Christine Parseghian

Medical Oncologist

Gastrointestinal Oncology

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Location USA, Houston

Linkedin

X

Dr. Christine Parseghian is a Medical Oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancers, with a particular focus on metastatic colorectal cancer, resistance mechanisms to anti-EGFR therapy, and liquid biopsy-guided treatment strategies. She currently serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. A principal investigator on multiple phase I and II clinical trials, Dr. Parseghian is internationally recognized for her work on anti-EGFR rechallenge therapy, circulating tumor DNA dynamics, and the molecular mechanisms of acquired resistance in RAS/RAF wildtype colorectal cancer. She is fluent in Spanish and Armenian and has contributed to landmark publications in Journal of Clinical Oncology, Annals of Oncology, Cancer Cell, and JAMA Oncology.

Current Positions

  • Associate Professor, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, September 2024–present
  • Associate Editor, Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology, 2022–present
  • Member, Cancer Center Support Grant Program (CCSG), MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022–present
  • Member, Junior Faculty Advisory Committee, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018–present
  • Member, Scientific Review Committee, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025–present
  • Task Force Member, Management of Dermatologic Toxicities Related to anti-EGFR Therapies, Association of Cancer Care Centers, 2025–present
  • Member, Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), 2020–present
  • Member, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), 2016–present
  • Member, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), 2015–present

Education

  • BA in Neurobiology — Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • MD — Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Residency in Internal Medicine — Ronald Reagan University of California, Los Angeles, California
  • Fellowship in Hematology/Oncology — The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

Licenses & Certifications

  • American Board of Medical Oncology (2018)
  • Texas Medical Board (2017)
  • American Board of Internal Medicine (2016)

Professional Experience

  • Assistant Professor, Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, July 2018–August 2024
  • Associate Professor, Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, September 2024–present
  • Course Instructor, UCLA Medical School Problem-Based Learning, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 2013–2016
  • Faculty Senate Member, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020–2025
  • Biostatistics Chair Search Advisory Committee Member, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023–2025
  • Medical Staff Committee Member, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022–2025
  • Internal Advisory Board and Grant Review Committee Member, Moon Shot Colorectal Cancer Program, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023–present

Research Activity

  • Anti-EGFR resistance and rechallenge: Pioneer in characterizing mechanisms of innate and acquired resistance to anti-EGFR therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer; demonstrated exponential decay of anti-EGFR resistant clones after progression, establishing the biological rationale for anti-EGFR rechallenge strategies
  • Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA): Extensive research applying liquid biopsy to monitor clonal evolution, detect resistance mechanisms, and guide treatment decisions in metastatic colorectal cancer, including perioperative ctDNA dynamics in hepatectomy patients
  • BRAF and KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer: Active clinical and translational research on targeted combination strategies for BRAFV600E and KRAS G12C-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer
  • Clinical trial leadership: Principal investigator and co-investigator on multiple active phase I/II/III clinical trials evaluating novel combinations including anti-EGFR agents, ERK inhibitors, CDK inhibitors, KRAS inhibitors, and immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced colorectal cancer
  • Research biopsy and clinical trial methodology: Led research quantifying the underreporting of mandatory biopsies in oncology clinical trials, published in JAMA Oncology and Clinical Cancer Research

Grants and Funded Research

  • Principal Investigator, Open-label Phase 2 Study of Avutometinib, Defactinib, and Cetuximab in anti-EGFR-Refractory Advanced Colorectal Cancer (Verastem/Lilly), January 2025–January 2032 ($991,201 total costs)
  • Principal Investigator, Phase 1b/2 Study of Adagrasib, Cetuximab, and Cemiplimab in KRAS G12C Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (Stand Up 2 Cancer / BMS / Regeneron), September 2024–present
  • Principal Investigator, Open-label Phase 1b Study of Ulixertinib and Cetuximab ± Encorafenib in Unresectable/Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (BioMed Valley Discoveries/Lilly), 2023–present
  • Principal Investigator, Open-label Phase Ib/II Study of Cetuximab with LY3214996 ± Abemaciclib in Anti-EGFR-Refractory Colorectal Cancer (Eli Lilly), May 2020–May 2027
  • Principal Investigator, NIH/NCI Gastrointestinal SPORE Career Enhancement Program Award — Optimizing Anti-EGFR Rechallenge Therapy, 2019–2022
  • Principal Investigator, Andrew Sabin Family Foundation Award — Optimizing Anti-Rechallenge Therapy in Advanced Colorectal Cancer, 2019–2023
  • Co-Principal Investigator, Phase I/II Trial of Encorafenib, Cetuximab, and Nivolumab in Microsatellite Stable BRAFV600E Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (BMS/Array Biopharma), 2019–present
  • Co-Principal Investigator, First-in-Human Phase 1/1b Study of BCA101 (Bifunctional EGFR/TGF-β Fusion Protein) ± Pembrolizumab (Bicara), April 2025–present

Honors and Awards

  • Patient Experience Top 10% Recognition Provider — ranked in the top 10% nationally for exceptional communication with patients and families, Fiscal Year 2022
  • Andrew Sabin Family Foundation Award, 2020–2022
  • NIH/NCI Gastrointestinal SPORE Career Enhancement Program Award, 2019–2024
  • Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO Merit Award, 2018–2024
  • Commendation for Excellence in Medical Student Teaching, 2010–2012
  • Solomon Research Scholar, 2011–2012
  • Tufts University School of Medicine Research Honors, 2012
  • William Dameshek Award for Research Excellence in Hematology, 2012
  • William Dameshek Award in Internal Medicine, 2012
  • Harvard Foundation Distinguished Senior Award for Excellence in Leadership and Academic Achievement, 2007
  • Harvard Foundation Award for Contributions to Intercultural and Race Relations, 2005–2006

Memberships / Affiliations

  • American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), 2015–present
  • American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), 2016–present
  • Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), 2020–present
  • Associate Editor, Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology, 2022–present
  • Peer Reviewer: Journal of Clinical Oncology, Annals of Oncology, JAMA Oncology, Clinical Cancer Research, Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Clinical and
  • Translational Medicine, Journal of Precision Oncology, Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Oncotarget

Areas of Specialization

  • Metastatic colorectal cancer
  • Anti-EGFR therapy and resistance mechanisms
  • Anti-EGFR rechallenge strategies
  • BRAF V600E and KRAS G12C-mutated colorectal cancer
  • Circulating tumor DNA and liquid biopsy
  • Phase I/II clinical trial design and execution
  • Gastrointestinal oncology
  • Immunotherapy in microsatellite stable colorectal cancer

Publications

Dr. Parseghian has authored and co-authored more than 44 peer-reviewed publications, including original research, review articles, invited commentaries, and book chapters, in journals including Journal of Clinical Oncology, Cancer Cell, Annals of Oncology, JAMA Oncology, Clinical Cancer Research, and JAMA Network Open.

Select Recent Publications:

Parseghian C, Eluri M. “Beyond the Burden: Elevating Immunotherapy in Colorectal Cancer.” Clinical Cancer Research, 2026. Online ahead of print. PMID: 41528330.

Morris VK, Parseghian CM, Bahrambeigi V, Abdelfattah N, Xiao L, et al. “Phase I/II trial of encorafenib, cetuximab, and nivolumab in microsatellite stable, BRAFV600E metastatic colorectal cancer.” Cancer Cell, June 2025.

Pellatt AJ, Bent AH, Hornstein N, Parseghian CM, et al. “Phase II Trial of TAS-102 in Colorectal Cancer Patients with ctDNA-Defined Minimal Residual Disease After Adjuvant Therapy.” JCO Precision Oncology 9, July 2025. PMID: 40669021.

Riedl JM, Fece de la Cruz F, Lin JJ, Parseghian C, et al. “Genomic landscape of clinically acquired resistance alterations in patients treated with KRASG12C inhibitors.” Annals of Oncology 36(6):682–692, June 2025. PMID: 39914665.

Yousef M, Yousef A, Chowdhury S, Parseghian C, et al. “Molecular, Socioeconomic, and Clinical Factors Affecting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Survival.” JAMA Oncology 10(11), September 2024. PMID: 39264607.

Parseghian CM, Sun R, Woods M, Napolitano S, et al. “Resistance Mechanisms to Anti-EGFR Therapy in RAS/RAF Wildtype Colorectal Cancer Vary by Regimen and Line of Therapy.” Journal of Clinical Oncology 41(3), January 2023. PMID: 36351210.

Parseghian C, Eluri M, Kopetz S, Raghav KS. “Mechanisms of resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies in colorectal cancer.” Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 11, 2023. PMID: 37791069.

Zeineddine FA, Zeineddine MA, Yousef A, Parseghian C, et al. “Survival improvement for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer over twenty years.” NPJ Precision Oncology 7(1):16, February 2023. PMID: 36781990.

Newhook TE, Overman MJ, Chun YS, Parseghian C, et al. “Prospective Study of Perioperative Circulating Tumor DNA Dynamics in Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy for Colorectal Liver Metastases.” Annals of Surgery 277(5):813–820, 2023. PMID: 35797554.

Parseghian CM, Loree JM, Morris VK, et al. “Anti-EGFR resistant clones decay exponentially after progression: Implications for anti-EGFR rechallenge.” Annals of Oncology 30(2):243–249, February 2019. PMID: 30462160.

Parseghian CM, Napolitano S, Loree JM, Kopetz S. “Mechanisms of Innate and Acquired Resistance to anti-EGFR therapy: A Review of Current Knowledge with a Focus on Rechallenge Therapies.” Clinical Cancer Research, July 2019. PMID: 31263029.

Parseghian CM, Parikh NU, Wu JY, et al. “Dual Inhibition of EGFR and c-Src by Cetuximab and Dasatinib Combined with FOLFOX Chemotherapy in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.” Clinical Cancer Research 23(15):4146–4154, August 2017. PMID: 28280091.

Parseghian CM, Tam AL, Yao J, et al. “Assessment of Reported Trial Characteristics, Rate of Publication, and Inclusion of Mandatory Biopsies of Research Biopsies in Clinical Trials in Oncology.” JAMA Oncology 5(3):402–405, March 2019. PMID: 30383128.

Book Chapters

  • Parseghian CM. Colorectal Cancer. In: The MD Anderson Manual of Medical Oncology, Fifth Edition, 2025.
  • Parseghian CM, Bent AH. Targeted Therapy with Anti-EGFR and Anti-VEGF Therapy and Beyond, 293-299, 2022.
  • Parseghian CM. Colorectal Liver Metastases. In: Targeted Therapy Beyond EGFR and VEGF, 2022.
  • Parseghian CM. Colorectal Cancer. In: The MD Anderson Manual of Medical Oncology, Fourth Edition, 2021.