Sheela R. Damle, MD, PhD - Fred Hutch

"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Where breakthroughs begin, care goes beyond."

Provider

Sheela R. Damle, MD, PhD

Physician, Fred Hutch
Assistant Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Specialty:

Medical Oncology

Sloan Clinic

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Dr. Sheela Damle is a board-certified medical oncologist and scientist who cares for patients with gastrointestinal cancers at Fred Hutch Sloan Clinic. She also conducts research focused on myeloid cell biology and the immune microenvironment in gastrointestinal cancers.

Provider Background

Dr. Damle conducts translational research focused on myeloid cell biology and the immune microenvironment in gastrointestinal malignancies, with an emphasis on developing novel immunotherapies for pancreatic and colorectal cancer. She has published multiple peer-reviewed articles and is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, American Association of Cancer Research and SWOG Cancer Research Network.

Area of Clinical Practice
Gastrointestinal oncology

“Cancer touches every aspect of a person's life. I am committed to treating you as a whole person — not just your disease — and to building relationships with you and your family that extend beyond any single visit.”

— Dr. Damle

What do you want patients to know about you?

As a physician and scientist, research is at the core of how I practice medicine. I am committed to making sure every patient I see benefits from the most current evidence, and I actively work to bring new discoveries from the laboratory to the bedside.

Gastrointestinal (GI) oncology sits at a fascinating intersection of immunology and cancer biology — the GI tract has a remarkably complex immune environment that we are only beginning to understand. Paired with the privilege of accompanying patients over the arc of their treatment, gastrointestinal oncology was the perfect fit for my clinical and scientific passions.

How would you describe your approach to care?

I believe that informed patients are empowered patients. I strive to provide clear, honest information about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options so patients can make decisions that align with their values and goals.

Diseases Treated

Esophageal Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

Languages

English

Education and Experience

Fellowship, Hematology and Oncology, Fred Hutch/University of Washington

Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Washington

PhD, Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University

MD, Virginia Commonwealth University

BS, Cornell University

Board Certifications

Medical Oncology, 2025; Internal Medicine, 2022; American Board of Internal Medicine

Awards

Institute of Translational Health Sciences, KL2 Scholar, 2026

We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch physicians. 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.

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Many of our Fred Hutch physicians conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by other physicians 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. Damle's Publications

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