Dr. Daniel Heng – Breakthrough Research Award: Yvonne Awards 2025

The Yvonne Awards 2025, presented by OncoDaily during the ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago, have become a much-awaited tradition in global oncology, honoring excellence, leadership, and advocacy. This inspiring event, known for its unique blend of celebration and purpose, took place once again on the Friday night of ASCO 2025 in Chicago, alongside the OncoDaily Party, forming what has now become a hallmark of the oncology calendar.

With the Chicago Riverwalk as its scenic backdrop, the 2025 ceremony brought together oncologists, researchers, advocates, and leaders worldwide. The Yvonne Awards – named in tribute to a legacy of courage and mentorship—have, over the years, established a meaningful platform to spotlight individuals who drive change and elevate the cancer care community. Building on the tradition, this year’s event continued to highlight voices that challenge the status quo, mentor across generations, and push the boundaries of science and humanity in oncology.

Dr. Daniel Heng: 2025 Breakthrough Research Award Winner

This year’s Breakthrough Research Award is presented to Dr. Daniel Heng, a renowned Canadian medical oncologist whose contributions to kidney cancer research have transformed how metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is understood, treated, and prognosticated around the world.

A Leader in Real-World Oncology and Outcomes Science

Dr. Daniel Heng is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, and Head of Medical Oncology at the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calgary, Alberta. He is also affiliated with the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, where he leads major collaborative efforts in clinical and translational research.

His work centers on improving clinical outcomes in urologic malignancies, particularly renal cell carcinoma, and spans real-world data science, prognostic modeling, biobanking, and clinical trial design.

The IMDC: Changing the Global Landscape of Kidney Cancer

Dr. Heng is the principal architect of the International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC), an international collaborative that has compiled clinical data on more than 14,000 patients treated across 40+ cancer centers globally. Through the IMDC, Dr. Heng and his colleagues have addressed key questions in the management of metastatic kidney cancer from optimal treatment sequencing to the utility of cytoreductive nephrectomy.

One of the most transformative outcomes of this initiative is the development of the IMDC Risk Model, widely referred to as the Heng Criteria.

The Heng Criteria: From Model to Global Standard

The Heng Criteria now a globally adopted tool help stratify patients with mRCC into favorable, intermediate, or poor risk groups based on objective, real-world clinical markers such as hemoglobin, calcium levels, performance status, and time from diagnosis to treatment.

This model is now embedded in clinical guidelines from major oncology organizations including NCCN, ESMO, and ASCO, and serves as a key decision-making tool in both daily oncology practice and the design of pivotal clinical trials. The model has helped personalize treatment selection, especially between immune checkpoint inhibitors and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)—dramatically improving patient outcomes worldwide.

Educational Background and Professional Journey

Dr. Heng completed his medical degree at the University of Calgary, followed by oncology training at the BC Cancer Agency and fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute. He later earned a Master of Public Health from Harvard University, with a focus on clinical outcomes research.

This dual training in medicine and public health laid the foundation for his patient-centered, data-driven approach to research.

Publications and Scientific Contributions

A prolific academic, Dr. Heng has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications, many of which are widely cited and have directly influenced clinical policy and practice. His work is available on PubMed and Google Scholar, where his research continues to guide clinicians and trialists around the world.

Recognition and Awards

Dr. Daniel Heng’s groundbreaking work has earned him multiple national honors. In 2017, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross by the Governor General of Canada, on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, for his leadership in kidney cancer research. He was also named among Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2015, recognizing his early-career contributions to oncology and academic medicine.

The Breakthrough Research Award from the Yvonne Awards 2025 is a testament to his continued leadership in shaping the future of cancer care.

LEAP Winter 2019 – Dr. Daniel Heng

Looking Ahead: A Future of Precision and Global Collaboration

Dr. Daniel Heng remains committed to advancing the science of precision oncology, leveraging real-world data, genomics, and artificial intelligence to build the next generation of decision tools for cancer therapy. He continues to expand the IMDC initiative, incorporating biobanking and molecular insights that will further personalize treatment approaches for patients with advanced kidney cancer.

As the global oncology community confronts increasingly complex clinical questions, Dr. Daniel Heng’s work serves as a model for research that is rigorous, collaborative, and deeply impactful.

Yvonne Awards 2025: Honoring Global Oncology Leaders at ASCO’s Most Inspiring Night

Written by Nare Hovhannisyan, MD