Pamela L. Kunz, MD
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology)Cards
Appointments
Additional Titles
Director, Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center
Chief, GI Medical Oncology
Contact Info
Yale Cancer Center
333 Cedar Street, PO Box 208028
New Haven, CT 06520
United States
Appointments
Additional Titles
Director, Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center
Chief, GI Medical Oncology
Contact Info
Yale Cancer Center
333 Cedar Street, PO Box 208028
New Haven, CT 06520
United States
Appointments
Additional Titles
Director, Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center
Chief, GI Medical Oncology
Contact Info
Yale Cancer Center
333 Cedar Street, PO Box 208028
New Haven, CT 06520
United States
About
Titles
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology)
Director, Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center; Chief, GI Medical Oncology
Biography
Dr. Kunz is an international leader in the treatment and clinical research of patients with GI malignancies and neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). She holds several leadership positions in the field including President Emeritus of the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society, recent past Chair of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Taskforce of the National Cancer Institute, and member of the FDA’s Oncology Drug Advisory Committee. She also currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief for JCO Oncology Advances. In addition to her focus on NETs, she is a leading voice for promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in medicine. She served as the Vice Chief of DEI for the Section of Medical Oncology at Yale School of Medicine and, in 2021, she was awarded ‘Woman Oncologist of the Year’ by Women Leaders in Oncology for her work in promoting gender equity.
Learn more about Dr. Kunz >>
Appointments
Medical Oncology
Associate Professor on TermPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers
- Developmental Therapeutics
- Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI) Program
- Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) Program
- Internal Medicine
- Medical Oncology
- Oligometastatic Cancer Program
- Status of Women in Medicine Committee (SWIM)
- Subset Medical Oncology Faculty
- WHRY Pilot Project Program Investigators
- Women's Health Research at Yale
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Medicine
- YCC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Education & Training
- Oncology Fellow
- Stanford University (2008)
- Chief Resident
- Stanford University (2005)
- Internal Medicine Resident
- Stanford University (2004)
- MD
- Dartmouth Medical School (2001)
- BA
- Dartmouth College, Biology (1994)
Research
Overview
Dr. Kunz has developed broad investigative programs in the field of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), encompassing clinical trials, population sciences, and translational correlates.
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
ORCID
0000-0003-1613-3919
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Alyssa Ann Grimshaw, MBA, MLIS, MPH
Darrick K. Li, MD, PhD
Dhanpat Jain, MD
Donna Spiegelman, ScD
Jill Lacy, MD
Melinda Irwin, PhD, MPH
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Publications
2024
[177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE plus long-acting octreotide versus high‑dose long-acting octreotide for the treatment of newly diagnosed, advanced grade 2–3, well-differentiated, gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETTER-2): an open-label, randomised, phase 3 study
Singh S, Halperin D, Myrehaug S, Herrmann K, Pavel M, Kunz P, Chasen B, Tafuto S, Lastoria S, Capdevila J, García-Burillo A, Oh D, Yoo C, Halfdanarson T, Falk S, Folitar I, Zhang Y, Aimone P, de Herder W, Ferone D, Investigators A. [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE plus long-acting octreotide versus high‑dose long-acting octreotide for the treatment of newly diagnosed, advanced grade 2–3, well-differentiated, gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETTER-2): an open-label, randomised, phase 3 study. The Lancet 2024, 403: 2807-2817. PMID: 38851203, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(24)00701-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsGastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumorsProgression-free survivalAdvanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumorsLong-acting octreotideLu-DOTATATENeuroendocrine tumorsGrade 2Open-labelControl groupTreated patientsWell-differentiatedStandard first-line treatment optionMedian progression-free survivalProgression-free survival eventsTreatment periodFirst-line treatment optionProgression-free survival analysisNeuroendocrine tumor gradingSomatostatin receptor-positiveFirst-line therapyInteractive response technologyHigh-dose octreotidePhase 3 studyPhase 3 trialStandard of care211MO First-line efficacy of [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE in patients with advanced grade 2 and grade 3, well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors by tumor grade and primary origin: Subgroup analysis of the phase III NETTER-2 study
Singh S, Halperin D, Myrehaug S, Herrmann K, Pavel M, Kunz P, Chasen B, Capdevila J, Tafuto S, Oh D, Yoo C, Falk S, Halfdanarson T, Folitar I, Zhang Y, de Herder W, Ferone D. 211MO First-line efficacy of [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE in patients with advanced grade 2 and grade 3, well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors by tumor grade and primary origin: Subgroup analysis of the phase III NETTER-2 study. Annals Of Oncology 2024, 35: s92-s93. DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2024.05.219.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSafety and time to response of [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE in patients with newly diagnosed advanced grade 2 and grade 3, well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: Sub-analysis of the phase 3 randomized NETTER-2 study.
Kunz P, Ferone D, Halperin D, Myrehaug S, Herrmann K, Pavel M, Chasen B, Capdevila J, Tafuto S, Oh D, Yoo C, Falk S, Halfdanarson T, Folitar I, Zhang Y, de Herder W, Singh S. Safety and time to response of [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE in patients with newly diagnosed advanced grade 2 and grade 3, well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: Sub-analysis of the phase 3 randomized NETTER-2 study. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2024, 42: 4131-4131. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2024.42.16_suppl.4131.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTime to responseObjective response rateGastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumorsLu-DOTATATEGEP-NETsAdverse eventsHematologic toxicityNeuroendocrine tumorsSafety profileSub-analysisMedian time to responseCases of myelodysplastic syndromeOctreotide long-actingHematologic adverse eventsProgression-free survivalTime to first occurrenceRandomized treatment periodFatal adverse eventsInfection rateDose interruptionCTCAE gradeRadioligand therapyMyelodysplastic syndromeEligible ptsLaboratory abnormalitiesPhase Ib portion of the ACTION-1 phase Ib/3 trial of RYZ101 in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET) progressing after 177Lu somatostatin analogue (SSA) therapy: Safety and efficacy findings.
Halperin D, Morris M, Ulaner G, Strosberg J, Mehr S, Li D, Soares H, Anthony L, Kotiah S, Jacene H, Tesselaar M, Kunz P, Ferreira D, Li J, Ma K, Rearden J, Moran S, Hope T, Singh S. Phase Ib portion of the ACTION-1 phase Ib/3 trial of RYZ101 in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET) progressing after 177Lu somatostatin analogue (SSA) therapy: Safety and efficacy findings. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2024, 42: 3091-3091. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2024.42.16_suppl.3091.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTreatment-emergent adverse eventsPhase Ib portionDose-limiting toxicitySerious adverse eventsGEP-NETsSomatostatin analoguesAdverse eventsFrequent treatment-emergent adverse eventsEfficacy dataData review committeePlanned dose levelsProgression-free survivalDuration of responseGastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumorsLonger-term safetyAlpha-emitting radiopharmaceuticalStandard of careDose holdRECIST v1.1Stable diseasePartial responseStarting doseTumor responseDose modificationNeuroendocrine tumors[177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE in newly diagnosed patients with advanced grade 2 and grade 3, well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: Primary analysis of the phase 3 randomized NETTER-2 study
Ferone D, Halperin D, Myrehaug S, Herrmann K, Pavel M, Kunz P, Chasen B, Capdevila J, Tafuto S, Oh D, Yoo C, Falk S, Halfdanarson T, Folitar I, Zhang Y, Santoro P, Aimone P, de H, Singh S. [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE in newly diagnosed patients with advanced grade 2 and grade 3, well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: Primary analysis of the phase 3 randomized NETTER-2 study. Endocrine Abstracts 2024 DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.99.oc7.2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCorrection to: PRESTO 2: An International Survey to Evaluate Patients’ Injection Experiences with the Latest Devices/Formulations of Long-Acting Somatostatin Analog Therapies for Neuroendocrine Tumors or Acromegaly
O’Toole D, Kunz P, Webb S, Goldstein G, Khawaja S, McDonnell M, Boiziau S, Gueguen D, Houchard A, Ribeiro-Oliveira A, Prebtani A. Correction to: PRESTO 2: An International Survey to Evaluate Patients’ Injection Experiences with the Latest Devices/Formulations of Long-Acting Somatostatin Analog Therapies for Neuroendocrine Tumors or Acromegaly. Advances In Therapy 2024, 41: 2531-2533. PMID: 38480663, DOI: 10.1007/s12325-024-02829-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetric[177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE in newly diagnosed patients with advanced grade 2 and grade 3, well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: Primary analysis of the phase 3 randomized NETTER-2 study.
Singh S, Halperin D, Myrehaug S, Herrmann K, Pavel M, Kunz P, Chasen B, Capdevila J, Tafuto S, Oh D, Yoo C, Falk S, Halfdanarson T, Folitar I, Zhang Y, Santoro P, Aimone P, de Herder W, Ferone D. [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE in newly diagnosed patients with advanced grade 2 and grade 3, well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: Primary analysis of the phase 3 randomized NETTER-2 study. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2024, 42: lba588-lba588. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2024.42.3_suppl.lba588.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsProgression-free survivalObjective response rateOctreotide long-acting releaseLong-acting releaseGastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumorsRadioligand therapyGEP-NETsLu-DOTATATENeuroendocrine tumorsControl armEfficacy of radioligand therapyMedian progression-free survivalProlonged progression-free survivalCases of myelodysplastic syndromeAdvanced GEP-NETsMedian cumulative doseStratified hazard ratioStratified odds ratiosMonths prior to enrollmentLu-DOTATATE treatmentUnmet medical needG3 tumorsMyelodysplastic syndromePrognostic subgroupsEligible pts
2023
ACTION-1: A randomized Phase Ib/3 trial of RYZ101 compared with SoC in SSTR+ well-differentiated GEP-NET with progression following Lu-177 SSA
Hope T, Halperin D, Strosberg J, Jacene H, E.T. T, Kunz P, Ferreira D, Li J, Ma K, Rearden J, Moran S, Singh S. ACTION-1: A randomized Phase Ib/3 trial of RYZ101 compared with SoC in SSTR+ well-differentiated GEP-NET with progression following Lu-177 SSA. Endocrine Abstracts 2023 DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.98.t1.Peer-Reviewed Original Research1198P Phase Ib portion of the ACTION-1 phase Ib/3 trial of RYZ101 in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET) progressing after 177Lu somatostatin analogue (SSA) therapy: Safety and efficacy findings
Strosberg J, Ulaner G, Halperin D, Mehr S, Li D, Soares H, Anthony L, Kotiah S, Jacene H, Kunz P, Ferreira D, Li J, Ma K, Rearden J, Moran S, Hope T, Singh S, Morris M. 1198P Phase Ib portion of the ACTION-1 phase Ib/3 trial of RYZ101 in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET) progressing after 177Lu somatostatin analogue (SSA) therapy: Safety and efficacy findings. Annals Of Oncology 2023, 34: s707. DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2023.09.731.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConsensus report of the 2021 National Cancer Institute neuroendocrine tumor clinical trials planning meeting
Singh S, Hope T, Bergsland E, Bodei L, Bushnell D, Chan J, Chasen B, Chauhan A, Das S, Dasari A, Del Rivero J, El-Haddad G, Goodman K, Halperin D, Lewis M, Lindwasser O, Myrehaug S, Raj N, Reidy-Lagunes D, Soares H, Strosberg J, Kohn E, Kunz P, Bergsland E, Beveridge T, Bodei L, Borek A, Brockman M, Bushnell D, Capala J, Chan J, Chasen B, Chauhan A, Das S, Dasari N, Davies-Venn C, Del Rivero J, Demaria S, Donoghue M, Eads J, El-Haddad G, Fielman N, Fishbein L, Gericke G, Goodman K, Halperin D, Hendifar A, Hicks R, Hobbs R, Hobday T, Hope T, Iyer R, Jaffe D, Kennedy A, Kohn E, Kulke M, Kunos C, Kunz P, Lewis M, Lin F, Lindwasser W, Mailman J, McDonald M, McEwan S, Myrehaug S, Nakasato A, Nothwehr S, Ou F, Padda S, Pavel M, Pilowa A, Raj N, Ramnaraign B, Reidy-Lagunes D, Rubinstein L, Saletan S, Shah M, Singh S, Soares H, Soulen M, Strosberg J, Untch B, Wahba M, Wong R, Yao J. Consensus report of the 2021 National Cancer Institute neuroendocrine tumor clinical trials planning meeting. Journal Of The National Cancer Institute 2023, 115: 1001-1010. PMID: 37255328, PMCID: PMC10483264, DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djad096.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPeptide receptor radionuclide therapyClinical trialsNeuroendocrine tumorsNeuroendocrine neoplasmsClinical trial recommendationsLiver-dominant diseaseReceptor radionuclide therapyTumor clinical trialsUse of dosimetryImmunotherapy combinationsTherapeutic optionsTreatment optionsGastroenteropancreatic NETsTrial recommendationsConsensus reportNew agentsInhibitor combinationsRadionuclide therapyPatient advocatesMultidisciplinary expertsOptimal sequencingTrialsTreatmentTherapyDisease
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
A Phase 2 Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Combination Therapies in Patients With Advanced Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Malignancies (EDGE-Gastric)
HIC ID2000033245RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date09/30/2025Recruiting ParticipantsPhase 1b/3 Global, Randomized, Controlled, Open-label Trial Comparing Treatment With RYZ101 to Standard of Care Therapy in Subjects With Inoperable, Advanced, SSTR+, Well-differentiated GEP-NETs That Have Progressed Following Prior 177Lu-SSA Therapy
HIC ID2000033374RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date07/31/2025Recruiting ParticipantsColon Adjuvant Chemotherapy Based on Evaluation of Residual Disease
HIC ID2000032928RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date03/10/2029Recruiting ParticipantsRandomized Phase II Trial of Postoperative Adjuvant Capecitabine and Temozolomide Versus Observation in High-Risk Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
HIC ID2000032098RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date03/31/2025Recruiting ParticipantsA Phase III Trial of Perioperative Versus Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer
HIC ID2000031542RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date01/31/2026Recruiting Participants
Clinical Care
Overview
Pamela Kunz, MD, is a medical oncologist and international expert in neuroendocrine tumors, or NETs. NETs are rare cancers originating in neuroendocrine cells. NETs most often originate in the small intestine, pancreas and lungs.
Dr. Kunz serves as the director of the Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center. She’s also the division chief of GI medical oncology.
She received her medical degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and did her residency and fellowship at Stanford University. Dr. Kunz is an associate professor of internal medicine (medical oncology) at Yale School of Medicine.
Fact Sheets
Small Intestine Adenocarcinoma
Learn More on Yale MedicineGastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors
Learn More on Yale MedicineGastrointestinal Cancers
Learn More on Yale Medicine
Board Certifications
Medical Oncology
- Certification Organization
- AB of Internal Medicine
- Original Certification Date
- 2010
Yale Medicine News
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News
- June 19, 2024Source: OncLive
Dr Kunz on Time to Response With Lutetium Lu 177 Dotatate in GEP-NETs
- June 12, 2024Source: Yale New Haven Health
Yale New Haven Health and Yale University celebrate Innovation Awards
- June 07, 2024
Yale Cancer Center Researchers and Trainees Present at ASCO
- June 01, 2024
Accolades, Awards & Honors
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Contacts
Yale Cancer Center
333 Cedar Street, PO Box 208028
New Haven, CT 06520
United States
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