Dr. Scott Antonia

About Dr. Scott Antonia

Scott J. Antonia, MD, PhD, is a medical oncologist who specializes in treating pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other thoracic cancers. He also has extensive experience treating patients with unresectable pleural mesothelioma.

As director of the DCI Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Dr. Antonia is known for advancing immunotherapy through clinical trials that have helped change how mesothelioma and lung cancer are treated. He believes every patient deserves access to the latest treatment options backed by scientific research.

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What Health Conditions Does Dr. Scott Antonia Treat?

Dr. Antonia treats pleural mesothelioma and many other lung cancers.

His primary areas of care include:

• Lung cancer
• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
• Pleural mesothelioma
• Other thoracic cancers

He works with specialists across multiple disciplines to develop personalized treatment plans for each patient.

Dr. Scott Antonia’s Mesothelioma Treatment Approach

Pleural mesothelioma often requires treatment from several specialists. Dr. Antonia focuses on therapies that treat cancer throughout the body while considering each patient’s age, mesothelioma stage, and eligibility for immunotherapy, among other factors.

He may use mesothelioma treatment options including:

• Chemotherapy: Uses medications to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth
• Clinical trials: Provide access to promising therapies being studied for mesothelioma
• Immunotherapy: Helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells

Every treatment plan is personalized to provide the most effective care while supporting each patient’s quality of life. That may include multidisciplinary treatment plans with other thoracic surgeons or radiation oncologists.

Prepare for your appointment with Dr. Antonia at Duke Cancer Center by downloading our Free Doctor Questions Checklist.

Dr. Scott Antonia’s Medical Background

Scott J. Antonia, MD, PhD, has spent his career advancing cancer immunotherapy while caring for patients with mesothelioma and other thoracic cancers.

He currently serves as the director of the Duke Cancer Institute Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, where he combines patient care with clinical research and medical education. His ongoing research efforts continue to shape the future of immunotherapy for patients with mesothelioma.

Dr. Antonia’s Work Experience

Dr. Antonia has held leadership roles in cancer research and medical oncology throughout his career.

His experience includes:

• Professor at Duke University School of Medicine
• Former Chair of the Department of Thoracic Oncology at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
• Postdoctoral fellowship in immunobiology at Yale University School of Medicine
• Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Connecticut Health Center

Dr. Antonia has used this experience to advance immunotherapy and improve treatment options for people with cancer.

Highlights of Dr. Scott Antonia’s Medical Career

Dr. Antonia has helped transform cancer treatment through his leadership in immunotherapy research and clinical trials. His combination of clinical expertise, groundbreaking research, and patient-centered care gives patients access to both established treatments and promising new therapies.

Dr. Antonia’s Awards

Dr. Scott Antonia has also won awards throughout his career as he’s become one of the top medical oncologists and immunotherapy researchers.

His awards include:

• Researcher of the Year (H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center 2018)
• Mentor of the Year (H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center 2008)
• Physician of the Year (H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center 2005)

His recognition from Moffitt reflects the impact he’s had on both his patients and fellow medical professionals.

Dr. Antonia’s Work on the PACIFIC Study

In 2017, Dr. Antonia was the lead author on the PACIFIC study. The randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trial tested Imfinzi (durvalumab), an immunotherapy drug that targets PD-L1 proteins, as a consolidation treatment given after chemoradiotherapy in patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC.

Before this trial, patients in this category had very limited options if their cancer returned after completing chemoradiotherapy. The PACIFIC trial found that patients who received Imfinzi had significantly improved survival compared with placebo. The results also lasted, as 42.9% of Imfinzi patients were alive 5 years later when researchers conducted a follow-up study.

The research helped:

• Cement the PACIFIC regimen as a new global standard of NSCLC treatment after chemoradiotherapy
• Build momentum for testing durvalumab in combination with chemotherapy or radiation in mesothelioma patients
• Provide patients with an additional treatment that could extend their survival

“Results of PACIFIC provide compelling evidence for the unprecedented benefit of durvalumab treatment as the standard of care in this patient population. Durvalumab offers the first major advance in this disease setting in many years, offering new hope to patients with Stage III, unresectable NSCLC without progression after CRT.”
– Dr. Scott J. Antonia, MD, PhD

The PACIFIC trial stands as one of the most significant studies Dr. Antonia has led. The study took immunotherapy from an experimental concept to the new global standard of care for a common and historically difficult-to-treat stage of lung cancer. It could also help experts apply the same drug class and biological logic to mesothelioma research.

Dr. Scott Antonia’s Work in Cancer Treatment & Clinical Research

In addition to leading the PACIFIC trial and caring for patients, Dr. Antonia has helped lead other clinical trials that changed how immunotherapy is used to treat thoracic cancers.

His clinical research work includes:

• Alirocumab Plus Cemiplimab in Advanced Immuno-Refractory Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: An Ongoing Multi-Center Phase II Study. Published in Future Oncology, April 2026.
• Distinct Tumor-Immune Ecologies in Patients With Lung Cancer Predict Progression and Define a Clinical Biomarker of Therapy Response. Published in Cancer Research, March 2026.
• Addressing Common Medications That Influence Immunotherapy Response in Solid Tumors. Published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, January 2026.
• Perioperative pembrolizumab in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): conventional and distribution-based immune profiling of the tumor microenvironment and peripheral circulation. Published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, October 2025.
• A Critical Review of Immunomodulation in the Management of Inoperable Stage III NSCLC. Published in Cancers, May 2025.
• Complement Factor H Targeting Antibody GT103 in Refractory Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Phase 1B Dose Escalation Trial. Published in Nature Communications, January 2025.

His research continues to improve treatment options for patients with mesothelioma and other complex cancers.

Connect with top doctors like Dr. Antonia who can create the best treatment plan for your mesothelioma. Our Free Doctor Match tool will help you get started today.

Get Connected With Dr. Scott Antonia

Immunotherapy has transformed treatment for many patients with pleural mesothelioma, offering new options that were not available just a few years ago. Dr. Scott Antonia is one of the leading researchers making advanced treatments possible while coordinating patient care.

At Mesothelioma Hope, we connect patients with experienced mesothelioma specialists like Dr. Antonia. Our Patient Advocates are ready to help you get started today.

Use our Free Doctor Match tool or call (866) 608-8933 to connect with mesothelioma specialists, find nationwide treatment centers, and access patient support resources.