Posts by Rebecca Suk Heist, MD, MPH
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Study Provides Insight Into Overcoming Acquired Resistance to KRAS-G12C Inhibitors
Researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and colleagues have identified mutations that make lung cancer resistant to adagrasib and other KRAS-G12C inhibitors. Their findings provide clues to designing next-generation inhibitors and combination regimens.
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Capmatinib Benefits Adults with Advanced NSCLC and MET Exon 14 Skipping Mutation
Rebecca S. Heist, MD, MPH, and colleagues led the phase 2 GEOMETRY mono-1 trial, the basis for FDA approval of capmatinib, a highly specific new MET inhibitor for treatment of adults with MET exon 14–mutated metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer.
Biography
Rebecca Suk Heist, MD, MPH, has made a tremendous impact at the Mass General Cancer Center through her clinical care in the thoracic oncology clinics, innovation in early-phase clinical trials, commitment to trainee education, and leadership efforts to enhance clinical trial operations. Her administrative and leadership contributions coalesce around ensuring patients have the best possible access to clinical trials.
As the Interim Vice Chief of Clinical Research for Hematology/Oncology (previously Associate Director of Clinical Research at the Mass General Cancer Center), and Medical Director for Clinical Trials Operations at DF/HCC, Dr. Heist has been a guiding force in streamlining and expediting the clinical trial process. Her efforts have allowed the Mass General Cancer Center to be the first global site activated for many first-in-human clinical trials, enabling clinical investigators to lead research efforts internationally and, most importantly, providing our patients with access to these groundbreaking therapies. Beyond her contributions to the Mass General Cancer Center, Dr. Heist has been a leading innovator in the development of new therapies for patients with non-small cell lung cancer, such as the use of MET inhibition for treatment of patients with MET exon 14 skipping lung cancer. Her work has led to the first FDA approval of a MET targeted drug in lung cancer, effectively changing the paradigm of care for this patient population. She has also spearheaded the development of antibody drug conjugates for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and exploring mechanisms of resistance to therapy to advance the science in developing new personalized treatments for patients with lung cancer.
Mass General Cancer Center
An integral part of one of the world’s most distinguished academic medical centers, the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center is among the leading cancer care providers in the United States.
