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Krakow
Elizabeth F. Krakow, MD, CM, MSc

Elizabeth F. Krakow, MD, CM, MSc

Hematology

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

About

Dr. Elizabeth Krakow is a board-certified physician and researcher who sees patients at the Fred Hutch, specializing in adult blood and marrow transplantation for blood cancers. Her work focuses on improving cellular immunotherapies and using data to personalize treatment decisions.


Background

Dr. Krakow cares for patients undergoing a blood and marrow transplant (BMT) and treatment for complex blood cancers, including those whose disease has returned after a BMT. Her expertise is in blood cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia and lymphoma.

As a researcher, Dr. Krakow focuses on two main areas. The first is developing safer and more effective cellular immunotherapies for patients who relapse after BMT. One example includes clinical trials using donor T cells, immune cells that have been genetically modified with receptors designed to better target cancer cells.

Her second major area of work is what she describes as algorithm-informed treatment. Using traditional and novel statistical approaches, including machine-learning methods, Dr. Krakow studies how to guide treatment decisions over time for patients who receive multiple therapies. Because the best sequence of treatments is often unclear, her research aims to use complex patient data to create highly personalized recommendations that adapt as a patient’s disease and response to therapy change. A paper she coauthored on this approach was recognized by the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2017 as one of the year’s best contributions to the field.

Area of Clinical Practice
Adult blood and marrow transplantation


“The stakes can be high when choosing cancer treatment. I’m on a mission to help you make better-informed decisions.”

— Dr. Krakow


Has cancer ever touched you personally?

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was a teenager. Her doctors treated her like a number, and she felt so helpless as her cancer spread. I’ve always wondered if her situation would have turned out differently if she had received more personalized care. During her treatment, my mother painted a picture that hangs in my office today; in it, beneath swirling colors, the word “HELP” appears. I strive to answer that plea by developing more personalized ways for physicians to approach decision-making around treatment.

What’s it like to work with you?

I recognize that your illness experience is unique. My goal is to provide care that is both evidence-based and highly tailored to your values, goals and preferences. In our interactions, I emphasize honest, open communication. I also take the time to explain the disease process and your treatment options in a straightforward way, so that you feel equipped to navigate your illness and share in the decision-making. Sometimes there is gold-standard data available (from randomized clinical trials) about which treatment to choose and when — and, more often, there is not. Choosing the right option is a complex process where we discuss the risks and potential benefits as well as the time and logistical issues involved.

Diseases Treated


Current Projects

Novel transplantation and cellular immunotherapy strategies

Adaptive treatment strategies in hematology/oncology/transplantation

Languages

English

Education and Experience

MSc, Epidemiology, McGill University School of Medicine

Fellowship, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont and Université de Montréal

Fellowship, Hematology, McMaster University

Residency, Internal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center

MD, CM, McGill University School of Medicine

Board Certification

Hematology, 2009, 2019; Internal Medicine, 2006, 2016, 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.

Find a Clinical Trial Led by Dr. Krakow

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. Krakow'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. 

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.

Stories

All news
‘Article of the Year’ nod to demo of machine learning for personalized medicine Computer-generated algorithms could guide prevention, treatment of transplant complication, researchers showed April 17, 2018

Contact Information

206.667.2535