Lauren Averett Byers, M.D.

Department of Thoracic-Head & Neck Med Onc, Division of Cancer Medicine

Podcast: When lung cancer research gets personal

In the News

Two MD Anderson researchers elected AAAS Fellows

Portrait of Lauren Byers with congratulations on 2025 O'Donnell Award

MD Anderson’s Lauren Averett Byers receives TAMEST O’Donnell Award for seminal contributions to lung cancer research

Study defines small-cell lung cancer subtypes and distinct therapeutic vulnerabilities for each type

Graphic of masked doctor looking at lung cancer scan

5 small cell lung cancer questions, answered

ARCHIVED: 2019 Andrew Sabin Family Fellows share passion for Making Cancer History

ARCHIVED: Intratumoral heterogeneity may be responsible for chemotherapy resistance in patients with small cell lung cancer

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Thoracic Section Chief, Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

Professor, Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Faculty, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment

Professor of Medicine, Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

Research Interests

Dr. Byers’ research goal is to identify changes in cancer cells at the molecular level that contribute to their growth and drug resistance and apply this knowledge to develop more effective, personalized therapy for patients. Her laboratory - together with the Thoracic Bioinformatics Team, which she co-leads - studies gene and protein profiles obtained from lung cancer cell lines, mouse models, and patient tumors. Dr. Byers’ laboratory research led to the discovery of several novel drug targets for lung cancer and important ways in which cancer cells can become resistant to existing therapies, including immunotherapy. The results generated by her team have led directly to clinical trials with new combinations of drugs that will impact patient care. More recently, Dr. Byers’ group identified transcriptional subtypes tumor of SCLC with unique therapeutic vulnerabilities that be identified using both transcriptional and cfDNA methylation profiling data. Currently, Dr. Byers is examining approaches to personalize treatment for SCLC patients, and to develop novel treatment modalities in the relapsed setting.

Clinical Interests

Dr. Byers is a medical oncologist dedicated to bringing the most promising findings from her research to the bedside. She has translated key findings from her work into clinical trials and new biomarkers that have the potential to improve personalized cancer care for people with lung cancer.

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

2009	University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, US, Cancer Biology (Specialization in Patient-Based Research), M.S
2003	Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, US, Medicine, M.D
1998	Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, US, Molecular Biology, B.A

Postgraduate Training

2009-2010	Advanced Scholars Program, Medical Oncology Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
2006-2009	Clinical Fellowship, Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
2003-2006	Clinical Residency, Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
2000-2001	Research Fellowship, HHMI - NIH Research Scholars (Cloister) Program, Bethesda, Maryland

Licenses & Certifications

2010	Medical Oncology, American Board of Internal Medicine
2006	Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

Experience & Service

Faculty Academic Appointments

Associate Professor, Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2017 - 2022

Assistant Professor, Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2010 - 2017

Intramural Institutional Committee Activities

Member, Cancer Focus Fund, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present

Member, Shark Tank Faculty Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present

Member, Cancer Focus Fund, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present

Chair, Multidisciplinary Research Advisory Committee, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present

Member, IRG Review Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present

Member, Associate Vice President Search Committee, Translational Integration, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present

Member, DoCM Division Head Cancer Medicine Advisory Committee, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - Present

Member, Melanoma SPORE Internal Advisory Board, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - Present

Member, MD Anderson Precision Panel (MAPP) Advisory Council, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - Present

Member, Technology Task Force, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present

Member, Scientific Advisory Board, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - Present

Co-leader Lung Program, NCI Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG), MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - Present

Member, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Lung SPORE, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2016 - Present

Member, Translational Research Strategic Planning Committee, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2015 - Present

Member, NCI Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG), MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2012 - Present

Extramural Institutional Committee Activities

Member, ASCO Annual Meeting Scientific Program Committee on the Lung Cancer - Non-small Cell Metastatic Track, ASCO, 2026 - 2029

Member, IASLC Women in Thoracic Oncology Taskforce, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, 2025 - 2027

Committee Member, External Advisory Board - Stanford University and UC Santa Cruz Program Project Grant, Stanford University and UC Santa Cruz, 2025 - Present

Member, SOSCLC-AECC, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present

Member, Driving ‘stage-shift’ in Small Cell Lung Cancer Through Screening and Early Detection, AstraZeneca, 2024 - Present

Member, Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Conference, Cancer Research UK (CRUK), 2022 - Present

Member, ASCO Cancer Communications Committee, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), 2021 - 2024

Chair, ASCO Conquer Cancer Foundation Grants Selection Committee, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), 2021 - 2022

Member, DF/HCC Lung SPORE External Advisory Board, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, 2019 - Present

Member, NCI Thoracic Malignancy Steering Committee (TMSC), National Cancer Institute (NCI), 2017 - Present

Honors & Awards

2025	Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Medicine, Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science, and Technology
2025	Fellow American Academy for the Advancement of Science, AAAS
2025	The Dallas/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
2023	The Best of AACR Journals (top-cited research article Molecular Cancer Research articles published, 2021, 2022) - AXL inhibition induces DNA damage and replication stress in non-small cell lung cancer cells and promotes sensitivity to ATR inhibitors, American Association for Cancer Research
2023	Waun Ki Hong Award for Excellence in Team Science, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
2022	Nominee, Women Who Conquer Cancer (WWCC) Mentorship Awards, Conquer Cancer WWCC Committee
2021	Elected as Member, American Society for Clinical Investigation
2021	Ranked in the top 1% of providers nationally by Press Ganey (with a perfect score) in the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CGCAHPS), Press Ganey
2020	The Best of AACR Journals Award (top-cited research article Cancer Discovery, 2018), American Association for Cancer Research
2020	Heine H. Hansen Lectureship Award for Small Cell Lung Cancer, IASLC - International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
2019	Andrew Sabin Family Fellows Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
2019	President’s Recognition of Faculty Excellence - Research Excellence Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
2017	Hope Award, Rexanna Foundation
2015	ASCO Top Ten Clinical Research Achievement Award, ASCO Clinical Research Forum
2015	The Best of AACR Journals Award (top-cited research article Clin Cancer Res, 2013), American Association for Cancer Research
2014	President's Recognition for Faculty Excellence, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
2014	R. Lee Clark Fellow Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
2013	Sidney Kimmel Scholars Award, The Sidney Kimmel Foundation for Cancer Research
2013	NCI Cancer Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award (CCITLA), NIH/NCI
2013	Khalifa Scholar and Fellows Award (2013-2015), The Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for the Personalized Cancer Therapy's (IPCT's) Center for Professional Education and Training, MD Anderson Cancer Center
2013	Women Leading the Way, Women Faculty Programs, MD Anderson Cancer Center
2013	The "Best of AACR Journals" Award (for top 5 most-cited articles published in Clinical Cancer Research), American Association for Cancer Research, 2020 (for Byers et al., “An Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Gene Signature Predicts Resistance to EGFR and PI3K Inhibitors and Identifies Axl as a Therapeutic Target for Overcoming EGFR Inhibitor Resistance”), American Association for Cancer Research

Professional Memberships

American Society for Clinical Investigation

2021 - Present

International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer

2011 - Present

American Head and Neck Society

2008 - Present

American Association of Cancer Research

2007 - Present

American Society of Clinical Oncology

2006 - Present

Selected Presentations & Talks

Local Presentations

2026. "Antibody Drug Conjugates: Are we ready to go chemo-free?”. Invited. DOCM Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
2024. Thoracic updates from ASCO. Invited. HEADLINeRS (Head & Neck and Lung Cancer Innovations in Research and Treatment Seminar). Houston, Texas, US.
2024. Big changes in SCLC: Progress toward personalized diagnosis & therapeutics. Invited. Division of Cancer Medicine Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.

Regional Presentations

2024. First Line Extensive Stage SCLC. Invited. 2024 Texas Lung Cancer Conference. Austin, Texas, US.
2024. 1L Extensive-Stage SCLC. Invited. 2024 Texas Lung Cancer Conference. Austin, Texas, US.

National Presentations

2026. ABBV-706 as monotherapy and in combination with budigalimab in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Invited. Alexandria, Virginia, US.
2026. Neuroendocrine and Small Cell Lung Cancers. Invited. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US.
2026. Concepts and Controversies - Will Bispecific RX Become 1st Line Soon. Invited, US.
2024. Biomarker-driven therapy for small cell lung cancer – a new chapter in personalized medicine. Invited. Columbia University Hematology Oncology Grand Rounds, US.
2024. Immunotherapy Consolidation – A New Standard of Care for Limited Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer. Discussion of LBA5 - ADRIATIC: durvalumab as consolidation treatment for patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC). Invited. 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
2023. Emerging Strategies for Personalized Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer. Invited. Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center 2023 Annual Lung Cancer Symposium (Keynote Speaker). Boston, MA, US.
2023. Emerging Strategies for Personalized Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer. Invited. Novartis Meeting, US.
2023. Small Cell Lung Cancer "101" - LUNGevity. Invited. LUNGevity. Houston, US.
2023. Emerging opportunities in SCLC therapeutics and emerging biomarkers. Invited. 2nd Global Summit on Thoracic Malignancies. Kona, HI, US.
2023. SLF11 as a biomarker of response to lurbinectedin for SCLC. Invited. 2nd Global Summit on Thoracic Malignancies. Kona, HI, US.
2023. Best Practices for Extensive Stage SCLC. Invited. The Texas Lung Cancer (TLC) Conference. Austin, Texas, US.
2022. A Phase 1 Study of AMG 119, 1 DLL3-targeting, Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell Therapy, in Relapsed/Refractory Small-Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). Invited. SITC's 37th Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs. Boston, MA, US.
2022. Depleting non-canonical, cell-intrinsic PD-L1 signals induces synthetic lethality to small molecule DNA damage response inhibitors in an immune independent and dependent manner. Invited. SITC 2022 Tumor Immune Microenvironment: A Holistic Approach Workshop. San Diego, CA, US.
2022. AstraZeneca/MDACC Strategic Alliance in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). Invited. AACR Annual Meeting 2022, US.
2021. Phase 3 Study of Pembrolizumab with Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy Followed by Pembrolizumab with or without Olaparib versus Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer: KEYLYNK-013. Invited. ASTRO 2021 Annual Meeting, US.
2021. Moving Beyond Recurrent Genetic Alterations: Transcription Factor (and Proteome) Defined Subsets. Invited. Moving Beyond Recurrent Genetic Alterations: Transcription Factor (and Proteome) Defined Subsets, US.
2021. Project 4: Therapeutic Targeting Of Oncogene Induced Replication Stress For Tumor Cell Killing And Anti-tumor Immunity in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). Invited. Lung SPORE Meeting, US.
2021. Molecular Subtypes in Small Cell Lung Cancer: Do They Impact Therapy?. Invited. 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting Education Session Online, US.
2021. Abstract: Ph I/II Study of Oral Selective AXL Inhibitor Bemcentnib (BGB324) in Combination with Erlotinib in Patients with Advanced EGFRm NSCLC: End of Trial Update. Invited. 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting Virtual, US.
2021. Transforming SCLC into a Molecularly Targeted Disease. Invited. SWOG Cancer Research Network, Lung Committee Virtual Meeting, US.
2021. Transforming SCLC into a Molecularly Targeted Disease | Virtual Meeting Lung Committee. Invited. SWOG Cancer Research Network, US.
2021. From black-and-white to Technicolor: Transforming SCLC through biomarker-driven therapy. Invited. SWOG Group Committee Virtual Meeting, US.
2021. How will defining SCLC subtypes help us identify immunotherapy responders?. Invited. AACR Annual Meeting 2021, US.
2020. Preparing Your First R01 and R01-Level Grant. Invited. Conquer Cancer 2020 Scientific and Career Development Retreat -- Scientific and Career Development Sessions Virtual, US.
2020. DDR/IO Combos in the World of Inter-and Intra-tumoral Heterogeneity. Invited. NCI U24 Small Cell Lung Cancer Consortium Virtual, US.
2020. Overview of Predictive Biomarkers in the Clinical Decision‐Making for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Based Therapies. Invited. Overview of Predictive Biomarkers in the Clinical Decision‐Making for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Based Therapies. Houston, TX, US.
2020. Small Cell Lung Cancer: Moving Toward Precision Oncology. Invited. ASCO Annual Meeting 2020 (Virtual), US.
2019. AXL as a Target to Reverse EMT, Treatment Resistance and Immunosuppression. Invited. LUNGevity 2019 Science Retreat, Research Progress Meeting, and SAB Meeting. Bethesda, WA, US.
2019. Genetics and Biology of SCLC. Invited. 2019 NCI Small Cell Lung Cancer Progress Working Group. Rockville, MD, US.
2019. DNA Replication and Genome Instability: From Mechanism to Disease. Invited. DNA Replication and Genome Instability: From Mechanism to Disease. Salt Lake City, UT, US.
2018. AXL as a Target to Reverse EMT, Treatment Resistance and Immunosuppression. Invited. 2018 Academia-Industry Retreat. Arlington, VA, US.
2018. Immunotherapy Combinations with PARP Inhibitors, Rational Combinations 360. Invited. The Conference Forum. Philadelphia, PA, US.
2018. Immunotherapy Combinations with PARP Inhibitors. Invited. Rational Combinations 360⁰. Philadelphia, PA, US.
2018. Targeting DNA Damage Response and Immune Checkpoints in SCLC. Conference. Targeting DNA Damage Response and Immune Checkpoints in SCLC. Chicago, IL, US.
2018. Translational Research in SCLC: Emerging Biomarkers and Potential of Liquid Biopsies. Conference. Translational Research in SCLC: Emerging Biomarkers and Potential of Liquid Biopsies. Chicago, IL, US.
2018. Targeting DNA Damage Responses for the Treatment of Lung Cancer. Invited. Targeting DNA Damage Responses for the Treatment of Lung Cancer. Ventura, CA, US.
2018. DDR and Cell Cycle Vulnerabilities. Invited. DDR and Cell Cycle Vulnerabilities. Rockville, MD, US.

International Presentations

2026. ABBV-706 as monotherapy and in combination with budigalimab in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Invited. ASCO 2026 Annual Meeting. Chicago, US.
2025. ADCs for SCLC. Invited. IASLC 2025 World Conference. Barcelona, ES.
2025. Patient selection and initial evaluation. Invited. T-Cell Engagers with focus on SCLC. Zurich, CH.
2025. Plasticity and Drug Resistance in Small Cell Lung Cancer. Invited. 3rd Cologne Conference on Lung Cancer. Cologne, DE.
2025. The Transcription factor classification has clinical relevance: yes. Panelist. IASLC Targeted Therapies of Lung Cancer Meeting. Huntington Beach, US.
2023. Biomarker-driven therapy for small cell lung cancer – a new chapter in personalized medicine. Invited. Nice, FR.
2023. DDR inhibitors. Invited. IASLC 2023 Hot Topic Meeting: Small Cell Lung Cancer. New York, US.
2023. Progress and promise in Small Cell Lung Cancer. Invited. 2023 IASLC Targeted Therapies of Lung Cancer Meeting. Santa Monica, US.
2022. From black-and-white to Technicolor: New Opportunities for Precision Medicine in Small Cell Lung Cancer. Invited. CRUK Lung Cancer Conference. Manchester, GB.
2022. Metabolism and immunology in small cell lung cancer. Invited. CRUK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence. Manchester, GB.
2022. Transcriptomic and immune landscape in SCLC. Invited. ESMO Congress 2022. Paris, FR.
2022. Conclusions and perspectives. Invited. ESMO Congress 2022. Paris, ES.
2022. HRD/DDR in Lung Cancer: Role and Therapeutic Implications. Invited. IASLC 2022 World Conference on Lung Cancer. Vienna, AT.
2022. SWOG S2012: Randomized phase II/III trial of first line platinum/etoposide (P/E) with or without atezolizumab (NSC#783608) in patients (pts) with poorly differentiated extrapulmonary small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC). Invited. 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting. Chicago, US.
2022. Results of a phase 1b study of osimertinib plus sapanisertib or alisertib for osimertinib-resistant EGFR mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Invited. 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting. Chicago, US.
2021. Translating SCLC Molecular Subtypes into Clinical Practice: Opportunities for Precision Medicine and the Challenge of Plasticity. Invited. IASLC 2021 Hot Topic Meeting: Small Cell Lung Cancer SCLC (Worldwide Virtual Event), US.
2021. Small Cell Lung Cancer: Recent Preclinical Advances and Emerging Approaches to Therapy - Mechanisms of Resistance in SCLC. Invited. 2021 World Conference on Lung Cancer | Worldwide Virtual Event, US.
2021. Conquer Cancer Peer Review Process. Invited. Conquer Cancer Peer Review Process, US.
2021. IMpower133: Gene Expression Analysis. Invited. 2021 ESMO Virtual Plenary, US.
2021. SCLC - What Do We Know and Where are We Heading To?. Invited. XVII Abordaje Multidisciplinar del Cancer Virtual Meeting, US.
2021. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC): What do we know and where are we heading to?. Invited. Abordaje Multidisciplinar Congress. Madrid, ES.
2021. Virtual Tumor Board: SCLC. Invited. Virtual Tumor Board: SCLC, US.
2021. Precision Medicine in Small Cell Lung Cancer - the path forward (Video Session) - Heine H. Hansen Lectureship Award for Small Cell Lung Cancer. Invited. World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC 2020) Virtual Meeting, US.
2020. CRUK MI External Webinar. Invited. Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute Cancer Biomarker Centre, US.
2020. In Search of Personalized Therapy for Small Cell Lung Cancer. Invited. CRUK MI External Webinar, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute Cancer Biomarker Centre, US.
2019. Clinical and Molecular Biomarkers for Selection of SCLC Patients Candidate to Immunecheckpoint Blockade. Invited. 20th World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC 2019). Barcelona, US.
2019. New Developments on SCLC and Neuroendocrine Tumors. Invited. IASLC 2019 World Conference on Lung Cancer. Barcelona, ES.
2019. New developments in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) and neuroendocrine tumors. Invited. IASLC 2019 World Conference on Lung Cancer, US.
2019. DDR inhibitors for SCLC. Invited. 2019 IASLC Small Cell Lung Cancer Meeting. New York, US.
2019. AMG119 (DLL3). Invited. 2019 IASLC Targeted Therapies of Lung Cancer Meeting. Santa Monica, US.
2019. Durvalumab + Olaparib. Invited. 2019 IASLC Targeted Therapies of Lung Cancer Meeting. Santa Monica, US.
2018. Clinical Evaluation of Plasma-Based (cfDNA) Genomic Profiling in Over 1,000 Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Invited. 19th World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC 2018). Toronto, CA.
2018. Two Novel Immunotherapy Agents Targeting DLL3 in SCLC: Trials in Progress of AMG 757 and AMG 119. Invited. 19th World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC 2018). Toronto, CA.
2018. SLFN11 Expression and Efficacy of PARP Inhibitor Therapy in Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer: ECOG-ACRIN 2511 Study. Invited. IASLC 19th World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC 2018). Toronto, CA.
2018. Targeting DNA Damage and Repair (SCLC - From Benchside to Bedside - Clinical Science Session). Invited. World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC 2018). Toronto, CA.
2018. eIF2β, A Subunit of Translation-Initiation Factor EIF2, as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Invited. World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC 2018). Toronto, CA.
2018. Targeting DNA Damage and Repair SCLC. Invited. World Conference on Lung Cancer. Toronto, CA.
2018. PARP Inhibition + PD-1 Inhibition. Invited. 18th Annual IASLC Targeted Therapies of Lung Cancer Meeting. Santa Monica, US.

Less

Grant & Contract Support

Date:	2025 - 2030
Title:	Detection and elimination of drug tolerant persister cells in SCLC
Funding Source:	NIH/NCI
Role:	Co-I

Date:	2024 - 2026
Title:	Concurrent targeting of multiple resistant populations in pulmonary hgNECs
Funding Source:	American Lung Association
Role:	PI
ID:	FP00021236

Date:	2024 - Present
Title:	Evaluation of CyclinA/B RxL inhibition in pre-clinical models of SCLC
Funding Source:	Circle Pharma
Role:	PI

Date:	2023 - Present
Title:	Evaluation of AMG757 in preclinical models of SCLC
Funding Source:	Amgen
Role:	PI

Date:	2022 - 2027
Title:	Coordinating Center for the NCI Small Cell Lung Cancer Research Consortium
Funding Source:	NIH/NCI
Role:	Co-PI
ID:	CA213274

Date:	2022 - 2027
Title:	DNA Damaging Therapy and Immune Response in Small Cell Lung Cancer Subtypes
Funding Source:	NIH/NCI
Role:	PI
ID:	2R01CA207295-06A1

Date:	2021 - 2026
Title:	CPRIT Early Clinical Investigator Award-Carl Gay - Molecular Subtypes as Predictors for Precision Small Cell Lung Cancer Therapeutic Response
Funding Source:	Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)
Role:	Mentor
ID:	RP210159

Date:	2021 - 2026
Title:	Molecular and Immunological Heterogeneity of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) and its Impact on Relapse and Therapeutic Response
Funding Source:	NIH/NCI
Role:	Co-Principal Investigator/Project Director
ID:	1U01CA256780-01

Date:	2021 - 2025
Title:	Generation of Humanisable CTC-DX Models from Anti-PDL1 Progressing SCLC Patients to Evaluate Post-CASPIAN Candidate Combinations
Funding Source:	AstraZeneca
Role:	PI
ID:	RCTS #2021-00059068

Date:	2020 - 2025
Title:	UT SPORE: Developing New Rationale, personalized Medicine for Lung cancer. Therapeutic Targeting of Replication Stress for Tumor Cell Killing and Anti-tumor Immunity in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
Funding Source:	NIH/NCI
Role:	Applied/Basic/Clinical Co-Leader
ID:	5P50CA70907-21

Date:	2019 - 2025
Title:	Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS)
Funding Source:	NIH-NCATS
Role:	Co-Investigator and Co-Core Lead - TL1 Program
ID:	UL1TR003167

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Articles

Byers LA, Cho BC, Cooper AJ, Chiang AC, Han JY, Furqan M, Dowlati A, Morgensztern D, Papadopoulos KP, Choudhury NJ, Vieito M, Bar J, Kim JH, Akerley W, Kim TM, Kim YC, Paz-Ares L, Ahn MJ, Yokouchi H, Meiman D, Munasinghe W, Ogunyankin O, Jahchan N, Wang S, Ferlini C, Robinson RR, Kohlhapp FJ, Palenski T, Rivell G, Hingorani P, Chandana S. SEZ6-targeting antibody-drug conjugate ABBV-706 in advanced small cell lung cancer and solid tumors: a phase 1 trial. Nat Med, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42225988.
Johnson ML, Fabbri G, Ciardullo C, Wang JS, Falchook GS, Jones S, Strickland D, Sands J, Gay CM, Cardnell RJ, Tobalina L, Willis SE, Rodriguez-Canales J, Nikolaou M, Jones EV, Schalkwijk S, Sainsbury L, MacDonald A, Overend P, Kennedy C, Pease JE, Szekeres P, Cosaert J, Burris H 3rd, Byers LA. Treatment monitoring by biomarker analysis in a Phase I dose-expansion study of AZD2811 for relapsed/refractory small-cell lung cancer. Br J Cancer 134(11):1592-1604, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41933194.
Tanimoto A, Ramkumar K, Stewart CA, Zhang B, Concannon K, Cardnell RJ, Shen L, Wang Q, Wang J, Gay CM, Byers LA. The impact of targeting TRAF2 and NCK-interacting protein kinase (TNIK) on anti-tumor effect and tumor immune environment in c-MYC-high small cell lung cancer. J Thorac Oncol, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 41456708.
Singhi, EK, Sanchez, N, Vokes, N, Gibbons, DL, Altan, M, Rajaram, R, Heymach, JV, Kulkarni, S, Byers, LA. Improving lung cancer management through pre-visit liquid biopsy. JCO Oncology Practice 21:478, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
Morris, BB, Heeke, S, Xi, Y, Diao, L, Wang, Q, Rocha, P, Arriola, E, Lee, MC, Tyson, DR, Concannon, KF, Ramkumar, K, Stewart, CA, Cardnell, R, Wang, R, Quaranta, V, Wang, J, Heymach, JV, Nabet, BY, Shames, DS, Gay, CM, Byers, LA. DNA damage response signatures are associated with frontline chemotherapy response and routes of tumor evolution in extensive stage small cell lung cancer. Molecular cancer 24(1), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40114214.
Byers, LA, Lee, PP, Massarelli, E. 3 Things You Should Know About the Multimodal Treatment of SCLC. Oncology (United States) 39(4):160-163, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
Ramkumar K, Tanimoto A, Della Corte CM, Stewart CA, Wang Q, Shen L, Cardnell RJ, Wang J, Polanska UM, Andersen C, Saeh J, Pease JE, Travers J, Fabbri G, Gay CM, Urosevic J, Byers LA. Targeting BCL2 overcomes resistance and augments response to aurora kinase B inhibition by AZD2811 in small cell lung cancer. Clin Cancer Res 29(16):3237-3249, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37289191.
Rimner A, Lai WV, Califano R, Jabbour SK, Rudin CM, Faivre-Finn C, Cho BC, Kato T, Yu J, Chafin W, Yu L, Zhao B, Byers L. Rationale and Design of the Phase 3 KEYLYNK-013 Study of Pembrolizumab With Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Followed by Pembrolizumab With or Without Olaparib for Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Clin Lung Cancer 23(5):e325-e329, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35613997.
Byers LA, Navarro A, Schaefer E, Johnson M, Özgüroglu M, Han JY, Bondarenko I, Cicin I, Dragnev KH, Abel A, Wang X, McNeely S, Hynes S, Lin AB, Forster M. A Phase II Trial of Prexasertib (LY2606368) in Patients with Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Clin Lung Cancer 22(6):531-540, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34034991.
Stewart CA, Gay CM, Ramkumar K, Cargill KR, Cardnell RJ, Nilsson MB, Heeke S, Park EM, Kundu ST, Diao L, Wang Q, Shen L, Xi Y, Zhang B, Della Corte CM, Fan Y, Kundu K, Gao B, Avila K, Pickering CR, Johnson FM, Zhang J, Kadara H, Minna JD, Gibbons DL, Wang J, Heymach JV, Byers LA. Lung Cancer Models Reveal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2-Induced Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Contributes to Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pathophysiology. J Thorac Oncol S1556-0864(21):1821-1839, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34274504.
Kundu K, Cardnell RJ, Zhang B, Shen L, Stewart CA, Ramkumar K, Cargill KR, Wang J, Gay CM, Byers LA. SLFN11 biomarker status predicts response to lurbinectedin as a single agent and in combination with ATR inhibition in small cell lung cancer. Transl Lung Cancer Res 10(11):4095-4105, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 35004241.
Cargill KR, Stewart CA, Park EM, Ramkumar K, Gay CM, Cardnell RJ, Wang Q, Diao L, Shen L, Fan YH, Chan WK, Lorenzi PL, Oliver TG, Wang J, Byers LA. Targeting MYC-enhanced Glycolysis for the Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancer Metab 9(1):33, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34556188.
Byers LA, Bentsion D, Gans S, Penkov K, Son C, Sibille A, Owonikoko TK, Groen HJM, Gay CM, Fujimoto J, de Groot P, Dunbar M, Kang K, He L, Sehgal V, Glasgow J, Bach BA, Ellis PM. Veliparib in Combination with Carboplatin and Etoposide in Patients with Treatment-Naïve Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Phase 2 Randomized Study. Clin Cancer Res 27(14):3884-3895, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33947690.
Ramkumar K, Stewart CA, Cargill KR, Della Corte CM, Wang Q, Shen L, Diao L, Cardnell RJ, Peng DH, Rodriguez BL, Fan YH, Heymach JV, Wang J, Gay CM, Gibbons DL, Byers LA. AXL Inhibition Induces DNA Damage and Replication Stress in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells and Promotes Sensitivity to ATR Inhibitors. Mol Cancer Res 19(3):485-497, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33172976.
Gay CM, Stewart CA, Park EM, Diao L, Groves SM, Heeke S, Nabet BY, Fujimoto J, Solis LM, Lu W, Xi Y, Cardnell RJ, Wang Q, Fabbri G, Cargill KR, Vokes NI, Ramkumar K, Zhang B, Della Corte CM, Robson P, Swisher SG, Roth JA, Glisson BS, Shames DS, Wistuba II, Wang J, Quaranta V, Minna J, Heymach JV, Byers LA. Patterns of Transcription Factor Programs and Immune Pathway Activation Define Four Major Subtypes of SCLC with Distinct Therapeutic Vulnerabilities. Cancer Cell 39(3):346-360.e7, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33482121.
Della Corte CM, Sen T, Gay CM, Ramkumar K, Diao L, Cardnell RJ, Rodriguez BL, Stewart CA, Papadimitrakopoulou VA, Gibson L, Fradette JJ, Wang Q, Fan Y, Peng DH, Negrao MV, Wistuba II, Fujimoto J, Solis Soto LM, Behrens C, Skoulidis F, Heymach JV, Wang J, Gibbons DL, Byers LA. STING Pathway Expression Identifies Non-small Cell Lung Cancers with an Immune-responsive Phenotype. J Thorac Oncol 15(5):777-791, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32068166.
Stewart CA, Gay CM, Xi Y, Sivajothi S, Sivakamasundari V, Fujimoto J, Bolisetty M, Hartsfield PM, Balasubramaniyan V, Chalishazar MD, Moran C, Kalhor N, Stewart J, Tran H, Swisher SG, Roth JA, Zhang J, de Groot J, Glisson B, Oliver TG, Heymach JV, Wistuba I, Robson P, Wang J, Byers LA. Single-cell Analyses Reveal Increased Intratumoral Heterogeneity after the Onset of Therapy Resistance in Small-cell Lung Cancer. Nat Cancer 1(4):423-436, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33521652.
Sen T, Della Corte CM, Milutinovic S, Cardnell RJ, Diao L, Ramkumar K, Gay CM, Stewart CA, Fan Y, Shen L, Hansen RJ, Strouse B, Hedrick MP, Hassig CA, Heymach JV, Wang J, Byers LA. Combination Treatment of the Oral CHK1 Inhibitor, SRA737, and Low-Dose Gemcitabine Enhances the Effect of Programmed Death Ligand 1 Blockade by Modulating the Immune Microenvironment in SCLC. J Thorac Oncol 14(12):2152-2163, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31470128.
Sen T, Rodriguez BL, Chen L, Corte CMD, Morikawa N, Fujimoto J, Cristea S, Nguyen T, Diao L, Li L, Fan Y, Yang Y, Wang J, Glisson BS, Wistuba II, Sage J, Heymach JV, Gibbons DL, Byers LA. Targeting DNA Damage Response Promotes Anti-tumor Immunity through STING-mediated T-cell Activation in Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancer Discov 9(5):646-661, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30777870.
Gay CM, Tong P, Cardnell RJ, Sen T, Su X, Ma J, Bara RO, Johnson FM, Wakefield C, Heymach JV, Wang J, Byers LA. Differential Sensitivity Analysis for Resistant Malignancies (DISARM) Identifies Common Candidate Therapies across Platinum-Resistant Cancers. Clin Cancer Res 25(1):346-357, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30257981.
Pietanza MC, Waqar SN, Krug LM, Dowlati A, Hann CL, Chiappori A, Owonikoko TK, Woo KM, Cardnell RJ, Fujimoto J, Long L, Diao L, Wang J, Bensman Y, Hurtado B, de Groot P, Sulman EP, Wistuba II, Chen A, Fleisher M, Heymach JV, Kris MG, Rudin CM, Byers LA. Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase II Study of Temozolomide in Combination with Either Veliparib or Placebo in Patients with Relapsed-Sensitive or Refractory Small-Cell Lung Cancer. J Clin Oncol 36(23):JCO2018777672, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29906251.
Research Network CGA. Comprehensive and Integrated Genomic Characterization of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcomas. Cell 171(4):950-965.e28, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29100075.
Sen T, Tong P, Diao L, Li L, Fan Y, Hoff J, Heymach JV, Wang J, Byers LA. Targeting AXL and mTOR Pathway Overcomes Primary and Acquired Resistance to WEE1 Inhibition in Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 23(20):6239-6253, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28698200.
Byers LA, Horn L, Ghandi J, Kloecker G, Owonikoko T, Waqar SN, Krzakowski M, Cardnell RJ, Fujimoto J, Taverna P, Azab M, Camidge DR. A Phase 2, Open-label, Multi-center Study of Amuvatinib in Combination with Platinum Etoposide Chemotherapy in Platinum-refractory Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients. Oncotarget 8(46):81441-81454, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29113403.
Cardnell RJ, Li L, Sen T, Bara R, Tong P, Fujimoto J, Ireland AS, Guthrie MR, Bheddah S, Banerjee U, Kalu NN, Fan YH, Dylla SJ, Johnson FM, Wistuba II, Oliver TG, Heymach JV, Glisson BS, Wang J, Byers LA. Protein Expression of TTF1 and cMYC Define Distinct Molecular Subgroups of Small Cell Lung Cancer with Unique Vulnerabilities to Aurora Kinase Inhibition, DLL3 Targeting, and Other Targeted Therapies. Oncotarget 8(43):73419-73432, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29088717.
Sen T, Tong P, Stewart CA, Cristea S, Valliani A, Shames DS, Redwood AB, Fan YH, Li L, Glisson BS, Minna JD, Sage J, Gibbons DL, Piwnica-Worms H, Heymach JV, Wang J, Byers LA. CHK1 Inhibition in Small Cell Lung Cancer Produces Single-agent Activity in Biomarker-defined Disease Subsets and Combination Activity with Cisplatin or Olaparib. Cancer Res 77(14):3870-3884, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28490518.
Stewart CA, Tong P, Cardnell RJ, Sen T, Li L, Gay CM, Masrorpour F, Fan Y, Bara RO, Feng Y, Ru Y, Fujimoto J, Kundu ST, Post LE, Yu K, Shen Y, Glisson BS, Wistuba I, Heymach JV, Gibbons DL, Wang J, Byers LA. Dynamic Variations in Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition (EMT), ATM, and SLFN11 Govern Response to PARP Inhibitors and Cisplatin in Small Cell Lung Cancer. Oncotarget 8(17):28575-28587, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28212573.
Research Network CGA. Integrated Genomic and Molecular Characterization of Cervical Cancer. Nature 543(7645):378-384, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28112728.
Cardnell RJ, Feng Y, Mukherjee S, Diao L, Tong P, Stewart CA, Masrorpour F, Fan Y, Nilsson M, Shen Y, Heymach JV, Wang J, Byers LA. Activation of the PI3K/mTOR Pathway following PARP Inhibition in Small Cell Lung Cancer. PLoS One 11(4):e0152584, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27055253.
Mak MP, Tong P, Diao L, Cardnell RJ, Gibbons DL, William WN, Skoulidis F, Parra ER, Rodriguez-Canales J, Wistuba II, Heymach JV, Weinstein JN, Coombes KR, Wang J, Byers LA. A Patient-derived, Pan-cancer EMT Signature Identifies Global Molecular Alterations and Immune Target Enrichment Following Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition. Clin Cancer Res 22(3):609-20, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26420858.
Cardnell RJ, Behrens C, Diao L, Fan YH, Tang X, Tong P, Minna JD, Mills GB, Heymach JV, Wistuba II, Wang J, Byers LA. An Integrated Molecular Analysis of Lung Adenocarcinomas Identifies Potential Therapeutic Targets among TTF1-negative Tumors Including DNA Repair Proteins and Nrf2. Clin Cancer Res 21(15):3480-3491, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25878335.
Atlas Network CG. Comprehensive Genomic Characterization of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Nature 517(7536):576-82, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25631445.
Parfenov M, Pedamallu CS, Gehlenborg N, Freeman SS, Danilova L, Bristow CA, Lee S, Hadjipanayis AG, Ivanova EV, Wilkerson MD, Protopopov A, Yang L, Seth S, Song X, Tang J, Ren X, Zhang J, Pantazi A, Santoso N, Xu AW, Mahadeshwar H, Wheeler DA, Haddad RI, Jung J, Ojesina AI, Issaeva N, Yarbrough WG, Hayes DN, Grandis JR, El-Naggar AK, Meyerson M, Park PJ, Chin L, Seidman JG, Hammerman PS, Kucherlapati R, Atlas Network CG. Characterization of HPV and Host Genome Interactions in Primary Head and Neck Cancers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 111(43):15544-9, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25313082.
Research Network CGA. Comprehensive Molecular Profiling of Lung Adenocarcinoma. Nature 511(7511):543-50, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25079552.
Cardnell RJ, Feng Y, Diao L, Fan YH, Masrorpour F, Wang J, Shen Y, Mills GB, Minna JD, Heymach JV, Byers LA. Proteomic Markers of DNA Repair and PI3K Pathway Activation Predict Response to the PARP Inhibitor BMN 673 in Small Cell Lung Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 19(22):6322-8, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24077350.
Byers LA, Diao L, Wang J, Saintigny P, Girard L, Peyton M, Shen L, Fan Y, Giri U, Tumula PK, Nilsson MB, Gudikote J, Tran H, Cardnell RJ, Bearss DJ, Warner SL, Foulks JM, Kanner SB, Gandhi V, Krett N, Rosen ST, Kim ES, Herbst RS, Blumenschein GR, Lee JJ, Lippman SM, Ang KK, Mills GB, Hong WK, Weinstein JN, Wistuba II, Coombes KR, Minna JD, Heymach JV. An Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Gene Signature Predicts Resistance to EGFR and PI3K Inhibitors and Identifies Axl as a Therapeutic Target for Overcoming EGFR Inhibitor Resistance. Clin Cancer Res Comment in Clinical Cancer Research, 2013 19(1):279-290, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23091115.
Byers LA, Wang J, Nilsson MB, Fujimoto J, Saintigny P, Yordy J, Giri U, Peyton M, Fan YH, Diao L, Masrorpour F, Shen L, Liu W, Duchemann B, Tumula P, Bhardwaj V, Welsh J, Weber S, Glisson BS, Kalhor N, Wistuba II, Girard L, Lippman SM, Mills GB, Coombes KR, Weinstein JN, Minna JD, Heymach JV. Proteomic Profiling Identifies Dysregulated Pathways in Small Cell Lung Cancer and Novel Therapeutic Targets including PARP1. Cancer Discov (In the Spotlight, Cancer Discovery, 2012 2(9):798-811, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22961666.
Research Network CGA. Comprehensive Genomic Characterization of Squamous Cell Lung Cancers. Nature 489(7417):519-25, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22960745.

Review Articles

Shields MD, Chiang AC, Byers LA. Top advances of the year: Small cell lung cancer. Cancer 131(6):e35770, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40040254.
Concannon K, Morris BB, Gay CM, Byers LA. Combining targeted DNA repair inhibition and immune-oncology approaches for enhanced tumor control. Mol Cell 83(5):660-680, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36669489.
Zhang B, Ramkumar K, Cardnell RJ, Gay CM, Stewart CA, Wang WL, Fujimoto J, Wistuba II, Byers LA. A Wake-up Call for Cancer DNA Damage: The Role of Schlafen 11 (SLFN11) Across Multiple Cancers. Br J Cancer 125(10):1333-1340, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34294893.
Cargill KR, Hasken WL, Gay CM, Byers LA. Alternative Energy: Breaking Down the Diverse Metabolic Features of Lung Cancers. Front Oncol 11:757323, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34745994.
Sen, T, Gay, CM, Byers, LA. Targeting DNA damage repair in small cell lung cancer and the biomarker landscape. Translational Lung Cancer Research 7(1):50-68, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29535912.

Book Chapters

Glisson BS, Byers LA, Gay CM. Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung. In: UpToDate - Wolters Kluwer Health, 2022.
Byers LA. Handbook of Targeted Cancer Therapy. In: Lung Cancer (Non-Small Cell). Wolters Kluwer, 36-39, 2015.
Byers LA, Karp DD. Organ Sites – Lung Cancer. In: The Handbook of Targeted Cancer Therapy, 1st edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins division of Wolters Kluwer Health Inc., a Delaware Corporation, 2014.
Byers LA. Molecular Profiling. In: Lung Cancer. Wiley-Blackwell, 2014.
Glisson BS, Byers LA. Pathobiology and Staging of Small Cell Carcinoma of the Lung. In: UpToDate - Wolters Kluwer Health, 2014.
Byers LA, Heymach JV. Small Cell Lung Cancer: Treatment of Extensive-stage Disease. In: Lung Cancer, 2013.
Byers LA, Kies M. Targeted Therapy in Head and Neck Malignancies. In: Targeted Therapy for Solid Tumors and Hematologic Malignancies -Nova Medical, 2011.
Averett L, Salvatori R. Inpatient Management of Endocrinologic Disorders. In: The Osler Medical Handbook. Mosby, 2006.
Averett L, Wang D, Juperman D, Rahman J. ECG Interpretation. In: The Osler Medical Handbook. Mosby, 2006.

Books (edited and written)

Glisson BS, Byers LA. Pathobiology and Staging of Small Cell Carcinoma of the Lung. UpToDate, 2014.
Byers LA. Master's Dissertation, 2003.

Web Publications

Byers LA. How are targeted therapies used in lung cancer treatment?, 2024.