In a defining moment for oncology and cancer research communities worldwide, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) has announced the appointment of Dr. Nancy L. Lewis, MD, MBS, FACP, as its new Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), effective May 2026. This decision marks a strategic enhancement of NCCN’s leadership, poised to accelerate innovation and elevate translational research aimed at improving patient outcomes across diverse cancer types. Dr. Lewis, an esteemed biomedical researcher, brings a wealth of clinical and scientific expertise, particularly in the realms of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, which are pivotal fields necessitating groundbreaking therapeutic advances.
Dr. Lewis’s distinguished career is characterized by her extensive involvement in clinical trials that have shaped current understanding and treatment paradigms for malignancies affecting solid and blood-forming tissues. Before stepping into her new role at NCCN, she served as Senior Clinical Program Leader at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, where she facilitated the development and strategic direction of cutting-edge oncologic treatments. Her academic tenure included associate professorships at several renowned cancer centers, where she contributed to the education of a new generation of clinical investigators and the advancement of cancer biology knowledge.
Her educational journey is equally formidable, with degrees from Penn State University and Temple University School of Medicine, followed by specialized training at Rutgers University. Dr. Lewis completed her residency at the University of Rochester, a hub for clinical innovation, before undertaking fellowship at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, which notably is one of the founding Member Institutions of NCCN. This deep institutional affiliation adds a rich layer of continuity and historical perspective to her leadership.
The NCCN’s CEO, Dr. Crystal S. Denlinger, underscored the import of this appointment by highlighting the increasing complexity of cancer research and the critical need for leadership that can bridge scientific discovery with practical clinical applications. She expressed confidence that Dr. Lewis’s visionary outlook would enhance NCCN’s research programming and guideline development, especially as these are crucial in defining standard-of-care treatments and clinical decision support across oncology disciplines on an international scale.
In her role as CSO, Dr. Lewis will provide pivotal oversight and strategic guidance to several core NCCN initiatives. Among these are the NCCN Oncology Research Program (ORP), a collaborative platform fostering novel research designs and dissemination of findings; the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology®, which are the bedrock of evidence-based cancer management protocols; and the NCCN Guidelines for Patients®, aimed at empowering patients and caregivers with accessible, authoritative cancer information. Her stewardship will also extend to specialized compendia such as the NCCN Biomarkers Compendium®, NCCN Radiation Therapy Compendium™, and the NCCN Imaging Appropriate Use Criteria™, which collectively serve as critical resources for precision medicine and diagnostic standardizations.
Dr. Lewis’s appointment comes at a time when oncology is undergoing rapid transformation due to advances in genomics, immunotherapy, and personalized medicine. The integration of biomarker-driven treatment protocols, radiotherapeutic innovations, and imaging criteria under her supervision promises to reinforce NCCN’s role as a vanguard in oncologic guidelines and research. Her involvement in NCCN’s Continuing Medical Education Program further underscores a commitment to ongoing professional development and dissemination of state-of-the-art knowledge throughout the clinical community.
Highlighting her exceptional contributions to the field, Dr. Lewis has been honored with accolades from premier organizations including the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the American Cancer Society (ACS). These recognitions reflect her impactful work not only in advancing therapeutic research but also in shaping clinical practices that influence treatment paradigms across the oncology landscape.
Dr. Lewis succinctly expressed her enthusiasm for the role, emphasizing her dedication to building upon NCCN’s legacy of fostering accessible, evidence-based cancer care. She articulated a forward-looking vision to confront emerging challenges in oncology by nurturing collaboration among clinicians, researchers, and patient communities, thereby catalyzing innovative solutions that transcend geographical and institutional boundaries.
The transition of leadership from Dr. Denlinger, who adeptly balanced her previous role as CSO before assuming the CEO position, to Dr. Lewis ensures continuity in strategy and a seamless augmentation of NCCN’s scientific mission. Dr. Lewis’s expertise and leadership qualities align with the organization’s objectives to integrate cutting-edge scientific insights with clinical application, ultimately enhancing the efficacy, equity, and accessibility of cancer care worldwide.
As a non-profit alliance of leading cancer centers, NCCN’s commitment is embodied in its comprehensive clinical practice guidelines that serve as the global gold standard for oncology treatment protocols. The guidelines and complementary resources developed under the leadership of the CSO influence clinical policies, shape healthcare delivery, and support patient education efforts, making NCCN a cornerstone of the cancer research and care ecosystem.
Dr. Lewis’s tenure heralds an era where novel cancer therapies and diagnostic modalities will be harmonized within NCCN’s framework, ensuring that innovations are rapidly translated into clinical practice with robust evidence backing. This transition reflects the increasing complexity and scope of oncology, requiring dynamic leadership equipped to navigate advances in molecular biology, clinical trial design, and health policy.
Indeed, the appointment of Dr. Nancy L. Lewis as NCCN’s Chief Scientific Officer is a milestone with implications far beyond the organization itself. It signifies a commitment to strategic scientific stewardship, fostering interdisciplinary research collaborations, and maintaining clinical relevance amidst the rapidly evolving oncology landscape. Her leadership is anticipated to catalyze groundbreaking discoveries, enhance guideline development processes, and ultimately contribute to the overarching goal of reducing the global burden of cancer through improved, evidence-based care.
Subject of Research: Cancer research focusing on solid tumors and hematologic malignancies; clinical trials; oncology guidelines; translational research in oncology.
Article Title: Nancy L. Lewis, MD, Named Chief Scientific Officer of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network: Advancing Innovation in Cancer Research and Clinical Practice
News Publication Date: April 9, 2026
Web References:
– https://www.nccn.org
– https://www.nccn.org/education-research/nccn-oncology-research-program/orp-main-page
– https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-process/about-nccn-clinical-practice-guidelines
– https://www.nccn.org/patientresources/patient-resources/guidelines-for-patients
– https://www.nccn.org/compendia-templates/compendia/biomarkers-compendium
– https://www.nccn.org/compendia-templates/compendia/radiation-therapycompendium
– https://www.nccn.org/compendia-templates/compendia/imaging-appropriate-use-criteria-nccn-imaging-auc
Image Credits: NCCN
Keywords: Cancer research, Oncology, Clinical trials, Solid tumors, Hematologic malignancies, Translational research, NCCN Guidelines, Biomarkers, Radiation therapy, Imaging criteria, Cancer care innovation, Clinical practice standards, Biomedical research, Continuing medical education
Tags: biomedical cancer research leadershipcancer biology educationcancer clinical investigator trainingcancer patient outcomes improvementChief Scientific Officer NCCNClinical Trials in OncologyDr. Nancy L. Lewis appointmenthematologic malignancies treatmentNational Comprehensive Cancer Network leadershipNovartis Pharmaceuticals oncology programsoncology translational researchsolid tumor research advancements
