Dr. Enrique Soto Pérez de Celis recently announced that he is honored to be a candidate in the upcoming election of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) . In a message shared with colleagues and members of the organization, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to MASCC’s mission of advancing supportive care in oncology. His candidacy reflects a continued commitment to strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration, expanding global engagement, and ensuring that supportive care addresses the needs of diverse patient populations.
Enrique Soto is a geriatric oncologist and Associate Director for Global Oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, where he is building a global oncology program aimed at advancing equitable cancer care and research through true international collaboration.
Dr. Soto previously founded and led the first multidisciplinary geriatric oncology clinic in Mexico and Latin America at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, where he trained and later served as a faculty member. He has signed strategic partnership agreements between U.S. and Latin American cancer centers to enable bidirectional education, shared research projects, and culturally informed care delivery, with a strong emphasis on avoiding extractive research practices.
An internationally recognized leader in geriatric oncology, Dr. Soto serves on the Board of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) and was awarded the Paul Calabresi Award, SIOG’s highest global honor.
He is a former Board Member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Editor-in-Chief of ecancer, with additional editorial roles in leading oncology journals. His clinical and research interests include aging and cancer, breast cancer in older adults, health equity, and global oncology systems strengthening.
Commitment to Supportive Care Through MASCC
Dr. Soto Pérez de Celis is currently a candidate in the upcoming election of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, a leading international organization dedicated to improving the supportive care of patients with cancer.
Supportive care remains a central component of high-quality oncology, addressing the physical, emotional, and social challenges that patients experience during and after cancer treatment. In his candidacy statement, Dr. Soto Pérez de Celis highlighted his commitment to strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration and expanding global engagement within MASCC. He has also underscored the importance of integrating geriatric oncology principles and health equity into supportive cancer care.
By advocating for greater attention to the needs of older adults and historically underrepresented populations, he aims to ensure that supportive care strategies effectively address the diverse realities faced by patients worldwide.
Research Addressing Breast Cancer in Older Adults
A key focus of Dr. Soto’s research is the experience of older adults with breast cancer, particularly those from racial and ethnic minority groups.
Many older patients face challenges beyond their disease, including financial barriers, language differences, and other health conditions, which can affect treatment completion and quality of life. Through research supported by Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, Dr. Soto studies how social and health-related factors influence cancer outcomes.
At the University of Colorado Cancer Center, he is currently leading a study involving about 200 older adults with breast cancer, examining treatment side effects, health status, and patient experiences navigating the healthcare system. The goal is to identify strategies that improve treatment completion, reduce toxicity, and strengthen patient support systems, ultimately contributing to more equitable cancer care.
Oncologist Near Me – Enrique Soto: A Leader in Geriatric Oncology and Global Cancer Care
From Mexico to International Leadership in Oncology
Dr. Soto Pérez de Celis’s path in oncology began in Mexico, where he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Medical Oncology fellowship at the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán. He also earned both a Master’s degree and a PhD in Medical Science from the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
In 2017, he received the Conquer Cancer Long-Term International Fellowship, which allowed him to pursue advanced training in geriatric oncology at the City of Hope National Medical Center in Los Angeles. This experience helped shape his research focus on aging and cancer.
During his time at INCMNSZ, Dr. Soto Pérez de Celis established and led the Cancer Care in the Older Adult Clinic, the first multidisciplinary geriatric oncology clinic in Latin America. The clinic represented an important step toward integrating geriatric assessment into oncology practice in the region and became a model for improving cancer care for older patients.
In May 2024, he relocated to the United States to join the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, where he continues expanding his work in global oncology and disparities research.
Contributions to International Oncology Research
Dr. Soto Pérez de Celis has contributed to several major international initiatives addressing cancer disparities and global health, including:
- The Lancet Commission on Women, Power, and Cancer
- The Lancet Oncology Commission on Latin America
- Development of ASCO Resource-Stratified Guidelines for Geriatric Oncology
He has authored more than 160 peer-reviewed publications on geriatric oncology, supportive care, financial toxicity, and disparities in cancer treatment.
Awards and Honors
- Excellence Award for Medical Oncology Residents from the Mexican Society of Oncology(2013).
- The International Development and Education Award (IDEA) from the CCF (2014).
- The Young Investigator Award (YIA) from ASCO and the CCF (2015).
- The LIFE Award from the CCF (2016).
- The CCF Career Development Award (2019).
- He is a former UICC Young Leader.
- Paul Calabresi Award in Geriatric Oncology 2024
- Advanced Clinical Research Award(ACRA) in Breast Cancer Research 2025
- BJ Kennedy Award from ASCO 2025
Sharing the announcement on LinkedIn, he wrote:
“Extremely honored and grateful to receive the BJ Kennedy Award from ASCO for my work in geriatric oncology. I first learned about this award when my mentor, Arti Hurria, received it—being here now feels surreal and deeply meaningful.”
In its announcement, ASCO and Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, noted that the awards recognize global leaders whose work continues to accelerate progress in cancer care and research.
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Written by Nare Hovhannisyan, MD