"Hoag Family Cancer Institute is at the forefront of cancer innovation, providing our patients with access to clinical trials and the most advanced prevention, early detection and treatment programs available. We are excited to welcome Dr. Ulaner to further bolster our commitment to the patients we serve," said Dr. Eisenberg. "We are particularly impressed with Dr. Ulaner's goal of expanding Hoag's clinical trial offerings and training the next generation of cancer innovators."

Thanks to philanthropic support, Hoag is currently studying the use of molecular imaging in breast cancer using a new molecular imaging agent for the detection of estrogen receptor-positive lesions in patients with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. Hoag is the first in the nation to use this FES imaging agent in a clinical trial for staging of breast cancer, and the first in Southern California to offer the agent to sensitively detect breast cancer.


"Zionexa is pleased to collaborate with Hoag Family Cancer Institute to further research for recurrent and metastatic breast cancer," said Peter Webner, CEO of Zionexa US Corp. "Through Zionexa's breast cancer PET imaging biomarker, Dr. Ulaner and Hoag will offer the most advanced imaging available to Orange County patients, leading to more targeted treatment decisions," added Webner.

Hoag also has a clinical trial available for patients who are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer, but at a high risk of metastatic disease. Traditional CT and bone scans can often miss prostate disease. In this trial, Dr. Ulaner will evaluate the use of molecular imaging to more highly detect disease in the body, which will lead to more targeted, effective treatment.

On the horizon for Hoag is a Phase 2, NIH-funded trial that uses molecular imaging to sensitively detect myeloma tumors. Hoag will be the first in the world to offer this trial, which uses molecular imaging to help direct myeloma therapy.

Dr. Ulaner completed his medical degree and a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology at Stanford University School of Medicine, an internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and his Radiology and Nuclear Medicine residencies at the University of Southern California. He was elected a Fellow of the American College of Nuclear Medicine, received an award for breast cancer research from the Susan Komen Foundation, and was the first Hal O'Brien Rising Star from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).

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