Overview
Dr. Silvia Formenti is Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine, Associate Director of the Meyer Cancer Center, and Radiation Oncologist-in-Chief at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. A prolific researcher, she has published over 190 papers recognized by high impact journals like JAMA, Lancet Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology, etc.
Dr. Formenti has introduced a paradigm shift in radiation biology, by elucidating the role of ionizing radiation on the immune system, and demonstrating efficacy of combining radiotherapy with immunotherapy in solid tumors. She has translated preclinical work to clinical trials in metastatic breast cancer, lung cancer and melanoma. Dr. Formenti has introduced a break-through strategy of recovering an immunological equilibrium in the setting of metastatic disease, by converting a metastasis into an in situ, individualized vaccine: in the presence of immune checkpoint blockade (anti-CTLA-4, anti-PDL-1) the irradiated tumor becomes an immunogenic hub, similar to a vaccine. Once successfully immunized against the irradiated site, the host can develop an anti-tumor immune response capable to reject the other metastases. In some patients with metastatic disease refractory to standard treatment the combination of local radiation and immune check point blockade has already resulted in durable complete remissions, sustained for years after treatment (without any other additional interventions). Her work has opened a new field of application for radiotherapy, whereby localized radiation can be used as an adjuvant to immunotherapy of solid tumors and lymphomas.
Highlights
- 1The Lancet. Oncology · 2021
- 2Oncoimmunology · 2020
- 3Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2025
Publications
Funding
Active
13 grants- PIBCRF-26-053Optimization of immune checkpoint inhibition during radiation-induced vaccination in breast cancerBreast Cancer Research Foundation · 2026–2028
- Co-IR01CA271915-01A1Targeting the BCL2 immune checkpoint to enhance the immunostimulatory effects of radiation in breast cancerNational Cancer Institute · 2023–2028
- Co-IHT9425-25-1-0084Targeting Inflammatory Pathways in Breast Cancer Brain Metastases for the Treatment of Edema and Radiation Necrosis Using Anti-VEGF Ultrasmall Particle TherapyU.S. Department of Defense · 2025–2028
- MPIU54CA274291-03S1A Digital Twin for rectal cancer to guide adaptive radiotherapyNational Cancer Institute · 2022–2027· 2 renewals
- Co-IW81XWH-22-1-0506Extending the survival of HR+ breast cancer patients receiving CDK4/6 inhibitors by targeting IL17-producing gamma delta T cellsU.S. Department of Defense · 2022–2027
- Sub-PIUFH SUB00001653A Prospective Comparative Study of Outcomes with Proton and Photon Radiation in Prostate Cancer" ("COMPPARE")Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute · 2019–2027 · via University of Florida Health - Jacksonville
- Co-IMRS 243992-01Harnessing Innate Immunity and Radiotherapy for Next-Generation Immuno-Oncology in Metastatic Breast CancerMETAvivor Research and Support, Inc. · 2025–2027
- Co-IYACS-24-1331829-01-YACSHarnessing Innate Immunity for Next-Generation Immuno-Oncology TherapeuticsAmerican Cancer Society · 2024–2026
- PIBCRF-24-053Optimization of immune checkpoint inhibition during radiation-induced vaccination in breast cancerBreast Cancer Research Foundation · 2024–2026
- Co-IW81XWH-19-1-0142Converting HR+ Breast Cancer Into an Individualized VaccineU.S. Department of Defense · 2019–2026
- PIW81XWH-19-1-0141Converting HR+ Breast Cancer Into an Individualized VaccineU.S. Department of Defense · 2019–2026
- PIW81XWH-21-2-0034Therapeutic targeting of breast cancer and host immune responses at inflection points in the disease trajectoryU.S. Department of Defense · 2021–2026
- MPIR01CA249615-03PSMA/MR-guided Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for High Risk Prostate CancerNational Cancer Institute · 2020–2025
Completed grants (16)
- PIBCRF-23-053Optimization of immune checkpoint inhibition during radiation-induced vaccination in breast cancerBreast Cancer Research Foundation · 2023–2024
- KPSBF 222633-01Targeting CAFs to sensitize irradiated pHGG to EGFR blockadeSt. Baldrick's Foundation · 2022–2024
- PIBCRF-22-053Optimization of immune checkpoint inhibition during radiation-induced vaccination in breast cancerBreast Cancer Research Foundation · 2022–2023
- KPP50CA211024-05Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) SPORE in Prostate CancerNational Cancer Institute · 2017–2023
- PIW81XWH1910101Breaking through immune resistance of HR+ breast cancerU.S. Department of Defense · 2019–2023No publications yet
- PIBCRF-20-053Optimization of immune checkpoint inhibition during radiation-induced vaccination in breast cancerBreast Cancer Research Foundation · 2019–2022
- Co-IR01CA201246-01Cancer Cell Intrinsic Interferon-I Pathway Activation by Fractionated RadiationNational Cancer Institute · 2016–2022
- Co-IR01CA198533-05Individualized in Situ Vaccination by Radiation and ImmunotherapyNational Cancer Institute · 2016–2022
- PISU2C #ZP-61772019 SU2C Laura Ziskin Prize In Translational Cancer ResearchStand Up To Cancer · 2019–2021
- PIBCRF 17-053Optimization of Immune Checkpoint Inhibition During Radiation-Induced Vaccination in Breast CancerBreast Cancer Research Foundation · 2018–2019
- PIBCRF 17-053Optimization of Immune Checkpoint Inhibition During Radiation-Induced Vaccination in Breast CancerBreast Cancer Research Foundation · 2017–2018
- PIW81XWH-11-1-0530Radiation-Induced Vaccination to Breast CancerU.S. Department of Defense · 2016–2018
- PIR01CA161891-04 EWImmunomodulation of Breast Cancer via TLR7 Against Imiquimod and RadiotherapyNational Cancer Institute · 2015–2016
- MPIM01RR000096-47RESPONSE, RESISTANCE AND METASTASIS OF LOCALLY-ADVANCED BREAST CANCER (LABC)NCRR · 2004–2009 · via NIH RePORTER
Honors & distinctions
- Member · National Academy of Medicine · 2025
- Member · Association of American Physicians · 2020
Clinical research
Active
7 studies- PITHYMUS WILL TELL_x000D_ Thymic Health as a Host Immune-Competence Biomarker and a Candidate Organ-at-Risk in Neoadjuvant Radio-Immunotherapy for Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung CancerWeill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2026)
- PINCT06960707Prospective Randomized Trial of Two Versus One Week Accelerated Radiotherapy (PRATO)PHASE3 · Weill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2025)Breast Cancer
- PINCT06743789Dose De-escalation Randomized Phase I/II Trial in Arrhythmia Radioablation for Ventricular Tachycardia: Single Fraction vs Three FractionsNA · Weill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2024)Ventricular Tachycardia
- PINCT03449238Pembrolizumab And Stereotactic Radiosurgery (Srs) Of Selected Brain Metastases In Breast Cancer PatientsPHASE1; PHASE2 · Weill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2024)Metastatic Breast Cancer; Brain Metastases
- PINCT04220476CIMER: Combined Immunotherapies in Metastatic ER+ Breast CancerPHASE2 · Weill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2020)Breast Cancer
- PINCT03804944Converting HR+ Breast Cancer Into an Individualized VaccinePHASE2 · Weill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2020)Breast Cancer
- PIPilot/feasibility Study of Pulmonary Nodules Screening at Standard Computerized Tomography Simulation for Breast Cancer Radiotherapy (Lung Cancer Screening from CT Simulation, LCSCTS)Weill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2019)
Completed & closed trials (7)
- PINCT04402151Single-Arm Phase II Study of PSMA PET/MR Guided Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy With Simultaneous Integrated Boost (SBRT-SIB) for High-Intermediate and High Risk Prostate CancerPHASE2 · Weill Medical College of Cornell University · CLOSED TO ACCRUAL (as of 2026)Prostate Cancer
- PIThe DIGNITY Study _x000D_ (De-convoluting interactions between genes, the cancer environment, and the immune system to develop therapies that work for you)Weill Medical College of Cornell University · CLOSED TO ACCRUAL (as of 2026)
- PIPilot/feasibility study of pulmonary nodules and coronary calcification screening at standard Computed Tomography simulation for breast cancer radiotherapy (Screening from CT Simulation, SCTS)Weill Medical College of Cornell University · CLOSED TO ACCRUAL (as of 2025)
- PINCT04175210Prospective Randomized Study of Accelerated Radiation Therapy (PRART) : A Non-Inferiority Trial to Compare Breast Cosmesis and Local Control After Concomitant Boost Breast Radiotherapy With Fifteen Fractions in Three Weeks (Arm 1, Standard) Versus Ten Fractions in Two Weeks (Arm 2, Experimental)PHASE3 · Weill Medical College of Cornell University · CLOSED TO ACCRUAL (as of 2025)Breast Cancer
- PINCT03833154A Phase III, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind, Multi-center, International Study of Durvalumab With Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for the Treatment of Patients With Unresected Stage I/II, Lymph-node Negative Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (PACIFIC-4/RTOG-3515) Osimertinib Following SBRT, a Single Arm Cohort for Patients With Unresected Stage I/II, Lymph Node Negative NSCLC Harboring a Sensitizing EGFR MutationPHASE3 · AstraZeneca, PLC · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2024)Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
- PIWELCOME trial (Weill Cornell Medicine Employees)Weill Medical College of Cornell University · CLOSED TO ACCRUAL (as of 2022)
- PINCT04220983PRAGMA (Prostate Radio Ablation Guided by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Acquisition) in Metastatic Prostate CancerNA · Weill Medical College of Cornell University · CLOSED TO ACCRUAL (as of 2022)Metastatic Prostate Cancer
News mentions
- Awards & Honors: October 2026October 29, 2026
Awards, honors and achievements for the month of October.
- Drs. Silvia Formenti, Massimo Loda Elected to National Academy of MedicineOctober 21, 2024
Dr. Silvia Formenti, chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, and Dr. Massimo Loda, chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, have been elected to the National Academy of Medicine.
- Awards & Honors: January 2024January 31, 2024
Awards, honors and achievements for the month of January.
- Weill Cornell Medicine Receives Grant to Study Effects of Radiation on ImmunityDecember 7, 2022
Weill Cornell Medicine has been awarded a five-year, $8.1 million grant from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health to investigate the effects of the immune response in irradiated rectal cancer.
Show 8 more mentions
- Department of Defense Awards Weill Cornell Medicine New Grant for Breast Cancer ResearchDecember 9, 2021
Weill Cornell Medicine has been awarded a nearly $6.5 million, four-year grant from the Department of Defense as part of a multi-institutional Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium.
- Combination Therapy Boosts Lung Cancer Patients’ Response, Cuts Treatment Time in Phase 2 TrialJune 15, 2021
Combining immunotherapy with targeted radiation resulted in a greater response rate than immunotherapy alone in a phase 2 clinical trial in patients with early-stage, non-small-cell lung cancer led by Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian investigators.
- Study in Mice Suggests Radiation Therapy May Be an Important Addition to Personalized Vaccination for CancerMarch 26, 2021
Radiation therapy appears to increase or upregulate the expression of genes with mutations that induce an immune response to malignant cells, according to preclinical research by Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian investigators.
- Study Recruiting 1,000 Healthcare Workers to Investigate Underlying Factors Driving COVID-19 OutcomesOctober 6, 2020
A study by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian aims to answer one of COVID-19’s biggest mysteries: why do some people become severely ill, while others have no symptoms?
- Researchers Disable Cloaking Mechanism that Hides Tumors from the Immune System after Radiation TherapyAugust 3, 2020
Localized radiation therapy against a tumor can trigger a beneficial immune response throughout the body by releasing DNA from mitochondria into the cytoplasm of tumor cells, according to new preclinical research by Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian investigators.
- Weill Cornell Medicine Community Celebrates Diversity with Annual AwardsJuly 22, 2020
Weill Cornell Medicine is honoring 15 faculty members, trainees, students and staff this year for their outstanding service and leadership in promoting diversity at the academic medical institution.
- Dr. Silvia Formenti Awarded ASTRO Gold Medal for Contributions to Radiation OncologySeptember 17, 2019
Dr. Silvia Formenti, chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology and the Sandra and Edward Meyer Professor of Cancer Research at Weill Cornell Medicine and radiation oncologist-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, has been awarded the 2019 ASTRO Gold Medal by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
- Dr. Silvia Formenti Wins Roentgen Prize from Italy’s Accademia dei LinceiAugust 15, 2019
Dr. Silvia Formenti has been awarded the 2019 Roentgen Prize for Oncology from the Italian scientific society Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei.
External relationships
Advisory/Scientific Board Member
Fondazione AIRC per la Ricerca sul Cancro
Professional Services
Nanobiotix
Other Interest
Embiosys INC · Nanobiotix · Telix Pharmaceuticals (Innovations) Pty Ltd.
Other
Embiosys INC · Janssen Research & Development, LLC · Telix Pharmaceuticals (Innovations) Pty Ltd.