SUMMARY
Yi Lin, M.D., Ph.D., is a hematologist and oncologist with a clinical practice in lymphoma, multiple myeloma and cell therapy. Dr. Lin also conducts research on cancer, including cancer vaccines and cancer immunotherapy. She has served as a principal investigator on multiple cell therapy clinical trials, including the registration studies that led to approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta), idecabtagene vicleucel (Abecma) and ciltacabtagene autoleucel (Carvykti). Dr. Lin also has received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct translational research on novel cancer immunotherapy development and biomarkers of predictors of response and toxicities in immunotherapy.
Focus areas
- Immunotherapy clinical trials for vaccines, adoptive cell therapy and novel combination immunotherapy
- Bioprint modeling for tumor immunotherapy
- Myeloid cell-mediated mechanisms of therapy resistance in cancer
- Biomarkers of resistance and toxicities in immunotherapy
Significance to patient care
Cellular immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment options for patients. However, potential severe side effects that require multidisciplinary care limit access to this treatment for many patients. In addition, there is still opportunity to improve the efficacy of this treatment. Dr. Lin's research aims to better identify tumor and immune characteristics that correlate with severe side effects and resistance to therapy that could be used in real time to facilitate patient risk-adapted management. Using novel bioprint models and gene-editing tools, Dr. Lin is working to develop the next generation of treatment that could be safer and more efficacious.
Professional highlights
- Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Enterprise leader, Cancer Regenerative Medicine, Biotherapeutics and Biomanufacturing, 2022-present
- Chair, Cell Therapy Cross-Disciplinary Group, 2015-present
- Co-chair, Novel Immunotherapy Working Committee, International Myeloma Working Group, International Myeloma Foundation, 2019-present
- Member, Clinical Oncology Study Section, National Institutes of Health, 2018-present
- Grant reviewer, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 2017-present
- Member, Early Stage Professionals Committee, International Society of Gene and Cell Therapy, 2015-2017
- Member, Standards for Cellular Therapy Services, American Association of Blood Banks, 2014-2017