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NYU Langone and Perlmutter Cancer Center appoint gastrointestinal medical oncology director
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Paul E. Oberstein, MD, has been appointed director of gastrointestinal medical oncology at NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center.
Oberstein also will serve as assistant director of the institution’s pancreatic cancer center.
“In 2018, for the first time, gastrointestinal cancers will cause more cancer deaths in the United States than any other organ system,” Benjamin G. Neel, MD, PhD, director of Perlmutter Cancer Center, said in a press release. “[Oberstein’s] experience in designing clinical trials for these cancers and his expertise in bringing basic research findings to the patient’s bedside strengthen our already formidable gastrointestinal cancer research team.”
Oberstein’s research focuses on the design and implementation of translational studies that apply novel laboratory concepts to patients. His most recent work has included investigations designed to better understand the immune microenvironment of cancer cells, a study of a new imaging method for pancreatic tumor detection, and assessment of novel combinations of immunotherapy and chemotherapy for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
“[Oberstein] will play a major role in the pancreatic cancer center’s efforts to develop highly innovative clinical trials for [patients with] pancreatic cancer ... and to work with patients and patient advocacy groups to develop optimized support systems for patients,” Diane M. Simeone, MD, professor of surgery, professor of pathology and director of the pancreatic cancer center, said in the release.
Oberstein previously served as a member of Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia University, assistant professor at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, and attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center.
“Research already underway at Perlmutter Cancer Center in gastrointestinal cancers not only can be applied to patients immediately, but also furthers our understanding of these cancers, which will lead to future patient applications,” Oberstein said in the release. “Its commitment to aligning research and clinical practice makes this, indeed, the perfect place for what I do — which is to try to bring these two areas of medicine together to make a difference for our patients now and in the future.”