Dr. Timothy J. Pluard, MD

Expert Publications

• Ral signaling pathway in health and cancer.

Clinical Trials

• Study of Ribociclib With Everolimus + Exemestane in HR+ HER2- Locally Advanced/Metastatic Breast Cancer Post Progression on CDK 4/6 Inhibitor.
• Phase 2 Study of Tucatinib vs Placebo in Combination With Capecitabine & Trastuzumab in Patients With Advanced HER2+ Breast Cancer
• Margetuximab Plus Chemotherapy vs Trastuzumab Plus Chemotherapy in the Treatment of HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer
• Integrated Cancer Repository for Cancer Research
• Neratinib +/- Fulvestrant in Metastatic HER2 Non-amplified But HER2 Mutant Breast Cancer

Media Releases

Get to know Oncologist Dr. Timothy J. Pluard, who serves patients in Kansas City, Missouri.

Dr. Pluard is a medical oncologist with a particular interest in clinical research studies of new targeted therapies of breast cancer. He joined Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute as Medical Director in August of 2013. 

The care of women with breast cancer requires a multidisciplinary holistic approach from diagnosis through treatment, recovery, and survivorship. At Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute, Dr. Pluard and his superb team focus on the comprehensive care of women with breast cancer where every woman’s tumor is genetically analyzed to understand what is driving their cancer. They emphasize the importance of in-depth communication with patients taking a fully holistic approach to their treatment options.

Professionally, Dr. Pluard is also the Paul Koontz Endowed Chair of Breast Disease at the University of Missouri- Kansas City School of Medicine. Under his leadership, Saint Luke’s has launched two new signature centers, offering a level of cancer expertise not found within 450 miles of Kansas City. 

In 2016, Saint Luke’s Hospital launched its innovative Koontz Center for Advanced Breast Cancer, one of the few centers nationally, and the only in the Midwest, dedicated exclusively to the care of patients with metastatic breast cancer. 

In 2017, Dr. Pluard led the creation of Saint Luke’s Center for Precision Oncology, the only center within a 450-mile radius that brings together experts in clinical oncology, tumor genomics, and computational biology. This unique multidisciplinary team has the expertise to identify the exact genomic alteration causing a patient’s tumor, and find the best possible treatment—even if it has never been used on that kind of cancer before. 

Prior to joining Saint Luke’s, Dr. Pluard served as associate professor of medicine at Washington University in Saint Louis, and as clinical director of the breast oncology program at Siteman Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

Practicing medicine in Missouri, he is affiliated with Liberty Hospital, St. Luke’s East Hospital, and St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City. 

Possessing a solid educational background, Dr. Pluard graduated with his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine. He then went on to perform his residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center, and his fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

“I wanted to be a doctor from a young age. I’m not sure of the origin of that as there are no physicians in my family. I took a detour through engineering school but came back to medicine. I chose oncology because I thought it was the field in medicine with the greatest potential for significant advancement during my career. That has held true” expressed the doctor. 

An active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, he is board-certified in medical oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The ABIM is a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world.

An authority in his field, Dr. Pluard has published extensively on new therapeutic approaches to breast cancer and the care of metastatic breast cancer patients. In 2011, he was awarded $100,000 from the John and Renee Berra Fund for Cancer Research to investigate new therapies in breast cancer.

Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. A medical oncologist treats cancer using chemotherapy or other medications, such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

With over 35 years of experience, Dr. Pluard is the recipient of Top 10 Doctor – State (2014) and Patients’ Choice Award (2016).

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