Rate My Professor Nilofer Azad

Azad's research specializations encompass gastrointestinal cancers such as colorectal, pancreaticobiliary, and cholangiocarcinoma, with academic interests in epigenetic therapies combined with chemotherapy and immunotherapy, molecularly targeted drugs, and novel drug combinations for advanced cancers. As an active clinical trialist, she leads multiple trials translating laboratory findings into patient treatments. Her career includes major awards and honors such as numerous grants from the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, American Society of Clinical Research, Breakthrough Cancer Foundation, Lustgarten Foundation, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network. She served as Principal Investigator for Johns Hopkins on the AACR Stand Up 2 Cancer Colorectal Cancer Dream Team, led GI cancer initiatives on the Stand Up 2 Cancer Epigenetics Dream Team, and holds roles on the NCI Colon Cancer Task Force, as Co-Chair of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Scientific and Medical Advisory Board, and Presidential appointee to the National Cancer Advisory Board. Key publications include Entinostat in combination with nivolumab in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a phase 2 clinical trial (Nature Communications, 2024), A phase II study of guadecitabine combined with irinotecan vs regorafenib or TAS-102 in irinotecan-refractory metastatic colorectal cancer patients (International Journal of Cancer, 2024), Multicenter randomized phase II trial of atezolizumab with or without cobimetinib in biliary tract cancers (Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2021), and A study of using epigenetic modulators to enhance response to pembrolizumab in microsatellite stable advanced colorectal cancer (Clinical Epigenetics, 2023). Her work has significantly influenced clinical oncology through innovative trials and national leadership in GI cancer research.