Dr. Karen L. Reckamp

At Cedars-Sinai Cancer, Karen L. Reckamp, MD, MS, presides over the Division of Medical Oncology and steers the Lung Institute’s tumor board, bringing thoracic surgeons, interventional pulmonologists, radiation oncologists, molecular pathologists, pharmacists, social-work clinicians, and nurse navigators into one conversation before a newly referred patient sets foot in clinic. Multidisciplinary huddles review ultra-low-dose CT images, next-generation sequencing, cardiopulmonary function tests, and each individual’s life goals so surgery, systemic therapy, radiation, rehabilitation, and supportive care unfold on a single timetable. Schedulers reserve port placement, smoking-cessation counseling, exercise-physiology evaluation, and financial-advocacy sessions during the same call, sparing families logistical stress. When Dr. Reckamp meets patients, she translates scientific terms into clear language, hands them a printed roadmap that lists every appointment from baseline scans through survivorship planning, and uploads the same plan to the portal so every discipline follows identical guidance. Tele-medicine reviews tethered to imaging or laboratory milestones keep those living far from Los Angeles engaged without repeated travel, reducing duplicated tests and accelerating therapeutic decisions while offering the steadiness of a unified team. 

 

Bench-driven discovery shapes many of those decisions. Reckamp’s translational group dissects resistance pathways in epidermal-growth-factor-receptor (EGFR) mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pioneers antibody-drug conjugates that target HER3 or c-Met. A flagship phase-II study, HERTHENA-Lung01, demonstrated meaningful tumor control with patritumab deruxtecan in patients whose disease progressed after third-generation EGFR inhibitors; blood and tumor samples from that trial now inform biomarker panels that predict benefit and guide dose adjustments. Parallel efforts evaluate next-generation EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors for exon-20 insertions, while a laboratory model that pairs circulating-tumor-DNA dynamics with quantitative PET imaging shortens the gap between hypothesis and bedside choice. Early analyses suggest that high baseline HER3 expression correlates with durable response to patritumab deruxtecan and minimal neuropathy, insights already woven into consent discussions so expectations match biology. By embedding real-time science in clinic, Dr. Reckamp tailors therapy to evolving molecular profiles and preserves quality of life while sustaining oncologic control.

 

Education and outreach extend her influence across regions. As Professor of Medicine she mentors fellows through case-based seminars that pair critical appraisal with empathetic communication, and she co-authors national guidance on EGFR-mutated NSCLC, immunotherapy sequencing, and survivorship in never-smokers. Public webinars explain targeted therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and shared decision making about genomic testing; captioned recordings translated into Spanish, Mandarin, and Vietnamese remain free online for global access. A tele-consult network she co-founded lets community oncologists upload images and molecular reports for same-day feedback, reducing travel for older adults and those with limited mobility. Inside Cedars-Sinai she championed a patient-reported-outcome dashboard that alerts nurses to rising dyspnea, fatigue, or mood shifts between visits, prompting timely outreach that keeps treatment on track. Such initiatives transform specialist knowledge into practical tools that empower families to participate confidently in choices shaping their journey.