Marc S. Ernstoff, MD

Roswell Park Cancer Institute

At-Large Director Candidate

Biography

Over the past 35 years, I have focused my research and clinical practice in expanding our understanding of the immunobiology of human cancer and the development of new immune therapies for renal cell carcinoma, melanoma and glioblastoma multiforme. I did my cancer immunology and immunotherapy training in the clinical research and laboratory program of John M. Kirkwood while at Yale University where I helped develop interferons as a cancer therapeutic and contributed to the first phase I study of recombinant IFNα2B and subsequently the first high dose IFNα2B adjuvant therapy for melanoma.  Subsequently, at the University of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Cancer Institute I was the Director of GU oncology and the Oncology Fellowship Director, as well as the PI of a T32 Training award from the NCI. From 1991-2014, I was at Dartmouth College and the Hitchcock Clinic where my research was directed at developing adoptive dendritic cell therapy strategies to treat renal cell cancer, melanoma and GBM.  I served as Deputy Director of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center and Section Chief of Hematology and Oncology.  I have been a cadre member of the both CALGB and ECOG melanoma programs, and I am currently a member of the ECOG-Acrin melanoma program. In addition, I presently serve on the executive committee of the Cancer Immunotherapy Trial Network and on the executive council of the Cytokine Working Group.  I have published over 200 original research manuscripts in the areas of renal cell cancer, melanoma and immune therapy strategies including cytokine therapies, dendritic cell vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibition, targeted therapies and ex vivo expanded effector cells for adoptive transfer. Our NCI supported clinical trials were aimed at minimizing regulatory and suppressive pathways and enhancing existent tumor specific immune function. My laboratory has developed phenotypic, functional and molecular assays as biomarkers to enable us to explore the immune response to disease and therapy. I am currently the Chair of the Department of Medicine and the Senior Vice President of Clinical Investigation at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY.  I also serve as the Chief of the Division of Oncology and the Professor of Medicine, in the Department of Medicine, at the State University of New York, at Buffalo.

SITC Election Platform Statement

What are the two or three critical issues facing cancer immunotherapy?

The critical issues facing cancer immunotherapy today continue to be better understanding of the physiologic pathways of immune destruction of cancer and identifying common and private pathways among our patients so to leverage them for therapeutic benefit.

How do you feel the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer would benefit from your involvement as an At-Large Director on the Board?

I would bring an extensive experience in laboratory, translational and clinical sciences to the Board helping steer and set the society’s strategic goals and plans.  In addition, my administrative and educational experiences provide a broad insight which will enable me to advise the Board on how best to successfully implement the society’s plans.