Memorial Sloan Kettering medical oncologist Bob Li

Bob T. Li, MD, PhD, MPH

Thoracic Oncologist & Early Drug Development Specialist

My Role at MSK

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Lung Cancers
  • Solid Tumor Precision Medicine
  • Novel Drug Development

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About Me

What I Do at MSK
  • Physician Ambassador to China and Asia-Pacific, Bobst International Center
  • Co-Director, Thoracic Liquid Biopsy Program
  • Chief Scientific Officer, MSK Direct
Get To Know Me

I am a medical oncologist and physician-scientist who specializes in lung cancers and the development of precision medicines for solid tumors.

Having experienced cancer in my own family, I understand how devastating a cancer diagnosis can be for patients and their loved ones. Yet I emphasize that there is hope for extended survival and improved quality of life. My practice is devoted to pursuing that hope through personalized and compassionate care, and by applying the most cutting-edge science to fighting cancer.

I tailor treatments to the molecular profile of patients’ tumors as well as their individual circumstances - whether that means offering a proven standard of care or a novel clinical trial.

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My research focuses on molecular changes in patients’ tumors on a gene or protein level and targeting them with new medicines. I have led numerous pivotal international clinical trials as principal investigator, including “drugging the undruggable” KRAS which has long been considered impossible to treat, and targeting HER2 across multiple types of cancers. These international trials have led to historic FDA approvals of the first KRAS and HER2-targeted therapies for patients with lung cancers. Furthermore, I am co-director of MSK’s multidisciplinary Thoracic Liquid Biopsy Program, which is focused on clinically developing liquid biopsy technologies to optimize early cancer detection and precision cancer therapy.

As Chief Scientific Officer for MSK Direct, I oversee the research agenda for our institutional digital outreach strategy in expanding patient access to MSK’s expertise. I am also a member of the Bobst International Center and serve as MSK’s Physician Ambassador to China and Asia-Pacific. In this role, I provide administrative leadership in developing international partnerships in research and education to advance MSK’s mission abroad with transparency and impact. As a faculty member of MSK and Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, I am committed to educating and mentoring the next generation of physician leaders, including fellows, residents, and medical students. We cannot fight cancer alone; by bringing the world together, we may accelerate the cure for cancer in this lifetime and bring real hope to patients.

My Role at MSK

A thoracic oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in thoracic (thor-A-sik) cancers. These are cancers that have to do with the chest, including lung, tracheal (windpipe), and thymic (thymus) cancers.

An early drug development specialist tests new drugs to treat cancer. They have special training in research studies, known as clinical trials.

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Lung Cancers
  • Solid Tumor Precision Medicine
  • Novel Drug Development
  • Liquid Biopsy
  • International Clinical Trials
Education & Honors

Education

  • MBBS, University of New South Wales
  • MPH, University of Sydney
  • PhD, University of Sydney

Residencies

  • Internal Medicine - Concord Repatriation General Hospital/University of Sydney

Awards and Honors

  • American Society of Clinical Oncology Young Investigator Award
  • American Association for Cancer Research Young Investigator Translational Cancer Research Award
  • 40 Under 40 in Cancer, Class of 2021
  • Fellow, Royal Australasian College of Physicians
  • Senior Fellow on Global Public Health, Asia Society Policy Institute Center for China Analysis

Fellowships

  • Medical Oncology - Royal North Shore Hospital/University of Sydney
  • Medical Oncology - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Board Certifications

  • Internal Medicine
  • Medical Oncology (Australia)

Insurance Information

Understanding your insurance options is an important part of managing your cancer care. We have relationships with many common healthcare providers and plans.

Aetna

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

Aetna Medicare Advantage (MTA retirees only)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield New York

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS

Blue Cross Health Plus

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Carrum Health

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

Cigna

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

MSK has a tentative agreement with Cigna to continue coverage in 2024.

Connecticare

In Network Coverage Type
POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.

Emblem Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Emblem Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Empire Blue Cross Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO, DSN

Empire Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Empire Plan / NYSHIP (Blue Cross/UnitedHealthcare split plan)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Fidelis

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.

Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

First Health

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Healthfirst

In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.

Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Healthsmart

In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier I (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier II (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

Horizon Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Husky CT Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Magnacare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO

Straight NJ Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government

Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

MVP

In Network Coverage Type
PPO/OAP

Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

In Network Coverage Type
TBD

Oscar

In Network Coverage Type
HMO/EPO

Oxford

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, EPO

World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Qualcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Tricare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

UMR

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS

United Healthcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Don't see your carrier or plan? We can help you understand your coverage.

If you don't have health insurance or are worried that your care may not be fully covered, our financial assistance programs may be able to help.

If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.

Make an Appointment

Current Patients

Request an appointment by logging on to MyMSK or calling your doctor’s office. If you aren’t registered for MyMSK, call 646-227-2593 for your Enrollment ID.

Contact and Location

Dr. Li sees patients at one location.

Location
New York, NY

Looking to see a doctor at a different location? See all MSK locations.

Colleagues

Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.

See all Early Drug Development Service doctors

See all Thoracic Oncology Service doctors

Clinical Trials

Research and Publications

Books

Fast Facts: Immuno-Oncology. Clarke S, Li BT. Basel. Karger Publishers; 2017

Selected publications

Li BT, Smit EF, Goto Y, Nakagawa K, Udagawa H, Mazières J, Nagasaka M, Bazhenova L, Saltos AN, Felip E, Pacheco JM, Pérol M, Paz-Ares L, Saxena K, Shiga R, Cheng Y, Acharyya S, Vitazka P, Shahidi J, Planchard D, Jänne PA; DESTINY-Lung01 Trial Investigators. Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in HER2-Mutant Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2022;386(3):241-251.

Skoulidis F*, Li BT*, Dy GK, Price TJ, Falchook GS, Wolf J, Italiano A, Schuler M, Borghaei H, Barlesi F, Kato T, Curioni-Fontecedro A, Sacher, Spira A, Ramalingam SS, Takahashi T, Besse B, Anderson A, Ang A, Tran Q, Mather O, Henary H, Ngarmchamnanrith G, Friberg G, Velcheti V, Govindan R. Sotorasib for Lung Cancers with KRAS p.G12C Mutation. N Engl J Med. 2021; 384:2371-2381. *Co-first authors

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Hong DS, Fakih MG, Strickler JH, Desai J, Durm GA, Shapiro GI, Falchook GS, Price TJ, Sacher A, Denlinger CS, Bang YJ, Dy GK, Krauss JC, Kuboki Y, Kuo JC, Coveler AL, Park K, Kim TW, Barlesi F, Munster PN, Ramalingam SS, Burns TF, Meric-Bernstam F, Henary H, Ngang J, Ngarmchamnanrith G, Kim J, Houk BE, Canon J, Lipford JR, Friberg G, Lito P, Govindan R, Li BT. KRASG12C inhibition with sotorasib in advanced solid tumors. N Engl J Med. 2020; 383:1207-1217

Li BT, Daly B, Gospodarowicz M, Bertagnolli MM, Brawley OW, Chabner BA, Fashoyin-Aje L, de Claro RA, Franklin E, Mills J, Legos J, Kaucic K, Li M, The L, Hou T, Wu TH, Albrecht B, Shao Y, Finnegan J, Qian J, Shahidi J, Gasal E, Tendler C, Kim G, Yan J, Morrow PK, Fuchs CS, Zhang L, LaCaze R, Oelrich S, Murphy MJ, Pazdur R, Rudd K, Wu YL. Reimagining patient-centric cancer clinical trials: a multi-stakeholder international coalition. Nat Med. 2022; 28(4):620-626.

Zhao Y, Murciano-Goroff YR, Xue JY, Ang A, Lucas J, Mai TT, Da Cruz Paula AF, Saiki AY, Mohn D, Achanta P, Sisk AE, Arora KS, Roy RS, Kim D, Li C, Lim LP, Li M, Bahr A, Loomis BR, de Stanchina E, Reis-Filho JS, Weigelt B, Berger M, Riely G, Arbour KC, Lipford JR*, Li BT*, Lito P*. Diverse alterations associated with resistance to KRAS(G12C) inhibition. Nature. 2021; 599(7886):679-683. *Co-senior authors

Li BT, Shen R, Buonocore D, Olah ZT, Ni A, Ginsberg MS, Ulaner GA, Offin M, Feldman D, Hembrough T, Cecchi F, Schwartz S, Pavlakis N, Clarke S, Won HH, Brzostowski EB, Riely GJ, Solit DB, Hyman DM, Drilon A, Rudin CM, Berger MF, Baselga J, Scaltriti M, Arcila ME, Kris MG. Ado-trastuzumab emtansine for patients with HER2-mutant lung cancers: Results from a phase II basket trial. J Clin Oncol. 2018; 36(24):2532-2537

Li BT, Michelini F, Misale S, Cocco E, Baldino L, Cai Y, Shifman S, Tu H-Y, Myers ML, Xu C, Mattar M, Khodos M, Little M, Qeriqi B, Weitsman G, Wilhem C, Lalani AS, Diala I, Freedman RA, Lin NU, Solit DB, Berger, Barber PR, Ng T, Offin M, Isbell JM, Jones DR, Yu HA, Thyparambil S, Liao W-L, Bhalkikar A, Cecchi F, Hyman DH, Lewis JS, Buonocore D, Ho AL, Makker V, Reis-Filho JS, Razavi P, Arcila ME, Kris MG, Poirier JT, Shen R, Tsurutani J, Ulaner GA, de Stanchina E, Rosen N, Rudin CM, Scaltriti M. HER2-mediated internalization of cytotoxic agents in ERBB2 amplified or mutant lung cancers. Cancer Discov. 2020; 10(5):674-687

Tsurutani J, Iwata H, Krop I, Jänne PA, Doi T, Takahashi S, Park H, Redfern C, Tamura K, Wise-Draper T, Saito K, Sugihara M, Singh J, Jikoh T, Gallant G, Li BT. Targeting HER2 with trastuzumab deruxtecan: A dose-expansion, phase 1 study in multiple advanced solid tumors. Cancer Discov. 2020; 10(5):688-701

Sullivan RJ, Infante JR, Janku F, Wong DJL, Sosman JA, Keedy V, Patel MR, Shapiro GI, Mier JW, Tolcher AW, Wang-Gillam A, Sznol M, Flaherty K, Buchbinder E, Carvajal RD, Varghese AM, Lacouture ME, Ribas A, Patel SP, DeCerescenzo GA, Emery CM, Groover AL, Saha S, Varterasian M, Welsch DJ, Hyman DM, Li BT. First-in-class ERK1/2 inhibitor Ulixertinib (BVD-523) in patients with MAPK mutant advanced solid tumors: Results of a phase I dose escalation and expansion study. Cancer Discov. 2018; 8(2):184-195.

Razavi P*, Li BT*, Brown D*, Jung B, Hubbell E, Shen R, Abida W, Juluru K, De Bruijn I, Hou C, Venn O, Lim R, Anand A, Maddala T, Gnerre S, Satya R, Liu Q, Shen L, Eattock N, Yue J, Blocker AW, Lee M, Sehnert A, Xu H, Hall MP, Santiago-Zayas A, Novotny WF, Isbell JM, Rusch VW, Plitas G, Heerdt AS, Ladanyi M, Hyman DM, Jones DR, Morrow M, Riely GJ, Scher HI, Rudin CM, Robson ME, Diaz, Jr. LA, Solit DB, Aravanis AM, Reis-Filho JS. High-intensity sequencing reveals the sources of plasma circulating cell-free DNA variants. Nat Med. 2019; 25(12):1928-1937. *Co-first authors

Sabari JK, Offin M, Stephens D, Ni A, Lee A, Pavlakis N, Clarke S, Diakos CI, Datta S, Tandon N, Martinez A, Myers ML, Makhnin A, Leger Y, Yu HA, Paik PK, Chaft JE, Kris MG, Jeon JO, Borsu LA, Ladanyi M, Arcila ME, Hernandez J, Henderson S, Shaffer T, Garg K, DiPasquo D, Raymond CK, Lim LP, Li M, Hellmann MD, Drilon A, Riely GJ, Rusch VW, Jones DR, Rimner A, Rudin CM, Isbell JM, Li BT. A prospective study of circulating tumor DNA to guide matched targeted therapy in lung cancers. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2018; 111(6):575-583.

Li BT, Janku F, Jung B, Hou C, Madwani K, Alden R, Razavi P, Reis-Filho JS, Shen R, Isbell JM, Blocker AW, Eattock N, Gnerre S, Satya RV, Xu H, Zhao C, Hall MP, Hu Y, Sehnert AJ, Brown D, Ladanyi M, Rudin CM, Hunkapiller N, Feeney N, Mills GB, Paweletz CP, Janne PA, Solit DB, Riely GJ, Aravanis A, Oxnard GR. Ultra-deep next-generation sequencing of plasma cell-free DNA in patients with advanced lung cancers: results from the Actionable Genome Consortium. Ann Oncol. 2019; 30(4):597-603.

Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Li’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

See all on PubMed

Disclosures

Doctors and faculty members often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community.

MSK requires doctors and faculty members to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public.

Bob T. Li discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

  • Amgen
    Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated)
  • Asia Society
    Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated)
  • AstraZeneca
    Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated)
  • Bolt Biotherapeutics, Inc.
    Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated)
  • Daiichi Sankyo
    Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated)
  • Karger Publishers
    Intellectual Property Rights
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press Co., Ltd.
    Intellectual Property Rights

If you’re a patient at MSK and would like more information about your doctor’s external relationships, please talk with your doctor.

The information published here is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.


This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2022 through disclosure submission in spring 2023). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.

Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at [email protected].


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