Titles and Affiliations
Associate Professor of Medical Oncology
Associate Director of Global Oncology
Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation
Research Area
Investigating unique challenges faced by older adults from racial and ethnic minority groups with breast cancer.
Impact
Older adults with breast cancer, particularly those from minority communities, often face disparate barriers such as financial strain, language differences, and age-related health issues. These challenges can make it harder to complete treatment or maintain a high quality of life. For his Conquer Cancer research supported by BCRF, Dr. Soto Pérez de Celis is focusing on this population by identifying what problems they face and understanding how they affect their health. He aims to help doctors and health systems provide more effective, supportive care for patients who are often overlooked in cancer studies.
What’s Next
Dr. Soto Pérez de Celis will interview 200 older adults with breast cancer at the University of Colorado Cancer Center to collect information about their health, side effects, and experiences with care. The findings will guide new strategies to improve treatment completion, reduce side effects, and strengthen patient support systems, ultimately helping ensure that all patients, regardless of their age, race, or background, receive quality standard of care appropriate for their cancer diagnosis.
Biography
Enrique Soto Pérez de Celis, MD completed an Internal Medicine residency at the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition (INCMNSZ) in Mexico City, followed by a fellowship in Medical Oncology at the same institution. He also holds a master’s degree and a PhD in Medical Science from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. In 2017, he received the Conquer Cancer Long Term International Fellowship (LIFe), which allowed him to pursue postgraduate training in Geriatric Oncology at the Center for Cancer and Aging of City of Hope National Medical Center in Los Angeles. Between 2017 and 2024, Dr. Soto served as a researcher in medical science at the Department of Geriatrics at INCMNSZ, where he created and led Cancer Care in the Older Adult Clinic—the first multidisciplinary Geriatric Oncology clinic in Latin America. In May 2024, he relocated to the United States and was appointed Associate Professor in the Division of Medical Oncology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Associate Director for Global Oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. His past funding includes a 2015 Young Investigator Award, a 2019 Career Development Award, and a 2023 AGA Disparities Grant. He is a former member of ASCO’s Board of Directors, where he served as an International Oncologist. Dr. Soto has participated in numerous disparity-related projects, including the Lancet Commission on Women, Power, and Cancer; the Lancet Oncology Commission on Latin America; and the ASCO Resource Stratified Guidelines for Geriatric Oncology. His experience in breast cancer in older women includes contributions to the International Society of Geriatric Oncology guidelines for breast cancer in older adults.
