Oncologist Near Me – Hagop Kantarjian: A Legend in Leukemia Research and Treatment

Welcome to OncoDaily‘s special section “Oncologist Near Me” where we introduce prominent oncologists from around the world.

Here, you can get to know the leading cancer specialists in your area, including both personal and professional details that you won’t find in their research articles.

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Hagop Kantarjian, MD

Hagop Kantarjian is a distinguished hematologist/oncologist focused on leukemia. He serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Leukemia at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he also holds the Samsung Distinguished Leukemia Chair in Cancer Medicine. Additionally, he is a non-resident fellow in health policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute.

Early Life and Education

Hagop Kantarjian was born in Beirut in 1954 in an Armenian family. During his youth, Kantarjian was deeply affected by the struggles of Lebanon’s civil war, which motivated him to devote his life to hard work and helping others.

Kantarjian’s academic journey began at the American University of Beirut, where he earned a Baccalaureate II in 1972 and a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975. He pursued his medical degree at AUB, graduating as an MD in 1979. His postgraduate training included an internship and residencies in internal medicine at AUB, where he developed a strong foundation in clinical practice. In 1981, he moved to the United States to specialize further, completing a fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in 1983. This marked the beginning of his career in the field of leukemia research and treatment.

In an interview with the Cancer History Project, Dr. Hagop Kantarjian shared the story of how he became a leukemia specialist. As he approached university, Dr. Kantarjian decided he wanted to become a cancer expert. In 1978, while a third-year medical student at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, he took the opportunity to join an elective at MD Anderson. Dr. Freireich, a renowned cancer and leukemia expert, welcomed him, and it was during this time that Dr. Kantarjian realized the extent of cancer expertise at MD Anderson, despite being told there was a lack of it. The era’s cancer treatments were limited to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.

After completing his four-month elective, Dr. Kantarjian returned to Lebanon, eager to return to MD Anderson. In July 1981, he returned for a two-year fellowship, eventually choosing to specialize in leukemia. Looking back, he believes that his decision to pursue leukemia research, inspired by his admiration for Dr. Freireich, was the best choice he could have made, shaping the course of his life and career in the field of cancer research.

Photo of Emil J. Freireich, Michael Keating, and Hagop Kantarjian. Photo credit to Hagop Kantarjian/The Cancer Letter

Career

Dr. Kantarjian is currently a Professor and Chair of the Department of Leukemia at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he holds the Samsung Distinguished Leukemia Chair in Cancer Medicine. Additionally, he serves as a non-resident fellow in health policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute.

Dr. Kantarjian’s journey at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center began in 1981 when he joined as a fellow in the Department of Developmental Therapeutics. Over the next few years, he progressed through several key roles, including Faculty Associate in the Department of Hematology from 1983 to 1984 and Assistant Professor from 1984 to 1988. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1988, a position he held until 1993, before advancing to leadership roles. From 1998 to 2015, he served as the Kelcie Margaret Kana Research Chair in the Department of Leukemia.

Hagop Kantarjian with colleagues. Photo credit to mdanderson.org

Dr. Kantarjian has actively contributed to nearly 20 institutional committees at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, serving in various capacities, including member, chair, vice chair, and co-chair. His leadership roles include chairing the Subcommittee of the Faculty Achievement Award Parent Committee in 2000 and the Search Committee for the Department of Melanoma from 1999 to 2000.

He also co-chaired the Promotion and Tenure Committee during the same period and served as Vice Chairman of the Surveillance Committee from 1995 to 1996. Additionally, he has been a long-standing member of the Physicians Referral Service Executive Council, the Clinical Research Committee, and the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, reflecting his enduring commitment to advancing institutional governance and academic excellence.

In addition to his roles at MD Anderson, Dr. Kantarjian has held various influential positions in the broader medical and policy community. Dr. Hagop Kantarjian was instrumental in the founding of the Society of Hematologic Oncology (SOHO) and currently serves as a board member and secretary. He also served as President of the International Association for Comparative Research on Leukemia and Related Diseases (IACRLRD) from 2015 to 2017.

Hagop Kantarjian was also actively involved with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). He served on the ASCO Board of Directors from 2010 to 2015, contributing to the organization’s strategic direction and policy-making process. He has been involved in various ASCO committees, including Board Liaison for the Cancer Communications Committee, a member of the Audit Committee, and on the Education Subcommittee of the ASCO Board in 2015 and 2016. Furthermore, Dr. Kantarjian contributed to health policy as a Fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy from 2013 to 2015.

Dr. Kantarjian holds memberships in several prestigious professional organizations including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), American Society for Hematology, American Association for the Advancement of Sciences, American Association for Cancer Research, and American Medical Association.

Honors and Awards

In 2023, Dr. Kantarjian received the prestigious David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), recognizing his lifelong contributions to leukemia research and patient care. First awarded in 1970, this honor is presented annually in memory of Dr. David A. Karnofsky, who made significant advancements in clinical cancer research and it celebrates individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the field of cancer.

Hagop Kantarjian receiving the David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award. Photo credit to MD Anderson Cancer Center/X

Other awards:

• Emil J. Freireich Distinguished Pioneer Award, Society of Hematologic Oncology (SOHO)
• Honorary Doctorate, Yerevan State Medical University
• Lifetime Achievement Award, Pfizer Hematology
• John Mendelsohn Lifetime Scientific Achievement Award, MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Giants of Cancer Care Award, OncLive
• Joseph H. Burchenal Memorial Award, American Association for Cancer Research
• R. Lee Clark Prize, MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher
• Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, The University of Texas Board of Regents
• Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology

For the full list of Dr. Kantarjian’s honors and awards click here.

Research

Dr. Kantarjian’s research in leukemia has led to several life-changing advancements. He has significantly improved the prognosis and survival rates for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) through the development of targeted therapies like tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, bosutinib). These drugs have dramatically increased 10-year survival rates from 20% to 90%. His work on the HYPER-CVAD regimen for ALL has transformed the treatment approach, shifting from radiation therapy to spinal fluid chemotherapy to prevent central nervous system spread. He also pioneered the development of decitabine and clofarabine for myelodysplastic syndromes and leukemias, resulting in FDA approvals.

He is an author of over 2,400 peer-reviewed publications and played a key role in the FDA approvals of over 20 leukemia drugs, including hypomethylating agents (HMAs) in combination with venetoclax, which improved outcomes for older, unfit patients with AML. His research on FLT3 inhibitors, IDH inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies like inotuzumab and blinatumomab for treating ALL has been instrumental in advancing leukemia care.

Throughout his career, Dr. Kantarjian has been deeply committed to training and mentoring clinicians and researchers in the field of leukemia research and patient care. Many of his mentees now deliver exceptional treatment at institutions around the globe. This mentorship has expanded his influence in the field and facilitated the dissemination of knowledge well beyond MD Anderson. In 2000, he founded the MD Anderson Leukemia Fellowship Program, which now trains 10 fellows annually.

Dr. Kantarjian’s leadership in clinical trials and development of combination therapies have shaped the modern approach to leukemia treatment, improving survival and quality of life for countless patients worldwide.

Photo credit to mdanderson.org

Top 10 papers by Hagop Kantarjian*

1. Kantarjian H, Sawyers C, Hochhaus A, Guilhot F, Schiffer C, Gambacorti-Passerini C, Niederwieser D, Resta D, Capdeville R, Zoellner U, Talpaz M, Druker B, Goldman J, O’Brien SG, Russell N, Fischer T, Ottmann O, Cony-Makhoul P, Facon T, Stone R, Miller C, Tallman M, Brown R, Schuster M, Loughran T, Gratwohl A, Mandelli F, Saglio G, Lazzarino M, Russo D, Baccarani M, Morra E; International STI571 CML Study Group. Hematologic and cytogenetic responses to imatinib mesylate in chronic myelogenous leukemia. N Engl J Med. 2002 Feb 28;346(9):645-52. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa011573. Erratum in: N Engl J Med 2002 Jun 13;346(24):1923. PMID: 11870241.
2. Kantarjian H, Stein A, Gökbuget N, Fielding AK, Schuh AC, Ribera JM, Wei A, Dombret H, Foà R, Bassan R, Arslan Ö, Sanz MA, Bergeron J, Demirkan F, Lech-Maranda E, Rambaldi A, Thomas X, Horst HA, Brüggemann M, Klapper W, Wood BL, Fleishman A, Nagorsen D, Holland C, Zimmerman Z, Topp MS. Blinatumomab versus Chemotherapy for Advanced Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. N Engl J Med. 2017 Mar 2;376(9):836-847. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1609783. PMID: 28249141; PMCID: PMC5881572.
3. Kantarjian H, Shah NP, Hochhaus A, Cortes J, Shah S, Ayala M, Moiraghi B, Shen Z, Mayer J, Pasquini R, Nakamae H, Huguet F, Boqué C, Chuah C, Bleickardt E, Bradley-Garelik MB, Zhu C, Szatrowski T, Shapiro D, Baccarani M. Dasatinib versus imatinib in newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia. N Engl J Med. 2010 Jun 17;362(24):2260-70. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1002315. Epub 2010 Jun 5. PMID: 20525995.
4. Kantarjian H, Issa JP, Rosenfeld CS, Bennett JM, Albitar M, DiPersio J, Klimek V, Slack J, de Castro C, Ravandi F, Helmer R 3rd, Shen L, Nimer SD, Leavitt R, Raza A, Saba H. Decitabine improves patient outcomes in myelodysplastic syndromes: results of a phase III randomized study. Cancer. 2006 Apr 15;106(8):1794-803. doi: 10.1002/cncr.21792. PMID: 16532500.
5. Cheson BD, Greenberg PL, Bennett JM, Lowenberg B, Wijermans PW, Nimer SD, Pinto A, Beran M, de Witte TM, Stone RM, Mittelman M, Sanz GF, Gore SD, Schiffer CA, Kantarjian H. Clinical application and proposal for modification of the International Working Group (IWG) response criteria in myelodysplasia. Blood. 2006 Jul 15;108(2):419-25. doi: 10.1182/blood-2005-10-4149. Epub 2006 Apr 11. PMID: 16609072.
6. Kantarjian H, Giles F, Wunderle L, Bhalla K, O’Brien S, Wassmann B, Tanaka C, Manley P, Rae P, Mietlowski W, Bochinski K, Hochhaus A, Griffin JD, Hoelzer D, Albitar M, Dugan M, Cortes J, Alland L, Ottmann OG. Nilotinib in imatinib-resistant CML and Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL. N Engl J Med. 2006 Jun 15;354(24):2542-51. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa055104. PMID: 16775235.
7. Kantarjian HM, DeAngelo DJ, Stelljes M, Martinelli G, Liedtke M, Stock W, Gökbuget N, O’Brien S, Wang K, Wang T, Paccagnella ML, Sleight B, Vandendries E, Advani AS. Inotuzumab Ozogamicin versus Standard Therapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. N Engl J Med. 2016 Aug 25;375(8):740-53. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1509277. Epub 2016 Jun 12. PMID: 27292104; PMCID: PMC5594743.
8. Topp MS, Gökbuget N, Stein AS, Zugmaier G, O’Brien S, Bargou RC, Dombret H, Fielding AK, Heffner L, Larson RA, Neumann S, Foà R, Litzow M, Ribera JM, Rambaldi A, Schiller G, Brüggemann M, Horst HA, Holland C, Jia C, Maniar T, Huber B, Nagorsen D, Forman SJ, Kantarjian HM. Safety and activity of blinatumomab for adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a multicentre, single-arm, phase 2 study. Lancet Oncol. 2015 Jan;16(1):57-66. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(14)71170-2. Epub 2014 Dec 16. Erratum in: Lancet Oncol. 2015 Apr;16(4):e158. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(15)70154-3. PMID: 25524800.
9. Kantarjian HM, Thomas XG, Dmoszynska A, Wierzbowska A, Mazur G, Mayer J, Gau JP, Chou WC, Buckstein R, Cermak J, Kuo CY, Oriol A, Ravandi F, Faderl S, Delaunay J, Lysák D, Minden M, Arthur C. Multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase III trial of decitabine versus patient choice, with physician advice, of either supportive care or low-dose cytarabine for the treatment of older patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Jul 20;30(21):2670-7. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2011.38.9429. Epub 2012 Jun 11. PMID: 22689805; PMCID: PMC4874148.
10. Keating MJ, O’Brien S, Albitar M, Lerner S, Plunkett W, Giles F, Andreeff M, Cortes J, Faderl S, Thomas D, Koller C, Wierda W, Detry MA, Lynn A, Kantarjian H. Early results of a chemoimmunotherapy regimen of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab as initial therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. J Clin Oncol. 2005 Jun 20;23(18):4079-88. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2005.12.051. Epub 2005 Mar 14. PMID: 15767648.

*Most cited papers, where Hagop Kantarjian is the first or last author according to Google Scholar.

Beyond The White Coat

Dr. Hagop Kantarjian isn’t just a leading leukemia specialist; he’s also an artist at heart. Since 1992, he’s painted over 500 canvases, and some of his Fauvist-style paintings are displayed in the Leukemia Department at MD Anderson. For Dr. Kantarjian, both art and medicine are about creating something new and meaningful. “In both, you’re always striving to innovate and bring something into the world that didn’t exist before,” he says.

“I’ll never be a professional artist,” Kantarjian insists. “I’m not that disciplined about it. I don’t paint unless I feel the urge. However, people who are deeply involved in their professions need to have some outlet where they can step outside of their normal roles and just enjoy life. Art and exercise are what take up most of my time outside of MD Anderson.

When he’s not in the lab or painting, Dr. Kantarjian cherishes time with his family. He’s also an avid reader, drawn to the works of Salman Rushdie, Philip Roth, and Graham Greene.

Hagop Kantarjian, with one of his favorite paintings, “Seated Woman with Red Guitar” (2021). Photo credit to mdanderson.org

When he’s not in the lab or painting, Dr. Kantarjian cherishes time with his family. He’s also an avid reader, drawn to the works of Salman Rushdie, Philip Roth, and Graham Greene.

Interviews and lectures with Hagop Kantarjian

Karnofsky winner Hagop Kantarjian: We changed the course of leukemias from mostly incurable to mostly curable – Cancer History Project

Drs. Kantarjian, and Litzow Discuss Blinatumomab Breakthrough in E1910 Trial – The Society of Hematologic Oncology

Olverembatinib After Failure of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors, Including Ponatinib or Asciminib – JAMA Oncology Author Interviews

Dr. Kantarjian on 40 years of progress in CML care – The Society of Hematologic Oncology

A successful grand round on ALL! Hear from Dr. Hagop Kantarjian and other experts – Appraise To Raise Program.

SOHO Saudi Arabia (DAY 3) – Dr Hagop Kantarjian – KFSH&RC SOHO Saudi Arabia

New Developments in the Treatment of CML and AML: An Interview With Dr. Hagop Kantarjian – Medscape

Renowned leukemia specialist finds innovation is ‘common ground’ between medicine, painting – Healio.

Others about Hagop Kantarjian

“Throughout a remarkable career, Dr. Kantarjian has contributed immensely to our mission of ending cancer. He not only advanced new treatments and furthered our knowledge of leukemia, but his leadership has inspired so many in the MD Anderson community, and we thank him for the countless lives he has saved around the world.”  – Peter Pisters, President at MD Anderson Cancer Center

“Hagop Kantarjian is one of my closest friends and one of my heroes. He is a very good example of what the Republican candidate for president said in 1964 when he said extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And that’s Barry Goldwater. His determination to cure leukemia is unequaled. He’s been at the very penetrating point of the cutting edge on some treatments and part of the team for others, but he’s built an incredible department, and he’s strictly focused on the cure of leukemia. – Fadlo R. Khuri, President of the American University of Beirut.

“Dr. Kantarjian’s long list of accomplishments and groundbreaking discoveries are a testament to his lifelong commitment to impactful cancer research and patient care. As a community that strives to deliver cancer breakthroughs every day, we are immensely proud of him for receiving this well-deserved honor from ASCO.” – Giulio Draetta, Chief Scientific Officer at MD Anderson Cancer Center

“His sheer energy, enthusiasm, and drive to improve the outcome of patients with leukemia are completely unmatched. His biggest influence on me has been to not accept the current dogma.” – Farhad Ravandi-Kashani, Chief of the Section of Developmental Therapeutics in the Department of Leukemia at MD Anderson Cancer Center

“I knew that by coming to him and MD Anderson, I would be able to receive treatment that wasn’t available anywhere else. I liken Dr. Kantarjian to the conductor of a symphony, he can tweak it as he’s conducting and the patients derive the benefit.” –  Bev Lewyn, an acute lymphocytic leukemia survivor.

Quotes from Hagop Kantarjian

“Sometimes the patients ask, ‘What would you do for me if I was your mother or sister or brother?’ I tell them there’s no difference in the approach to an individual patient, whether they are my immediate family or a patient of mine. I treat them all equally optimally, and I love them all.”

“People who are deeply involved in their professions need to have some outlet where they can step outside of their normal roles and just enjoy life.”

Physicians have a duty to speak up against high cancer drug prices. We should speak up because high drug prices are harming patients.”

“Currently, there is zero correlation between the efficacy of the drug in terms of survival prolongation and the price of a drug.”

“Choosing leukemia was the best decision in my life. Because within the span of one professional lifetime, we were able to change the full course of all leukemias from mostly incurable to mostly curable.”

“Anytime you are not in line with the traditional thinking, there are people who may get annoyed or be suspicious of the research. So, if you think about cancer research and research in general, there are 1% of the experts who are innovators, and they are almost always highly controversial because when they start their research, people disbelieve it. So, there’s always some form of conflict when you’re thinking outside the group mentality. And 99% of the people are generally comfortable with the existing knowledge.”

“In oncology, I think we are on a wonderful positive track where there are many new discoveries—targeted therapies, immune modalities—which are adding to the therapeutic armamentarium. I think cancer will be history in the next 20 years, throughout most of the cancers, if not all of the cancers.”

How to contact him?

Email: [email protected]
Location: 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, Texas 77030

References

1. Hagop M. Kantarjian, M.D –  The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center 
2. Leukemia specialist, amateur painter finds meaningful connection between art and medicine – The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
3. MD Anderson’s Hagop Kantarjian, M.D., awarded the highest honor from the American Society of Clinical Oncology – The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
4. Karnofsky winner Hagop Kantarjian: We changed the course of leukemias from mostly incurable to mostly curable – Cancer History Project
5. Hagop Kantarjian – American Univesity of Beirut
6. Ode to J – The Cancer Letter
7. ASCO Congratulates 2023 Special Awards Recipients – The ASCO Post
8. Speaking Up Against High Cancer Drug Prices – The ASCO Post
9. OncoInfluencers: Dialogue with Fadlo R. Khuri, hosted by Gevorg Tamamyan – OncoDaily
10. SOHO Board of Directors – SOHO

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