Branimir I. Sikic, M. D.

Medical oncologist

Bio:   Branimir I. (Brandy) Sikic, M. D., is Professor of Medicine in the Division of Oncology at Stanford University School of Medicine. He is Co-director of the Stanford University Center for Clinical and Translational Education and Research (Spectrum) and Director of the Stanford Clinical and Translational Research Unit (CTRU). He received his undergraduate education at Georgetown University, and an M. D. from the University of Chicago. He returned to Georgetown for his residency in internal medicine, and performed a research fellowship in cancer pharmacology at the National Cancer Institute and in medical oncology at Georgetown prior to his appointment to the Stanford University faculty in 1979. He has authored more than 230 publications, edited two books, and is the inventor of two U.S. patents. He has served on several advisory committees of the National Institutes of Health, including as chairman of the Experimental Therapeutics I Study Section. In 2005-6 he chaired the Scientific Program Committee for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and in 2008-9 was co-chair of the Program Committee of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). In 2010 he was awarded the Katarina Zrinska medal for science and medicine by the president of Croatia. Dr. Sikic is a leader in the pharmacology of anticancer drugs and the development of new cancer therapies. His research spans the spectrum from molecular and genetic approaches in cancer cells to clinical trials in cancer patients. Dr. Sikic's laboratory studies mechanisms of drug resistance in cancer cells and the development of more effective cancer therapies. He has made major contributions to understanding the problem of multidrug resistance in cancer cells. Current molecular and genetic studies of drug resistance in cellular and murine models include epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), tubulin dynamicity, IAP inhibitors, and the CCL2/CCR2 pathway. In collaboration with Irv Weissman and Jens Volkmer, we are studying CD47-SIRPa signaling to ovarian cancers. Active clinical trials of new anticancer drugs include antibodies activating the T-cell regulating CD27 pathway and the macrophage regulating CD47 pathway.

Sarcoma Program

Professional Education

  • Fellowship: Georgetown University Hospital (1979) DC
  • Residency: Georgetown University Hospital (1975) DC
  • Board Recertification, Medical Oncology, American Board of Internal Medicine (2010)
  • Board Certification: Medical Oncology, American Board of Internal Medicine (1979)
  • Fellowship: National Cancer Institute (1978) MD
  • Board Certification: Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine (1975)
  • Internship: Georgetown University Hospital (1973) DC
  • Medical Education: University of Chicago School of Medicine (1972) IL
  • B.S., Georgetown University, Biology (1968)
  • M.D., University of Chicago, Medicine (1972)

Honors & Awards

  • Pfizer Visiting Professor in Clinical Pharmacology, Dartmouth University (1992)
  • 70th Anniversary of the CRC lecture, British Association of Cancer Research (1993)
  • Plenary lecturer in drug resistanc e, Netherlands Cancer Institute (1999)
  • Oncology Teaching Award, Oncology Division, Stanford (2000)
  • Best Doctors in America, "Best Doctors" annual survey (2002-13)
  • John H. Blaffer Visiting Professor, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (2003)
  • Statesman Award, American Society of Clinical Oncology (2010)
  • Presidential Medal for Science and Medicine, Government of Croatia (2010)

Administrative Appointments

  • Scientific Program Committee Chair, American Society of Clinical Oncology (2005 - 2006)
  • Director, Clinical and Translational Research Unit, Stanford University (2008 - Present)
  • Co-Director, Stanford Center for Clinical and Translational Education and Research, Stanford University (2008 - Present)