Dr. Lee M. Ellis is a distinguished surgical oncologist and leading authority in gastrointestinal cancer research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He currently holds the prestigious Ruben Distinguished Chair in Gastrointestinal Cancer Research and serves as Professor of Surgery and Molecular & Cellular Biology. After completing his surgical oncology fellowship at MD Anderson, he has remained on the faculty since 1993, establishing himself as a prominent figure in cancer research and treatment. Previously, Dr. Ellis served as Director of the UCSD Cancer Center and Associate Dean for Cancer Affairs at UCSD School of Medicine, where he successfully secured comprehensive cancer center designation from the National Cancer Institute. His career trajectory reflects a consistent commitment to advancing cancer care through both clinical practice and scientific investigation.
Dr. Ellis's pioneering research on angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling has fundamentally transformed approaches to treating gastrointestinal malignancies, particularly colorectal cancer. His laboratory was the first to demonstrate that VEGF represented a valid therapeutic target in colorectal cancer, establishing a critical foundation for anti-angiogenic therapies that have since become standard of care. For over two decades, his research program has meticulously investigated mechanisms of tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to therapies, with significant contributions including the discovery that endothelial cells secrete angiocrine factors mediating stem-ness in colon cancer cells. Dr. Ellis has authored more than 240 peer-reviewed publications and 110 invited reviews, with his work receiving widespread recognition for elucidating the complex cross-talk between endothelial cells and tumor cells that influences chemoresistance in the tumor microenvironment. His investigations into metabolic alterations and miRNA changes in chemotherapy-resistant colon cancer cell lines continue to inform new therapeutic approaches for overcoming treatment resistance.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Ellis has played a pivotal role in shaping cancer research and education through leadership positions in major professional organizations including ASCO, AACR, and the Society of Surgical Oncology. He currently serves on critical NCI committees as Vice Chair of the Colon Task Force and co-chair of the NCI National Clinical Trials Network Correlative Sciences Committee, guiding national research priorities in gastrointestinal cancers. Dr. Ellis was honored by the AACR in 2022 for his exceptional contributions to cancer education and training, reflecting his dedication to mentoring the next generation of cancer researchers. His ongoing work as Deputy Editor for JAMA Oncology and leadership in the ASCO/AACR Workshop on Methods in Clinical Cancer Research demonstrates his continued commitment to advancing rigorous clinical trial methodology. Dr. Ellis remains at the forefront of translational cancer research, with his laboratory currently investigating novel mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies and developing innovative approaches to improve outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal malignancies.
