France, Villejuif 
Dr. Cristina Smolenschi is a medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies and early-phase clinical trials. Her clinical and academic focus includes young-onset digestive cancers, peritoneal malignancies, anal cancer, and biomarker-driven precision oncology. She combines translational research with active involvement in Phase I–III clinical trials, integrating circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), molecular profiling, and personalized therapeutic strategies.
Current Position
- Medical Oncologist, GI Oncology & Phase I Department (DITEP), Gustave Roussy
Education & Training
- MD, General Medicine — “Iuliu Hațieganu” University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Medical Oncology Residency — Ion Chiricuta Institute (Romania) & Gustave Roussy (France)
- Board Certified in Medical Oncology
- ESMO Examination (2015)
University Diplomas (DU/DIU):
- Clinical Carcinology — Université Paris Sud
- Genito-Urinary Oncology — Université Paris-Saclay
- Oncogenetics — Université Paris Diderot
- Imaging in Oncology — Université Paris-Saclay / Sorbonne
- Personalized Medicine & Pharmacogenomics — Sorbonne Université
Additional Academic Training:
- Global Clinical Scholars Research Training Program, Harvard Medical School
- Master’s in Molecular Oncology — European School of Oncology
- PhD Program — ongoing
Clinical & Research Expertise
- Young-onset gastrointestinal cancers
- Pancreatic and biliary tract cancers
- Peritoneal carcinomatosis (primary and secondary)
- Anal squamous cell carcinoma
- Early-phase drug development (Phase I trials)
- Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)
- Molecular tumor boards and precision oncology strategies
Clinical Research Activity
Dr. Smolenschi serves as Principal Investigator in Phase I/II/III trials and has been actively involved in clinical research since 2015. She is a member of the Molecular Tumor Board for GI cancers and contributes to precision medicine multidisciplinary teams.
She is Co-Founder and Investigator of the YODA Program (Young-Onset Digestive Adenocarcinoma), focusing on early-onset digestive cancers and molecular characterization.
Her ongoing research projects include:
- Peritoneal ctDNA strategies
- Molecular characteristics of rare GI diseases
- Resistance mechanisms in gastrointestinal cancers
- Bidirectional chemotherapy approaches in gastric cancer
Publications & Academic Impact
- h-index: 15
Dr. Smolenschi has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in leading international journals, including:
- ESMO Open
- European Journal of Cancer
- Journal of Clinical Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Radiology
- NPJ Precision Oncology
Her work spans molecular profiling, KRAS-targeted strategies, antibody-drug conjugates, FGFR inhibition, and precision medicine applications in gastrointestinal oncology.
Teaching & Academic Engagement
- Lecturer in university diploma programs (DU/DIU)
- Resident supervision and thesis mentorship
- Invited national and international speaker in GI oncology and precision medicine
Professional Memberships
- European Society for Medical Oncology
- American Society of Clinical Oncology
- American Association for Cancer Research
- EORTC GI and Young Task Force
- Unicancer GI Task Force
- PRODIGE / GERCOR