Stuart A Aaronson, MD
- FOUNDING CHAIR EMERITUS AND PROFESSOR | Oncological Sciences
- PROFESSOR | Medicine
Research Topics:
Aging, Cancer, Growth Factors and Receptors, Oncogenes, Signal Transduction
Stuart Aaronson, MD, is the Jack and Jane B. Aron Professor of Neoplastic Diseases; Founding Chair, Emeritus, Department of Oncological Sciences; and Associate Director of Basic and Translational Research at The Tisch Cancer Institute. Dr. Aaronson joined Mount Sinai in 1994 following a long tenure at the National Cancer Institute, during which he was Chief of the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology.
Dr. Aaronson participated in the discovery of the first normal function of an oncogene and the demonstration that genes encoding growth factors could be transforming (sis/PDGF). He subsequently discovered erbB2 as an erbB-related gene amplified in a primary human breast cancer, and genes for other growth factor signaling molecules activated as oncogenes in human malignancies. Dr. Aaronson’s research has contributed to the development of novel cancer drugs including Herceptin which targets ERBB2, and KGF/FGF7, discovered by him as a unique epithelial cell acting growth factor and which became a drug for treatment of mucositis, a debilitating side effect of certain cancer therapies. His discoveries, including erbB3, PDGFR alpha, and HGF as the ligand for MET, have led to other approved drugs as well as those currently in clinical development as cancer therapeutics. More recently, Dr. Aaronson identified a Wnt autocrine activation mechanism, which helps to drive the malignant phenotype of some human breast, ovary, lung, and soft tissue tumors.
Dr. Aaronson is the recipient of numerous awards including the Distinguished Service Medal from the U.S. Public Health Service, the AACR Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cancer Research, and the Paul Erhlich Prize from Germany. He is the author of more than 485 publications, an inventor on more than 40 patents, and serves on numerous editorial boards and scientific advisory committees. He has trained dozens of investigators, who have gone on to positions in academic medicine or biotech/pharma, or who head cancer centers in this country and abroad.
Multi-Disciplinary Training Areas
Cancer Biology [CAB], Pharmacology and Therapeutics Discovery [PTD]Education
BS, University of California, Berkeley
MD, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine
Moffitt Hospital
National Cancer Institute
-
2010
Italian National Academy of Sciences, Foreign Member -
2006
National FLC Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer -
1991
Chirone Prize -
1990
Milken Award -
1989
PHS Distinguished Service Medal -
1989
Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize -
1982
PHS Meritorious Service Medal -
1982
AACR - Outstanding Achievement in Cancer Research Award -
1966
Alpha Omega Alpha -
1962
Phi BetaKappa
The Aaronson laboratory is involved in cancer gene discovery and function with the goal of identifying novel targets for therapy. Topics currently under investigation include growth factors and receptors, Wnt and Hippo developmental pathways deregulated in cancer as well as the p53 tumor suppressor gene. Past discoveries include ErbB2, initially identified by his lab as an amplified erbB related gene in a primary human breast cancer. The lab has also discovered and characterized genes for a number of other growth factor signaling molecules activated as oncogenes in human malignancies. This research has contributed to novel cancer drugs including Herceptin, which targets ERBB2, and KGF/FGF7, which became Kepivance, for treatment of cancer therapy associated mucositis. Other discoveries including erbB3, PDGFR alpha, and HGF as the ligand for MET, have also led to agents currently in clinical development as cancer therapeutics. More recent accomplishments include identification of a Wnt autocrine mechanism that contributes to the transformed phenotypes of several major human tumors and novel homeostatic stress responses involving the p53 tumor suppressor gene.
Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device and biotechnology companies to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their relationships with such companies.
Below are financial relationships with industry reported by Dr. Aaronson during 2022 and/or 2023. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.
Royalty Payments:
- Abcam plc.; EMD Chemicals; National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.