Research and Clinical Trials

The Urology faculty at Cedars Sinai are involved in leading-edge clinical and laboratory research. The faculty members conduct research in tumor biology, cancer immunology, cancer prevention, health outcomes, new drugs and novel imaging. The research teams include physician scientists and basic science researchers who are highly funded by government agencies, including the National Institute of Health.  These research studies provide a wealth of new ideas and concepts that are implemented into the care of our patients, when appropriate. The following is a brief list of some of our investigators and their ongoing projects.

  • Neil Bhowmick, PhD     
    Dr. Bhowmick’s laboratory studies the role of the tumor microenvironment on cancer initiation, progression and metastasis to determine the risk of cancer progression and predict the benefits of therapeutic intervention.
  • Leland W.K.Chung, PhD
    Dr. Chung is the leader for the Urologic Oncology Research Program.  His laboratory seeks to understand the "cross-talk" between the tumor and its microenvironment.  They are working to develop new imaging strategies, drug targets, and biomarkers for cancers of the prostate, kidney, and bladder.


  • Bekir Cinar, PhD
    Dr. Cinar’s laboratory seeks to understand the signaling mechanisms and gene expressions relevant to cancer progression and metastasis
  • Michael Freeman, PhD
    Dr. Freeman’s research group studies cholesterol metabolism in prostate cancer, and the amoeboid phenotype in cancers that have the potential for spread to distant sites.
  • Wen-Chin Huang, PhD
    Dr. Huang’s laboratory studies the molecular basis of cancer growth and survival signaling.
  • Hyung L. Kim, MD
    Dr. Kim is the Director of Academic Programs in Urology.  He treats patients with urologic cancers and conducts research in his laboratory.  Dr. Kim’s laboratory evaluates strategies to stimulate the immune system to generate anticancer responses.  The laboratory also seeks biomarkers that can help determine prognosis and treatment response.

  • Beatrice Knudsen, MD, PhD
    Dr. Knudsen is the Director of Translational Pathology in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Her chief scientific interest is in cell communication and signaling with emphasis on the CMET pathway.

Clinical Trials


Cedars-Sinai has one of the largest state-of-the-art clinical research trial facilities of any private hospital in the nation. The 164,000-square foot clinical research trial facility is a testament to the Medical Center's commitment to remain on the forefront of applying research discovery to patient care. The Burns and Allen Research Institute provides a strong scientific, clinical and administration infrastructure to support these investigations. Core facilities funded by a National Institutes of Health grant provide specialized clinical research trial services in a cost-effective, efficient manner.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is fully accredited by the Association or the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) for all research involving the protection of patients. AAHRPP is a Washington, DC, based non-profit organization that uses voluntary, peer-driven, educational model to accredit institutions engaged in research involving human subjects.

Current clinical trials include:

Click here to search Cedars-Sinai's database of ongoing clinical trials:

print button
WP1