Dr. Howard I. Scher

Dr. Howard I. Scher heads the Biomarker Development Program within the Genitourinary Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, aligning medical oncologists, urologic surgeons, radiation specialists, pathologists, radiologists, pharmacists, and nurse navigators around a single conversation before the first patient visit. Team huddles review multiparametric MRI, prostate-specific membrane antigen PET, germline and somatic sequencing reports, bone-health indicators, and each person’s stated goals, so that surgery, systemic therapy, and rehabilitation unfold as one coordinated plan. Social workers confirm transportation and caregiver support, while financial counselors verify authorizations, preventing last-minute delays. In clinic, examination, consent, and education occur during one uninterrupted appointment; the signed treatment roadmap is then visible to every discipline, eliminating conflicting instructions. Continuous dialogue replaces fragmented hand-offs, providing men and their families with seamless access to expertise, fewer duplicate tests, and clear expectations at every milestone.

 

Laboratory discovery drives Dr. Scher’s clinical agenda. His translational group studies androgen-receptor signaling, resistance mechanisms, and the circulating-tumor-cell biomarker AR-V7, work that has produced the Oncotype DX AR-V7 Nucleus Detect liquid-biopsy test now available in certified laboratories. A flagship protocol evaluates whether AR-V7 status can guide selection between taxane chemotherapy and androgen-receptor inhibitors, linking molecular data to real-time treatment decisions. Tissue and blood specimens collected at each visit feed a growing biobank that pairs genomic changes with radiographic response, shortening the distance between hypothesis and validated practice. Patients benefit when laboratory insight translates into therapy chosen for the precise biology of their disease, avoiding ineffective regimens and preserving quality of life.

 

Mentorship and outreach remain central to Dr. Scher’s work. As Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell, he leads case-based seminars that teach fellows to balance rigorous evidence appraisal with clear, compassionate dialogue. He partners with advocacy groups to produce plain-language guides on genetic testing, clinical-trial participation, and symptom management, resources that are distributed through community clinics and livestreamed webinars. A teleconsultation program he helped establish connects regional oncologists with subspecialty expertise, reducing travel burdens for older patients and those living far from tertiary centers. By translating complex science into actionable knowledge, he empowers individuals to participate actively in decisions that shape their care.