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Hirayama
Alexandre V. Hirayama, MD

Alexandre V. Hirayama, MD

Hematology-Oncology

  • Physician, Fred Hutch
  • Assistant Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
  • Member, Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center (IIRC), Fred Hutch
  • Affiliate Investigator, Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutch
  • Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine
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About

Dr. Alexandre V. Hirayama is a hematologist-oncologist and researcher at Fred Hutch. His work focuses on blood cancers, blood and marrow transplantation and immunotherapy, including CAR T-cell therapy.

Background

Dr. Hirayama specializes in caring for patients with blood cancers, like leukemia and lymphoma, undergoing blood and marrow transplant (BMT) and cellular immunotherapies. He is deeply interested in the immune system’s ability to eliminate cancer, a focus that grew from BMT. His clinical and research work focuses on immunotherapy, particularly adoptive T-cell therapies that use a patient’s own immune cells to fight cancer.

Much of Dr. Hirayama’s work seeks to understand why CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy is not effective for some patients with B-cell malignancies. By using advanced technologies to study how these therapies work in the body, he aims to identify factors that influence treatment success or failure. His goal is to design and lead clinical trials that advance more effective immunotherapies and ultimately improve outcomes for patients with blood cancers.

Area of Clinical Practice
Blood and marrow transplantation, immunotherapy

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“I consider the doctor-patient relationship to be both an honor and a responsibility. The opportunity to help and treat patients goes hand in hand with the chance to learn from their unique experiences.”

— Dr. Hirayama

What brought you to oncology?

Losing my mother to lung cancer as a child left an indelible mark on my life, creating an initial fear of returning to the health care environment. Over time, this pain transformed into a growing desire to help others facing similar situations. I aspire to bring empathy and understanding to health care, aiming to make a positive impact on the lives of those grappling with the challenges of illness.

Each encounter is a valuable exchange, allowing me to better understand a patient’s needs and contribute to their well-being.

What do you hope it’s like for a patient to work with you?

In our journey together, I'll strive for a balance between compassionate, empathetic care and scientific excellence. This means not only addressing treatment needs with precision and expertise, but also recognizing and understanding the emotions that accompany health challenges. By tailoring my approach to align with each patient’s specific goals of care, I aim to create a supportive environment that values both the art and science of medicine and a comprehensive and personalized experience.

I have been fortunate to build meaningful connections with patients and their families over my career. It has been a privilege to share in moments of joy and sorrow and to get to know patients as individuals with distinct interests.

Diseases Treated

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia 

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Research Interests

Leverage state-of-the-art technologies in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors impacting outcomes following immunotherapies, such as CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor-modified T (CD19 CAR-T) cell therapy.

Aiming to translate these insights into enhanced therapeutic approaches, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.

Languages

English
Portuguese

Education and Experience

Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Physician Scholar, Fred Hutch

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch

Fellowship, Hematology and Transfusion Medicine; Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, University of São Paulo School of Medicine

Residency, Internal Medicine, University of São Paulo School of Medicine

MD, University of Brasília

Awards

2018 ASH Abstract Achievement Award, American Society of Hematology

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 Led by Dr. Hirayama

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. Hirayama'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
Fred Hutch at ASH: Global insights on AML outcomes, COVID-19 and cancer, CD19 CAR T-cell therapy updates, latest on precision oncology — and more
Fred Hutch at ASH: Global insights on AML outcomes, COVID-19 and cancer, CD19 CAR T-cell therapy updates, latest on precision oncology — and more December 1, 2022
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Clinicians Present New Research at 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Clinicians Present New Research at 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology December 9, 2021
SCCA, Fred Hutch, and University of Washington Medicine take the spotlight at the American Society of Hematology’s 63rd annual meeting
SCCA, Fred Hutch, and University of Washington Medicine take the spotlight at the American Society of Hematology’s 63rd annual meeting March 7, 2022

Contact Information

206.667.6909