoids, profiles single-cell RNA, and maps spatial immune architecture to predict response to checkpoint blockade. Findings informed the OptimICE-pCR flagship study, which evaluates pembrolizumab de-escalation after pathological complete response to spare patients unnecessary toxicity while maintaining cure rates. Parallel work explores cryoablation plus anti-PD-1 therapy as a minimally invasive approach for early-stage disease, with serial cell-free DNA assays providing real-time molecular response readouts. Weekly meetings unite bioinformaticians, surgeons, and patient advocates to refine eligibility criteria and ensure quality-of-life endpoints remain central. By synchronizing laboratory insight with clinical execution, Dr. Chung offers therapies designed for each tumor’s unique biology, giving patients early access to advances grounded in rigorous science.

 

Education and outreach complete Dr. Chung’s mission. As Director of the Breast Oncology Fellowship, she mentors surgical trainees through case-based curricula that merge genomic literacy, oncoplastic technique, and compassionate communication, ensuring the next generation translates complex data into clear choices for every family. She chairs statewide symposia that transform late-breaking trial results into actionable algorithms for community clinicians, narrowing care gaps across urban and rural hospitals. Partnerships with advocacy groups yield bilingual workshops on genetic testing, fertility preservation, and financial navigation, livestreamed so individuals far from academic centers can participate. Survivorship clinics integrate yoga, mindfulness, and return-to-work counseling, reflecting her commitment to holistic recovery. Peer-reviewed articles and podcast appearances further extend her educational reach, allowing caregivers worldwide to understand emerging options and advocate effectively. Through these intertwined efforts, patients encounter a culture of openness and expertise that equips them to engage confidently in every decision.