Cathy Eng, MD, FASCO
CATHY ENG, MD, FASCO, Professor of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, is joining Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC). She was recruited to assume the role of Co-Leader of the VICC Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Program.
Dr. Eng will oversee a large expansion in the clinical and research activities of the medical oncology gastrointestinal cancer disease group at Vanderbilt, as well as develop programs for adolescent and young adult oncology services. She will co-lead the multidisciplinary Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Program with Daniel Beauchamp, MD.
According to Jennifer Pietenpol, PhD, Executive Vice President for Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Director of VICC, “[Dr. Eng] has spearheaded seminal clinical trials evaluating the use of cytotoxic treatment and targeted therapy in colorectal cancer and anal cancer.”
Daniel Beauchamp, MD
Jennifer Pietenpol, PhD
Dr. Eng will also join a group of investigators who focus on human papillomavirus– driven cancers, including head and neck squamous carcinomas and cervical cancers, in addition to anal cancer.
Professional Experience and Education
DR. ENG has been with MD Anderson for 17 years, where she has served as Associate Director of the Colorectal Center, Chair of the Clinical Research Committee, and Chair of the Multidisciplinary Colorectal Cancer Tumor Board.
Nationally, she holds numerous leadership roles in the field of gastrointestinal cancer. Dr. Eng is currently serving her second term as National Cancer Institute (NCI) Rectal/Anal Cancer Task Force Chair. She is the lead contact Principal Investigator for the NCI National Clinical Trials Network Leading Academic Participating Sites grant for two terms. She was recently elected Co-Chair of the Rectal/Anal Subcommittee for the Southwest Oncology Group and serves on the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group gastrointestinal committee. Dr. Eng has served as a volunteer and as a leader in numerous roles in ASCO since 2002 and was acknowledged at the 2019 ASCO Annual Meeting for her years of volunteer service, dedication, and commitment to ASCO with a Fellow of ASCO distinction.
Dr. Eng has been a Principal Investigator of both national and international trials, including investigator-initiated trials, NCI-funded trials, and pharmaceutical-sponsored trials. Her work has led to practice-changing outcomes, particularly with regard to the use of immunotherapy in metastatic anal cancer. ■
