SUMMARY
Yi Lin, M.D., Ph.D., is a hematologist and oncologist with a clinical practice in lymphoma, multiple myeloma and cell therapy. Dr. Lin also conducts research on cancer, including cancer vaccines and cancer immunotherapy. She was a principal investigator on multiple cell therapy clinical trials, including the registration studies that led to the approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of:
- Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta).
- Idecabtagene vicleucel (Abecma).
- Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (Carvykti).
Dr. Lin also received funding from the National Institutes of Health to conduct translational research on new cancer immunotherapy development and biomarkers of predictors of response and toxicities in immunotherapy.
Focus areas
Immunotherapy clinical trials for vaccines, adoptive cell therapy and new combination immunotherapy.
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy.
Myeloid cell-mediated mechanisms of therapy resistance in cancer.
Biomarkers of resistance and toxicities in immunotherapy.
Significance to patient care
Cellular immunotherapy has changed cancer treatment for many patients. However, serious side effects that require care from multiple medical teams limit access for some patients. There is also a need to improve how well this treatment works.
Dr. Lin's research aims to better identify tumor and immune features linked to severe side effects and resistance to therapy. Her work could be used in real time to guide patient care based on risk. Using new tumor immunotherapies, Dr. Lin is working to develop the next generation of treatments that could be safer and more effective.
Professional highlights
- Mayo Clinic:
- Jess S. Jackson Family Professorship of Cancer Research, 2026-present.
- Co-chair, Experimental and Novel Therapeutics Disease Group; Lead, Cell, Gene and Virotherapy Disease Team, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2025-present.
- Chair, Midwest Cellular, Molecular and Bispecific Steering Committee, 2024-present.
- Member, Therapeutic Strategy Subcommittee, Clinical Practice Committee, 2024-present.
- Enterprise leader, Cancer Regenerative Medicine, Biotherapeutics and Biomanufacturing, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2022-present.
- Medical director, Immune Effector Cell Program, 2018-present.
- Research Career Impetus Award, 2026-2030.
- Chair, Cell Therapy Cross-Disciplinary Group, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2015-2025.
- Member, Advisory Committee, Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, 2026-present.
- Member, Scientific Committee on Transplantation Biology and Cellular Therapies, American Society of Hematology, 2026-present.
- National Institutes of Health:
- Reviewer, Immunology Oncology Study Section, 2025-present.
- Member, Clinical Oncology Study Section, 2018-2024.
- Co-chair, Immunotherapy Committee, International Myeloma Working Group, International Myeloma Foundation, 2019-present.
- Grant reviewer, Blood Cancer United, formerly known as Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 2017-present.
- Member, Early Stage Professionals Committee, International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy, 2015-2017.
- Member, Standards for Cellular Therapy Services, Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies, 2014-2017.