Vaagn Andikyan, MD
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Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
Biography
Giving women perspective and hope is an important part of his job as a gynecologic oncologist, says Vaagn Andikyan, MD.
“In the short term, a diagnosis of cancer is devastating news, but when you provide a roadmap for how to overcome challenges and offer them a light at the end of the tunnel, they leave the office with a positive attitude toward fighting cancer,” Dr. Andikyan says. “Offering emotional support, in addition to medical expertise and care, is also key.”
Dr. Andikyan most often treats endometrial, ovarian, cervical, and vulvar cancer. Growing up, he was exposed to the medical field early as both his mother and aunt were physicians. “I was drawn to gynecologic oncology because of how it combines compassionate surgical care with chemotherapy and surveillance care of patients,” he says. “And at Yale, we have access to national and industry-sponsored clinical trials.”
Dr. Andikyan specializes in minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic and robotic), debulking surgery, surgery for vulvar cancer, and sentinel lymph node dissection. He says there have also been significant advances in the field of gynecologic oncology, particularly with ovarian cancer. “We have a new group of chemotherapy drugs that helps us to decrease the recurrence rate and prolong survival in patients with a certain mutation,” he says.
Appointments
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Assistant ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- Fellow
- Icahn School of Medicine of Mount Sinai (2016)
- Research Fellow
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (2013)
- Resident
- SUNY Downstate Medical Center (2011)
- Visiting Research Scientist
- Yale School of Medicine (2007)
- Assistant Professor
- Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (2005)
- Resident
- Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (2004)
- MD
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (2002)
Research
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Vaagn Andikyan's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Vaagn Andikyan's research output by year.
Mitchell Clark, MD, MPH
Alessandro Santin, MD
Gloria Huang, MD, FACOG
Stefania Bellone, PhD
Natalia Buza, MD
Yang Yang, PhD
61Publications
141Citations
Publications
2024
Trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a), a HER2-targeting antibody–drug conjugate, demonstrates in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity against primary and metastatic ovarian tumors overexpressing HER2
Mutlu L, McNamara B, Bellone S, Manavella D, Demirkiran C, Greenman M, Verzosa M, Buza N, Hui P, Hartwich T, Harold J, Yang-Hartwich Y, Zipponi M, Altwerger G, Ratner E, Huang G, Clark M, Andikyan V, Azodi M, Schwartz P, Santin A. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a), a HER2-targeting antibody–drug conjugate, demonstrates in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity against primary and metastatic ovarian tumors overexpressing HER2. Clinical & Experimental Metastasis 2024, 1-11. PMID: 38909139, DOI: 10.1007/s10585-024-10297-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigh-grade serous ovarian cancerClear cell carcinomaHER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugateAntibody-drug conjugatesT-DXdReceptor over-expressionTrastuzumab deruxtecanXenograft modelCell linesOvarian clear cell carcinomaOvarian cancer cell linesTumors overexpressing HER2Biologically aggressive tumorsFluorescence in situ hybridization assaySerous ovarian cancerEffective antibody-drug conjugatesIn vivo antitumor activityMouse xenograft modelMetastatic cell linesDS-8201aCancer cell linesAggressive tumorsHER2 expressionCell carcinomaOvarian cancerRandomized phase II trial of weekly ixabepilone ± biweekly bevacizumab for platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancer (NCT03093155): Updated survival and subgroup analyses
Roque D, Siegel E, Buza N, Bellone S, Huang G, Altwerger G, Andikyan V, Clark M, Azodi M, Schwartz P, Rao G, Ratner E, Santin A. Randomized phase II trial of weekly ixabepilone ± biweekly bevacizumab for platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancer (NCT03093155): Updated survival and subgroup analyses. BJC Reports 2024, 2: 43. DOI: 10.1038/s44276-024-00067-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-treated ovarian cancerOverall survivalBev armsDose reductionOvarian cancerTaxane responseRandomized phase 2 trialRandomized phase II trialPaclitaxel-resistant diseaseResultsThirty-seven patientsTreated with paclitaxelPhase 2 trialBiweekly bevacizumabDays 1,8,15Taxane-sensitiveUpdate survivalProgression-freePeritoneal cancerDose modificationTaxane sensitivityPlatinum resistanceSubset analysisSubgroup analysisResponse ratePatientsIntegrated mutational landscape analysis of poorly differentiated high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix
Bellone S, Jeong K, Halle M, Krakstad C, McNamara B, Greenman M, Mutlu L, Demirkiran C, Hartwich T, Yang-Hartwich Y, Zipponi M, Buza N, Hui P, Raspagliesi F, Lopez S, Paolini B, Milione M, Perrone E, Scambia G, Altwerger G, Ravaggi A, Bignotti E, Huang G, Andikyan V, Clark M, Ratner E, Azodi M, Schwartz P, Quick C, Angioli R, Terranova C, Zaidi S, Nandi S, Alexandrov L, Siegel E, Choi J, Schlessinger J, Santin A. Integrated mutational landscape analysis of poorly differentiated high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2024, 121: e2321898121. PMID: 38625939, PMCID: PMC11046577, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321898121.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsWhole-exome sequencingPatient-derived-xenograftsBase excision repairCopy number lossMultiregion whole-exome sequencingCopy number gainHigh-grade neuroendocrine carcinomaCNV analysisPhylogenetic analysisEvolutionary historyNeuroendocrine cervical cancerHuman papillomavirus DNAMutator phenotypeSensitivity to afatinibGenetic landscapeRecurrent mutationsRNA sequencingGene fusionsMutational landscape analysisExcision repairGenesMutationsPan-HERConsistent with deficiencyNeuroendocrine carcinomaRandomized Phase II Trial of Imiquimod with or without 9-Valent HPV Vaccine versus Observation in Patients with High-grade Pre-neoplastic Cervical Lesions (NCT02864147)
Sheth S, Oh J, Bellone S, Siegel E, Greenman M, Mutlu L, McNamara B, Pathy S, Clark M, Azodi M, Altwerger G, Andikyan V, Huang G, Ratner E, Kim D, Iwasaki A, Levi A, Buza N, Hui P, Flaherty S, Schwartz P, Santin A. Randomized Phase II Trial of Imiquimod with or without 9-Valent HPV Vaccine versus Observation in Patients with High-grade Pre-neoplastic Cervical Lesions (NCT02864147). Clinical Cancer Research 2024, 30: of1-of10. PMID: 38592381, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-3639.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsRandomized phase II trialCD4/CD8 T cellsT cellsHPV clearanceArm BNo significant differenceClinical surveillanceRate of HPV clearanceSecondary outcomesPre-neoplastic cervical lesionsCervical intraepithelial neoplasiaT cell infiltrationT cell responsesSignificant differenceCIN3 patientsIntraepithelial neoplasiaArm ACervical lesionsImiquimod groupSurveillance armVaginal suppositoriesProspective trialsArm CHPV vaccinationImiquimodMutations in cancer-relevant genes are ubiquitous in histologically normal endometrial tissue
Pandya D, Tomita S, Rhenals M, Swierczek S, Reid K, Camacho-Vanegas O, Camacho C, Engelman K, Polukort S, RoseFigura J, Chuang L, Andikyan V, Cohen S, Fiedler P, Sieber S, Shih I, Billaud J, Sebra R, Reva B, Dottino P, Martignetti J. Mutations in cancer-relevant genes are ubiquitous in histologically normal endometrial tissue. Gynecologic Oncology 2024, 185: 194-201. PMID: 38452634, DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.02.027.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsMyometrial layerUterine tissueSomatic mutationsPrevalence of somatic mutationsIncreasing patient ageNormal endometrial tissuesComplex mutation patternsMutant allele frequencyCancer-relevant genesSomatic mutation landscapeMutation prevalencePatient ageEndometrial cancerNon-functional mutationsGene panelEndometrial tissueGynecologic cancerMutation profilesUterine samplesMutational landscapeScreening testMutation patternsFunction mutationsMortality rateUnique mutationsCorrection: Randomised phase II trial of weekly ixabepilone ± biweekly bevacizumab for platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancer
Roque D, Siegel E, Buza N, Bellone S, Silasi D, Huang G, Andikyan V, Clark M, Azodi M, Schwartz P, Rao G, Reader J, Hui P, Tymon-Rosario J, Harold J, Mauricio D, Zeybek B, Menderes G, Altwerger G, Ratner E, Santin A. Correction: Randomised phase II trial of weekly ixabepilone ± biweekly bevacizumab for platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancer. British Journal Of Cancer 2024, 130: 1073-1073. PMID: 38438590, PMCID: PMC10951353, DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02628-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetric
2023
ICG Fluorescence Technique for Detection of Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Laparoscopic Endometrial Cancer Staging
AlAshqar A, Mutlu L, McNamara B, Harold J, Clark M, Huang G, Azodi M, Schwartz P, Santin A, Ratner E, Altwerger G, Andikyan V. ICG Fluorescence Technique for Detection of Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Laparoscopic Endometrial Cancer Staging. Journal Of Minimally Invasive Gynecology 2023, 30: s36. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2023.08.110.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEndometrial cancer stagingSentinel lymph nodesLymph nodesCancer stagingSentinel lymph node identificationICG fluorescence techniqueTertiary care hospitalLymph node identificationICG techniqueSentinel lymphCare hospitalIntervention useStagingDye techniqueNode identificationLymphPatientsMalignancyHospitalIsolated torsion of the utero‐ovarian ligament
Hla A, Harold J, Andikyan V. Isolated torsion of the utero‐ovarian ligament. Clinical Case Reports 2023, 11: e8114. PMID: 37908789, PMCID: PMC10613714, DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.8114.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdnexal torsionBlood supplyAcute pelvic painGynecologic surgical emergencyUtero-ovarian ligamentDual blood supplyAdditional diagnostic challengeLack of evidencePelvic painDiagnostic laparoscopyIsolated torsionSurgical emergencyOvarian ligamentHigh suspicionDiagnostic challengeDoppler ultrasoundLigamentPainLaparoscopyUltrasonographyCliniciansDiagnosisPathologySuspicionIn Vivo and In Vitro Efficacy of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in Uterine Serous Carcinoma.
Mutlu L, Manavella D, Bellone S, McNamara B, Harold J, Mauricio D, Siegel E, Buza N, Hui P, Hartwich T, Yang-Hartwich Y, Demirkiran C, Verzosa M, Altwerger G, Ratner E, Huang G, Clark M, Andikyan V, Azodi M, Dottino P, Schwartz P, Santin A. In Vivo and In Vitro Efficacy of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in Uterine Serous Carcinoma. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics 2023, 22: 1404-1412. PMID: 37676984, DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0126.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsUterine serous carcinomaAntibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicityT-DXdUSC patientsUSC cell linesTrastuzumab deruxtecanSerous carcinomaHER2 expressionClinical trialsRecurrent uterine serous carcinomaTopoisomerase I inhibitor payloadSignificant antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicityCell linesMultiple tumor indicationsPrimary USC cell linesLow HER2 expressionFuture clinical trialsHigh recurrence ratePeripheral blood lymphocytesERBB2 gene amplificationGrowth suppressionHER2-overexpressing cell linesTumor growth suppressionOverall survivalStandard chemotherapyUterine Leiomyosarcomas harboring MAP2K4 gene amplification are markedly sensitive in vivo to PLX8725, a Novel MAP2K4 Inhibitor (1315)
McNamara B, Harold J, Manavella D, Bellone S, Mutlu L, Hartwich T, Zipponi M, Yang-Hartwich Y, Demirkiran C, Verzosa M, Choi J, Dong W, Buza N, Hui P, Altwerger G, Huang G, Andikyan V, Clark M, Ratner E, Azodi M, Schwartz P, Schlessinger J, Santin A. Uterine Leiomyosarcomas harboring MAP2K4 gene amplification are markedly sensitive in vivo to PLX8725, a Novel MAP2K4 Inhibitor (1315). Gynecologic Oncology 2023, 176: s193. DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2023.06.218.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
A Non-Randomized Prospective Clinical Trial Comparing the Non-Inferiority of Salpingectomy to Salpingo-Oophorectomy to Reduce the Risk of Ovarian Cancer Among BRCA1 Carriers [SOROCk]
HIC ID2000031409RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/23/2036Recruiting ParticipantsA Phase II Evaluation of Sacituzumab Govitecan (IMMU-132), an Anti-Trop-2-SN-38 Antibody-drug Conjugate, in Patients With Persistent or Recurrent Endometrial Carcinoma
HIC ID2000026850RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/31/2024Recruiting ParticipantsA Phase II/III Study of Paclitaxel/Carboplatin Alone or Combined With Either Trastuzumab and Hyaluronidase-Oysk (HERCEPTIN HYLECTA) or Pertuzumab, Trastuzumab, and Hyaluronidase-Zzxf (PHESGO) in HER2 Positive, Stage I-IV Endometrial Serous Carcinoma or Carcinosarcoma
HIC ID2000033613RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date10/31/2027Recruiting ParticipantsA Phase II Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Mirvetuximab Soravtansine (IMGN853) in Women With Folate Receptor-α Positive Persistent or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer
HIC ID2000023841RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date10/31/2024Recruiting ParticipantsA Randomized Phase III, Two-Arm Trial of Paclitaxel/Carboplatin/Maintenance Letrozole Versus Letrozole Monotherapy in Patients With Stage II-IV, Primary Low-Grade Serous Carcinoma of the Ovary or Peritoneum
HIC ID2000026762RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date02/01/2027Recruiting Participants
Academic Achievements and Community Involvement
activity Reviewer
Journal ServiceJournal of Gynecologic Oncology Case ReportsDetails10/01/2018 - PresentDescriptionReviewer for Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Case Reportsactivity Member
Professional OrganizationsSociety of Gynecologic OncologyDetails01/02/2019 - Presenthonor Best Poster Presentation
Regional Award5th Annual State of Connecticut Ob/Gyn Residents Research DayDetails07/03/2017United Stateshonor Robert C Knapp Award for Outstanding Performance
Regional AwardSYNY Downstate Medical CenterDetails10/03/2011United Stateshonor Finalist, Resident Research Night
Regional AwardThe Brooklyn Gynecological SocietyDetails10/03/2011United States
Clinical Care
Overview
Giving women perspective and hope is an important part of his job as a gynecologic oncologist, says Vaagn Andikyan, MD.
“In the short term, a diagnosis of cancer is devastating news, but when you provide a roadmap for how to overcome challenges and offer them a light at the end of the tunnel, they leave the office with a positive attitude toward fighting cancer,” Dr. Andikyan says. “Offering emotional support, in addition to medical expertise and care, is also key.”
Dr. Andikyan most often treats endometrial, ovarian, cervical, and vulvar cancer. Growing up, he was exposed to the medical field early as both his mother and aunt were physicians. “I was drawn to gynecologic oncology because of how it combines compassionate surgical care with chemotherapy and surveillance care of patients,” he says. “And at Yale, we have access to national and industry-sponsored clinical trials.”
Dr. Andikyan specializes in minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic and robotic), debulking surgery, surgery for vulvar cancer, and sentinel lymph node dissection. He says there have also been significant advances in the field of gynecologic oncology, particularly with ovarian cancer. “We have a new group of chemotherapy drugs that helps us to decrease the recurrence rate and prolong survival in patients with a certain mutation,” he says.
Clinical Specialties
Gynecologic Oncology; Minimally Invasive Surgery
Fact Sheets
Gynecologic Cancers
Learn More on Yale MedicineHysterectomy
Learn More on Yale MedicineUterine Sarcoma
Learn More on Yale MedicineMinimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
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Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Academic Office
Farnam Memorial Building
310 Cedar Street, Wing Gynecologic Oncology, Fl 3rd, Ste 328
New Haven, CT 06510
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