Fumito Ito, MD, PhD

Fumito Ito, MD, PhD, is a surgical oncologist with Keck Medicine of USC specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, melanoma and other skin cancers. He provides a full spectrum of surgical care and works closely with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, plastic surgeons and other specialists to develop an individualized treatment plan for each patient. When appropriate, he integrates surgery with systemic therapies, including immunotherapy, with the goal of achieving the best possible cancer outcome while considering opportunities to reduce the extent of surgery.

Dr. Ito is a professor of surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and vice chair of basic and translational science for the Department of Surgery. As a surgeon-scientist with expertise in tumor immunology and cancer immunotherapy, he brings an understanding of rapidly evolving cancer treatments directly to his clinical practice. His research focuses on developing new immunotherapeutic approaches and translating discoveries from the laboratory into clinical trials for patients with cancer.

Dr. Ito received his MD and PhD in tumor immunology from Shiga University of Medical Science in Japan, where he also received his initial surgical training. He subsequently conducted research in cancer immunotherapy at the University of Michigan and completed his U.S. general surgery residency at the University of Wisconsin and fellowship training in surgical oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York. Before joining Keck Medicine in 2021, he held faculty positions at the University of Michigan and at Roswell Park.