A.R. Klekers, M.D.
Department of Abdominal Imaging, Division of Diagnostic Imaging
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Abdominal Imaging Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Abdominal Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2004 | Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, US, MD |
| 2000 | University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, US, Biological Science, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 2009-2010 | Clinical Fellowship, Body Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2005-2009 | Clinical Residency, Diagnostic Radiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York |
| 2004-2005 | Clinical Internship, Internal Medicine, Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, New York |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2015 | Texas Medical Board Full Medical License |
| 2009 | American Board of Radiology |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Abdominal Imaging, Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2019 - 2024
Assistant Professor, Abdominal Imaging Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2015 - 2019
Other Professional Positions
Radiologist, Virtual Radiologic, Eden Prairie, MN, 2013 - 2015
Clinical Specialist, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2011 - 2015
Radiologist, Houston Progressive Radiology Associates, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2013
Radiologist, Southwest Diagnostics, San Antonio, TX, 2010 - 2010
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Credentials Committee of the Medical Staff Office, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Member, Faculty Senate, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - 2024
Chair, DI Houston Area Location Faculty Committee, Subcommittee of the DI Clinical Functional Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - Present
Member, Pharmaceuticals and Therapeutics Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - Present
Member, Abdominal Imaging Recruitment Workgroup, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018 - 2019
Member, Diagnostic Radiology Houston Area Locations Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017 - 2017
Member, Abdominal Imaging Chief Search Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017 - 2017
Member, Diagnostic Imaging Junior Faculty Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2016 - 2017
Member, Katy Regional Care Center Interdisciplinary Rounds Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2015 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2019 | Diagnostic Imaging, Celebrate Solutions, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2008 | Certificate of Merit for Education Exhibit, Radiological Society of North America |
| 2007 | Certificate of Merit for Education Exhibit, Radiological Society of North America |
| 2006 | Toshiba Residents Program, Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2019. Improving Routine CT Abdomen and Pelvis Examination Through Elimination of Low-Value Delayed Phase Imaging. Conference. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Colorectal Cancer. Conference. Shriners Children's Hospital. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Evaluate Improvement in Patient Care and Cost Savings by Introducing Advanced Practice Providers to the Abdominal Imaging Section. Conference. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2010. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Body MRI Fellow Conference. Conference. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2010. Body MRI Fellow Conference: overview of MR urography. Conference. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2006. Per-Lennart Westesson: Neuroradiology Case of the Week. Conference. University of Rochester Medical Center. Rochester, NY, US.
National Presentations
- 2024. Impact of liver metastases and systemic biomarkers on immunotherapy response and survival outcomes in patients with solid tumors. Poster. Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Annual Meeting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Engaging advanced practice providers to improve patient care and drive productivity in a radiology consult practice at a comprehensive cancer center quality improvement project. Conference. The Radiological Society of North America Assembly and Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2021. Clinical importance of secondary imaging interpretations in a cancer hospital and its impact on patient management, quality improvement project. Conference. The Radiological Society of North America Assembly and Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2020. Guide to immune checkpoint blockade for abdominal imagers: key aspects and what to expect. Conference. Radiological Society of North America Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, US.
- 2020. Utility of cross sectional imaging in peri-operative assessment for colorectal surgeries. Conference. Radiological Society of North America Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2020. The pathology of lymph nodes: current update of concepts, patterns of spread, multi-modality workup and spectrum of imaging features. Conference. American Roentgen Ray Society Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2019. Utility of half-dose of iodinated-intravenous contrast in dual-energy computed tomography: qualitative and quantitative evaluation of image quality and diagnosis acceptability. Conference. Radiological Society of North America Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2019. Radiomics and enhancement ratio in colorectal cancer liver metastases: determination of mutational status. Conference. Radiological Society of North America Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2018. Evaluate improvement in patient care and cost savings by introducing advanced practice providers to the abdominal imaging section. Conference. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2010. MRI for locally advanced prostate cancer: what does a surgeon want to know?. Invited. Radiological Society of North America Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2008. CT nephrogram: normal and abnormal patterns. Invited. Radiological Society of North America Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2007. Cystic lesions of spleen. Invited. Radiological Society of North America Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2007. Multidetector CT of the spleen: common and uncommon diseases. Conference. Association of University Radiologists. Denver, CO, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2026 - Present |
| Title: | Defining metabolic drivers of prostate cancer metastasis |
| Funding Source: | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 2027-00067015-Y1 |
| Date: | 2024 - 2026 |
| Title: | Evaluation of [18F] FSPG as a biomarker of glutathione-regulated redox homeostasis and sensitivity to ferroptosis inducers in advanced prostate cancer |
| Funding Source: | The Univerity of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| Date: | 2023 - 2024 |
| Title: | Evaluation of 11C-choline PET as a biomarker for ATGL-driven prostate cancer metabolism |
| Funding Source: | Quantitative Imaging Analysis Core |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| ID: | RCTS 61131 |
| Date: | 2021 - 2022 |
| Title: | Evaluation of PSMA PET as a biomarker forCAMKK2-CREB oncogenic signaling in advanced in prostate cancer |
| Funding Source: | Quantitative Imaging Analysis Core |
| Role: | Co-I |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Wang MX, Shi A, Shetty D, Mousa M, Diab M, Taher A, Klekers AR, Gaballah AH, Shaaban A, Elsayes KM. Cowden syndrome: Imaging review and cancer surveillance. Radiographics 46(3):e250053, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41746821.
- Wang, M, Diab, M, Klekers, AR, Elsayes, KM. Hereditary renal cell carcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging clinics of North America 33(4):647-666, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Lin C, Pulliam T, Han J, Xu J, Recio C, Wilkenfeld S, Shi Y, Kushwaha M, Bench S, Ruiz E, Senthilkumar S, Dileep J, Shepherd P, Navone N, Klekers A, Whitley E, Ittman M, Eberlin L, Wang W. Cholesterol metabolism regulated by CAMKK2-CREB signaling promotes castration-resistant prostate cancer. Cell Rep 44(6):115792, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40483692.
- Rupe E, Diab M, Xoubi L, Kabeel N, Morani A, Klekers A, Bhosale P. Imaging Update of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Semin Roentgenol 60(1):31-43, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39914907.
- Diab M, Rao P, Ezzeldin R, Mohseni A, Rupe ES, Shi AA, Klekers AR, Prasad SR. Update on tumor genetics and molecular biology of selected renal cell carcinomas: Implications on diagnosis and management. Semin Roentgenol 60(1):88-102, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39914912.
- Awad D, Cao PHA, Pulliam TL, Spradlin M, Subramani E, Tellman TV, Ribeiro CF, Muzzioli R, Jewell BE, Pakula H, Ackroyd JJ, Murray MM, Han JJ, Leng M, Jain A, Piyarathna B, Liu J, Song X, Zhang J, Klekers AR, Drake JM, Ittmann MM, Coarfa C, Piwnica-Worms D, Farach-Carson MC, Loda M, S Eberlin L, Frigo DE. Adipose triglyceride lipase is a therapeutic target in advanced prostate cancer that promotes metabolic plasticity. Cancer Res 84(5):703-724, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38038968.
- Taher D, Sahil S, Nir S, Klekers AR, Priya B, Morani, Ayakumar. Recent imaging updates and advances in gynecologic malignancies. Cancers 14(22):5528, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36428624.
- Calimano-Ramirez LF, Daoud T, Gopireddy DR, Morani AC, Waters R, Gumus K, Klekers AR, Bhosale PR, Virarkar MK. Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma: A comprehensive review. World J Gastroenterol 28(40):5827-5844, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36353206.
- Virarkar M, Coleman JA, Siddiqui ZA, Leal VB, McClinton AE, Steele JR, Yang W, Bhosale P, Klekers AR. PAs and NPs improve patient care and productivity in a radiology consult practice. JAAPA 35(7):46-51, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35762956.
- Virarkar M, Coleman JA, Siddiqui ZA, Leal VB, McClinton AE, Steele JR, Yang W, Bhosale PR, Klekers AR. Engaging nurse practitioners and physician assistants to improve patient care and drive productivity in a radiology consult practice at a comprehensive cancer center. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract 34(7):941-947, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35796110.
- Virarkar M, Jensen C, Klekers AR, Wagner-Bartak NA, Devine CE, Lano EA, Sun J, Tharakeswara B, Bhosale P. Clinical importance of second-opinion interpretations of abdominal imaging studies in a cancer hospital and its impact on patient management. Clin Imaging 86:13-19, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35313164.
- Klekers AR, Chiles C, Lesser G. A worsening cough in a patient with CNS lymphoma. Journal of Respiratory Diseases 25(2):67-70, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
- Everman DB, Bartels CF, Yang Y, Yanamandra N, Goodman FR, Mendoza-Londono JR, Savarirayan R, White SM, Graham JM, Gale RP, Svarch E, Newman WG, Klekers AR, Francomano CA, Govindaiah V, Singh L, Morrison S, Thomas JT, Warman ML. The mutational spectrum of brachydactyly type C. Am J Med Genet 112(3):291-6, 2002. e-Pub 2002. PMID: 12357473.
Review Articles
- Khot R, Diab M, Jing JM, Gao M, Elbanna A, Rupe ES, Mahmoud HS, Klekers AR, Gaballah A, Elsayes KM. Mastocytosis: Imaging spectrum and diagnostic insights. Radiographics 46(1):e250075, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41433193.
- Calimano-Ramirez, LF, Daoud, T, Gopireddy, DR, Morani, A, Waters, R, Gumus, K, Klekers, AR, Bhosale, PR, Virarkar, M. Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma. World journal of gastroenterology 28(40):5827-5844, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36353206.
- Klimkowski S, Ibrahim M, Ibarra Rovira JJ, Elshikh M, Javadi S, Klekers AR, Abusaif AA, Moawad AW, Ali K, Elsayes KM. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and the role of imaging: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and associated cancers. Cancers (Basel) 13(20), 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34680270.
- Elsherif SB, Kuchana V, Aslam R, Kamat A, Bhosale PR, Klekers AR. Locally advanced prostate cancer imaging findings and implications for treatment from the surgical perspective. Abdom Radiol 45(3):865-877, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31724081.
Abstracts
- Klekers AR, Bhatt S, Sidhu R, Dogra VS. Computed tomography nephrogram: normal and abnormal patterns. 94th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Chang H, Bhatt S, Klekers AR, Simon R, Dogra V S. Cystic lesions of spleen. 93rd Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, 2007. e-Pub 2007.
- Klekers AR, Bhatt S, Dogra VS. Multidetector computed tomography of the spleen: common and uncommon diseases. 55th Annual Meeting of the Association of University Radiologists, 2007. e-Pub 2007.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified September 09, 2026