Kimberly L. Johung, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Therapeutic RadiologyCards
About
Research
Publications
2024
Impact of Synthetic PET Evaluation prior to PET-Guided Functional Modeling in Optimizing Patient Selection for Biology-Guided Radiotherapy
Hicks D, Chen H, Kim J, Tressel L, Wallington D, Becht K, Johung K, Young M, Feghali K, de Jong D, Chen Z, Carlson D, Park H. Impact of Synthetic PET Evaluation prior to PET-Guided Functional Modeling in Optimizing Patient Selection for Biology-Guided Radiotherapy. International Journal Of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics 2024, 120: s162-s163. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.07.2188.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPlanning target volumeInternal target volumeBiology-guided radiotherapyStereotactic body radiotherapyGross tumor volumeTarget volumeCT simulationOptimal patient selectionPET evaluationStereotactic body radiotherapy planLung target volumesPatient selectionPTV edgesLung casesBgRTPET-CTTumor sizeTumor volumeRadiotherapyCase 2PET dataLungActivity concentrationsPatientsConsistent with resultsEvaluation of Biology-Guided Radiotherapy (BgRT) in Motion Phantom with Real Patient Breathing Patterns
Chen H, Han D, Draeger E, Zhong W, Lee M, Guan F, Hicks D, Park H, Johung K, Young M, Bal G, Carlson D, Chen Z. Evaluation of Biology-Guided Radiotherapy (BgRT) in Motion Phantom with Real Patient Breathing Patterns. International Journal Of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics 2024, 120: e107. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.07.2018.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGamma passing ratesBiology-guided radiotherapyPatient's breathing patternMotion phantomPass ratePatient-specific quality assuranceBreathing periodPhantom studyGamma passing criteriaTumor motion managementAssess target coverageQuality assurance phantomBreathing patternDosimetric accuracyConformity indexMotion managementActivity concentrationsHomogeneity indexTarget coverageDelivery accuracyTarget volumeSpherical targetCommissioning dataBgRTPassing criteriaNCCN Guidelines® Insights: Rectal Cancer, Version 3.2024.
Benson A, Venook A, Adam M, Chang G, Chen Y, Ciombor K, Cohen S, Cooper H, Deming D, Garrido-Laguna I, Grem J, Haste P, Hecht J, Hoffe S, Hunt S, Hussan H, Johung K, Joseph N, Kirilcuk N, Krishnamurthi S, Malla M, Maratt J, Messersmith W, Meyerhardt J, Miller E, Mulcahy M, Nurkin S, Parikh A, Patel H, Pedersen K, Saltz L, Schneider C, Shibata D, Shogan B, Skibber J, Sofocleous C, Tavakkoli A, Willett C, Wu C, Jones F, Gurski L. NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Rectal Cancer, Version 3.2024. Journal Of The National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2024, 22: 366-375. PMID: 39151454, DOI: 10.6004/jnccn.2024.0041.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRectal cancerResponders to neoadjuvant therapyRisk of pelvic recurrenceLocally recurrent rectal cancerEarly-stage rectal cancerNonoperative management approachRecurrent rectal cancerDistal rectal cancerNCCN Guidelines InsightsCurative-intent therapyRectal cancer surgeryOptimal treatment planEndoscopic submucosal dissectionQuality of lifePelvic recurrenceNeoadjuvant therapyMultimodal therapyNCCN GuidelinesGenitourinary functionPatient selectionPoor prognosisCancer surgeryColon cancerSubmucosal dissectionClinical trialsPerioperative Modified FOLFIRINOX for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer
Cecchini M, Salem R, Robert M, Czerniak S, Blaha O, Zelterman D, Rajaei M, Townsend J, Cai G, Chowdhury S, Yugawa D, Tseng R, Arbelaez C, Jiao J, Shroyer K, Thumar J, Kortmansky J, Zaheer W, Fischbach N, Persico J, Stein S, Khan S, Cha C, Billingsley K, Kunstman J, Johung K, Wiess C, Muzumdar M, Spickard E, Aushev V, Laliotis G, Jurdi A, Liu M, Escobar-Hoyos L, Lacy J. Perioperative Modified FOLFIRINOX for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer. JAMA Oncology 2024, 10: 1027-1035. PMID: 38900452, PMCID: PMC11190830, DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.1575.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchProgression-free survivalPancreatic ductal adenocarcinomaOverall survivalCtDNA levelsPhase 2 nonrandomized controlled trialAnalysis of circulating tumor DNAMedian progression-free survivalResectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomaControlled trialsAssess surgical candidacyBaseline ctDNA levelModified 5-fluorouracilResectable pancreatic cancerPancreatic protocol computed tomographyAssociated with recurrenceTumor molecular featuresAggressive malignant tumorKaplan-Meier estimatesRandomized clinical trialsStandard of careCtDNA-positivePreoperative cyclesNonrandomized controlled trialsUnresectable diseaseModified FOLFIRINOXColon Cancer, Version 3.2024, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.
Benson A, Venook A, Adam M, Chang G, Chen Y, Ciombor K, Cohen S, Cooper H, Deming D, Garrido-Laguna I, Grem J, Haste P, Hecht J, Hoffe S, Hunt S, Hussan H, Johung K, Joseph N, Kirilcuk N, Krishnamurthi S, Malla M, Maratt J, Messersmith W, Meyerhardt J, Miller E, Mulcahy M, Nurkin S, Overman M, Parikh A, Patel H, Pedersen K, Saltz L, Schneider C, Shibata D, Shogan B, Skibber J, Sofocleous C, Tavakkoli A, Willett C, Wu C, Gurski L, Snedeker J, Jones F. Colon Cancer, Version 3.2024, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Journal Of The National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2024, 22 PMID: 38862008, DOI: 10.6004/jnccn.2024.0029.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMetastatic colorectal cancerColorectal cancerNCCN Clinical Practice GuidelinesSystemic therapy optionsGoal of therapyClinical practice guidelinesNCCN GuidelinesToxicity profileTherapy optionsColon cancerMutation profilesActive drugCancer deathDiagnosed cancerCancerConstituent drugsTherapyPractice guidelinesNCCNDrugTumorColorectalGuidelinesUnited StatesOncologyA single arm phase 2 clinical trial of YIV-906 with neoadjuvant concurrent chemo-radiation therapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer
Verma N, Johung K, Kortmansky J, Zaheer W, Lacy J, Cecchini M, Stein S, Cheng Y, Lam W, Liu S, Reddy V, Hochster H, Higgins S. A single arm phase 2 clinical trial of YIV-906 with neoadjuvant concurrent chemo-radiation therapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Journal Of Gastrointestinal Oncology 2024, 15: 1050-1059. PMID: 38989411, PMCID: PMC11231844, DOI: 10.21037/jgo-24-23.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2023
Quantitative DNA Repair Biomarkers and Immune Profiling for Temozolomide and Olaparib in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Cecchini M, Zhang J, Wei W, Sklar J, Lacy J, Zhong M, Kong Y, Zhao H, DiPalermo J, Devine L, Stein S, Kortmansky J, Johung K, Bindra R, LoRusso P, Schalper K. Quantitative DNA Repair Biomarkers and Immune Profiling for Temozolomide and Olaparib in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Cancer Research Communications 2023, 3: 1132-1139. PMID: 37387791, PMCID: PMC10305782, DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0045.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWhole-exome sequencingMGMT protein expressionColorectal cancerStable diseaseQuantitative immunofluorescenceT cellsProtein expressionPromoter hypermethylationLow MGMT protein expressionPARP inhibitorsRadiographic tumor regressionMetastatic colorectal cancerAdvanced colorectal cancerPretreatment tumor biopsiesEffector T cellsTumor-infiltrating lymphocytesMGMT proteinDNA repair biomarkersBaseline CD8Eligible patientsIncreased CD8Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferaseObjective responseProgressive diseaseImmune markersAnal Carcinoma, Version 2.2023, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.
Benson A, Venook A, Al-Hawary M, Azad N, Chen Y, Ciombor K, Cohen S, Cooper H, Deming D, Garrido-Laguna I, Grem J, Hecht J, Hoffe S, Hubbard J, Hunt S, Hussan H, Jeck W, Johung K, Joseph N, Kirilcuk N, Krishnamurthi S, Maratt J, Messersmith W, Meyerhardt J, Miller E, Mulcahy M, Nurkin S, Overman M, Parikh A, Patel H, Pedersen K, Saltz L, Schneider C, Shibata D, Skibber J, Sofocleous C, Stotsky-Himelfarb E, Tavakkoli A, Willett C, Williams G, Algieri F, Gurski L, Stehman K. Anal Carcinoma, Version 2.2023, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Journal Of The National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2023, 21: 653-677. PMID: 37308125, DOI: 10.6004/jnccn.2023.0030.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNCCN Clinical Practice GuidelinesAnal carcinomaClinical practice guidelinesPrimary treatmentPractice guidelinesSquamous cell anal carcinomaCommon histologic formExtrapelvic metastatic diseaseMetastatic anal carcinomaSystemic therapy recommendationsAnal canal cancerCurative-intent treatmentAJCC staging systemNCCN guidelinesPerianal cancerMetastatic diseasePersistent diseaseSystemic therapySurgical treatmentMedical oncologyStaging systemOptimal treatmentClinical evaluationHistologic formsTherapy recommendationsPre-operative chemoradiotherapy with or without induction chemotherapy for operable locally-advanced esophageal cancer
Peters G, Talcott W, Peters N, Dhanasopan A, Lacy J, Cecchini M, Kortmansky J, Stein S, Lattanzi S, Park H, Boffa D, Johung K, Jethwa K. Pre-operative chemoradiotherapy with or without induction chemotherapy for operable locally-advanced esophageal cancer. Journal Of Gastrointestinal Oncology 2023, 14: 1181-1192. PMID: 37435226, PMCID: PMC10331751, DOI: 10.21037/jgo-22-1005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchProgression-free survivalMedian progression-free survivalOverall survivalIC-CRTInduction chemotherapySingle-institution retrospective cohort studyPre-operative chemoradiotherapyAdvanced esophageal cancerAdvanced esophageal carcinomaPathologic complete responseRetrospective cohort studyKaplan-Meier methodSubset of patientsProportional hazards regressionCycles of inductionAdenocarcinoma histologyCRT cohortCohort studyComplete responsePathologic responseTreatment cohortsDistant metastasisHazards regressionEsophageal cancerEsophageal carcinoma
2022
Utilization and Outcomes of Radiation in Stage IV Esophageal Cancer
Zhan P, Canavan M, Ermer T, Pichert M, Li A, Maduka R, Kaminski M, Johung K, Boffa D. Utilization and Outcomes of Radiation in Stage IV Esophageal Cancer. JTO Clinical And Research Reports 2022, 3: 100429. PMID: 36483656, PMCID: PMC9722471, DOI: 10.1016/j.jtocrr.2022.100429.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchStage IV esophageal cancerNational Cancer DatabaseEsophageal cancerCancer DatabaseRadiation doseSurvival advantageMedian total radiation dosePropensity score-matched pairsOutcome of radiationRetrospective cohort studyKaplan-Meier analysisTotal radiation doseAppropriate radiation dosePalliative regimensCohort studyMedian ageRadiation administrationSurvival associationsBetter survivalPatientsLocal controlCancerDosePalliationFurther studies
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Parallel Phase III Randomized Trials for High Risk Prostate Cancer Evaluating De-Intensification for Lower Genomic Risk and Intensification of Concurrent Therapy for Higher Genomic Risk With Radiation (PREDICT-RT*)
HIC ID2000032279RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/31/2033Recruiting ParticipantsPhase II Trial Of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Oligoprogression on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
HIC ID2000027702RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date10/01/2025Recruiting ParticipantsMRI Brain Surveillance Alone Versus MRI Surveillance and Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation (PCI): A Randomized Phase III Trial in Small-Cell Lung Cancer (MAVERICK)
HIC ID2000027403RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date11/15/2025Recruiting ParticipantsPhase IB/II Trial Of Dose-Deescalated 3-Fraction Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy For Centrally Located Lung Cancer
HIC ID2000025868RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date01/31/2030Recruiting ParticipantsPhase II Study to Evaluate Modified Folfirinox and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Non-metastatic Unresectable Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
HIC ID2000024671RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date08/31/2026Recruiting Participants
Clinical Care
Overview
Kimberly L. Johung, MD, PhD, a Yale Medicine radiation oncologist, is the director of the Gastrointestinal Radiotherapy Program for Yale Cancer Center at Smilow Cancer Hospital. She is also the medical director for radiation oncology services at the Veteran Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven, Conn.
In these roles, she treats a variety of cancers, including esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, liver, biliary, rectal, anal, and lung tumors. “What inspires me,” says Dr. Johung, “is that my job entails not only helping patients access the best care for their cancer diagnosis, but also trying to provide hope—whether it’s for a cure, a period of disease stability, alleviation of a symptom, or improved outcomes for cancer patients in the future.”
Dr. Johung is also an associate professor of therapeutic radiology at Yale School of Medicine. Her research interests include defining molecular markers, using retrospective studies, clinical trials, and translational studies, to guide treatment decisions and improve outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal malignancies.
She is a panel member for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (Esophageal and Gastric Cancers) and is a member of the American Society for Radiation Oncology.
Clinical Specialties
Therapeutic Radiology; Gastrointestinal Radiotherapy; Thoracic Radiotherapy; Prostate & Genitourinary Radiotherapy; Head & Neck Radiotherapy
Fact Sheets
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Learn More on Yale MedicineEsophageal Cancer
Learn More on Yale MedicineStereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT)
Learn More on Yale MedicineRadiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Learn More on Yale Medicine
Board Certifications
Radiation Oncology
- Certification Organization
- AB of Radiology
- Original Certification Date
- 2014
Yale Medicine News
News & Links
News
- February 28, 2025
Center for GI Cancers CME Webinar Series: GI Oncology Year in Review
- August 09, 2024
Botanical Medicine Reduces Rectal Cancer Treatment Side Effects That Can Sideline Surgeries
- June 20, 2024
Chemotherapy Before Surgery Benefits Some Patients With Pancreatic Cancer
- May 24, 2024
Gastrointestinal Cancer CME Series: Gastroesophageal Cancers
Get In Touch
Contacts
Academic Office Number
Appointment Number
Clinic Fax Number
Mailing Address
Therapeutic Radiology
P. O. Box 208040
New Haven, CT 06520-8040
United States
Locations
Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven
Academic Office
35 Park Street, Ste LL 514
New Haven, CT 06511
Patient Care Locations
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