Publications
Selected publications, with featured ML research highlighted below.
Desai A, Schwed K, Kalesinskas L, et al. Clinical Outcomes of Perioperative Immunotherapy in Resectable Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(6):e2517953. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.17953
Fidyk E, Kalesinskas L, Krismer K, Blarre A, Bouzit L, Ritten J, Gao J, Marinescu A, Kelly J, Harrison K, Cohen A. Real-world ctDNA testing patterns, associated biomarkers and sites of metastasis in early stage colorectal cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2024. JCO 42, 3610-3610(2024). doi:10.1200/JCO.2024.42.16_suppl.3610
Marinescu A, Chen J, Holmes HE, et al. Safety Assessment of High-Purity, Synthetic Nicotinamide Riboside (NR-E) in a 90-Day Repeated Dose Oral Toxicity Study, With a 28-Day Recovery Arm. International Journal of Toxicology. 2020;39(4):307-320. doi:10.1177/1091581820927406
Cody EA, Kraszewski AP, Marinescu A, et al. Measuring Joint Flexibility in Hallux Rigidus Using a Novel Flexibility Jig. Foot & Ankle International. 2017;38(8):885-892. doi:10.1177/1071100717709538
Cody EA, Mancuso CA, Burket JC, Marinescu A, MacMahon A, Ellis SJ, Patient Factors Associated With Higher Expectations From Foot and Ankle Surgery. Foot & Ankle International. 2017;38(5):472-478. doi:10.1177/1071100717690807
Cody EA, Mancuso CA, MacMahon A, Marinescu A, Burket JC, Drakos MC, Roberts MM, Ellis SJ. Development of an Expectations Survey for Patients Undergoing Foot and Ankle Surgery. Foot & Ankle International. 2016;37(12):1277-1284. doi:10.1177/1071100716666260
de Cesar Netto C, Kunas GC, Soukup D, Marinescu A, Ellis SJ. Correlation of Clinical Evaluation and Radiographic Hindfoot Alignment in Stage II Adult-Acquired Flatfoot Deformity. Foot & Ankle International. 2018;39(7):771-779. doi:10.1177/1071100718762113
Saunders SM, Ellis SJ, Demetracopoulos CA, Marinescu A, Burkett J, Deland JT. Comparative Outcomes Between Step-Cut Lengthening Calcaneal Osteotomy vs Traditional Evans Osteotomy for Stage IIB Adult-Acquired Flatfoot Deformity. Foot & Ankle International. 2018;39(1):18-27. doi:10.1177/1071100717732723
Oungoulian S, Hehir K, Zhu, K, Willis CE, Marinescu, A, Merali N, Ahmad C, Hung C, and Ateshian G. Effect of glutaraldehyde fixation on the frictional response of immature bovine articular cartilage explants. Journal of Biomechanics, 2014. 47(3): p. 694-701. doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2013.11.043
Featured Publications
1. Clinical Outcomes of Perioperative Immunotherapy in Resectable Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Publication: Desai A, Schwed K, Kalesinskas L, et al. JAMA Network Open (June 2025) - Vol 8, No 6 - full article
Why it matters
Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, but new immunotherapy treatments show promise for early-stage patients. This nationwide study analyzed 1,334 patients across 280 cancer clinics using Flatiron Health's AI product—built by my team—to understand how these treatments are working in the real world and whether patients are actually receiving them.
Key Insights
The treatments work well: Patients receiving immunotherapy had strong survival rates (80-87% remained metastasis-free at 18 months)
But most patients aren't getting them: Despite FDA approval, fewer than 30% of eligible patients received these therapies in 2023
Testing gaps are holding patients back: Only 50-70% of patients received critical biomarker tests needed to determine the right treatment—a major barrier to personalized care
We can predict where cancer may spread: Brain, bone, and lung tissue were the most common sites when cancer returned
Impact
This research reveals a troubling gap: we have life-saving treatments, but most patients who could benefit aren't receiving them. By using AI to analyze millions of patient records at scale, we identified specific barriers—low biomarker testing rates and slow clinical adoption—that healthcare systems can now address to improve outcomes for early-stage lung cancer patients.
2. Real-world ctDNA testing patterns, associated biomarkers and sites of metastasis in early stage colorectal cancer
Authors: Erin Fidyk, Laurynas Kalesinskas, Konstantin Krismer, Auriane Blarre, Lilia Bouzit, John James Ritten, Jessica Gao, Anca Marinescu, Jonathan Kelly, Katherine Harrison, and Aaron B. Cohen
Publication: Journal of Clinical Oncology (May 2024) - Volume 42, Number 16_suppl - full abstract
Why it matters
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) refers to fragments of DNA released by tumors into the bloodstream. It is increasingly important in clinical practice because it enables minimally invasive monitoring of cancer progression, treatment response, and early detection of relapse. This groundbreaking study leverages an NLP-driven deep learning model developed by my team to extract detailed ctDNA information from electronic medical records, achieving high recall, precision, and accuracy at scale. Representing the largest real-world analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing in early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC), the research provides critical insights into clinical adoption patterns, the predictive value of ctDNA testing for metastasis, and its potential to guide risk stratification and personalized treatment. Without the innovative use of machine learning, analyzing ctDNA testing patterns across ~5 million patient records within Flatiron's network would have been infeasible.
Key Insights
Growing Adoption of ctDNA Testing
Among 78,046 early-stage CRC patients, over 5,000 underwent ctDNA testing, with an increasing adoption rate over time.
11% of patients diagnosed in early 2021–2022 received ctDNA testing, increasing to 14% in 2022–2023.
ctDNA Positivity & Risk of Metastasis
34.5% of tested patients had at least one positive ctDNA test.
Patients with ctDNA+ results were nearly 9x more likely to develop metastatic disease (21.1% vs. 2.8% in ctDNA- patients).
The median time to metastasis from first positive ctDNA test was 24.2 months.
Biomarkers & Metastasis Sites
ctDNA+ patients had a higher prevalence of TP53 and KRAS mutations.
Liver metastases were significantly more common in ctDNA+ patients (41% vs. 28% in ctDNA- patients).
Patients with higher minimal residual disease (MRD) levels had a greater risk of liver metastasis.
Impact
This study underscores the clinical value of ctDNA testing as a predictive biomarker in early-stage CRC, potentially transforming patient management through earlier identification of high-risk patients. The findings advocate for broader adoption of ctDNA testing to enhance proactive therapeutic interventions, improve patient outcomes, and inform targeted strategies for managing colorectal cancer progression.