Karen McLean, MD, PhD, FACOG

Specialty: Gynecologic Oncology
Department of Gynecologic Oncology
Dr. M. Steven Piver Endowed Professorship in Gynecologic Oncology

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Locations

Roswell Park Main Campus
1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355)

Dr. McLean is a Buffalo Spree Top Doctor! Top Doctors 2025 See all of our physicians who made this year's list.

Specializing In:

  • Cancers of the ovaries, uterus, cervix and vulva/vagina
  • Surgical management of gynecologic malignancies including laparotomy, robotic and conventional laparoscopy, complex pelvic surgeries including bowel and urologic components
  • Chemotherapy and clinical trials
  • Primary radiation for patients unable to undergo surgery

Research Interests:

  • Comprehensive care for women with gynecologic cancers
  • Translational laboratory research to discover new cancer treatments
  • Mentorship and education of trainees

Biography

I am a board-certified gynecologic oncologist with extensive experience as a principal investigator running a basic science laboratory concurrent with an active clinical gynecologic oncology practice including comprehensive surgical and chemotherapy care. I am committed to advancing our understanding of gynecologic cancers with the goal of improving outcomes for our patients.

McLean Laboratory

Positions

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

  • Associate Professor of Oncology
  • Department of Gynecologic Oncology
  • Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics
  • Dr. M. Steven Piver Endowed Professorship in Gynecologic Oncology

Background

Education and Training

  • 1995-2004 - PhD - Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
  • 1995-2004 - MD - Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Residency

  • 2004 -2008 - Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Fellowship

  • 2008 - 2011 - Gynecologic Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Board Certification

  • Obstetrics & Gynecology - American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Gynecologic Oncology - American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Professional Memberships

  • American Association for Cancer Research
  • Society of Gynecologic Oncology

Honors & Awards

  • Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Academy

Research Overview

Clinical Trials

Featured on CancerTalk

Publications

  Full Publications list on PubMed

Nakatsuka E, Tan L, Cunneen B, Foster C, Lei YL, McLean K. Characterization of DNA damage repair pathway utilization in high-grade serous ovarian cancers yields rational therapeutic approaches. Transl Oncol. 2024 Dec;50:102119. PMID 39270525 / PMC11416511.

Tondo-Steele K, Milliron KJ, Siedel JH, Uppal S, Merajver SD, McLean K. Germline genetic testing reveals pathogenic variants in uterine serous carcinoma patients. Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2024 Oct;55:101498. PMID 39297075 / PMC11408757.

Tan L, Tondo-Steele K, Foster C, McIlwain C, Bolland DE, Crawford HC, Sciallis A, McLean K. Inhibition of Tumor Microenvironment Cytokine Signaling Sensitizes Ovarian Cancer Cells to Antiestrogen Therapy. Cancers 14:4675, 2022. PMC9564160.

McLean K, Tan L, Bolland DE, Coffman LG, Peterson LF, Talpaz M, Neamati N, Buckanovich RJ:
Leukemia inhibitory factor functions in parallel with interleukin-6 to promote ovarian cancer growth. Oncogene 38(9): 1576-1584, 2018. PM30305729.

Hacker KE, Bolland DE, Tan L, Saha AK, Niknafs YS, Markovitz DM, McLean K: The DEK Oncoprotein Functions in Ovarian Cancer Growth and Survival. Neoplasia 20(12): 1209-1218, 2018. PM30412857/PMC6226625.