Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, Named ACCC 2020 Clinical Research Award Winner

Rockville, MD - The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) today announced the recipient of the ACCC 2020 Clinical Research Award: Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, Ensign Professor of Medicine, Professor of Pharmacology, Chief of Medical Oncology and Associate Director for Translational Research at the Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital

ACCC’s Clinical Research Award recognizes individuals whose research has significantly and positively impacted oncology patients, their families, caregivers and communities. Herbst was selected for his distinguished career in lung cancer research and track record of successfully integrating clinical, laboratory and research programs to bring new treatments to cancer therapy.

“Dr. Herbst was selected for this award based on his distinguished and effective accomplishments in lung cancer research, having successfully integrated biology and laboratory research, team- based science, broad collaboration, and community, patient, public, and private partnerships that have served as a road map and role model for others,” said Randall A Oyer, MD, Medical Director, Oncology Program, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, and ACCC President.  “The work of Dr. Herbst and his team has importantly led to the approval of several treatments that have revolutionized lung cancer care, improved patient survival, and changed patient expectations. “

A pioneer of personalized medicine and immunotherapy, Herbst’s work lies in the identification of biomarkers and bringing novel targeted treatments and immunotherapies to patients, and he has served as principal investigator for numerous clinical trials testing these agents in advanced stage lung cancers. His work has led to the approval of several therapies that have revolutionized the field and greatly improved patient survival.

Herbst’s work on "umbrella” trials prompted FDA approvals of targeted therapies and new cancer drugs. Nationally, he works closely with public-private partnerships to develop large master protocol clinical studies, such as Lung-MAP.

Herbst has testified in front of Congress on the importance of medical research and served as a prominent figure as a member of the National Academy of Medicine’s Cancer Policy Forum, where he organized several meetings focused on policy issues in personalized medicine and tobacco control. He recently authored a high-profile review of 20-years of progress in lung cancer, and he has also authored or co-authored more than 350 publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles, abstracts and book chapters.

“We’ve seen great research and treatment advances in lung cancer, including immunotherapy and targeted therapies that significantly delay disease recurrence, but there is more work to do,” said Herbst. “I am grateful to the Association of Community Cancer Centers for shining a light on the important fight against this deadly disease, “said Herbst in accepting the award.

The award presentation and remarks from Dr. Herbst can be found on the ACCC website.