Gena Gora Foster, MD
Assistant ProfessorCards
About
Dr. Foster is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and sees patients at Smilow Cancer Hospital in Orange, CT. She specializes in non-malignant hematologic disorders including anemia, bleeding and clotting conditions, with a special interest in immune-mediated blood diseases. Dr. Foster serves as Principal Investigator on a growing portfolio of clinical trials in non-malignant hematology.
Research
Publications
2025
KLF2 maintains lineage fidelity and suppresses CD8 T cell exhaustion during acute LCMV infection
Fagerberg E, Attanasio J, Dien C, Singh J, Kessler E, Abdullah L, Shen J, Hunt B, Connolly K, De Brouwer E, He J, Iyer N, Buck J, Borr E, Damo M, Foster G, Giles J, Huang Y, Tsang J, Krishnaswamy S, Cui W, Joshi N. KLF2 maintains lineage fidelity and suppresses CD8 T cell exhaustion during acute LCMV infection. Science 2025, 387: eadn2337. PMID: 39946463, PMCID: PMC12199163, DOI: 10.1126/science.adn2337.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCD8 T cellsT cellsCD8 T cell exhaustionNaive CD8 T cellsAcute LCMV infectionT cell exhaustionT cell fate decisionsLineage fidelityLCMV infectionEffector differentiationAcute infectionExhaustion programTranscription factorsImmune responseEpigenetic modulationSuppress differentiationProgenitor stateKLF2InfectionFunctional stateFate decisionsCD8
2021
Neoantigen-driven B cell and CD4 T follicular helper cell collaboration promotes anti-tumor CD8 T cell responses
Cui C, Wang J, Fagerberg E, Chen PM, Connolly KA, Damo M, Cheung JF, Mao T, Askari AS, Chen S, Fitzgerald B, Foster GG, Eisenbarth SC, Zhao H, Craft J, Joshi NS. Neoantigen-driven B cell and CD4 T follicular helper cell collaboration promotes anti-tumor CD8 T cell responses. Cell 2021, 184: 6101-6118.e13. PMID: 34852236, PMCID: PMC8671355, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.11.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCD8 TB cellsTfh cellsLung adenocarcinomaTfh-B cell interactionsTumor-specific B cellsFollicular helper cellsAnti-tumor immunityB cell signaturesCell effector functionsGerminal center formationGC B cellsCD4 THelper cellsTumor controlTumor neoantigensEffector functionsCell collaborationCell responsesCell signatureTumor cellsSignature correlatesNeoantigensCell functionCD4A mouse model for the study of anti-tumor T cell responses in Kras-driven lung adenocarcinoma
Fitzgerald B, Connolly KA, Cui C, Fagerberg E, Mariuzza DL, Hornick NI, Foster GG, William I, Cheung JF, Joshi NS. A mouse model for the study of anti-tumor T cell responses in Kras-driven lung adenocarcinoma. Cell Reports Methods 2021, 1: 100080. PMID: 34632444, PMCID: PMC8500377, DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2021.100080.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLung adenocarcinomaNeoantigen expressionTumor-specific CD8 T cellsCD8 T cellsImmune checkpoint therapyInfection-induced inflammationExpression of neoantigensCommon lung cancerLUAD cell linesCheckpoint therapyLung cancerTherapeutic responseT cellsImmune responseMouse modelCell responsesTumor inductionTumorsAdenocarcinomaCell linesNeoantigensKRASFuture studiesExpressionImmunotherapyA reservoir of stem-like CD8+ T cells in the tumor-draining lymph node preserves the ongoing anti-tumor immune response
Connolly KA, Kuchroo M, Venkat A, Khatun A, Wang J, William I, Hornick NI, Fitzgerald BL, Damo M, Kasmani MY, Cui C, Fagerberg E, Monroy I, Hutchins A, Cheung JF, Foster GG, Mariuzza DL, Nader M, Zhao H, Cui W, Krishnaswamy S, Joshi NS. A reservoir of stem-like CD8+ T cells in the tumor-draining lymph node preserves the ongoing anti-tumor immune response. Science Immunology 2021, 6: eabg7836. PMID: 34597124, PMCID: PMC8593910, DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abg7836.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTumor-specific CD8T cellsTumor microenvironmentOngoing anti-tumor immune responseChronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infectionTumor-draining lymph nodesAnti-tumor immune responseLymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infectionIntratumoral T cellsEfficacy of immunotherapyT cell responsesTumor-draining lymphAntitumor T cellsT cell terminal differentiationStem-like CD8Immunologic shiftGene expression signaturesLymph nodesTerminal differentiationLung tumorsVirus infectionLung adenocarcinomaImmune responseCD8Cell responsesThere won’T be blood
Gower M, Foster G, Tikhonova A. There won’T be blood. Nature Immunology 2021, 22: 396-397. PMID: 33753941, DOI: 10.1038/s41590-021-00893-6.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2020
Inducible de novo expression of neoantigens in tumor cells and mice
Damo M, Fitzgerald B, Lu Y, Nader M, William I, Cheung JF, Connolly KA, Foster GG, Akama-Garren E, Lee DY, Chang GP, Gocheva V, Schmidt LM, Boileve A, Wilson JH, Cui C, Monroy I, Gokare P, Cabeceiras P, Jacks T, Joshi NS. Inducible de novo expression of neoantigens in tumor cells and mice. Nature Biotechnology 2020, 39: 64-73. PMID: 32719479, PMCID: PMC7854852, DOI: 10.1038/s41587-020-0613-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsT cell responsesLevel of regulationRNA splicingDNA recombinationGenetic regulationTolerance mechanismsInducible expressionNeoantigen expressionCell responsesNaïve T-cell responsesCD4 T cell responsesTumor cell linesPeripheral tolerance mechanismsT cell toleranceCentral T cell toleranceCell linesExpressionNovo expressionTight controlEndogenous CD8Antitumor immunityPeripheral toleranceAutoimmune diseasesT cellsThymus resultsTreatment with Foscarnet after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant (Allo-HCT) Is Associated with Long-Term Loss of Renal Function
Foster GG, Grant MJ, Thomas SM, Cameron B, Raiff D, Corbet K, Loitsch G, Ferreri C, Horwitz M. Treatment with Foscarnet after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant (Allo-HCT) Is Associated with Long-Term Loss of Renal Function. Transplantation And Cellular Therapy 2020, 26: 1597-1606. PMID: 32450288, PMCID: PMC8026759, DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2020.05.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAllogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantHematopoietic cell transplantChronic kidney diseaseRenal functionFoscarnet treatmentCell transplantHuman herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) reactivationLong-term renal functionAcute kidney injuryAcute kidney failureTransplant-related factorsAllo-HCTFoscarnet useMedian eGFRsKidney injuryAdult patientsFrequent indicationKidney diseaseKidney failureFoscarnetAnti-infective agentsMultivariate analysisPatientsOptimal managementMonths
2018
Treatment with Foscarnet after Allogeneic Hematopoietic-Cell Transplant (AlloHCT) Is Associated with Long-Term Loss of Renal Function
Foster Y, Grant M, Thomas S, Cameron B, Raiff D, Corbet K, Ferreri C, Horwitz M. Treatment with Foscarnet after Allogeneic Hematopoietic-Cell Transplant (AlloHCT) Is Associated with Long-Term Loss of Renal Function. Blood 2018, 132: 4594. DOI: 10.1182/blood-2018-99-113189.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLong-term renal functionAcute kidney failureAcute kidney injuryChronic kidney diseaseRenal functionChronic GVHDNephrotoxic drugsHuman herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) reactivationAllogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantEnd-stage renal diseaseAlternative donor graftsHHV-6 viremiaUnadjusted median survivalRetrospective cohort studyHematopoietic cell transplantTransplant-related factorsGlomerular filtration rateSerum creatinine valuesMultivariate logistic regressionCKD-EPI equationUmbilical cord bloodManual chart reviewAcute GVHDEGFR declineLower eGFRs
2016
An Outbreak of Beta-2 Adrenergic Toxicity from Adulterated Heroin
Ali M, Foster Y, Brooks M, Roomiany P. An Outbreak of Beta-2 Adrenergic Toxicity from Adulterated Heroin. The American Journal Of Medicine 2016, 129: e125-e126. PMID: 27103048, PMCID: PMC6051537, DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2016.03.027.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchKeratomalacia in a Patient With Psychogenic Vitamin A Deficiency
Gospe SM, Todorich B, Foster YG, Legault G, Woods SK, Proia AD, Daluvoy M. Keratomalacia in a Patient With Psychogenic Vitamin A Deficiency. Cornea 2016, 35: 405-407. PMID: 26785304, DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000000732.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCorneal meltRight eyeHigh-dose vitamin ALarge corneal epithelial defectAnterior chamber inflammationPainful vision lossCorneal epithelial defectsVitamin A DeficiencySelf-induced vomitingBilateral keratomalaciaConjunctival xerosisLeft eyeSevere vitaminHistopathological findingsHistological findingsEpithelial defectsSerum vitaminCase reportVision lossGastrointestinal abnormalitiesA DeficiencyPanic disorderVitamin APatientsStrong index
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
A Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group Study With an Open-label Period and Long-term Extension to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Rilzabrutinib in Participants With Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (wAIHA)
IRB ID2000040291RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/30/2027Recruiting ParticipantsA Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Arm Study Followed by an Open-Label Arm to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Efgartigimod IV in Adult Participants With Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia
IRB ID2000040388RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/30/2028Recruiting Participants
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Clinical Care
Dr. Foster sees patients at Smilow Cancer Hospital in Orange, CT, and specializes in non-malignant hematologic disorders including anemia, bleeding and clotting conditions, with a special interest in immune-mediated blood diseases such as immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), and Castleman’s disease.
Overview
Yevgeniya “Gena” Foster, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine (medical oncology and hematology) and cares for patients at Smilow Cancer Hospital in Orange, CT, as part of the Center of Excellence for Classical Hematology. She specializes in non-malignant hematologic disorders, including anemia and bleeding and clotting conditions, with a special interest in immune-mediated blood diseases.
Dr. Foster is committed to advancing the understanding and treatment of immune-mediated blood disorders. She serves as principal investigator on a growing portfolio of clinical trials in non-malignant hematology and is leading efforts to expand access to cutting-edge therapies for patients with these conditions.
Dr. Foster earned her medical degree from The George Washington University School of Medicine, completed her residency at Duke University Medical Center, and pursued fellowship training with the Yale Medical Oncology-Hematology Fellowship Program. She then completed postdoctoral research in immunology in the laboratory of Dr. Nikhil Joshi, studying how immune cells interact with cancer.
Clinical Specialties
Hematology & Oncology
News & Links
One Woman’s Journey from Janitor to Doctor
Dr. Foster was a special guest on The Jennifer Hudson Show, highlighting her inspiring mentorship of Dr. Shay Taylor.
Media
One Woman’s Journey from Janitor to Doctor
Dr. Foster was a special guest on The Jennifer Hudson Show, highlighting her inspiring mentorship of Dr. Shay Taylor.
News
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