Sylvia Formenti

Professor
Radiation Oncology

Weill Cornell Medical - New York City

Interests: Brain, Cancer, Cancer - Breast, Cancer - Lung, Clinical Data, Immune Checkpoint, Immunotherapy, Radiation

Website

Dr. Formenti received her medical degree in Italy from the University of Milan. She is board certified in medical oncology, radiology and radiation oncology. A recognized leader in radiation oncology and breast cancer research, Dr. Formenti’s groundbreaking work has transformed the paradigm in radiation biology, demonstrating the efficacy of combining radiotherapy with immunotherapy to control cancer cell growth in solid tumors. In combination with immune checkpoint blockade, focal radiotherapy can be used to recruit patients’ immune systems to reject their individual tumor, resulting in a form of personalized immunotherapy, specific for each individual patient. She has translated preclinical work into clinical trials in metastatic solid tumors like breast and lung cancer, and in brain metastases. She is currently leading six investigator-initiated clinical trials of immunotherapy and radiotherapy. A prolific researcher, Dr. Formenti has published more than 250 papers recognized by high-impact journals including Nature Medicine, JAMA, Lancet Oncology and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. In 2019, she was honored to receive the ASTRO Gold Medal.