Tony Tran
Director, Clinical Scientist Kura Oncology
Tony Tran, PhD is a Clinical Scientist at Kura Oncology with a multidisciplinary background spanning biophysics, medicine, and translational oncology research. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Biophysics from the University of Michigan and a PhD in Biophysics from the Roswell Park Cancer Institute (SUNY Buffalo). He subsequently completed two years of medical school at the University of Illinois College of Medicine prior to pivoting his career to clinical research.
Tony began his clinical research career conducting clinical trials with the US DoD (vaccines) and the Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University (hematology-oncology). He later transitioned to industry, contributing to oncology clinical development programs at Ascendis Pharma, ALX Oncology, and Synthekine.
At Kura Oncology, Tony focuses on advancing innovative, mechanism-driven therapies designed to improve outcomes for patients with cancer.
Seminars
- Adaptive resistance to KRAS G12C inhibition: MAPK pathway reactivation remains a key driver limiting depth and durability of response
- Targeting this vulnerability: Combination darlifarnib + adagrasib enhances pathway suppression and overcomes resistance across KRAS G12C preclinical models
- Clinical translation (FIT-001 clinical trial): Early Phase 1a data show manageable safety and encouraging preliminary antitumor activity supporting darlifarnib + KRASi as a combination strategy across solid tumors, including advanced CRC, PDAC and NSCLC
