Ritu Salani

Ritu Salani is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB & GYN) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her research focuses on gynecologic oncology, particularly cervical and ovarian cancers, with emphasis on clinical trial design, patient-reported outcomes, and addressing healthcare disparities. She leads or collaborates on pivotal studies such as the ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047 trial evaluating pembrolizumab in cervical cancer and the TroFuse-020/GOG-3101 trial comparing sacituzumab tirumotecan in ovarian cancer.

Her work integrates molecular biomarkers, immunotherapy advancements, and real-world evidence to optimize therapeutic strategies. Notable projects include analyzing disparities in clinical trial enrollment, understanding the impact of targeted therapies like PARP inhibitors (niraparib) and antibody-drug conjugates (mirvetuximab), and exploring the psychosocial aspects of cancer care. She also addresses public health concerns, such as rising uterine cancer incidence among Black patients and the global burden of gynecologic cancers.

Dr. Salani’s publications span translational research, guideline updates (e.g., ASCO’s neoadjuvant chemotherapy recommendations), and qualitative studies on patient experiences. She emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration and equity in oncology care, advocating for better representation of underrepresented groups in clinical research.