Alan Venook

Dr. Alan Venook is a Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine and leads the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is actively engaged in clinical and translational research, with a focus on gastrointestinal cancers, particularly colorectal and hepatobiliary malignancies.

Dr. Venook earned his M.D. from the University of California, San Francisco, and completed his residency there as well. His research is centered on improving outcomes for patients with advanced GI cancers through biomarker discovery, clinical trial design, and understanding the interplay between the gut microbiome and chemotherapy response. He has published extensively on topics such as tumor sidedness, molecular subtypes, and the impact of lifestyle factors like diet and physical activity on cancer progression and survival.

His recent publications (2023–2025) highlight a strong emphasis on genomics, microbiome interactions, and precision oncology. Key themes include the role of gene expression signatures (e.g., HER2, CDC37), circulating biomarkers, and microbial modulation of drug toxicity in colorectal cancer. He frequently contributes to large collaborative studies within the Alliance and ARCAD consortia, analyzing pooled clinical trial data to derive meaningful prognostic and predictive insights.

Dr. Venook has received significant recognition for his contributions to oncology, including:

• National Cancer Institute Director's Service Award (2010)
• Healthnetwork Foundation Service Excellence Award (2011)
• NCCN Board of Producers Award (2013)
• Colon Cancer Alliance Heroes of Hope Award (2017)
• Giants of Cancer Care in GI Oncology (2019)

He is a principal or co-investigator on multiple NIH-funded research projects, including the Cancer Center Support Grant and past leadership in the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB). He plays a critical role in shaping national standards as a key contributor to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines for colorectal, rectal, anal, and biliary tract cancers. He collaborates extensively with a multidisciplinary team at UCSF, including researchers in microbiology, nutritional sciences, and palliative care, and is involved in numerous clinical trials evaluating novel therapeutic combinations in advanced GI malignancies.