About

Yehoda M Martei, MD, MSCE, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine (Hematology-Oncology) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She serves as an Attending Physician in Hematology-Oncology at the same institution. Additionally, she holds the position of Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Botswana in Gaborone, Botswana, and is recognized as a Global Health Scholar at the Center for Global Health within the Perelman School of Medicine. Dr. Martei is also the Vice Chief of Global Oncology in the Hematology-Oncology Division of the Department of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Her educational background includes a BA in Biology from Harvard University (2005), an MD from Yale University School of Medicine (2011), and an MSCE in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania (2018). Her professional focus encompasses global health, cancer research, and oncology, with a particular emphasis on breast cancer and HIV in Botswana. She has contributed to research on cardiovascular risk factors in people with HIV and breast cancer, breast cancer stigma, and global breast cancer initiatives, among other topics. Dr. Martei's work involves advancing cancer care and research in global settings, especially in resource-limited environments.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Oncology
• Family medicine
• Gynecology

Selected publications

• Additional file 1 of Cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac dysfunction in people with HIV and breast cancer: an observational cohort study in Botswana

  Figshare · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Additional file 1. Supplementary Figure 1: Flow diagram of patient selection into the cohort.

  PublisherDOI

• Air Pollution and Cardiac Remodeling and Function in Patients With Breast Cancer

  JAMA Network Open · 2026-01-15

  articleOpen access

  Importance: The relationship between air pollution and cardiac remodeling in patients with cancer treated with cardiotoxic therapy is undefined. Objective: To assess the associations between air pollutants and changes in cardiac function, structure, and remodeling in patients with breast cancer treated with anthracyclines and/or trastuzumab therapy. Design, Setting, and Participants: This longitudinal prospective cohort study included patients with breast cancer enrolled at multiple sites of a quaternary health care system from July 1, 2010, to November 1, 2018. All participants were initiating anthracyclines and/or trastuzumab. Data were analyzed from December 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025. Exposures: Three-year average census tract-level concentrations of fine particulate matter with diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM2.5), particulate matter with diameter of 10 µm or less (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3). Main Outcomes and Measures: Core laboratory-quantified, echocardiography-derived measures of cardiac remodeling and function and incidence of cardiac dysfunction, defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decline of 10% or more from baseline to less than 50%. Multivariable linear regression and generalized estimating equations defined the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between air pollution and measures of cardiac remodeling and function. Cause-specific hazard models defined the adjusted associations between air pollution and cardiac dysfunction. Results: Across 580 female patients (median age, 50 years [IQR, 42-58 years]), 3642 echocardiograms were obtained at standardized time intervals over a median of 3.1 years (IQR, 2.3-3.6 years) and centrally quantified. Cardiac dysfunction was observed in 98 of 574 participants (17.1%). Concentrations of PM2.5 (median, 9.26 μg/m3 [IQR, 8.49-10.17 μg/m3]) and O3 (median, 47.00 parts per billion [ppb] [IQR, 45.50-48.19 ppb]) were each associated with cardiac dysfunction and adverse remodeling, cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Over time, each IQR-increment increase in PM2.5 (1.68 μg/m3) and O3 (2.69 ppb) was associated with a mean LVEF change of -1.3% (95% CI, -1.8% to -0.8%) and -1.4% (95% CI, -1.8% to -1.0%), respectively; worse longitudinal strain (-1.0% [95% CI, -1.3% to -0.7%] and -1.1% [95% CI, -1.3% to -0.8%], respectively); and left ventricular mass increase of 4.8 g/m2 (95% CI, 3.1-6.5 g/m2) and 3.2 g/m2 (95% CI, 2.1-4.3 g/m2), respectively. Patients in the highest tertiles of PM2.5 (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 2.03; 95% CI, 1.17-3.52) and O3 (AHR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.23-3.78) exposure were at a significantly higher risk of cardiac dysfunction compared with those in the lowest tertile. Neither PM10 (AHR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.49-1.44) nor NO2 (AHR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.50-1.70) showed significant associations with cardiac dysfunction. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, PM2.5 and O3 exposure was independently associated with worse cardiac remodeling and function in patients with breast cancer treated with cardiotoxic therapy. These findings highlight the importance of modifying environmental exposures to mitigate cardiovascular disease risk.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac dysfunction in people with HIV and breast cancer: an observational cohort study in Botswana

  Figshare · 2026-01-01

  otherOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Background HIV, cancer, and their respective treatments are independently associated with cardiovascular risk, but limited data exist on the intersection of these conditions. The purpose of this study was to gain insights into the cardiovascular risk factor burden and cardiac function in people with HIV (PWH) treated for breast cancer. Methods In a cohort of PWH and breast cancer treated with anthracyclines and/or trastuzumab (2017–2022) in Botswana, we assessed pre-treatment (baseline) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and prospectively obtained an echocardiogram at least one year after cancer treatment initiation. Wilcoxon signed rank sum test was used to test the differences between baseline and follow-up LVEF. Results Thirty-three women were enrolled at a median of 2.1 years (Quartile (Q)1-Q3 1.8–3.1) from their cancer treatment initiation. The median age was 48.0 years (Q1-Q3 44.0–54.0). All but one patient was on antiretroviral therapy (ART); the median ART duration was 11.6 years (Q1-Q3 6.3–15 years) with a median viral load of 30 (Q1-Q3 0–30) and CD4 count of 874 (Q1-Q3 361–1131). At baseline, 70% were obese or overweight, and 24.2% reported hypertension; this increased to 30.3% at follow-up. The median LVEF at baseline was 65% (Q1-Q3 60–68%), and decreased to 62% (Q1-Q3 59–65%) at follow-up; an absolute difference of 2.9%, 95%CI: -5.3 to -0.2% (p = 0.038). There was no report of clinical heart failure. Conclusions Obesity and hypertension are highly prevalent amongst PWH and breast cancer. We also noted a statistically significant, but modest decline in LVEF after cancer therapy initiation. Further studies are needed to prospectively characterize the cardiovascular risk factor burden and changes in cardiac structure and function following cardiotoxic cancer treatment in this population.

  PublisherDOI

• Cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac dysfunction in people with HIV and breast cancer: an observational cohort study in Botswana

  Cardio-Oncology · 2026-01-22

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  BACKGROUND: HIV, cancer, and their respective treatments are independently associated with cardiovascular risk, but limited data exist on the intersection of these conditions. The purpose of this study was to gain insights into the cardiovascular risk factor burden and cardiac function in people with HIV (PWH) treated for breast cancer. METHODS: In a cohort of PWH and breast cancer treated with anthracyclines and/or trastuzumab (2017-2022) in Botswana, we assessed pre-treatment (baseline) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and prospectively obtained an echocardiogram at least one year after cancer treatment initiation. Wilcoxon signed rank sum test was used to test the differences between baseline and follow-up LVEF. RESULTS: Thirty-three women were enrolled at a median of 2.1 years (Quartile (Q)1-Q3 1.8-3.1) from their cancer treatment initiation. The median age was 48.0 years (Q1-Q3 44.0-54.0). All but one patient was on antiretroviral therapy (ART); the median ART duration was 11.6 years (Q1-Q3 6.3-15 years) with a median viral load of 30 (Q1-Q3 0-30) and CD4 count of 874 (Q1-Q3 361-1131). At baseline, 70% were obese or overweight, and 24.2% reported hypertension; this increased to 30.3% at follow-up. The median LVEF at baseline was 65% (Q1-Q3 60-68%), and decreased to 62% (Q1-Q3 59-65%) at follow-up; an absolute difference of 2.9%, 95%CI: -5.3 to -0.2% (p = 0.038). There was no report of clinical heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity and hypertension are highly prevalent amongst PWH and breast cancer. We also noted a statistically significant, but modest decline in LVEF after cancer therapy initiation. Further studies are needed to prospectively characterize the cardiovascular risk factor burden and changes in cardiac structure and function following cardiotoxic cancer treatment in this population.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Additional file 2 of Cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac dysfunction in people with HIV and breast cancer: an observational cohort study in Botswana

  Figshare · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Additional file 2. Supplementary Table 1: Summary of structure, function, and VA coupling following treatment with doxorubicin and/or trastuzumab. Supplementary Table 2: Cardiovascular risks and use of cardiac medications following treatment with doxorubicin and/or trastuzumab.

  PublisherDOI

• Cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac dysfunction in people with HIV and breast cancer: an observational cohort study in Botswana

  Figshare · 2026-01-01

  otherOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Background HIV, cancer, and their respective treatments are independently associated with cardiovascular risk, but limited data exist on the intersection of these conditions. The purpose of this study was to gain insights into the cardiovascular risk factor burden and cardiac function in people with HIV (PWH) treated for breast cancer. Methods In a cohort of PWH and breast cancer treated with anthracyclines and/or trastuzumab (2017–2022) in Botswana, we assessed pre-treatment (baseline) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and prospectively obtained an echocardiogram at least one year after cancer treatment initiation. Wilcoxon signed rank sum test was used to test the differences between baseline and follow-up LVEF. Results Thirty-three women were enrolled at a median of 2.1 years (Quartile (Q)1-Q3 1.8–3.1) from their cancer treatment initiation. The median age was 48.0 years (Q1-Q3 44.0–54.0). All but one patient was on antiretroviral therapy (ART); the median ART duration was 11.6 years (Q1-Q3 6.3–15 years) with a median viral load of 30 (Q1-Q3 0–30) and CD4 count of 874 (Q1-Q3 361–1131). At baseline, 70% were obese or overweight, and 24.2% reported hypertension; this increased to 30.3% at follow-up. The median LVEF at baseline was 65% (Q1-Q3 60–68%), and decreased to 62% (Q1-Q3 59–65%) at follow-up; an absolute difference of 2.9%, 95%CI: -5.3 to -0.2% (p = 0.038). There was no report of clinical heart failure. Conclusions Obesity and hypertension are highly prevalent amongst PWH and breast cancer. We also noted a statistically significant, but modest decline in LVEF after cancer therapy initiation. Further studies are needed to prospectively characterize the cardiovascular risk factor burden and changes in cardiac structure and function following cardiotoxic cancer treatment in this population.

  PublisherDOI

• Additional file 2 of Cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac dysfunction in people with HIV and breast cancer: an observational cohort study in Botswana

  Figshare · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Additional file 2. Supplementary Table 1: Summary of structure, function, and VA coupling following treatment with doxorubicin and/or trastuzumab. Supplementary Table 2: Cardiovascular risks and use of cardiac medications following treatment with doxorubicin and/or trastuzumab.

  PublisherDOI

• Additional file 1 of Cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac dysfunction in people with HIV and breast cancer: an observational cohort study in Botswana

  Figshare · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Additional file 1. Supplementary Figure 1: Flow diagram of patient selection into the cohort.

  PublisherDOI

• Racial disparities and utilization trends of first-line targeted therapies for metastatic breast cancer

  JNCI Cancer Spectrum · 2026-04-21

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  PURPOSE: We aimed to determine temporal trends and racial disparities in utilization and time to treatment initiation (TTI) of CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) and pertuzumab for first-line metastatic breast cancer (MBC). DESIGN: We extracted data from a nationwide electronic health record-derived deidentified database. Female patients ≥18 years old with ER+/HER2- or HER2+ MBC eligible for CDK4/6i(3/2015-10/2021) or pertuzumab(07/2012-09/2021) were included. Our outcomes were adjusted temporal trends in the proportion of patients receiving respective therapies using logistic regression with natural cubic splines for time trends and tested for changes in utilization over time within and between racial groups (non-Hispanic White (NHW) or non-Hispanic Black (NHB). Similar models using linear regression estimated mean TTI. RESULTS: 5173(NHW = 4478; NHB = 695) ER+/HER2- and 2321(NHW = 1915; NHB = 406) HER2+ MBC patients were included. There were significant differences in the proportion initiating CDK4/6i over time within racial groups (NHW, 23.5%(95%CI: 20.1%-27.3%) in 2015 to 53.8%(95%CI: 48.6%-59.0%) in 2021; NHB, 20.6%(95%CI: 11.9%-33.0%) in 2015 to 73.6%(95%CI: 61.7%-83.0%) in 2021) and between groups(p = 0.009). There was a significant increase in utilization of pertuzumab within both racial groups over time(p < 0.001), but no significant difference between groups(p = 0.45). TTI decreased over time with no significant differences in TTI trends between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of targeted therapies increased over time, however NHB patients were less likely to receive CDK4/6i compared to NHW. Approximately half of eligible patients did not receive pertuzumab. Further research is needed to understand mediators and design interventions to address underutilization of these therapies and those contributing to racial disparities in CDK4/6i utilization.

  PublisherDOI

• Incidence and prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in outpatients with cancer: a multicentre, retrospective, cohort study

  The Lancet Oncology · 2025-05-01 · 17 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Fidelity and adaptation of breast cancer resource-stratified treatment guidelines in Botswana

  NIH · $548k · 2020–2024

Frequent coauthors

• Surbhi Grover

  196 shared

• Mohan Narasimhamurthy

  126 shared

• Pooja Prabhakar

  University of Washington

  123 shared

• Onyinye Balogun

  121 shared

• Miriam Mutebi

  121 shared

• Sarah Rayne

  University of the Witwatersrand

  121 shared

• Priya Puri

  University of Pennsylvania

  121 shared

• A.H. Freeman

  121 shared

Education

• MD

  Yale University School of Medicine

  2011

• BA

  Harvard University

  2005

Awards & honors

• Global Health Scholar, Center for Global Health, Perelman Sc…
• Senior Fellow, Leonard Davis Institute (Penn LDI), Universit…
• Vice Chief, Global Oncology, Hematology - Oncology Division,…