Massimo Cristofanilli, M.D.

Dr. Ferrarone graduated medical school from New York Medical College. He completed both his residency in internal medicine and his fellowship in medical oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. After his fellowship, Dr. Ferrarone received training in cancer biology research under the guidance of the Nobel laureate Dr. Harold Varmus. Dr. Ferrarone’s clinical and research efforts are focused on lung cancer. In his laboratory, he studies how mutations in certain genes influence the growth of tumors and their interaction with the immune system. The aim of his research is to provide new insights into the behavior of lung cancer, to enable the development of new cancer treatments and the rational design of clinical trials.

Dr. Silvia Formenti is Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Weill Cornell, Associate Director of the Meyer Cancer Center and Radiation Oncologist in Chief at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. A prolific researcher, she has published over 190 papers recognized by high impact journals like JAMA, Lancet Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology, etc. During the past twelve years Dr. Formenti has introduced a paradigm shift in radiation biology, by elucidating the role of ionizing radiation on the immune system, and demonstrating efficacy of combining radiotherapy with immunotherapy in solid tumors. She has translated preclinical work to clinical trials in metastatic breast cancer, lung cancer and melanoma. Dr. Formenti has introduced a break-through strategy of recovering an immunological equilibrium in the setting of metastatic disease, by converting a metastasis into an in situ, individualized vaccine: in the presence of immune checkpoint blockade (anti-CTLA-4, anti-PDL-1) the irradiated tumor becomes an immunogenic hub, similar to a vaccine. Once successfully immunized against the irradiated site, the host can develop an anti-tumor immune response capable to reject the other metastases. In some patients with metastatic disease refractory to standard treatment the combination of local radiation and immune check point blockade has already resulted in durable complete remissions, sustained for years after treatment (without any other additional interventions). Her work has opened a new field of application for radiotherapy, whereby localized radiation can be used as an adjuvant to immunotherapy of solid tumors and lymphomas. Dr. Formenti has been funded by grants from NIH, Department Of Defense, American Cancer Society and Breast Cancer Research Foundation. She is currently leading four investigator-initiated clinical trials of immunotherapy and radiotherapy.Another area of her research consists of drastically reducing the risk late cardiovascular toxicity of breast cancer radiotherapy with a prone technique of radiation that excludes heart and lung from the radiation fields. Recognized by high impact journals like JAMA and NEJM, her research has resulted in a U.S. patent and in a CME course to train in this technique, offered since 2007, with wide international outreach and training.

Dr. Alan Astrow is Chief of Hematology and Medical Oncology in the Department of Medicine at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. An expert in the medical management of breast and ovarian cancer, Dr. Astrow has always shown special interest in improving physician-patient communication, supporting patients through treatment, and addressing human concerns as they relate to cancer care.Dr. Astrow has been practicing hematology and medical oncology for over 30 years. He earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Yale University. Following his residency in internal medicine, at the Boston City Hospital, he completed a fellowship in Hematology and Medical Oncology at New York University Medical Center. He subsequently joined the attending staff of St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center in lower Manhattan and was soon named program director for its hematology/medical oncology fellowship training program. He later was appointed Chief of Clinical Oncology at St. Vincent’s and Associate Medical Director of the St. Vincent’s Cancer Center. In 2005, he was recruited to join Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn as Director of Hematology and Medical Oncology and was promoted to the rank of Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.Dr. Astrow was recently one of the lead investigators in an NIH-funded study on teaching medical oncologists how better to communicate with their patients about survivorship concerns. He has also devised an innovative survey instrument that distinguishes between psychosocial, spiritual, and religious needs of patients with cancer. He has reported at national cancer meetings on the way these needs influence a patient’s satisfaction with medical care.He is the author of many research publications and other essays in peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Clinical Oncology, The Lancet, the New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of the American Medical Association and the social science publication, Society.Dr. Astrow served on the Executive Committee for the New York Metropolitan Breast Group, in addition to the Program Committee. He is also a member of the New York Gynecologic Oncology Group. He has also chaired several educational conference sessions at the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO).He currently serves on the editorial advisory committee for the Art of Oncology section of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.At NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist he plans to work with hospital leadership to develop a premier patient-centered outpatient cancer center, with subspecialty oriented care, access to the latest clinical trials through Weill Cornell, psychosocial services, and a women’s health center.Dr. Astrow was born in Queens, New York. He is married and has two grown children and lives in New York City.