“Incredible advances in our understanding of the molecular basis of cancer are now translating into new and more effective therapies for our patients.”
Stuart A. Aaronson, MD
Jack and Jane B. Aron Professor and Chairman of the Department of Oncological Sciences
An internationally recognized cancer biologist, Stuart A. Aaronson, MD, is known for his contributions in molecular oncology that have led to new cancer therapies. His achievements have furthered Mount Sinai's research efforts and have helped it become a destination of choice for patients with cancer as well as for scientists looking to pursue innovative cancer research.
Dr. Aaronson came to Mount Sinai from the National Cancer Institute, where he was Chief of the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology. His pioneering studies have provided critical insights into the genetic aberrations that underlie cancer pathogenesis. Dr. Aaronson and colleagues identified the first normal function of an oncogene and the role of oncogenes in growth factor signaling. His contributions include the discovery of erbB2 as a v-erbB-related gene amplified in a human breast carcinoma, which laid the groundwork for targeted treatments and provided the basis for the test used to detect those patients that would benefit from this therapy.
In addition, targeted cancer therapies directed against several other growth factor receptors initially identified by Dr. Aaronson and colleagues are currently in pre-clinical or clinical development. Another successful application of his cancer-focused discoveries came from his isolating KGF, a growth factor with novel epithelial cell specificity. This growth factor has shown efficacy for treating mucositis, a debilitating side effect of some cancer treatments. A successful clinical trial spurred the Food and Drug Administration in 2004 to approve Kepivance (KGF) for treatment of patients undergoing bone marrow transplant for hematological malignancies. At Mount Sinai, Dr. Aaronson has spearheaded efforts to advance basic and translational research and help improve patient care by moving laboratory discoveries toward becoming new therapeutics.
He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal from the U.S. Public Health Service in 1982, the Rhoads Memorial Award from the American Association of Cancer Research in 1982, and the Paul Ehrlich Prize from Germany in 1989, as well as the Milken Award in 1990 and the Chirone Prize in 1991. He is the author of over 550 publications and an inventor on more than 50 patents.
In addition to serving on numerous editorial boards and scientific advisory committees, Dr. Aaronson has held distinguished positions, including Councilor of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine and President of the Harvey Society.
Dr. Aaronson earned his medical degree from the University of California Medical School, San Francisco (UCSF), in 1966. Following residency training at Moffitt Hospital at UCSF, he joined the National Cancer Institute in 1967 and remained there until joining Mount Sinai in 1993.