Jason Sicklick

Dr. Jason Sicklick is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at UC San Diego Health Moores Cancer Center, specializing in surgical oncology with a focus on gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and hepatobiliary cancers. He serves as the General Surgery Residency Associate Program Director and Co-Director for Clinical Collection at the Biorepository and Tissue Technology Shared Resource at Moores Cancer Center.

Dr. Sicklick received his B.S. from UCR/UCLA Biomedical Sciences Program in 1997 and his M.D. from UCLA School of Medicine in 2000. He completed his general surgery residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and a surgical oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where he served as chief administrative fellow.

His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of GIST and hepatocellular carcinoma, with particular interest in Hedgehog signaling pathways, genomics of wild-type GIST, and precision medicine approaches to cancer therapy. Dr. Sicklick's laboratory investigates novel allosteric kinase inhibitors for imatinib-resistant GIST, the role of Hedgehog signaling in GIST development, and novel surgical approaches including laparo-endoscopic gastric resections.

Analysis of Dr. Sicklick's recent publications reveals a strong focus on precision oncology, with particular emphasis on gastrointestinal stromal tumors, molecular tumor boards, and immune checkpoint research. His work spans basic science investigations of molecular pathways, translational research developing novel therapies, and clinical studies implementing precision medicine approaches for cancer patients.

• Castle Connolly 2012-2020 Region's Top Doctors
• Life Raft Group 2016 GIST Clinician of the Year
• San Diego Magazine 2016-2020 San Diego's Top Doctors
• James IV Association of Surgeons 2018-2019 James IV Traveling Fellowship
• Global Genes 2018 RARE Champion of Hope in Medical Care & Treatment Award
• UC San Diego Health 2017-2018 Nominee - UCSD Excellence in Stewardship Award
• Biden Cancer Initiative 2018 Nominee - Biden Cancer Initiative FiERCE Award
• UC San Diego Health 2019 Excellence in Mentoring Award
• Life Raft GIST Support Group 2019 GIST Circle of Excellence Award
• American Cancer Society 2019 Finalist Nominee - American Cancer Society's San Diego Celebration of Cancer Care Champions
• UC San Diego Health 2019 Award to First Time PI of an Investigator Initiated Interventional Clinical Trial

Dr. Sicklick serves as Principal Investigator on multiple NIH-funded research projects including "Investigation of DNA Damaging Agents in GIST with Metabolic Dysfunction" (NIH R01FD006334) and "Targeting Drug-Resistant Cancer Stem Cell Niches of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor" (NIH R01CA226803). He co-leads the I-PREDICT study, a genomic-driven clinical trial investigating profile-related evidence determining individualized cancer therapy.

As an active member of the National Cancer Institute GIST Working Group and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Hepatobiliary Committee, Dr. Sicklick contributes to national guidelines for cancer treatment. He also participates in the Transatlantic Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group and serves on the editorial boards of several prominent surgical oncology journals.