As part of our “Meet Yale Internal Medicine” series, today’s feature is on Joseph Kim, MD, assistant professor of medicine (medical oncology).
Since working as a research associate early in his career, Joseph Kim, MD, knew he wanted to specialize in medical oncology.
“I was fascinated by the science of cancer,” explained Kim. “And I was impressed with the multidisciplinary team approach in delivering the best care for each patient, and relentless efforts to improve cancer treatments through clinical trials.”
During medical school, residency and fellowship, Kim honed his interest in medical oncology. Following his fellowship, he decided to join the Section of Medical Oncology, in the Department of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine to work with world-renowned leaders like Daniel Petrylak, MD, and Patricia LoRusso, DO, the “giants” in genitourinary cancers and early drug development, respectively, to discover and develop better tolerated and more effective treatments for cancer patients.
“At Yale, we take initiatives in advancing the field of cancer therapy by collaborating with cancer scientists and clinical investigators throughout the United States and beyond,” explained Kim.
I was impressed with the multidisciplinary team approach in delivering the best care for each patient, and relentless efforts to improve cancer treatments through clinical trials.
Joseph Kim, MD
Since his arrival at Yale, Kim formed a team of scientists from Yale and researchers from other academic institutions, and leads several National Cancer Institute-sponsored multi-institutional clinical trials for patients with prostate, bladder, breast, pancreas and lung cancers.
In two of his trials, Kim is examining the combination of a poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor, olaparib, with a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, cediranib, for treatment of prostate cancer, lung cancer, pancreas cancer, and breast cancer. In the other trial, Kim is testing a novel mTOR inhibitor, sapanisertib, as a treatment of advanced bladder cancer caused by a harmful mutation in TSC1 gene, a critical gene in suppressing a tumor growth. His goal in these trials is to find new options for cancer treatment.
Kim treats patients with genitourinary cancers including prostate, bladder, testicular, and penile cancers at Yale Cancer Center.
“Many of our loved ones are affected by cancer, and unfortunately in the United States, cancer is the second leading cause of death behind cardiovascular disease,” said Kim. “I am working to develop improved treatments for our patients. I am proud of our work here at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital.”