Karen Knudsen

Dr. Karen Knudsen is an internationally recognized oncology leader, scientist, and healthcare executive with more than 30 years of experience driving innovation across academic medicine, nonprofit leadership, and biotechnology. She currently serves as CEO and Executive Director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI), where she leads a national scientific powerhouse dedicated to accelerating the next generation of immune-based cancer therapies. A molecular biologist by training with expertise in hormone-dependent cancers and DNA damage repair, Dr. Knudsen has held transformative leadership roles including CEO of the American Cancer Society, Enterprise Director of the NCI-designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health, and President of the Association of American Cancer Institutes. She serves on the Board of Directors of AstraZeneca and is co-founder of Patient Agent, an AI-driven venture focused on improving cancer outcomes through intelligent patient support tools. Her work has been recognized by Forbes, CNBC, and numerous scientific and medical associations.

Current Positions

• CEO and Executive Director, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI), March 2025–present
• Board Member, AstraZeneca (Science Committee and Sustainability Committee), April 2025–present
• Board Member, 3T Biosciences, November 2025–present
• Board Member, Exai Bio, December 2024–present
• Board Member, Paradigm Health (Audit Committee), March 2025–present
• Board Advisor, ArteraAI, 2023–present
• Strategic Advisor, Cancer Care, Transcarent, March 2025–present
• Advisory Board Member, CellCentric, March 2025–present
• Scientific Review Board Member, Genentech, May 2019–present
• Professor Emerita and Endowed Professor of Cancer Biology, Radiation Oncology, Urology, and Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, 2007–present
• Co-founder, Patient Agent (AI-driven cancer patient support venture, stealth mode)
• Member, CNBC CEO Council
• Member, Wall Street Journal CEO Council
• Member, Milken Institute Executive Circle

Education

• BS, Biology, The George Washington University, 1987–1990
• PhD, Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, 1991–1996
• MBA, Fox School of Business at Temple University, 2018–2019

Professional Experience

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, California, 1996–1999
• Assistant Professor of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati, 2000–2005
• Associate Professor (with tenure) of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati, 2005–2007
• Program Leader, Cell Stress and Signaling Program, University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, 2005–2007
• Endowed Professor of Cancer Biology, Radiation Oncology, Urology, and Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, 2007–present
• Deputy Director, NCI-designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, January 2012–January 2015
• Vice Provost, Thomas Jefferson University, 2014–2015 (inaugural appointment)
• Chair and Hilary Koprowski Professor, Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 2015–August 2021
• EVP of Oncology Services and Enterprise Director, NCI-designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health, January 2015–August 2021
• President-Elect, Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI), October 2018–October 2020
• Member, Board of Directors, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), January 2019–August 2021
• Member, NCI Board of Scientific Advisors, June 2018–January 2024
• President and Board Chair, AACI, October 2020–August 2021
• CEO, American Cancer Society and ACS Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), June 2021–November 2024
• Executive Strategic Advisor and Immediate Past CEO, American Cancer Society, November 2024–March 2025
• Board Member, Research!America, March 2023–October 2025
• CEO and Executive Director, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI), March 2025–present

Research Activity

• Androgen receptor and prostate cancer: Internationally recognized for foundational research on the androgen receptor (AR) and its role in driving castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC); identified CBP/p300 histone acetyltransferases as critical AR coactivators and mediators of DNA damage repair in CRPC
• CBP/p300 inhibition and DNA repair: Demonstrated that CBP/p300 regulate homologous recombination, and that targeting CBP/p300 with bromodomain inhibitors (CCS1477/inobrodib) sensitizes CRPC to PARP inhibitors and DNA-damaging agents; ongoing Phase 1/2a clinical investigation of this combination
• PARP inhibitor combinations: Led preclinical and translational research establishing synergy between PARP inhibitors and CBP/p300 inhibitors, and between PARP inhibitors and pharmacological ascorbate, in CRPC models
• Retinoblastoma (RB) tumor suppressor: Conducted seminal work on RB’s role in modulating DNA repair and radioresponsiveness in prostate cancer
  Cancer immunotherapy and venture creation: At PICI, oversees a portfolio of 17 biotech ventures that have collectively raised over $4 billion, and leads the world’s largest immuno-oncology collaboration network spanning leading cancer centers
• Telehealth and cancer care equity: Contributed to national research agenda on telehealth implementation, access barriers, and digital delivery of cancer care
• Cancer disparities: Co-authored comprehensive analyses of disparities and trends in genitourinary cancer incidence and mortality in the USA (European Urology, 2022)
• Mentorship and training: Extensive career mentorship of students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty across molecular biology, cancer biology, and oncology

Honors and Awards

• Forbes, 50 over 50 Women of Impact
• Philadelphia Business Journal, Woman of Influence
• PCF Achievements in Science Award
• Healthcare Heroes Award
• SWIU/SBUR Award for Excellence in Urologic Research
• Endocrine Society Laureate Award: Richard E. Weitzman Award
• Ron Ross Award, Pacific Rim Breast and Prostate Cancer Foundation
• Excellence in Mentoring Award, Thomas Jefferson University
• Weisbach Lectureship, University of Michigan
• Sophie Yen Award for Distinguished Training in Translational Research
• Society for Basic Urologic Research Young Investigator Award
• YWCA Rising Star Award (YWCA Academy of Career Women of Achievement)
• NIH/NCI National Research Service Award (Postdoctoral Fellowship)

Memberships / Affiliations

• Board of Directors, AstraZeneca (Science and Sustainability Committees)
• Board of Directors, 3T Biosciences
• Board of Directors, Exai Bio
• Board of Directors, Paradigm Health (Audit Committee)
• Board Advisor, ArteraAI
• Scientific Review Board, Genentech
• Advisory Board, CellCentric
• Strategic Advisor, Transcarent
• CNBC CEO Council
• Wall Street Journal CEO Council
• Milken Institute Executive Circle
• Former Board Member, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
• Former Board Member, NCI Board of Scientific Advisors
• Former President and Board Chair, Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI)
• Former Board Member, Research!America

Areas of Specialization

• Cancer immunotherapy and immuno-oncology
• Prostate cancer and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)
• Androgen receptor biology and hormone-dependent cancers
• DNA damage response and repair in cancer
• CBP/p300 and epigenetic regulation of cancer
• PARP inhibitor combinations and precision oncology
• Biotech venture creation and cancer innovation ecosystems
• Cancer healthcare leadership and nonprofit management
• Cancer disparities, equity, and access
• Telehealth and digital health in oncology
• AI-driven tools for cancer patient support

Publications

Dr. Knudsen has authored and co-authored more than 326 publications, including original research articles, review articles, clinical trial reports, and book chapters in journals including Cancer Discovery, Oncogene, Journal of Clinical Oncology, British Journal of Cancer, European Urology, Molecular Oncology, Frontiers in Oncology, and JNCI Monographs.

Select Recent Publications:

Richter OI, Sardar S, Zhang X, Kindrick JD, Ravindranath L, Chau CH, Thomas CJ, McNair C, Su XA, Sharp A, de Bono J, Frese K, Figg WD, Knudsen KE, Shafi AA. “CBP/p300 and PARP inhibitor combination treatment synergistically enhances anti-tumor efficacy in models of advanced prostate cancer.” Cancer Research 86(7 Suppl), Abstract nr 4047, April 2026.

Gordon N, Gallagher PT, Richter OI, Knudsen KE, Schiewer MJ, Shafi AA. “PARP inhibition and pharmacological ascorbate demonstrate synergy in castration-resistant prostate cancer.” Molecular Oncology, January 2026.

Sardar S, McNair CM, Ravindranath L, Chand SN, Yuan W, Bogdan D, Welti J, Sharp A, Schiewer MJ, Butler L, de Bono J, Frese K, Brooks N, Pegg N, Knudsen KE, Shafi AA. “AR coactivators, CBP/p300, are critical mediators of DNA repair in prostate cancer.” Oncogene, September 2024.

Teras L, Diver WR, Mitchell EL, Knudsen KE, Patel AV, et al. “Occupation as a firefighter and cancer mortality in a population-based cohort in the United States.” International Journal of Epidemiology, June 2025.

Annunziata CM, Dahut WL, Willman CL, Knudsen KE, et al. “Reflections on the state of telehealth and cancer care research and future directions.” JNCI Monographs, June 2024.

Santasusagna S, Zhu S, Jawalagatti V, Knudsen KE, Domingo-Domenech J, et al. “Master Transcription Factor Reprogramming Unleashes Selective Translation Promoting Castration Resistance and Immune Evasion in Lethal Prostate Cancer.” Cancer Discovery, September 2023.

Dahut WL, Kamal AH, Lacasse LA, Knudsen KE, et al. “A tripartite approach toward ending cancer as we know it, for everyone: An American Cancer Society perspective.” Journal of Surgical Oncology, October 2023.

Slovin SF, Knudsen KE, Halabi S, Kelly K, et al. “Randomized Phase II Multicenter Trial of Abiraterone Acetate With or Without Cabazitaxel in the Treatment of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.” Journal of Clinical Oncology, August 2023.

Zhao J, Antonarakis ES, Cheng H, Knudsen KE, Rathkopf D, et al. “Phase 1b study of enzalutamide plus CC-115, a dual mTORC1/2 and DNA-PK inhibitor, in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.” British Journal of Cancer, November 2023.

Galvan GC, Friedrich NA, Das S, Knudsen KE, Freedland SJ, et al. “27-hydroxycholesterol and DNA damage repair: implication in prostate cancer.” Frontiers in Oncology, December 2023.

Schafer E, Jemal A, Wiese D, Knudsen KE, et al. “Disparities and Trends in Genitourinary Cancer Incidence and Mortality in the USA.” European Urology, December 2022.

All information is sourced from publicly available materials.