Dr. Yuki Yoshimatsu | Translational Oncology | Research Excellence Distinction Award
Research Fellow at National Cancer Center Research Institute, Japan
Yuki Yoshimatsu is an accomplished translational oncology researcher specializing in rare cancers, particularly soft tissue sarcomas. Currently a Research Fellow at the Division of Rare Cancer Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute (NCCRI) in Tokyo, Japan, she also leads the Medical Seeds Discovery Project at Tochigi Cancer Center Research Institute. With a Ph.D. in Medical Science from the University of Tokyo, Dr. Yoshimatsu has built a career centered on developing patient-derived models and identifying therapeutic targets to advance precision oncology. Her international research experience includes senior roles at prestigious institutions such as the University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. She has established over 100 rare cancer models, contributing significantly to drug discovery platforms for underrepresented malignancies. Notably, her recent work combines high-throughput kinase profiling with pharmacological screening to identify predictive biomarkers in sarcoma therapy. Dr. Yoshimatsu is also a contributing author to Japan’s national clinical guidelines for molecular tumor markers. Her commitment extends beyond research, as she mentors young scientists and champions diversity in oncology. Her work reflects a deep dedication to transforming clinical care for rare cancer patients through innovation, collaboration, and translational excellence.
Profile
Education
Yuki Yoshimatsu holds a Ph.D. in Medical Science from the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Tokyo, one of Japan’s premier academic institutions. Her doctoral training laid the groundwork for a career in molecular oncology and cancer model development, emphasizing translational applications of basic science discoveries. Throughout her educational journey, Dr. Yoshimatsu focused on mechanisms of carcinogenesis and molecular diagnostics, equipping her with advanced research methodologies in molecular biology, oncology, and virology. This academic foundation was further enriched by her postdoctoral training in leading U.S. research centers, where she integrated Western biomedical research standards with her Japanese scientific education. Her interdisciplinary and international education empowered her to bridge clinical oncology with laboratory science, ultimately enabling the development of patient-derived models and innovative drug testing platforms. By completing her academic training at an institution globally recognized for excellence in medical research, Dr. Yoshimatsu demonstrates a strong commitment to academic rigor, scientific ethics, and translational impact. Her educational background serves as the cornerstone for her continuing contributions to the fields of rare cancer research and biomarker discovery.
Professional Experience
Dr. Yuki Yoshimatsu has accumulated over a decade of research experience across Japan and the United States, contributing to major advances in rare cancer studies. Since 2022, she has served as a Research Fellow at the National Cancer Center Research Institute in Tokyo, concurrently leading the Medical Seeds Discovery Project at Tochigi Cancer Center Research Institute. These roles highlight her leadership in developing innovative models for rare cancer drug discovery. From 2016 to 2022, she worked as a Senior Researcher at the NCCRI, where she established a wide array of sarcoma-derived models and led drug screening projects. Earlier, from 2012 to 2016, she served as a Senior Fellow in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Washington Medicine in Seattle, focusing on translational mechanisms in head and neck cancers. Her postdoctoral work from 2010 to 2012 at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center provided crucial experience in cancer signaling and molecular therapeutics. Across her roles, Dr. Yoshimatsu has built a strong portfolio in rare tumor biology, preclinical model development, and translational research, firmly establishing her as a key figure in the rare cancer research community.
Research Interest
Dr. Yuki Yoshimatsu’s research interests lie at the interface of translational oncology and rare tumor biology, with a particular focus on soft tissue sarcomas. Her work centers on developing patient-derived tumor models, including cell lines, organoids, and xenografts, to create realistic platforms for drug discovery and biomarker validation. She is deeply engaged in high-throughput drug sensitivity screening, utilizing kinome profiling techniques to map signaling pathways and identify novel therapeutic targets. A major emphasis of her research is on biomarker-guided therapy, aiming to refine personalized medicine approaches for cancers where standard treatments are limited. Additionally, she investigates viral oncogenesis and the multistep mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis, expanding the understanding of how certain cancers evolve at the molecular level. Her research not only contributes to the biological understanding of rare malignancies but also translates directly into therapeutic innovation. By focusing on understudied cancers with high unmet medical needs, Dr. Yoshimatsu addresses critical gaps in oncology, improving prognosis and therapeutic options for patients. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates molecular biology, pharmacology, and clinical insight, advancing the frontier of rare cancer research.
Research Skills
Dr. Yoshimatsu possesses a robust and interdisciplinary set of research skills tailored to the study of rare cancers. She is highly proficient in developing and characterizing patient-derived tumor models, having successfully established more than 100 models, including over 60 sarcoma-derived cell lines and 40 xenograft models. Her expertise extends to kinomic and pharmacologic profiling using state-of-the-art technologies such as PamChip® peptide arrays, enabling the identification of resistance markers and actionable targets. She is skilled in high-throughput drug sensitivity screening, which allows her to assess hundreds of compounds across diverse tumor models efficiently. Dr. Yoshimatsu is also adept in molecular and cellular biology techniques, such as Western blotting, PCR, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Her computational skills in bioinformatics support data analysis for biomarker validation and pathway mapping. Additionally, she brings extensive experience in writing scientific publications, collaborating across institutions, and contributing to clinical guidelines. These technical and analytical skills empower her translational work, bridging the gap between laboratory research and patient care. Her ability to integrate biological insight with therapeutic relevance marks her as a versatile and impactful cancer researcher.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Yuki Yoshimatsu has been recognized with several prestigious awards that underscore the innovation and relevance of her research in rare cancers. In August 2023, she received the Best Presentation Award from the Japanese Society of Human Cell Science for her work on establishing a novel leiomyosarcoma cell line for therapeutic drug screening. This recognition highlighted her contribution to enhancing model systems in oncology. In November 2021, she was awarded the Poster Award by the Japan Society for Patient-Derived Cancer Models for her groundbreaking work in constructing sarcoma models derived from patient tumors, a testament to her leadership in model-based drug discovery. Earlier in her career, in March 2010, Dr. Yoshimatsu was the recipient of an International Research Grant from the Kanzawa Medical Research Promotion Foundation for her study on mechanisms of multistep carcinogenesis in cervical cancer. These honors reflect her long-standing dedication to translational research and innovation, as well as her ability to tackle complex scientific challenges. Collectively, they signify the impact of her contributions to the rare cancer research community, both nationally and internationally.
Publications
Dr. Yuki Yoshimatsu has made substantial contributions to the field of translational oncology through her research publications and scholarly outputs. Among her recent work is the manuscript titled “Patient-derived models of sarcomas for drug discovery,” which is currently in preparation or under peer review. This work encapsulates her extensive development of over 100 rare cancer models, particularly emphasizing their application in therapeutic screening. In addition to her original research, she has contributed as a co-author to the “Clinical Practice Guidelines for Molecular Tumor Markers, 2nd Edition” (2024), a key national guideline aimed at standardizing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies across oncology disciplines in Japan. Dr. Yoshimatsu has also published findings on kinase inhibitor screening and kinomic profiling, including the use of PamChip® arrays to identify resistance markers such as FER, ITK, and VEGFR1 in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). These works exemplify her integrated approach to model development, drug testing, and biomarker discovery. Her publication portfolio underscores her leadership in applying basic science to clinical challenges, aiming to deliver precision medicine solutions for rare and hard-to-treat cancers.
Conclusion
Dr. Yuki Yoshimatsu stands as a leading figure in rare cancer research, distinguished by her dedication to translational innovation, patient-centered model development, and therapeutic discovery. Her academic training, international research experience, and leadership roles across Japan and the U.S. have positioned her at the forefront of precision oncology. Through her pioneering work in soft tissue sarcomas and kinome profiling, she has not only advanced our understanding of tumor biology but also provided clinically relevant tools for targeted drug development. Her awards and guideline contributions further validate the impact of her scientific endeavors.