Dr. John A. Thompson’s career at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, beginning in 1985, has been defined by his groundbreaking work in cancer immunotherapy. After completing his specialty training at UW Medicine, he joined a team of Fred Hutch investigators, including the late Dr. Martin (Mac) Cheever and Dr. Alex Fefer, to explore the relationship between the immune system and cancer and develop new immunotherapy approaches. This collaborative, cross-cancer focus played a key role in advancing the field of immunotherapy.
Dr. Thompson led and contributed to numerous immunotherapy trials that have had a lasting impact on cancer treatment, bringing these trials to the Pacific Northwest to benefit regional patients. His mentorship helped shape the careers of many, including Shailender Bhatia, MD, who now directs the melanoma and renal cancer team at Fred Hutch. Bhatia credits Dr. Thompson for his leadership and guidance in his career development.
A major contribution by Dr. Thompson was his leadership in establishing the Phase 1 Clinical Trials Program at Fred Hutch in 2008. This centralized approach streamlined early-phase trials, allowing Fred Hutch to conduct more studies and enroll more patients, transforming how clinical trials were organized and expanding access to promising new treatments.
“I was fortunate to persist long enough in the field to go through what we call the checkpoint revolution. It’s phenomenal what has happened in the course of my lifetime in terms of our understanding of the basic biology of cancer but more specifically the role of the immune system and how that can be harnessed to treat patients.”
Dr. Thompson’s legacy as a mentor is another vital part of his career. Having been mentored by Drs. Cheever and Fefer, he passed on his enthusiasm and knowledge to countless faculty members and providers, fostering a culture of collaboration in cancer research. His mentorship has influenced the next generation of oncologists and researchers.
As Dr. Thompson nears his retirement in 2024, his contributions to cancer immunotherapy and clinical trial advancement are monumental. His pioneering work and mentorship have left a lasting impact on both Fred Hutch and the broader oncology community, shaping the future of cancer treatment and research.
Dr. Shailender Bhatia on his Mentor
Dr. Shailender Bhatia, who chose Dr. John Thompson as his research mentor nearly 20 years ago, is now a leading figure in cancer research. Bhatia directs the melanoma and renal cancer team at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, and is a professor in both the Clinical Research Division at Fred Hutch and the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the UW School of Medicine. His career has been deeply influenced by Dr. Thompson’s guidance and mentorship. He said about John Thompson:
“He developed the Phase 1 Program basically from nothing, nurturing it and turning it into the large and very successful program that it is now. This means there are so many more options available to our patients who are desperate for novel therapies. His mentorship style is very unique and thoughtful. He has been there to support and guide, to facilitate things, but without micromanaging. I always felt like he would have my back if I needed it, but I also had the freedom to venture out in new directions.
Dr. John Thompson is looking forward to spending more time with his family in his retirement, including his grandchildren, children, and his wife, Dr. Dianne Thompson, a retired dermatologist. He met his wife at Fred Hutch, where she worked as a technician in Martin Cheever’s lab and as a research coordinator for Alex Fefer early in her career.
