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Appelbaum
Frederick R. Appelbaum, MD

Frederick R. Appelbaum, MD

Medical Oncology

  • Physician, Fred Hutch
  • Executive Vice President, Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
  • Metcalfe Family/Frederick Appelbaum Endowed Chair in Cancer Research, Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine
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About

Dr. Frederick Appelbaum is executive vice president of Fred Hutch and an established medical oncologist and scientist. He focuses on acute myeloid leukemia and other blood cancers, with leadership in stem cell transplantation, targeted antibody therapies and clinical trials.

Background

Dr. Appelbaum's work spans patient care, clinical research and institutional leadership. Specializing in leukemias, lymphomas and other blood cancers, Dr. Appelbaum has helped shape modern blood and marrow transplantation. Notably, he helped develop Fred Hutch’s renowned program in blood stem cell transplantation. He also participated in Fred Hutch’s pioneering work to develop targeted antibody-based cancer therapies.

In 1978, he was the lead author of the first paper to describe successful autologous bone marrow transplantation, which uses a patient’s own stem cells and is now used in tens of thousands of patients each year. His research has also played a central role in the development of targeted antibody-based cancer therapies, including gemtuzumab ozogamicin (also known as Mylotarg™), the first antibody-drug conjugate approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat acute myeloid leukemia. An antibody-drug conjugate is a targeted treatment that delivers chemotherapy directly to cancer cells to limit the damage to healthy tissue.

Building on these advances, Dr. Appelbaum’s research has focused on improving stem cell transplant procedures and developing non-transplant approaches for blood cancers. He is also a national leader in the design and implementation of clinical trials, bringing new therapies from the laboratory to patient care.

In addition to caring for patients and leading research, Dr. Appelbaum guides the Fred Hutch’s growth, leads strategic research partnerships with the National Institutes of Health and other federal agencies, and sets the vision and standards for clinical research across the Fred Hutch/University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Cancer Consortium. He also oversees faculty affairs. In recognition of his scientific impact, Dr. Appelbaum was elected in 2019 to the American Association for Cancer Research Academy. Beyond his administrative and clinical work, he is the author of the book, "Living Medicine: Don Thomas, Marrow Transplantation, and the Cell Therapy Revolution."

Area of Clinical Practice
Adult blood and marrow transplantation

“I envision a future where cancer can be managed instead of feared.”

— Dr. Appelbaum

Why do you work with patients who have blood cancers?

When I was a medical student in the 1970s, I read an article about the first attempts at bone marrow transplantation in humans, and I couldn’t put it down. It was like a lock and key — that’s what I wanted to do. A year later, I met a patient with a blood disorder who was in her thirties, and there wasn’t much we could do for her. It was so sad. I kept thinking that if we could just make bone marrow transplants work, her disease would be curable. My commitment to helping patients like her grew deeper; I eventually joined the team at Fred Hutch that was turning this avant-garde procedure into a reality.

What's it like to work with you?

The greatest quality a physician can have is empathy. I know that it could easily be me on the other side of the table or bed, so I treat you the way I would want to be treated, the way I would want my most cherished loved ones to be treated: with respect, compassion and gentleness. It’s an incredible responsibility to care for patients with cancer. Being current on the research is very important, but your needs and wishes are really the focus. I consider it an honor to work with you to help you achieve your goals.

Diseases Treated

Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Research Interests

Dr. Appelbaum was the lead author of the first paper to describe the successful use of autologous bone marrow transplantation, a therapy now used in more than 30,000 patients annually. He was also a key contributor to the discovery and development of gemtuzumab ozogamicin, known commercially as Mylotarg, the first antibody-drug conjugate approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Languages

English

Education and Experience

Residency, University of Michigan Medical Center, Internal Medicine

MD, Tufts University, 1972

AB (cum laude), Dartmouth College, 1968

Board Certification

Medical Oncology, 1977; Internal Medicine 1975, American Board of Internal Medicine

Clinical Trials

We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch physicians and researchers. Many of these trials at Fred Hutch have led to FDA-approved treatments and have improved standards of care globally. Together, you and your physician can decide if a study is right for you.

View Clinical Trials

Publications

Many of our Fred Hutch physicians and researchers conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by others in their field and selected for publication to the United States National Library of Medicine, the largest medical library in the world. See scientific papers this Fred Hutch physician has written.

View Dr. Appelbaum's Publications

Your Care Team

At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease. Your team includes physicians, a patient care coordinator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice provider and others, based on your needs. You also have access to experts like registered dietitians, social workers, acupuncturists, psychiatrists and more who specialize in supporting people with cancer or blood disorders. 

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Insurance

Fred Hutch accepts most national private health insurance plans as well as Medicare. We also accept Medicaid for people from Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. We are working to ensure that everyone, no matter what their financial situation, has access to the care they need.

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Stories

All news
Oncology nurses translate bedside expertise into research
Oncology nurses translate bedside expertise into research Fred Hutch nurses presented innovative research impacting clinical care at 51st Annual Oncology Nursing Society Congress May 29, 2026
Two lifetimes’ worth of bone marrow transplant breakthroughs
Two lifetimes’ worth of bone marrow transplant breakthroughs Bone marrow transplant pioneer Dr. Rainer Storb retires and reflects on six decades of science and mentorship August 14, 2025
Dr. Fred Appelbaum receives Lifetime Achievement award
Dr. Fred Appelbaum receives Lifetime Achievement award Medical pioneer and longtime Fred Hutch leader honored by American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy February 19, 2023

Contact Information

206.667.4412