Eric J. Small is a renowned medical oncologist, who has played a pivotal role in transforming the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. He led early clinical development of androgen receptor–targeted therapies and was centrally involved in bringing abiraterone acetate and apalutamide from first-in-human studies to FDA approval. He also pioneered immunotherapy in prostate cancer, contributing to the development of sipuleucel-T through approval and leading the first-in-human testing of ipilimumab, the first immune checkpoint inhibitor. A major focus of his work has been understanding resistance in advanced disease. He served as Principal Investigator of a $10 million SU2C/Prostate Cancer Foundation Dream Team, conducting landmark genomic studies of metastatic prostate cancer that defined key resistance mechanisms, including treatment-associated neuroendocrine prostate cancer.
He is a Professor of Medicine and Urology, Deputy Director and Chief Scientific Officer of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Co-Leader of the UCSF Prostate Cancer Program. He holds the Doris and Donald Fisher Distinguished Professorship in Clinical Cancer Research and the Stanford W. and Norman R. Ascherman Endowed Chair and is elected as President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for 2025–2026. Through his presidency theme “The science and Practice of Translation: Improving Cancer Outcomes Worldwide”, he shifts the implication and accessibility of breakthrough research into clinical practice, especially in resource limited settings. He is the first ASCO president to nominate a non-U.S candidate for ASCO Education Program Committee Chair – Dr. Erika Ruiz.
The 100 Most Influential People in Oncology in 2025 recognizes the changemakers in cancer care who have helped shape current practice in oncology and continue to drive innovation and research towards better outcomes, advocacy, philanthropy, leadership and education. For the many deserving individuals not mentioned in this list, we will continue to acknowledge, honor and elevate your voices in our daily publications from across the world.
See the full list of The 100 Influential People in Oncology in 2025 and stay tuned for the results of special category nominations to be announced.
