"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Marshall S. Horwitz, MD, PhD

Provider

Marshall S. Horwitz, MD, PhD

Physician, Fred Hutch
Associate Dean, Department of Medicine; Professor, Department of Pathology; Adjunct Professor, Division of Medical Genetics; Adjunct Professor, Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine

Specialty:

Genetics

South Lake Union Clinic

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“It’s rewarding to learn about my patients’ lives and help them and their families unravel complex medical problems through genetic testing.”

— Dr. Horwitz

Why do you focus on the genetics of blood-related cancers?

Early in my training, I met a patient in her 20s who was pregnant and had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). She mentioned a family history of the disease, and as I dug deeper, it turned out that there were about a dozen people in her family who had had AML or similar diseases. Many of them had died very early in adulthood, which had devasting consequences on the family, both emotionally and economically. At the time, not a lot was known about the genetics of blood-related cancers like leukemia. The technology that would allow us to study it was just taking off. It was a problem I wanted to try and solve, because leukemia is such a life-altering diagnosis. I started this work in 1992 and continue it to this day. My lab, in collaboration with others in Seattle and around the world, has helped identify many of the genes that put people at higher risk for these types of cancers.

How do you help patients?

When people get cancer, it’s common to ask, “Why me?” In most situations, we don’t have a good answer to that question, because the majority of cancers are not inherited. But for many cancers, including blood cancers, there are a small subset of people who pass down a gene — or several genes — from one generation to the next, which increases their risk of developing these diseases. It can feel very unlucky to find out that you have an inherited cancer or that you may be at higher risk for it. Yet this knowledge can help us design a screening, prevention and treatment plan tailored specifically for you. It’s rewarding to learn about my patients’ lives and help them and their families unravel complex medical problems through genetic testing.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Cancer genetics, high risk prevention, hereditary blood cancers

I am a physician-scientist who is board-certified in internal medicine and genetic medicine, a specialty that involves the diagnosis and management of hereditary disorders. For several years, my focus has been on cancer genetics. I work with patients to help them understand the inherited origins of their disease and to develop a personalized approach to prevention and treatment. At Fred Hutch, I am an attending physician in the Hematologic Malignancy Genetics Clinic, which provides risk assessment and follow-up care for people who have hereditary blood cancers or who have a family history of these diseases. I also provide care at the Genetic Medicine Clinic at UW Medical Center - Montlake and direct the UW School of Medicine Medical Scientist Training Program.

Similar to my clinical work, my research is also focused on hematological malignancies. I lead a lab at the UW Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine that studies the genes and biological pathways that lead to these cancers.

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
University of California, San Diego

Medical Degree
University of Washington School of Medicine

Residency
University of Washington, Internal Medicine

Fellowship
University of Washington, Medical Genetics

Board Certification
Internal Medicine, 1993, American Board of Internal Medicine; Clinical Genetics, 1996, American Board of Medical Genetics

Other
PhD, University of Washington

Awards

NIH Director’s Pioneer Award
Dr. Horwitz received this award in 2007 from the National Institutes of Health. It supports researchers who are developing novel approaches to major challenges in the sciences.

Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers
Dr. Horwitz received this award in 2002. Presented by the National Science Foundation, this award recognizes researchers and engineers who are committed to advancing the frontiers of science and show exceptional leadership potential.

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