Howard Scher, MD

Dr. Howard Scher, the D. Wayne Calloway Chair in Urologic Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), is a leading figure in the co-development of targeted cancer therapies and biomarkers. His pioneering work on circulating tumor cells has revolutionized the way treatment efficacy is assessed and has significantly enhanced the clinical evaluation process, leading to faster regulatory approvals.
Over his 25-year career at MSK, Dr. Scher has spearheaded international efforts to standardize phase II prostate cancer trials and has been instrumental in identifying key molecular and genetic markers of the disease. His leadership in early- and late-phase clinical trials of therapies like abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide has translated cutting-edge research into life-extending treatments for patients. Dr. Scher currently heads MSK’s Biomarker Development Program and serves as a member of the Genitourinary Oncology Service at MSK, as well as a professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College.