Michelle Melisko

Dr. Michelle E. Melisko is a Professor in the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where she specializes in breast cancer treatment and research. Her clinical and research focus includes metastatic breast cancer, particularly brain and leptomeningeal metastases, novel therapies such as antibody-drug conjugates and immunotherapies, and enhancing patient participation in clinical trials. She is actively involved in major national trials including the I-SPY2 and Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium (TBCRC) studies.

Dr. Melisko earned her M.D. from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, completed her internal medicine residency at Stanford Hospital and Clinics, and her hematology/oncology fellowship at UCSF Medical Center. She has contributed to numerous high-impact publications, primarily in the areas of breast cancer therapeutics, survivorship, and patient-reported outcomes.

Her research interests span breast oncology, clinical trial design, cancer survivorship, fertility preservation, supportive care, neuro-oncology in breast cancer, and patient-centered outcomes. She has played a key role in NCCN Guidelines for Survivorship, contributing to multiple versions across domains such as fatigue, cognitive function, sexual health, and palliative care. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on translational research, adaptive trial design, and the integration of patient-reported data into clinical decision-making.

Analysis of her recent publications (2023–2025) reveals consistent contributions to clinical trials in metastatic and early-stage breast cancer, with a focus on targeted therapies (e.g., neratinib, trastuzumab deruxtecan), CNS involvement, and patient-centered outcomes. Her work frequently involves multi-institutional collaboration and spans disciplines including oncology, neurology, medical informatics, and public health.

• NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Survivorship, Version 2.2024
• NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Survivorship, Version 1.2023
• NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Survivorship, Version 1.2022
• NCCN Guidelines Insights: Survivorship, Version 2.2020
• NCCN Guidelines Insights: Survivorship, Version 2.2019
• Survivorship, Version 2.2018, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology
• Survivorship, Version 2.2017, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology
• NCCN Guidelines Insights: Survivorship, Version 1.2016

Dr. Melisko has been a principal or co-investigator on multiple clinical trials, particularly through the I-SPY2 and TBCRC consortia. She has contributed to studies on neratinib, T-DM1, olaparib, immunotherapy combinations, and scalp cooling for alopecia prevention. She collaborates extensively with researchers at UCSF and other institutions, often in multidisciplinary teams involving medical oncology, radiology, nuclear medicine, and supportive care. Her work in patient-reported outcomes and quality of life underscores a commitment to holistic cancer care.

She is affiliated with the UCSF Cancer Center and has contributed to media and public outreach on breast health topics. Her lab and research team are embedded within the UCSF breast oncology program, where they focus on clinical trial innovation, biomarker discovery, and improving outcomes for patients with advanced breast cancer.