Herbert Loong, MBBS, PDipMDPath, FRCP Edin, FHKCP, FHKAM(Medicine), FASCO, was honored with the Leadership Yvonne Award during the Yvonne Awards Ceremony at OncoDaily Party 2026, held on May 29 at Park West in Chicago.
Natera was the exclusive partner of the Yvonne Awards Ceremony and OncoDaily Reception.
The recognition highlights Dr. Loong’s leadership in early-phase drug development, thoracic oncology, sarcoma care, clinical research, academic oncology, and international professional service. As a medical oncologist, clinical researcher, educator, and global oncology leader, Dr. Loong has contributed to the development of new cancer therapies while also helping shape oncology collaboration across Asia-Pacific and international cancer communities.
The Yvonne Awards, presented by OncoDaily, recognize professionals whose work is advancing oncology through leadership, innovation, service, and impact. The Leadership Yvonne Award honors individuals whose influence extends beyond their own institution and contributes to the wider direction of cancer care, research, education, and professional collaboration.
A Leader in Early-Phase Oncology Drug Development
Herbert Loong currently serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Oncology at The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Medical Director of the Phase 1 Clinical Trial Centre at CUHK. He also serves as an Honorary Consultant in the Department of Clinical Oncology at Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong.
His professional work is centered on early-phase drug development, thoracic oncology, sarcomas, neuro-oncology, and health economics. This combination places him at a critical point in modern oncology: where laboratory science, clinical trial design, molecular medicine, and patient care meet.
As Medical Director of the Phase 1 Clinical Trial Centre, Dr. Loong contributes to the development and delivery of early clinical studies that evaluate new therapeutic approaches for patients with cancer. His work includes targeted therapies, molecularly selected populations, and novel drug development strategies across solid tumors.
Building Oncology Leadership Across Asia-Pacific
Herbert Loong’s leadership extends well beyond clinical practice and academic research. He has held prominent roles within the American Society of Clinical Oncology, including serving as Chair and Immediate Past Chair of the ASCO International Affairs Committee from 2024 to 2026. He has also served as faculty for the ASCO Asia Pacific Leadership Development Program from 2023 to 2025.
These roles reflect his commitment to building international oncology networks, supporting emerging leaders, and strengthening collaboration across regions. In a field where cancer care remains unevenly distributed, leadership of this kind helps connect expertise, training, research, and policy conversations across borders.
Dr. Loong is also the Chair and Founding Member of the Asia Pacific Coalition Against Lung Cancer, an initiative focused on improving lung cancer care and collaboration in the region.
Advancing Thoracic Oncology and Precision Medicine
Thoracic oncology has been one of Dr. Loong’s major areas of clinical and research focus. His work includes precision medicine, circulating tumor DNA, targeted therapies, and molecularly driven treatment strategies in lung cancer.
His selected publications include major studies in non-small cell lung cancer and targeted therapy, including work on sevabertinib in advanced HER2-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer, selpercatinib in RET fusion-positive NSCLC, and entrectinib in NTRK fusion-positive solid tumors. Several of these studies were published in leading journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet Oncology.
This body of work reflects the changing face of lung cancer care, where molecular testing and targeted therapies have transformed treatment decisions for many patients. Dr. Loong’s contributions to this field sit at the intersection of clinical investigation and precision oncology.
Strengthening Sarcoma Care and Multidisciplinary Practice
In addition to thoracic oncology, Dr. Loong has made important contributions to sarcoma care and research. Since 2014, he has served as Convenor of the Adult Sarcoma Multidisciplinary Tumour Board at Prince of Wales Hospital and CUHK.
Sarcomas are rare, complex cancers that require multidisciplinary expertise, careful pathology review, imaging interpretation, surgical input, systemic therapy planning, and long-term coordination. Dr. Loong’s role in leading an adult sarcoma tumor board reflects his commitment to structured, team-based care for patients with rare malignancies.
He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Connective Tissue Oncology Society and chaired its Communication Committee, further demonstrating his leadership within the international sarcoma community.
Research With Global Scientific Impact
Herbert Loong’s research record includes more than 140 peer-reviewed publications, over 7,400 citations, an h-index of 37, and an i10-index of 93.
He has served as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on more than 80 grants and clinical trials, spanning translational research, big data projects, early-phase targeted therapy trials, and studies involving KRAS G12C, RET, HER2, EGFR, NTRK-mutated solid tumors, and sarcomas.
His grant portfolio includes multimillion-dollar competitive support from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council and the Innovation and Technology Commission, supporting projects focused on exceptional responder gene-drug sensitivity, artificial intelligence informatics for drug interactions, and genomic landscapes using long-read DNA sequencing.
This research work reflects a modern oncology agenda: identifying which patients benefit from treatment, improving precision therapy selection, and translating scientific discovery into clinical trial practice.
Recognition for Service, Research, and Teaching
Dr. Loong has received multiple honors throughout his career. In 2024, he received the FASCO designation from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. His other recognitions include the Best Poster Award at ESMO Asia Congress, the IASLC Foundation Cancer Care Team Award for “Best Thoracic Cancer Care in Asia & Rest of World,” the Exemplary Teachers’ Award from the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics at CUHK, and an ASCO Annual Meeting Merit Award.
These honors reflect the breadth of his work: scientific contribution, clinical leadership, teaching excellence, and team-based cancer care.
Mentorship as a Core Part of Leadership
A major part of Dr. Loong’s professional contribution is education and mentorship. At CUHK, he teaches medical students, postgraduates, and advanced medicine and nursing trainees. He also serves as a trainer and examiner for the Medical Oncology Specialty Board of the Hong Kong College of Physicians.
His mentorship roles include work with the Global Physician-Leadership Stream, the European Society for Medical Oncology virtual mentorship program, and the IASLC Academy.
In oncology, leadership is often measured not only by publications or institutional titles, but by the people one helps train, guide, and support. Dr. Loong’s educational work reflects a sustained commitment to developing the next generation of oncologists and clinical investigators.
Honoring Leadership With Regional and Global Reach
The Leadership Yvonne Award recognizes Dr. Herbert Ho-fung Loong’s contribution to oncology through clinical research, early drug development, thoracic oncology, sarcoma care, academic mentorship, and international service.
At OncoDaily Party 2026, his recognition reflected the importance of leaders who can move oncology forward across multiple levels: from phase 1 trials to molecular medicine, from multidisciplinary tumor boards to international committees, and from patient care to physician mentorship.
Through his work at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, ASCO, APCLC, CTOS, and other professional platforms, Dr. Loong continues to shape oncology with scientific rigor, regional leadership, and a clear commitment to advancing cancer care through collaboration.
Written by Nare Hovhannisyan, MD