Pamela L. Kunz

Pamela L. Kunz, MD is Professor of Medicine, Director of the Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers, and Chief of GI Medical Oncology at Yale Cancer Center and Yale School of Medicine. Previously a faculty member at Stanford University, she is one of the most prolific NET clinical trialists in North America, with a track record of leading and co-leading multi-institutional cooperative group and industry-sponsored trials across multiple NET subtypes. Her research encompasses both pancreatic and carcinoid NETs, with particular focus on chemotherapy optimization, sunitinib combinations, and novel systemic agents. Dr. Kunz led the Alliance A021202 trial, the first prospective randomized trial directly comparing everolimus versus sunitinib in advanced pancreatic NETs — a critical question that had never been formally addressed despite both agents being FDA-approved. She also co-chaired the SWOG S1310 trial evaluating octreotide LAR versus well-differentiated NETs management in atypical carcinoids. Her research group has extensively characterized the activity and tolerability of CAPTEM (capecitabine plus temozolomide) in prospective settings, confirming this regimen as a highly active option across NET subtypes. A past president of NANETS, Dr. Kunz has been a pioneer in developing the NET clinical trials infrastructure within the National Cancer Institute cooperative groups, enabling NET patients across the US to access investigational therapies through community and academic cancer centers alike. She has published over 160 peer-reviewed articles and regularly contributes to NCCN and NANETS guideline updates.