Heinz-Josef Lenz
海因茨-约瑟夫·伦茨
MD, FACP
Professor of Medicine and Preventive Medicine; Co-Director, GI Oncology Program医学与预防医学教授；胃肠道肿瘤学项目联合主任
👥Biography 个人简介
Heinz-Josef Lenz is one of the world's foremost experts in the molecular biology and treatment of colorectal cancer, with particular focus on pharmacogenomics, biomarker-driven therapy, and immune checkpoint inhibition in MSI-H/dMMR tumors. He has led or co-led numerous landmark clinical trials including the KEYNOTE-177 trial establishing pembrolizumab as first-line standard of care for MSI-H metastatic colorectal cancer. His laboratory research has elucidated mechanisms of resistance to VEGF and EGFR-directed therapies, directly informing treatment sequencing in clinical practice.
🧪Research Fields 研究领域
🎓Key Contributions 主要贡献
MSI-H First-Line Immunotherapy (KEYNOTE-177)
Served as a key co-investigator on the KEYNOTE-177 phase III trial, which demonstrated superior progression-free survival with pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy in first-line MSI-H/dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, resulting in FDA approval and paradigm shift in treatment.
Pharmacogenomics of Fluoropyrimidine Toxicity
Conducted seminal work identifying DPYD and TYMS genetic variants predicting severe fluoropyrimidine toxicity, enabling personalized dosing of 5-FU and capecitabine and improving the safety profile of standard colorectal cancer regimens.
VEGF Resistance Mechanisms
Led translational research programs characterizing molecular mechanisms of acquired resistance to bevacizumab, identifying alternative angiogenic pathways and informing the development of next-generation anti-angiogenic strategies in mCRC.
Representative Works 代表性著作
Pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy for microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair-deficient metastatic colorectal cancer (KEYNOTE-177): final analysis of a randomised, open-label, phase 3 study
The Lancet Oncology (2022)
Definitive analysis confirming pembrolizumab as preferred first-line therapy for MSI-H/dMMR mCRC, with durable responses and superior PFS versus FOLFOX/FOLFIRI-based chemotherapy.
Pharmacogenomic approach to predict toxicity and efficacy of 5-FU-based chemotherapy in colorectal cancer
Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021)
Comprehensive review and meta-analysis of DPYD, TYMS, and MTHFR variants as predictors of fluoropyrimidine-related toxicity and treatment outcomes in colorectal cancer.
🏆Awards & Recognition 奖项与荣誉
📄Data Sources 数据来源
Last updated: 2026-01-15 | All information from publicly available academic sources
Related Experts 相关专家
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Drew M. Pardoll
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Padmanee Sharma
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Naiyer A. Rizvi
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