Hagop Kantarjian

Hagop Kantarjian is a hematologist and oncologist specializing in leukemia. He is 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.

Early life and education Hagop Kantarjian was born in Beirut in 1954 to an Armenian family. He studied at the American University of Beirut (AUB), earning a Baccalaureate II in 1972, a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975, and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in 1979. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at AUB before moving to the United States in 1981. He then pursued a fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, completing his training in 1983.

He has also been actively involved with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), serving on its Board of Directors from 2010 to 2015 and contributing to various committees, including the Cancer Communications Committee, Audit Committee, and the Education Subcommittee of the ASCO Board in 2015 and 2016. From 2013 to 2015, Kantarjian was a Fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, where he contributed to health policy discussions. He also played a key role in developing the HYPER-CVAD regimen for ALL, replacing radiation therapy with spinal fluid chemotherapy to prevent central nervous system involvement.

Kantarjian has been instrumental in the development and FDA approval of several leukemia treatments, including decitabine and clofarabine for myelodysplastic syndromes and leukemia. He has authored over 2,400 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to the approval of more than 20 leukemia drugs, including hypomethylating agents (HMAs) combined with venetoclax for older and unfit patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). His research has also advanced the use of FLT3 inhibitors, IDH inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies such as inotuzumab and blinatumomab in the treatment of ALL.

Selected publications

Honors and awards

David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award by ASCO (2023) Honorary Doctorate, Yerevan State Medical University (2017) Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher