David B. Zhen

Dr. David Zhen is an Associate Professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology and at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in the Clinical Research Division. He specializes in gastrointestinal cancers with clinical practice sites at Fred Hutch Cancer Center - South Lake Union and UW Medical Center – Montlake.

His educational background includes:

• BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Michigan
• MD from Wayne State University School of Medicine
• Residency in Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic
• Fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at University of Michigan Medicine

Dr. Zhen's research focuses on developing clinical trials for novel therapies and combination approaches targeting gastrointestinal cancers, particularly pancreatic and gastroesophageal malignancies. He investigates immune system interactions in these cancers to enhance responses to checkpoint inhibitors through strategic immunotherapy manipulation. His work involves cross-institutional collaboration between UW, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, and Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center.

He actively leads multiple high-impact clinical trials including phase III studies for gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma, phase II/III trials for neuroendocrine carcinomas, and innovative CAR T-cell therapies for solid tumors expressing MSLN or claudin 18.2. His clinical practice centers on esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers within the Cancer Consortium framework.