Anish Thomas, MBBS, M.D.

We apply a bed-to-bench-side approach to translational research (Cancer Cell 2022). Some of our key findings include: (i) revealing replication stress as a transformative vulnerability of SCLCs characterized by high neuroendocrine differentiation (Cancer Cell 2021), (ii) providing novel insights into the genomic and transcriptomic features that render low neuroendocrine SCLC more sensitive to immunotherapy (Nat Commun 2021), (iii) validating ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related as a tractable SCLC target (J Clin Oncol 2018), (iv) discovery of a novel SCLC subset defined by the germline genotype and improved responses to DNA repair targeted drugs (Sci Trans Med 2021), (v) highlighting the transcriptional complexity of SCLC patient tumors in relation to patient-derived xenografts (Nat Commun 2022), (vi) and discovery of extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) (Cancer Discovery, 2023) and tumor microenvironment (Cell Rep Med, 2024) as drivers of SCLC heterogeneity. We are actively investigating non-invasive methods to map SCLC heterogeneity – both genetic (Genome Med, 2025) and transcriptional (bioRxiv 2025) – using plasma-based approaches. Additionally, through the NCI rapid autopsy program, we are developing xenograft models (bioRxiv 2025) to better understand the organ-specific adaptations that drive SCLC metastasis.

Altogether, our studies have defined previously unrecognized therapeutic vulnerabilities and molecularly distinct SCLC subtypes, transforming our understanding of this disease, with implications for the care of patients with this historically recalcitrant cancer. I am an elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, and my work has been recognized by the NCI Director's Award for Clinical Science, NCI Director's Award for Translational Science, NIH Award of Merit, Federal Technology Transfer Award, and the PECASE Award, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers.

Since 2021, five of my trainees have received the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Young Investigator Awards, which supports high quality research conducted by early-career investigators during their transition to a faculty appointment. Several post-doctoral trainee fellows currently hold physician-scientist or Assistant Professor positions in the US, Korea, Japan, France, and Hungary. My mentees have also been recognized by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) Early Career Award, NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE), NIH Physician-Scientist Early Investigator Award, Lasker Clinical Research Scholar Award, NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00), and have presented their findings at oral presentations at the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meetings. I was awarded the 2022 NCI Director’s Outstanding Mentor Award for exemplary mentoring and guidance of trainees and the 2024 NIH Postbac Distinguished Mentor of the Year Award. Since 2015, I have served as the Director of the NCI Medical Oncology Clinical Elective Program for medical students and residents.

Anish Thomas, M.D. is a medical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of thoracic cancers. He received his medical degree and postgraduate training in Internal Medicine from St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, India, following which he completed residency in Internal Medicine from State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse. He trained in Medical Oncology and Hematology at the Medical Oncology Branch of National Cancer Institute and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, respectively.

In 2023, Dr. Thomas received tenure at NIH.