Arie S. Belldegrun

Dr. Arie S. Belldegrun is a Professor and Chief of the Department of Urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, holding the Roy and Carol Dumani Chair in Urology. He serves as Surgical Director of the Genitourinary Oncology program and Director of the Institute of Urology Oncology at UCLA. As a member of the Tumor Immunology & Immunotherapy program, Dr. Belldegrun maintains clinical appointments at both Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center.

• MD, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, 1974
• Surgical Oncology Fellowship, National Institutes of Health, 1985-1988
• Research Fellowship, Weizmann Institute of Science, 1976-1979
• Urology Residency, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 1982-1985

Dr. Belldegrun's research focuses on targeted specific therapy and immunotherapy of kidney and prostate cancers. His laboratory reported on the cloning of a tissue specific and androgen responsive novel 620 bp PSA promoter sequence, providing the foundation for developing tissue specific vectors for prostate cancer gene therapy. He has also studied the feasibility of isolating functional dendritic cells from renal cell carcinoma patients and compared their transduction efficiency using various gene transfer methods. His clinical interests span a broad range of urologic conditions including kidney cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and numerous other urologic malignancies and conditions.

Analysis of Dr. Belldegrun's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on renal cell carcinoma research, particularly in genomic characterization, biomarker development (especially carbonic anhydrase-IX), and immunotherapy approaches. His work spans clinical trials, genomic analysis, and translational research bridging laboratory findings to clinical applications. The research demonstrates consistent focus on improving diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of urologic cancers, with particular attention to personalized medicine approaches.

• Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2018

Dr. Belldegrun has been instrumental in developing clinical trial protocols for kidney cancer treatment, including the high-dose aldesleukin "select" trial for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. His research has secured substantial grant funding supporting translational work in immunotherapy and targeted therapy. His laboratory investigations into dendritic cell-based immunotherapy have contributed significantly to understanding immune responses in renal cell carcinoma.

Dr. Belldegrun leads the Institute of Urology Oncology at UCLA, which integrates clinical care, research, and education in urologic malignancies. The institute focuses on developing innovative treatment approaches for kidney, prostate, and bladder cancers, with particular emphasis on immunotherapy and precision medicine strategies. Under his direction, the institute has established comprehensive clinical trials programs and translational research initiatives bridging laboratory discoveries with patient care.