Masoud Azodi, MD
Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive SciencesCards
Appointments
Additional Titles
Director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship
Contact Info
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
PO Box 208063
New Haven, CT 06520-8063
United States
Appointments
Additional Titles
Director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship
Contact Info
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
PO Box 208063
New Haven, CT 06520-8063
United States
Appointments
Additional Titles
Director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship
Contact Info
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
PO Box 208063
New Haven, CT 06520-8063
United States
About
Titles
Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
Director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship
Biography
Dr. Masoud Azodi has been at Yale for almost 20 years. He’s honored to be a part of the Ob/Gyn department where, he says, “we have excellent patient care and our team works with up-to-date surgical techniques and research.”
Dr. Azodi completed his undergraduate, graduate, medical school and Ob/Gyn residency training in Ohio. He then completed his fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at Yale School of Medicine (YSM) in 1996. He is currently a professor in the department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at YSM. He is director of minimally invasive and robotic surgery and director of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery fellowship program in gynecologic oncology section.
Dr. Azodi is board certified in both Ob/Gyn and in Gynecologic Oncology. He treats all gynecologic cancers and pre-cancers using numerous therapies, including chemotherapy and surgery. Dr. Azodi has a special interest in minimally invasive surgical techniques, particular robotic surgery and its future in medicine. He has performed many minimally invasive surgeries for management of gynecologic diseases, including more than 2,500 conventional laparoscopic and more than 2,000 robotic-assisted cases.
On the clinical side, Azodi’s interests include pre-malignant and malignant gynecologic disorders involving the vulva, cervix, vagina, uterus, ovaries and placenta. In addition to helping women with cervical cancer explore less-invasive treatment options, Dr. Azodi educates his patients on radical trachelectomy: a surgical option that removes the cervix, upper part of the vagina and lymph nodes in the pelvis. This treatment plan can be helpful for patients concerned with maintaining their fertility after cancer.
Dr. Azodi was named as a “Top Doc” in New York magazine’s “Best Doctors” of 2012, 2013, and 2014. He is the editor-in-chief of the international journal Robotic Surgery: Research and Reviews. He also serves on the editorial board of several other peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Azodi is actively involved in research and is a principal investigator (PI) and co-PI in multiple protocols treating gynecologic cancer. He also trains residents and fellows in gynecologic cancer treatment and in performing minimally invasive surgeries for complicated gynecologic disorders.
Appointments
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Developmental Therapeutics
- Discovery to Cure
- Gynecologic Oncology Program
- Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI) Program
- Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) Program
- Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
- Oligometastatic Cancer Program
- Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Program
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Medicine
- Yale Ventures
Education & Training
- Fellowship
- Yale University School of Medicine (1999)
- Residency
- Aultman Hospital/Neoucom (1996)
- MD
- Wright State University (1992)
Research
Overview
Please see PubMed for publications.
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
ORCID
0000-0002-0570-8089
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Alessandro Santin, MD
Pei Hui, PhD, MD
Gloria Huang, MD, FACOG
Peter Schwartz, MD
Stefania Bellone, PhD
Gary Altwerger, MD
Laparoscopy
Cerclage, Cervical
Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal
Fertility Preservation
Medical Oncology
Publications
2024
Trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a), a HER2-targeting antibody–drug conjugate, demonstrates in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity against primary and metastatic ovarian tumors overexpressing HER2
Mutlu L, McNamara B, Bellone S, Manavella D, Demirkiran C, Greenman M, Verzosa M, Buza N, Hui P, Hartwich T, Harold J, Yang-Hartwich Y, Zipponi M, Altwerger G, Ratner E, Huang G, Clark M, Andikyan V, Azodi M, Schwartz P, Santin A. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a), a HER2-targeting antibody–drug conjugate, demonstrates in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity against primary and metastatic ovarian tumors overexpressing HER2. Clinical & Experimental Metastasis 2024, 1-11. PMID: 38909139, DOI: 10.1007/s10585-024-10297-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigh-grade serous ovarian cancerClear cell carcinomaHER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugateAntibody-drug conjugatesT-DXdReceptor over-expressionTrastuzumab deruxtecanXenograft modelCell linesOvarian clear cell carcinomaOvarian cancer cell linesTumors overexpressing HER2Biologically aggressive tumorsFluorescence in situ hybridization assaySerous ovarian cancerEffective antibody-drug conjugatesIn vivo antitumor activityMouse xenograft modelMetastatic cell linesDS-8201aCancer cell linesAggressive tumorsHER2 expressionCell carcinomaOvarian cancerRandomized phase II trial of weekly ixabepilone ± biweekly bevacizumab for platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancer (NCT03093155): Updated survival and subgroup analyses
Roque D, Siegel E, Buza N, Bellone S, Huang G, Altwerger G, Andikyan V, Clark M, Azodi M, Schwartz P, Rao G, Ratner E, Santin A. Randomized phase II trial of weekly ixabepilone ± biweekly bevacizumab for platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancer (NCT03093155): Updated survival and subgroup analyses. BJC Reports 2024, 2: 43. DOI: 10.1038/s44276-024-00067-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-treated ovarian cancerOverall survivalBev armsDose reductionOvarian cancerTaxane responseRandomized phase 2 trialRandomized phase II trialPaclitaxel-resistant diseaseResultsThirty-seven patientsTreated with paclitaxelPhase 2 trialBiweekly bevacizumabDays 1,8,15Taxane-sensitiveUpdate survivalProgression-freePeritoneal cancerDose modificationTaxane sensitivityPlatinum resistanceSubset analysisSubgroup analysisResponse ratePatientsIntegrated mutational landscape analysis of poorly differentiated high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix
Bellone S, Jeong K, Halle M, Krakstad C, McNamara B, Greenman M, Mutlu L, Demirkiran C, Hartwich T, Yang-Hartwich Y, Zipponi M, Buza N, Hui P, Raspagliesi F, Lopez S, Paolini B, Milione M, Perrone E, Scambia G, Altwerger G, Ravaggi A, Bignotti E, Huang G, Andikyan V, Clark M, Ratner E, Azodi M, Schwartz P, Quick C, Angioli R, Terranova C, Zaidi S, Nandi S, Alexandrov L, Siegel E, Choi J, Schlessinger J, Santin A. Integrated mutational landscape analysis of poorly differentiated high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2024, 121: e2321898121. PMID: 38625939, PMCID: PMC11046577, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321898121.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsWhole-exome sequencingPatient-derived-xenograftsBase excision repairCopy number lossMultiregion whole-exome sequencingCopy number gainHigh-grade neuroendocrine carcinomaCNV analysisPhylogenetic analysisEvolutionary historyNeuroendocrine cervical cancerHuman papillomavirus DNAMutator phenotypeSensitivity to afatinibGenetic landscapeRecurrent mutationsRNA sequencingGene fusionsMutational landscape analysisExcision repairGenesMutationsPan-HERConsistent with deficiencyNeuroendocrine carcinomaRandomized Phase II Trial of Imiquimod with or without 9-Valent HPV Vaccine versus Observation in Patients with High-grade Pre-neoplastic Cervical Lesions (NCT02864147)
Sheth S, Oh J, Bellone S, Siegel E, Greenman M, Mutlu L, McNamara B, Pathy S, Clark M, Azodi M, Altwerger G, Andikyan V, Huang G, Ratner E, Kim D, Iwasaki A, Levi A, Buza N, Hui P, Flaherty S, Schwartz P, Santin A. Randomized Phase II Trial of Imiquimod with or without 9-Valent HPV Vaccine versus Observation in Patients with High-grade Pre-neoplastic Cervical Lesions (NCT02864147). Clinical Cancer Research 2024, 30: of1-of10. PMID: 38592381, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-3639.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsRandomized phase II trialCD4/CD8 T cellsT cellsHPV clearanceArm BNo significant differenceClinical surveillanceRate of HPV clearanceSecondary outcomesPre-neoplastic cervical lesionsCervical intraepithelial neoplasiaT cell infiltrationT cell responsesSignificant differenceCIN3 patientsIntraepithelial neoplasiaArm ACervical lesionsImiquimod groupSurveillance armVaginal suppositoriesProspective trialsArm CHPV vaccinationImiquimodCorrection: Randomised phase II trial of weekly ixabepilone ± biweekly bevacizumab for platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancer
Roque D, Siegel E, Buza N, Bellone S, Silasi D, Huang G, Andikyan V, Clark M, Azodi M, Schwartz P, Rao G, Reader J, Hui P, Tymon-Rosario J, Harold J, Mauricio D, Zeybek B, Menderes G, Altwerger G, Ratner E, Santin A. Correction: Randomised phase II trial of weekly ixabepilone ± biweekly bevacizumab for platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancer. British Journal Of Cancer 2024, 130: 1073-1073. PMID: 38438590, PMCID: PMC10951353, DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02628-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetric
2020
Randomized Phase II Trial of Carboplatin–Paclitaxel Compared with Carboplatin–Paclitaxel–Trastuzumab in Advanced (Stage III–IV) or Recurrent Uterine Serous Carcinomas that Overexpress Her2/Neu (NCT01367002): Updated Overall Survival Analysis
Fader AN, Roque DM, Siegel E, Buza N, Hui P, Abdelghany O, Chambers S, Secord AA, Havrilesky L, O'Malley DM, Backes FJ, Nevadunsky N, Edraki B, Pikaart D, Lowery W, ElSahwi K, Celano P, Bellone S, Azodi M, Litkouhi B, Ratner E, Silasi DA, Schwartz PE, Santin AD. Randomized Phase II Trial of Carboplatin–Paclitaxel Compared with Carboplatin–Paclitaxel–Trastuzumab in Advanced (Stage III–IV) or Recurrent Uterine Serous Carcinomas that Overexpress Her2/Neu (NCT01367002): Updated Overall Survival Analysis. Clinical Cancer Research 2020, 26: 3928-3935. PMID: 32601075, PMCID: PMC8792803, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-0953.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsMeSH KeywordsAgedAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsCarboplatinChemotherapy, AdjuvantCystadenocarcinoma, SerousCytoreduction Surgical ProceduresDrug Administration ScheduleEndometrial NeoplasmsEndometriumFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMiddle AgedNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalNeoplasm StagingPaclitaxelProgression-Free SurvivalReceptor, ErbB-2Survival AnalysisTrastuzumabConceptsProgression-free survivalRandomized phase II trialPhase II trialOverall survivalHER2/neuStage IIICarboplatin-paclitaxelII trialRecurrent diseaseControl armSurvival analysisRecurrent uterine serous carcinomaCarboplatin/paclitaxelUterine serous carcinomaOverall survival analysisEvaluable patientsEligible patientsPrimary endpointSecondary endpointsEndometrial cancerAggressive variantSerous carcinomaPrimary treatmentSurvival medianPatientsDerangements in HUWE1/c-MYC pathway confer sensitivity to the BET bromodomain inhibitor GS-626510 in uterine cervical carcinoma
Bonazzoli E, Bellone S, Zammataro L, Gnutti B, Guglielmi A, Pelligra S, Nagarkatti N, Manara P, Tymon-Rosario J, Zeybek B, Altwerger G, Menderes G, Han C, Ratner E, Silasi DA, Huang GS, Andikyan V, Azodi M, Schwartz PE, Santin AD. Derangements in HUWE1/c-MYC pathway confer sensitivity to the BET bromodomain inhibitor GS-626510 in uterine cervical carcinoma. Gynecologic Oncology 2020, 158: 769-775. PMID: 32600791, PMCID: PMC8253557, DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.06.484.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAnimalsCell Line, TumorFemaleHumansImidazolesIn Situ Hybridization, FluorescenceIsoxazolesMiceMiddle AgedProteinsProto-Oncogene Proteins c-mycSignal TransductionTumor Suppressor ProteinsUbiquitin-Protein LigasesUterine Cervical NeoplasmsXenograft Model Antitumor AssaysYoung AdultConceptsC-myc expressionC-Myc pathwayTwice-daily oral dosesC-MycWestern blotChemotherapy-resistant diseaseUterine cervical carcinomaPotential therapeutic targetEffective therapeutic agentDose-response decreaseCC xenograftsCell line growthOral dosesCervical carcinomaPrimary tumorDeletion/mutationClinical studiesTherapeutic targetTherapeutic agentsNormal tissuesBET inhibitorsVivo activityQRT-PCRCell proliferationGene deletion/mutationRisk‐stratifying clinicopathologic criteria for ovarian preservation in premenopausal women with early stage low‐risk endometrial cancer
Khadraoui W, Tierney C, Chung S, Mutlu L, Lu L, Azodi M, Ratner E, Menderes G. Risk‐stratifying clinicopathologic criteria for ovarian preservation in premenopausal women with early stage low‐risk endometrial cancer. International Journal Of Gynecology & Obstetrics 2020, 150: 385-391. PMID: 32506422, DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.13254.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsEarly-stage diseaseEndometrioid endometrial cancerEndometrial cancerOvarian preservationPremenopausal womenStage diseaseMetastatic diseaseGrade 1 endometrioid endometrial cancerEarly-stage endometrial cancerLow-risk endometrial cancerEarly-stage endometrioid endometrial cancerStage endometrial cancerStage II diseaseSingle institutional databaseFrozen section specimenQuality of lifeSignificant health benefitsIIA diseaseAdnexal involvementStage IAEndometrial biopsyOvarian involvementRetrospective reviewMyometrial biopsiesClinicopathologic criteriaPreclinical Activity of Sacituzumab Govitecan, an Antibody-Drug Conjugate Targeting Trophoblast Cell-Surface Antigen 2 (Trop-2) Linked to the Active Metabolite of Irinotecan (SN-38), in Ovarian Cancer
Perrone E, Lopez S, Zeybek B, Bellone S, Bonazzoli E, Pelligra S, Zammataro L, Manzano A, Manara P, Bianchi A, Buza N, Tymon-Rosario J, Altwerger G, Han C, Menderes G, Ratner E, Silasi DA, Azodi M, Hui P, Schwartz PE, Scambia G, Santin AD. Preclinical Activity of Sacituzumab Govitecan, an Antibody-Drug Conjugate Targeting Trophoblast Cell-Surface Antigen 2 (Trop-2) Linked to the Active Metabolite of Irinotecan (SN-38), in Ovarian Cancer. Frontiers In Oncology 2020, 10: 118. PMID: 32117765, PMCID: PMC7028697, DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00118.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsTrop-2 expressionEOC cell linesSacituzumab govitecanEpithelial ovarian cancerPrimary tumor cell linesPreclinical activityTrop-2EOC xenograftsOvarian cancerTrophoblast cell surface antigen 2Cell linesActive metaboliteTumor cell linesImpressive anti-tumor activityCell surface antigen 2Lethal gynecologic malignancyHigh ADCC activityAnti-tumor activityParaffin-embedded tumorsSignificant bystander killingGynecologic malignanciesADCC activityEOC tissuesOvarian tumorsClinical trialsPreclinical activity of sacituzumab govitecan (IMMU-132) in uterine and ovarian carcinosarcomas
Lopez S, Perrone E, Bellone S, Bonazzoli E, Zeybek B, Han C, Tymon-Rosario J, Altwerger G, Menderes G, Bianchi A, Zammataro L, Manzano A, Manara P, Ratner E, Silasi DA, Huang GS, Azodi M, Schwartz PE, Raspagliesi F, Angioli R, Buza N, Hui P, Bond HM, Santin AD. Preclinical activity of sacituzumab govitecan (IMMU-132) in uterine and ovarian carcinosarcomas. Oncotarget 2020, 11: 560-570. PMID: 32082489, PMCID: PMC7007291, DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27342.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsSacituzumab govitecanTrop-2 expressionTrop-2Ovarian carcinosarcomaWeekly intravenous administrationSignificant tumor growth inhibitionTumor growth inhibitionCS cell linesCell linesCell surface markersNegative cell linesAggressive carcinosarcomasCarcinosarcoma patientsPrimary carcinosarcomaOverall survivalPoor prognosisPreclinical activityRare cancersIntravenous administrationXenograft modelActive drugCarcinosarcomaActive metaboliteFFPE tumorsCell viability assays
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
A Phase II Evaluation of Sacituzumab Govitecan (IMMU-132), an Anti-Trop-2-SN-38 Antibody-drug Conjugate in Patients With Recurrent or Persistent Cervical Cancer
HIC ID2000023639RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/01/2026Recruiting ParticipantsA Phase II/III Study of Paclitaxel/Carboplatin Alone or Combined With Either Trastuzumab and Hyaluronidase-Oysk (HERCEPTIN HYLECTA) or Pertuzumab, Trastuzumab, and Hyaluronidase-Zzxf (PHESGO) in HER2 Positive, Stage I-IV Endometrial Serous Carcinoma or Carcinosarcoma
HIC ID2000033613RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date10/31/2027Recruiting ParticipantsA Phase II Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Mirvetuximab Soravtansine (IMGN853) in Women With Folate Receptor-α Positive Persistent or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer
HIC ID2000023841RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date10/31/2025Recruiting ParticipantsA Randomized Phase III, Two-Arm Trial of Paclitaxel/Carboplatin/Maintenance Letrozole Versus Letrozole Monotherapy in Patients With Stage II-IV, Primary Low-Grade Serous Carcinoma of the Ovary or Peritoneum
HIC ID2000026762RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date02/01/2027Recruiting ParticipantsA Phase II Evaluation of Sacituzumab Govitecan (IMMU-132), an Anti-Trop-2-SN-38 Antibody-drug Conjugate, in Patients With Persistent or Recurrent Endometrial Carcinoma
HIC ID2000026850RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/31/2024Recruiting Participants
Clinical Care
Overview
Masoud Azodi, MD, is the director of minimally invasive and robotic surgery for Yale Medicine obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences. He has a special interest in using minimally invasive surgical techniques, particularly robotic surgery to treat patients with gynecologic precancers and cancers. Dr. Azodi has been a gynecologist at Yale for more than 20 years, performing more than 3,000 conventional laparoscopic and more than 3,000 robotic-assisted surgeries for management of gynecologic diseases.
“We provide excellent patient care, and our team works with the most up-to-date surgical techniques and research,” he says. Dr. Azodi has been recognized as one of the Top Doctors in the state by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd.
In addition to practicing surgery, Dr. Azodi is a principal investigator and co-principal investigator in multiple protocols treating gynecologic cancer. He is a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine.
Clinical Specialties
Fact Sheets
Cervical Cancer
Learn More on Yale MedicineGynecologic Cancers
Learn More on Yale MedicineHereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC)
Learn More on Yale MedicinePeritoneal Cancer
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Yale Medicine News
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View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.
View Doctor ProfileNews & Links
Media
News
- May 02, 2024
15 Yale Ob/Gyn Physicians Named "Top Doctors" For 2024
- April 15, 2024
Genetic Analysis of Rare, Often Deadly Cervical Cancer Uncovers Potential Treatments
- July 07, 2023Source: Medicine
Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis of Highly Cited Articles on Immunotherapy for Endometrial Cancer
- May 01, 2023
Connecticut Magazine’s 2023 “Top Doctors” issue recognizes 81 Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center physicians
Get In Touch
Contacts
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
PO Box 208063
New Haven, CT 06520-8063
United States
Administrative Support
Locations
Yale Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Academic Office
Farnam Memorial Building
310 Cedar Street, Wing Gynecologic Oncology, Fl 3rd, Ste 328E
New Haven, CT 06510
General Information
203.785.4013Fax
203.785.4135Patient Care Locations
Are You a Patient? View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.
Events
Everyone Peter Schwartz, MD - Mitchell Clark, MD, MPH - Johanna D'Addario, MHS, PA-C, DFAAPA - Steven Fleischman, MD - Sangini S. Sheth, MD, MPH, FACOG - Elena Ratner, MD, MBA - Clare Flannery, MD - Masoud Azodi, MD - Pei Hui, PhD, MD - Mary Jane Minkin, MD - Alessandro Santin, MD - Melinda Irwin, PhD, MPH