Elena Ratner, MD, MBA
Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive SciencesCards
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View Doctor ProfileAdditional Titles
Co-Chief, Section of Gynecologic Oncology
Contact Info
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
PO Box 208063
New Haven, CT 06520-8063
United States
Are You a Patient?
View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.
View Doctor ProfileAdditional Titles
Co-Chief, Section of Gynecologic Oncology
Contact Info
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
PO Box 208063
New Haven, CT 06520-8063
United States
Are You a Patient?
View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.
View Doctor ProfileAdditional Titles
Co-Chief, Section of Gynecologic Oncology
Contact Info
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
PO Box 208063
New Haven, CT 06520-8063
United States
About
Titles
Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Co-Chief, Section of Gynecologic Oncology
Biography
Elena Ratner, MD, MBA, is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Ratner is a Board Certified Gynecologic Oncologist with special interests in chemotherapy-targeted drug development, patient quality of life programs, and early cancer detection. She is the current co-director of Discovery To Cure, director of Discovery to Cure Early Ovarian Cancer Detection program, and a founder and director of the Sexuality, Intimacy and Menopause cancer survivorship program.
Her expertise is cytoreductive surgery for patients with advanced ovarian cancer, minimally invasive procedures (advanced laparoscopy and robotics) for patients with gynecologic malignancies or complex benign gynecologic conditions, robotic fertility sparing surgery for young patients with cancer. Dr. Ratner's laboratory is working on new targeted drugs for ovarian cancer in order to provide patients with truly personalized care. Her work additionally focuses on reversing chemotherapy resistance in ovarian and uterine cancers.
Dr. Ratner is a recipient of multiple clinical and teaching awards, including the 2015 Yale Cancer Center Award for Clinical Excellence.
Appointments
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Cancer Prevention and Control
- Discovery to Cure
- Discovery to Cure Internship
- Gastrointestinal (GI) & Pancreatic Cancer Prevention Program
- Gynecologic Oncology Program
- Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI) Program
- Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) Program
- Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery Program
- Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
- Oligometastatic Cancer Program
- Palliative and End-of-Life Care Education
- Ratner Lab
- Reproductive Sciences
- Sexuality, Intimacy & Menopause Program
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Medicine
- Yale Ventures
- Yale WRHR Advisory Committee
Education & Training
- MBA
- Yale University School of Management (2021)
- Fellowship
- Yale University School of Medicine (2010)
- Residency
- Yale-New Haven Hospital (2007)
- MD
- State University of NY Medical College (2003)
- BS
- Barnard College - Columbia University, Premedical Studies (1998)
Research
Overview
Dr. Ratner's laboratory is working on new targeted drugs for ovarian cancer in order to provide patients with truly personalized care. Her work additionally focuses on reversing chemotherapy resistance in ovarian and uterine cancers.
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Alessandro Santin, MD
Peter Schwartz, MD
Stefania Bellone, PhD
Gary Altwerger, MD
Natalia Buza, MD
Yang Yang, PhD
Publications
2024
Randomized phase II trial of weekly ixabepilone with or without biweekly bevacizumab for platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancer: Updated survival and subgroup analyses
Roque D, Siegel E, Buza N, Bellone S, Huang G, Andikyan V, Clark M, Azodi M, Schwartz P, Rao G, Xu F, Hui P, Altwerger G, Ratner E, Santin A. Randomized phase II trial of weekly ixabepilone with or without biweekly bevacizumab for platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancer: Updated survival and subgroup analyses. Gynecologic Oncology 2024, 190: s299-s301. DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.07.449.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPre-clinical efficacy of RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib in combination with FAK inhibition for low-grade serous ovarian cancer
McNamara B, Greenman M, Demirkiran C, Mutlu L, Hartwich T, Bellone S, Manavella D, Zipponi M, Yang-Hartwich Y, Yang K, Ratner E, Schwartz P, Santin A. Pre-clinical efficacy of RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib in combination with FAK inhibition for low-grade serous ovarian cancer. Gynecologic Oncology 2024, 190: s36. DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.07.058.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEV016/#559 Preclinical activity of datopotamab deruxtecan, a novel trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP2) directed antibody-drug conjugate targeting TROP2 in high grade serous ovarian carcinoma
Mcnamara B, Greenman M, Bellone S, Demirkiran C, Mutlu L, Hartwich T, Yang-Hartwich Y, Ratner E, Schwartz P, Santin A. EV016/#559 Preclinical activity of datopotamab deruxtecan, a novel trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP2) directed antibody-drug conjugate targeting TROP2 in high grade serous ovarian carcinoma. 2024, a91.2-a91. DOI: 10.1136/ijgc-2024-igcs.135.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPredictive modeling of gene mutations for the survival outcomes of epithelial ovarian cancer patients
C. M, Lavi E, Altwerger G, Lin Z, Ratner E. Predictive modeling of gene mutations for the survival outcomes of epithelial ovarian cancer patients. PLOS ONE 2024, 19: e0305273. PMID: 38976671, PMCID: PMC11230535, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305273.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsEpithelial ovarian cancerEpithelial ovarian cancer patientsEpithelial ovarian cancer casesGene mutation signaturesPlatinum-based chemotherapyThe Cancer Genome AtlasResponse to treatmentOverall survivalGene mutationsMutational signaturesHomologous recombinationSurvival outcomesIncreased sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapySensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapyAssociated with increased chemoresistanceResistance to platinum-based chemotherapySurvival timeSurvival rateFavorable response to treatmentPlatinum-induced DNA damageKaplan-Meier survival analysisPrediction of survival outcomesOvarian cancer patientsOverall survival ratePrediction of treatment outcomePreclinical activity of datopotamab deruxtecan, a novel TROP2 directed antibody-drug conjugate targeting trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP2) in ovarian carcinoma
McNamara B, Greenman M, Bellone S, Santin L, Demirkiran C, Mutlu L, Hartwich T, Yang-Hartwich Y, Ratner E, Schwartz P, Santin A. Preclinical activity of datopotamab deruxtecan, a novel TROP2 directed antibody-drug conjugate targeting trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP2) in ovarian carcinoma. Gynecologic Oncology 2024, 189: 16-23. PMID: 38981151, DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.07.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsTargets trophoblast cell-surface antigen-2Epithelial ovarian cancerAntibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicityPreclinical activityAntibody drug conjugatesOvarian cancerCell linesTumor cellsTrophoblast cell surface antigen 2Cell line-derived xenograft modelFlow cytometryCompared to tumor cellsEpithelial ovarian cancer cell linesOvarian cancer cell linesTumor cells in vitroOvarian cancer patientsPeripheral-blood lymphocytesEOC cell linesTumor growth suppressionAnnexin V-positiveGynecologic cancer mortalityIn vivo antitumor activityCells in vitroPrimary cell linesUnmet medical needTrastuzumab 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, 41: 765-775. 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. PMID: 39516558, PMCID: PMC11523995, 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 ratePatientsTargetable ERBB2/HER2 Mutations in Gynecologic Malignancies: Clinicopathological, Immunohistochemical, and Molecular Correlations.
Manrai P, McHenry A, Sun T, Santin A, Ratner E, Lin D, Elvin J, Hui P, Buza N. Targetable ERBB2/HER2 Mutations in Gynecologic Malignancies: Clinicopathological, Immunohistochemical, and Molecular Correlations. International Journal Of Gynecological Pathology 2024 PMID: 38914011, DOI: 10.1097/pgp.0000000000001050.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEndometrial carcinomaGynecologic malignanciesTyrosine kinase domainHER2-mutated non-small cell lung cancerTargeted anti-HER2 therapyNon-small cell lung cancerHigh-grade endometrioid adenocarcinomasFam-trastuzumab deruxtecanOvarian mucinous adenocarcinomaAnti-HER2 therapyAnti-HER2 drugsHER2 3+US Food and Drug AdministrationCell lung cancerEndometrial serous carcinomaSolid tumor typesStandard treatment recommendationsFood and Drug AdministrationFluorescence in situ hybridizationGynecological cancer typesEndometrial primaryMullerian originSerous carcinomaHER2 IHCEndometrioid adenocarcinomaPhase II/III study of paclitaxel/carboplatin alone or combined with either trastuzumab and hyaluronidase-oysk or pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase-zzxf in HER2 positive, stage I-IV endometrial serous carcinoma or carcinosarcoma (NRG-GY026).
Erickson B, Enserro D, Lankes H, Dockery L, ghamande S, Oliver M, Gressel G, Castellano T, Ratner E, Deery A, Bishop E, Bradford L, Thomes Pepin J, Burton E, Blank S, Santin A, Havrilesky L, Aghajanian C, Nickles Fader A, Powell M. Phase II/III study of paclitaxel/carboplatin alone or combined with either trastuzumab and hyaluronidase-oysk or pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase-zzxf in HER2 positive, stage I-IV endometrial serous carcinoma or carcinosarcoma (NRG-GY026). Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2024, 42: tps5641-tps5641. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2024.42.16_suppl.tps5641.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUterine serous carcinomaSerous carcinomaMaintenance trastuzumabDual anti-HER2 therapyRecurrent uterine serous carcinomaCombination of pertuzumabAnti-HER2 therapyEfficacy of trastuzumabPhase II portionPhase II/III studiesPhase III studyNext generation sequencing testsEndometrial serous carcinomaFixed dose combinationInterstitial lung diseasePhase II resultsPhase II componentSevere heart diseasePhase II dataVaginal brachytherapyUterine carcinosarcomaPartial responseMaintenance therapyIII studiesOverexpress HER2Preclinical in vitro and in vivo activity of the RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib in combination with FAK inhibition in uterine carcinosarcomas
Demirkiran C, Greenman M, Bellone S, McNamara B, Hartwich T, Manavella D, Mutlu L, Zipponi M, Yang-Hartwich Y, Yang K, Ratner E, Schwartz P, Coma S, Pachter J, Santin A. Preclinical in vitro and in vivo activity of the RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib in combination with FAK inhibition in uterine carcinosarcomas. Gynecologic Oncology 2024, 187: 12-20. PMID: 38703673, DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.04.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsFocal adhesion kinaseUC cell linesWhole-exome-sequencingFAK inhibitorCell linesFocal adhesion kinase inhibitionPhosphorylated (p)‑FAKWestern blot assayRAF/MEK inhibitionUterine carcinosarcomaRAS/MAPK pathway genesPreclinical in vitroBlot assayVS-4718Cell cycle assayGenetic landscapePathway genesMAP2KGenetic alterationsDecreased p-ERKCycle assaySuperior tumor growth inhibitionBiologically aggressive tumorsGrowth inhibitionIn vitro activity
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
A Phase II Evaluation of Sacituzumab Govitecan (IMMU-132), an Anti-Trop-2-SN-38 Antibody-drug Conjugate in Patients With Recurrent or Persistent Cervical Cancer
HIC ID2000023639RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/01/2026Recruiting ParticipantsA 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 ParticipantsTrial of Exercise and Lifestyle (TEAL) Intervention
HIC ID2000032524RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/30/2026Recruiting 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 Date10/31/2025Recruiting Participants
Clinical Care
Overview
Elena Ratner, MD, is a gynecologic oncologist specializing in ovarian malignancies. An advocate for cancer survivors, she is also co-founder and director of the Yale Medicine Sexual, Intimacy and Menopause Program (SIMS), one of the first programs in the country to focus on supporting cancer survivors coping with issues that may not be discussed in the other clinical settings.
More than 22,000 American women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year. As a clinician working with these patients, Dr. Ratner stresses the importance of social networks during treatment, and helps facilitate one-on-one mentoring for those currently receiving treatment and those who have completed treatment. “We want these women to receive personal attention from somebody who has gone through this treatment before,” she says. “It is so important for women who need to know that they are not alone in this fight.”
Dr. Ratner is an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine. Her clinical research focuses on new targeted drugs for ovarian cancer that will provide truly personalized care, and on reversing chemotherapy resistance in ovarian and uterine cancers. She also studies chemotherapy targeted drug development, quality-of-life programs for patients and early cancer detection. Dr. Ratner is a recipient of multiple awards, including the 2015 Yale Cancer Center Award for Clinical Excellence.
Clinical Specialties
Fact Sheets
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Learn More on Yale MedicineUterine Cancer
Learn More on Yale MedicineMinimally Invasive Reproductive Surgery
Learn More on Yale MedicineOvarian Cancer
Learn More on Yale Medicine
Yale Medicine News
Are You a Patient?
View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.
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News
- November 07, 2024
Yale Ob/Gyn Faculty Present the Latest in Gynecologic Oncology at Memorial Conference
- November 04, 2024
First Annual Enrollment and Community Health Fair hosted by Smilow Cancer Hospital and ACS
- October 23, 2024
Four Faculty Members Honored for Clinical Excellence
- October 21, 2024
In Memoriam: Peter E. Schwartz, MD
Get In Touch
Contacts
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
PO Box 208063
New Haven, CT 06520-8063
United States
Locations
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Academic Office
Farnam Memorial Building
310 Cedar Street, Wing Gynecologic Oncology, Fl 3rd, Ste 328
New Haven, CT 06510
General Information
203.785.7385Fax
203.737.4377Patient Care Locations
Are You a Patient? View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.