Fareed Khawaja, MBBS
Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control, and Employee Health, Division of Internal Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Infectious Disease, Infection Control and Employee health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2013 | Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi, PK, MBBS in Medicine and Surgery |
Postgraduate Training
| 2020-2021 | Clinical Safety and Effectiveness Program, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2017-2019 | Clinical Fellowship, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston/MD Anderson, Houston, Texas |
| 2014-2017 | Clinical Residency, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2019 | American Board of Internal Medicine Specialty-Infectious Diseases |
| 2019 | Texas Medical License |
| 2017 | American Board of Internal Medicine |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2019 - 2024
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Clinical service director for the Infectious diseases- Lymphoma/Myeloma, Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2023 - Present
Other Professional Positions
Co-Chair, Stem Cell Transplant-Infectious diseases research committee, Houston, TX, 2022 - Present
Steering committee member, ASTCT Transplant Infectious Disease Special Interest Group, Houston, TX, 2022 - Present
Consultant, WebMD, Houston, TX, 2022 - 2023
Panelist, National comprehensive cancer network (NCCN) Prevention and Treatment of Cancer-Related Infections, Plymouth Meeting, PA, 2021 - Present
Chair, Taskforce for QI project: Post hospitalization follow up of COVID-19 patient with hematologic malignancy, Houston, TX, 2020 - 2022
Research Trainee, The Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 2013 - 2014
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member (Provider), Epic Unified Communications Task Force, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Reviewer, Scientific review committee (SRC) 2, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - 2021
Reviewer, Institutional review board (IRB) 4 and 5, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - Present
Reviewer, COVID therapeutic trials coordination working group, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - 2020
Voting member, Transfusion and Blood management committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Editorial Activities
Reviewer, Transplantation and cellular therapy, 2023 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2025 | Research Excellence, Division of Internal Medicine at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2024 | Faculty of the Year award, Baylor College of Medicine |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2024. The use of the cytomegalovirus T cell immunity panel to predict clinically significant infection. Invited. Research Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Infectious Diseases Guidelines for patient on check point inhibitors. Invited. IOTOX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. ABCs of COVID. Invited. The Advanced Breast Cancer Program at MD Anderson: ABCs of Healthy Living in Challenging Times. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2020. Infectious diseases approach to pneumonia. Invited. Learning Event for Advanced Practice Nurses (LEAP-N) Infectious Disease Specialty Series. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2020. Pneumonia in Immunocompromised and Cancer Patients. Invited. Emergency Medicine Lecture series. Houston, Texas, US.
National Presentations
- 2025. Factors Associated with Human Herpesvirus 6 DNAemia Among Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients in the Modern Era. Poster. IDweek. Vienna, Vienna, AT.
- 2025. Humoral responses to one versus two doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 20 (PCV20) in lymphoma survivors. Poster. IDweek. Atlanta, Georgia, US.
- 2025. Risk Factors and Outcomes of Resistant CMV Infections in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients: a 7-Year Review. Conference. IDweek. Atlanta, Georgia, US.
- 2025. Shifting Trend in Outcomes of Respiratory Viral Infections Among Hematopoietic Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Recipients during 2023-2024 Respiratory Viral Season. Poster. Tandem meetings. Honolulu, Hawaii, US.
- 2025. The Interplay between EBV and CMV Reactivations Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in the Era of Primary CMV Prophylaxis. Poster. Tandem meetings. Honolulu, Hawaii, US.
- 2024. Evaluation of a Meta-Virus Signature as a Diagnostic Tool to Predict the Severity of Respiratory Viral Infections in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients. Poster. IDWeek. Los Angeles, California, US.
- 2024. Cytomegalovirus Infections in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma on Novel T-Cell Redirecting Therapy. Conference. IDWeek. Los Angeles, California, US.
- 2024. Incidence and Risk Factors for Fungal Infection after CD19-targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell Therapy for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Poster. IDWeek. Los Angeles, California, US.
- 2024. Real-World Experience with Maribavir for the Treatment of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies. Poster. IDWeek. Los Angeles, California, US.
- 2024. Risk Factors for Severe Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections in Patients with Lymphoma or Multiple Myeloma - A Seven-Year Retrospective Cohort Study. Poster. IDWeek. Los Angeles, California, US.
- 2024. Prognostic Value of the Immunodeficiency Scoring Index for Respiratory Viral Infections in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients. Poster. IDWeek. Los Angeles, California, US.
- 2024. Outcomes of respiratory viral infections in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients and patients with leukemia: a prospective study. Poster. IDWeek. Los Angeles, California, US.
- 2024. Outcomes of respiratory viral infections in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients and patients with leukemia: a prospective study. Poster. IDWeek. Los Angeles, California, US.
- 2023. Clinically significant cytomegalovirus infection in patients with lymphoma and no prior cellular therapy. Poster. IDWeek. Boston, Massachusetts, US.
- 2023. Plasma microbial cell-free DNA sequencing impacts antimicrobial management in immunocompromised patients with pneumonia. Poster. IDWeek. Boston, Massachusetts, US.
- 2022. Human Herpes Virus 6 Dnaemia within 1 Year of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy. Poster. ASTCT Tandem meetings. Orlando, FL, US.
- 2022. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Reactivation within in the First Year after Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Therapy: Experience from the First Two Years at a Major Cancer Center. Poster. ASH. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2022. Prediction of Mortality Following Cytokine Storm in Patients with Hematological Malignancies and COVID-19 Infections. Poster. ASH. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2022. Predictive Value of the Immunodeficiency Scoring Index for COVID 19 Related Outcomes in Hematopoietic Transplant Recipients. Poster. IDWeek. Washington, DC, US.
- 2022. The Impact of Donor CMV Serostatus on Outcomes of CMV Infections in the Era of Letermovir. Poster. IDWeek. Washington, DC, US.
- 2022. Characteristics of Hospital Onset SARS Cov 2 Infections Before and After the Emergence of The Highly Transmissible Variant B.1.1.529 In a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Poster. IDWeek. Washington, DC, US.
- 2022. The Impact of HHV 6 DNAemia on hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients at high risk for CMV reactivation in the era of Letermovir. Poster. IDWeek. Washington, DC, US.
- 2022. The Impact of the COVID 19 Pandemic on Hospital Acquired Infections at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Poster. IDWeek. Washington, DC, US.
- 2022. Long term hematopoietic cell transplant outcomes in patients at high risk for cytomegalovirus infections in the era of letermovir. Conference. IDWeek. Washington, DC, US.
- 2022. PICKUP: Pneumonia in the Immunocompromised Use of the Karius Test for Detection of Undiagnosed Pathogens. Poster. IDWeek. Washington, DC, US.
- 2021. International Multicenter Study Comparing Cancer to Non-Cancer Patients with COVID-19 Impact of Risk Factors and Treatment Modalities on Outcome. Poster. IDWeek, US.
- 2021. Evaluation of Retained Immunity for Tetanus-Diphtheria and Pneumococcal Vaccines in Recipients of Cellular Therapies. Poster. IDWeek, US.
- 2021. The Impact of Clinically Significant CMV Infections on Other Viral Infections in the Era of Letermovir Primary Prophylaxis. Poster. IDWeek, US.
- 2021. Clinically Significant CMV Infections in Patients with Lymphoma or Multiple Myeloma. Poster. IDWeek, US.
- 2021. Letermovir Use in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Hematological Malignancies. Poster. Tandem meeting:ASTCT, US.
- 2020. Healthcare Cost and Length of Stay for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection-Related Hospitalizations in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant (allo-HCT) recipients: A Multicenter Analysis. Poster. IDWeek, US.
- 2019. Outcomes Related to Respiratory Viral Infections in Cancer Patients on PD-1 Inhibitors. Poster. IDWeek. Washington, DC, US.
- 2019. Respiratory Viral Infections In Patients with Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma: Risk Factors Associated with Progression to Lower Respiratory Tract Infection and Mortality. Poster. IDWeek. Washington, DC, US.
- 2019. A Single Center Experience of Letermovir for the Prevention of CMV Infection in CMVSeropositive Allogeneic Cell Transplant (Allo-HCT) Recipients. Conference. Tandem meetings:ASTCT. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Breakthrough CMV Infections on Letermovir Prophylaxis in CMV-Seropositive Allogeneic Hematopoeitic Cell Transplant (allo-HCT) Recipients. Poster. Tandem meeting: ASTCT. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Clinical validation of definitions of resistant and refractory CMV infection and disease in HCT recipients CIBMTR version. Poster. IDWeek. Houstin, TX, US.
- 2019. High Mortality of CMV Pneumonia in Hematopietic Cell Transplant Recipients. Conference. Tandem meetings: ASTCT. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. The Utility of the Immunodeficiency Scoring Index (ISI) to Predict Outcomes of Coronavirus (HCoV) Infections in Hematopietic Cell Transplant (HCT) Recipients. Poster. IDWeek. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2018. High Mortality of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Pneumonia in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients. Poster. IDWeek. San Fransisco, CA, US.
- 2016. Transmitted Drug Resistance (TDR) in Houston Texas: An Update for 2015. Poster. IDWeek. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2014. Temporal Changes in the Annual Rate of Postoperative Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Poster. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2014. Transfusion-Associated Circulatory Overload: Hints from the Hemodynamic Response?. Poster. AABB. Philadelphia, PA, US.
International Presentations
- 2025. Update of Food and Drug Administration Guidelines for Vaccination. Invited. Lymphoma Research Foundation Virtual Educational Forum, US.
- 2025. New Updated CMV Guidelines from Two Continents: Impact on Clinical Care. Invited, US.
- 2025. Infectious complications in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma undergoing novel bispecific antibody therapy. Poster. ESCMID Global. Vienna, AT.
- 2025. Cytomegalovirus infections in patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma on novel therapies. Poster. ESCMID Global. Vienna, AT.
- 2024. Management of COVID-19 in cancer patient and HCT recipients. Invited. Management of Respiratory Viruses in the Immunocompromised Hosts, US.
- 2024. The use of the cytomegalovirus T cell immunity panel to predict clinically significant infection in allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplant recipients (allo-HCT). Conference. ESCMID Global. Barcelona, ES.
- 2024. The efficacy of a filtered handheld far-ultraviolet disinfection device in reducing environmental pathogens from high-touch clinical surfaces in healthcare setting. Poster. ECCMID Global. Barcelona, ES.
- 2024. Comparison of outcomes of clinically significant breakthrough CMV infections while on letermovir prophylaxis or while on pre-emptive strategy in allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplant recipients. Poster. ESCMID Global. Barcelona, ES.
- 2022. The use of a commercially available CMV T Cell Immunity Panel to Assess the Risk of CMV Infections in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients with Low Level CMV Viremia. Conference. The use of a commercially available CMV T Cell Immunity Panel to Assess the Risk of CMV Infections in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients with Low Level CMV Viremia. Basel, CH.
- 2022. Discordant COVID-19 PCR results from nasopharyngeal swab and bronchoalveolar lavage at a major cancer centre. Poster. ESCMID. Lisbon, PT.
- 2019. Outcomes of Influenza Infection and effect of immunization in Patients living with Cancer. Conference. Outcomes of Influenza Infection and effect of immunization in Patients living with Cancer. Amsterdam, NL.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2024 - Present |
| Title: | The use of cytomegalovirus cell mediated immunity to optimize the duration of Letermovir prophylaxis in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients |
| Funding Source: | Eurofins Viracor |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 2024-1144-MDACC |
| Date: | 2024 - Present |
| Title: | Real world analysis of extended use of letermovir for CMV primary prophylaxis in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients: a 5-year perspective from a major cancer center |
| Funding Source: | MERCK |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 2024-1134-MDACC |
| Date: | 2024 - Present |
| Title: | A Phase IIa, Open-label, Multiple Ascending Dose Confirmation Study of the Safety and Tolerability of Intravenous Brincidofovir in Subjects with Adenovirus Infection or Cytomegalovirus Infection |
| Funding Source: | SymBio Pharmaceuticals |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 2023-0976-MDACC |
| Date: | 2023 - Present |
| Title: | A prospective cohort study of cytomegalovirus (CMV) viral load kinetics as a predictor of outcome in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock in the setting of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia |
| Funding Source: | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 2023-0615-MDACC |
| Date: | 2023 - Present |
| Title: | Prognostic performance of gene expression in predicting severity of respiratory viral diseases |
| Funding Source: | Eurofins Viracor |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 2022-0864-MDACC |
| Date: | 2023 - Present |
| Title: | Immunogenicity and clinical efficacy of 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) in lymphoma survivors after treatment with anti-CD20 therapy |
| Funding Source: | MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 2023-0590-MDACC |
| Date: | 2020 - Present |
| Title: | Infectious complications associated with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy |
| Funding Source: | MERCK |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 2020-1140-MDACC |
| Date: | 2020 - 2024 |
| Title: | Phase 1/2, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Dose Escalation and Expansion Study of ALVR106 in Addition to Standard of Care for the Treatment of High-Risk Patients with Respiratory Viral Infections After Hematopoietic Cell or Solid Organ Transplant |
| Funding Source: | Allovir |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| ID: | 2020-0523 |
| Date: | 2017 - Present |
| Title: | A Randomized, Open Label, Multi-Center, Comparative Trial, to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Pritelivir versus Foscarnet for the Treatment of Acyclovir-Resistant Mucocutaneous HSV infections in Immunocompromised subjects (PRIOH-1) |
| Funding Source: | AiCuris |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| ID: | 2017-0146 |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Shafat T, Spallone A, Khawaja F, Jiang Y, Jackson J, Nesher L, Chemaly RF. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Exceeded SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza in Lower Respiratory Infection and Mortality Rates Among Patients With Hematologic Malignancies During the 2023-2024 Respiratory Virus Season. Transpl Infect Dis:e70113, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 41060841.
- Shafat T, Khawaja F, Jiang Y, Daher M, Febres-Aldana A, Shigle TL, Rondon G, Champlin R, Bhatti M, Spallone A, Olson A, Ariza-Heredia EJ, Chen G, Rezvani K, Shpall EJ, Chemaly RF. The interplay between Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus reactivation following allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation in the era of primary cytomegalovirus prophylaxis. Clin Microbiol Infect, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40865766.
- Khawaja F, Shigle TL, Yaghi L, Daher M, Ramdial JL, Ariza-Heredia E, Jiang Y, Chemaly RF. Burden of Seasonal Human Coronavirus Infections in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients. Transpl Infect Dis 27(5):e70094, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40838490.
- Khawaja F, Zamora D, Yong MK, Hakki M, Goscicki BK, Danziger-Isakov L, Lin A, Carpenter PA, Boeckh M, Papanicolaou GA, Dadwal SS, Chemaly RF. American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Series #11: Updated Cytomegalovirus Guidelines in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Recipients. Transplant Cell Ther 31(10):727-741, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40581305.
- Azevedo RS, Fayad L, Kanagal-Shamanna R, Loghavi S, Hu S, Bueso-Ramos CE, Sasaki K, Abuasab T, Khawaja F, Goulart H, Abou Dalle I, Borthakur G, Pemmaraju N. Treatment of RAS-associated leukoproliferative disease (RALD) and Rosai-Dorfman disease in a patient with KRAS mutation. Leuk Lymphoma:1-5, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40440732.
- Abreu M, Patel CB, Patel K, Khawaja F, Tummala S. Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy in Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy Recipients: A Case Study. J Adv Pract Oncol:1-10, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40599195.
- Shafat, T, De-La-Rosa-Martinez, D, Khawaja, F, Jiang, Y, Spallone, A, Batista, MV, Ariza Heredia, E, Vilar-Compte, D, Ahmed, S, Becnel, M, Chemaly, RF. Outcomes and Risk Factors for Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Lower Respiratory Tract Infections and Mortality in Patients With Lymphoma or Multiple Myeloma. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 12(4), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40177586.
- Long, JP, Prakash, R, Edelkamp, P, Knafl, M, Lionel, AC, Nair, R, Ahmed, S, Strati, P, Malpica Castillo, LE, Al Zaki, A, Chien, KS, Chihara, D, Westin, JR, Khawaja, F, Nastoupil, L, Mulanovich, VE, Futreal, A, Woodman, SE, Daver, N, Flowers, CR, Neelapu, SS, Manzano, JM, Iyer, SP. Cytokine Storms in COVID-19, Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, and CAR-T Therapy. JAMA Network Open 8(4), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40193078.
- Batista, MV, Sassine, J, Khawaja, F, Kulkarni, PA, Angelidakis, G, Kmeid, J, El Chaer, F, Ariza Heredia, E, Graviss, EA, Mulanovich, VE, Chemaly, RF. The Utility of Interferon-γ Release Assays in the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Patients With Cancer. Transplant Infectious Disease 27(2), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39731624.
- Daher, M, Khawaja, F, Spallone, A, Shigle, TL, Bhatti, MM, Vuong, NN, Ariza Heredia, E, Mulanovich, VE, Champlin, RE, Chemaly, RF. Real-World Experience With Maribavir for Treatment of Refractory or Resistant Cytomegalovirus Infection in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients and Hematologic Malignancy Patients. Transplant Infectious Disease 27(2), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39826146.
- Chemaly RF, Shafat T, Wald A, Kotton CN, Papanicolaou G, Yong MK, Miller V, Komatsu TE, Mullick C, Hodowanec AC, Westman G, Khawaja F, Birkmann A, Ljungman P. Refractory and Resistant Herpes Simplex Virus Mucocutaneous Infections in Immunocompromised Patients: Literature Review and Proposed Definitions for Use in Clinical Trials. Clin Infect Dis 81(3):593-601, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39878032.
- Matsuo T, Wurster S, Ivan D, Hicklen R, McConn K, Bagwell KA, Khawaja F, Chemaly RF, Kontoyiannis DP. Lethal Disseminated Mucorales Infection With Positive Blood Cultures With Purpura Fulminans Complicating Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy. Open Forum Infect Dis 11(11):ofae647, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39507882.
- Baden LR, Swaminathan S, Almyroudis NG, Angarone M, Baluch A, Barros N, Buss B, Cohen S, Cooper B, Chiang AD, Boghdadly ZE, Gregg K, Hakim H, Ho D, Khawaja F, Lee R, Lee F, Logan C, Manley K, Multani A, Pande A, Pergam S, Pisano J, Saullo J, Schuster M, Seo SK, Shoham S, Taplitz R, Topal J, Wilson JW, Zimmer A, Cassara CJ, Kumar R, Diwan Z. Prevention and Treatment of Cancer-Related Infections, Version 3.2024, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 22(9):617-644, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39536464.
- Prasad R, Rehman A, Rehman L, Darbaniyan F, Blumenberg V, Schubert ML, Mor U, Zamir E, Schmidt S, Hayase T, Chia-Chi C, McDaniel LK, Flores I, Strati P, Nair R, Chihara D, Fayad LE, Ahmed S, Iyer SP, Wang ML, Jain P, Nastoupil LJ, Westin JR, Arora R, Turner JG, Khawaja F, Wu R, Dennison JB, Menges M, Hidalgo-Vargas M, Reid KM, Davila ML, Dreger P, Korell F, Schmitt A, Tanner MR, Champlin RE, Flowers CR, Shpall EJ, Hanash S, Neelapu SS, Schmitt M, Subklewe M, Fahrmann J, Stein-Thoeringer C, Elinav E, Jain MD, Hayase E, Jenq RR, Saini NY. Antibiotic-induced loss of gut microbiome metabolic output correlates with clinical responses to CAR T-cell therapy. Blood 145(8):823-839, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39441941.
- Ljungman P, Chemaly RF, Khawaya F, Alain S, Avery R, Badshah C, Boeckh M, Fournier M, Hodowanec A, Komatsu T, Limaye AP, Manuel O, Natori Y, Navarro D, Pikis A, Razonable RR, Westman G, Miller V, Griffiths PD, Kotton CN. Consensus Definitions of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection and Disease in Transplant Patients Including Resistant and Refractory CMV for Use in Clinical Trials: 2024 Update From the Transplant Associated Virus Infections Forum. Clin Infect Dis 79(3):787-794, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39041385.
- Angelidakis G, Chemaly RF, Sahasrabhojane PV, Morado-Aramburo O, Jiang Y, Bhatti MM, Shpall E, Hosing C, Jain P, Mahadeo KM, Khawaja F, Elhajj P, Wargo JA, Jenq RR, Ajami NJ, Kebriaei P, Ariza-Heredia EJ. Humoral Immunity and Antibody Responses against Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pneumococcus after Immune Effector Cell Therapies: A Prospective Study. Vaccines (Basel) 12(9), 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39340100.
- Madut DB, Chemaly RF, Dadwal SS, Hill JA, Lee YJ, Haidar G, Luk A, Drelick A, Chin-Hong PV, Benamu E, Khawaja F, Nanayakkara D, Papanicolaou GA, Small CB, Fung M, Barron M, Davis T, McClain MT, Maziarz EK, Bedoya AD, Gilstrap DL, Todd JL, Barkauskas CE, Heldman MR, Bigelow R, Leimberger JD, Tsalik EL, Wolf O, Mughar M, Lau C, Noll N, Hollemon D, Duttagupta R, Lupu DS, Bercovici S, Perkins BA, Blauwkamp TA, Fowler VG Jr, Holland TL, Bergin SP. Clinical Utility of Plasma Microbial Cell-Free DNA Sequencing Among Immunocompromised Patients With Pneumonia. Open Forum Infect Dis 11(8):ofae425, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39091643.
- Khawaja F, Ahmed S, Iyer SP, Sassine J, Handley G, Prakash R, VanWierren T, Jackson J, Zubovskaia A, Ramdial J, Rondon G, Patel KK, Spallone A, Ariza-Heredia EJ, Mulanovich V, Angelidakis G, Jiang Y, Chemaly RF. Cytomegaloviral Infections in Recipients of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy: An Observational Study With Focus on Oncologic Outcomes. Open Forum Infect Dis 11(8):ofae422, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39086466.
- Febres-Aldana A, Khawaja F, Morado-Aramburo O, Shigle TL, Rondon G, Sassine J, Spallone A, Srinivasan K, Ramdial J, Alousi A, Champlin R, Chen G, Daher M, Rezvani K, Ariza-Heredia EJ, Shpall EJ, Chemaly RF. Mortality in recipients of allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation in the era of cytomegalovirus primary prophylaxis: a single-centre retrospective experience. Clin Microbiol Infect 30(6):803-809, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38460821.
- Bergin SP, Chemaly RF, Dadwal SS, Hill JA, Lee YJ, Haidar G, Luk A, Drelick A, Chin-Hong PV, Benamu E, Khawaja F, Nanayakkara D, Papanicolaou GA, Small CB, Fung M, Barron MA, Davis T, McClain MT, Maziarz EK, Madut DB, Bedoya AD, Gilstrap DL, Todd JL, Barkauskas CE, Bigelow R, Leimberger JD, Tsalik EL, Wolf O, Mughar M, Hollemon D, Duttagupta R, Lupu DS, Bercovici S, Perkins BA, Blauwkamp TA, Fowler VG Jr, Holland TL. Plasma Microbial Cell-Free DNA Sequencing in Immunocompromised Patients With Pneumonia: A Prospective Observational Study. Clin Infect Dis 78(3):775-784, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 37815489.
- Torrado C, Baysal MA, Chakraborty A, Norris BL, Khawaja F, Tsimberidou AM. Case report: Fatal overwhelming post-splenectomy infection in a patient with metastatic angiosarcoma treated with immunotherapy. Front Immunol 15:1366271, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38779675.
- Wilson Dib R, Spallone A, Khawaja F, Feldman A, Cantu S, Chemaly RF. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital-acquired infections at a comprehensive cancer center. Am J Infect Control 51(12):1302-1308, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37804272.
- Khawaja F, Angelidakis G, Feldman A, Ravi V, Woodman E, Bhatti M, Ariza-Heredia E, Elhajj P, Spallone A, Jiang Y, Chemaly RF. COVID-19 in cancer patients: The impact of vaccination on outcomes early in the pandemic. Cancer Med 12(24):22006-22022, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 38063366.
- Franklin A, John TM, Khawaja F, Jiang Y, Yepez E, Ahuja J, Faiz SA, Bashoura L, Sheshadri A, Shannon VR, Balachandran DD, McConn K, Mulanovich VE, Bhatti M, Chemaly RF. Utility of Bronchoalveolar Lavage for the Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 in Patients With Cancer. J Infect Dis 228(11):1549-1558, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37983000.
- Altan M, Soto F, Zhong LL, Akhmedzhanov FO, Wilson NR, Zarifa A, Albittar AA, Yang V, Lewis J, Rinsurongkawong W, Jack Lee J, Rinsurongkawong V, Zhang J, Gibbons DL, Vaporciyan AA, Jennings K, Khawaja F, Faiz SA, Shannon VR, Shroff G, Godoy MCB, Daver NG, Gandhi S, Mendoza TR, Naing A, Daniel-MacDougall C, Heymach JV, Sheshadri A. Incidence and Risk Factors for Pneumonitis Associated With Checkpoint Inhibitors in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Single Center Experience. Oncologist 28(11):E1065-E1074, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37156009.
- Altan M, Soto F, Xu T, Wilson N, Franco-Vega MC, Simbaqueba Clavijo CA, Shannon VR, Faiz SA, Gandhi S, Lin SH, Lopez P, Zhong L, Akhmedzhanov F, Godoy MCB, Shroff GS, Wu J, Khawaja F, Kim ST, Naing A, Heymach JV, Daniel-Macdougall C, Liao Z, Sheshadri A. Pneumonitis After Concurrent Chemoradiation and Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in Patients with Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 35(10):630-639, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37507279.
- Noh S, Bertini C, Mira-Avendano I, Kaous M, Patel B, Faiz SA, Shannon VR, Balachandran DD, Bashoura L, Adachi R, Evans SE, Dickey B, Wu C, Shroff GS, Manzano JG, Granwehr B, Holloway S, Dickson K, Mohammed A, Muthu M, Song H, Team D, Chung C, Wu J, Lee L, Jiang Y, Khawaja F, Sheshadri A. Interstitial lung abnormalities after hospitalization for COVID-19 in patients with cancer: A prospective cohort study. Cancer Med 12(17):17753-17765, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37592894.
- Chiu CY, Ahmed S, Thomas SK, Wang LS, Mustafayev K, Fayad LE, Wierda WG, Khawaja F, Torres HA. Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in Patients Receiving Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 23(8):610-615, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37150651.
- Ariza-Heredia EJ, Winston DJ, Rowley SD, Mullane K, Chandrasekar P, Hari P, Avery RK, Peggs KS, Kumar D, Nath R, Ljungman P, Mossad SB, El Haddad L, Shah DP, Jiang Y, Khawaja F, Dadwal S, Blanchard T, Chemaly RF. Impact of Baseline and Week 2 and Week 4 Posttransplant CMV Cell-Mediated Immunity on Risk of CMV Infections and Mortality in Recipients of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant. Open Forum Infect Dis 10(8):ofad386, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37636519.
- Khawaja F, Srinivasan K, Spallone A, Feldman A, Cantu S, Ariza-Heredia E, Dvordak T, Alousi A, Ahmed S, George M, Frenzel E, Bhatti M, Chemaly RF. Nosocomial COVID-19 at a comprehensive cancer center during the first year of the pandemic: Lessons learned. Am J Infect Control 51(5):506-513, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 35901993.
- Chiu CY, Patel K, Thomas SK, Khawaja F, Dailey Garnes NJM, Lee HC, Ohanian M, Jiang Y, Wang LS, Hwang JP, Torres HA. Hepatitis B virus reactivation in patients with past HBV infection receiving anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies. Hepatol Int 17(2):509-511, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36477692.
- Dagher H, Chaftari AM, Subbiah IM, Malek AE, Jiang Y, Lamie P, Granwehr B, John T, Yepez E, Borjan J, Reyes-Gibby C, Flores M, Khawaja F, Pande M, Ali N, Rojo R, Karp DD, Chaftari P, Hachem R, Raad II. Long COVID in cancer patients: preponderance of symptoms in majority of patients over long time period. Elife 12, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36748905.
- Raad II, Hachem R, Masayuki N, Datoguia T, Dagher H, Jiang Y, Subbiah V, Siddiqui B, Bayle A, Somer R, Fernández Cruz A, Gorak E, Bhinder A, Mori N, Hamerschlak N, Shelanski S, Dragovich T, Vong Kiat YE, Fakhreddine S, Pierre AH, Chemaly RF, Mulanovich V, Adachi J, Borjan J, Khawaja F, Granwehr B, John T, Yepez EY, Torres HA, Ammakkanavar NR, Yibirin M, Reyes-Gibby CC, Pande M, Ali N, Rojo RD, Ali SM, Deeba RE, Chaftari P, Matsuo T, Ishikawa K, Hasegawa R, Aguado-Noya R, García AG, Puchol CT, Lee DG, Slavin M, Teh B, Arias CA, (D3CODE) Team DDFCODE, Kontoyiannis DP, Malek AE, Chaftari AM. International multicenter study comparing COVID-19 in patients with cancer to patients without cancer: Impact of risk factors and treatment modalities on survivorship. Elife 12, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36715684.
- Khawaja F, Papanicolaou G, Dadwal S, Pergam SA, Wingard JR, Boghdadly ZE, Abidi MZ, Waghmare A, Shahid Z, Michaels L, Hill JA, Kamboj M, Boeckh M, Auletta JJ, Chemaly RF. Frequently Asked Questions on Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Recipients From the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy and the American Society of Hematology. Transplant Cell Ther 29(1):10-18, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36273782.
- Aminu M, Daver N, Godoy MCB, Shroff G, Wu C, Torre-Sada LF, Goizueta A, Shannon VR, Faiz SA, Altan M, Garcia-Manero G, Kantarjian H, Ravandi-Kashani F, Kadia T, Konopleva M, DiNardo C, Pierce S, Naing A, Kim ST, Kontoyiannis DP, Khawaja F, Chung C, Wu J, Sheshadri A. Heterogenous lung inflammation CT patterns distinguish pneumonia and immune checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis and complement blood biomarkers in acute myeloid leukemia: proof of concept. Front Immunol 14:1249511, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37841255.
- Raad I, Hachem R, Masayuki N, Datoguia T, Dagher H, Jiang Y, Subbiah V, Siddiqui B, Bayle A, Somer R, Cruz AF, Gorak E, Bhinder A, Mori N, Hamerschlak N, Shelanski S, Dragivich T, Kiat YEV, Fakhreddine S, Hanna PA, Chemaly RF, Mulanovich V, Adachi J, Borjan J, Khawaja F, Granwehr B, John T, Guevara EY, Torres H, Ammakkanavar NR, Yibirin M, Reyes-Gibby CC, Pande M, Ali N, Rojo RD, Ali SM, Deeba RE, Chaftari P, Matsuo T, Ishikawa K, Hasegawa R, Aguado-Noya R, Garcia-Garcia A, Puchol CT, Lee DG, Slavin M, Teh B, Arias CA, Kontoyiannis DP, Malek AE, Chaftari AM. International Multicenter Study Comparing Cancer to Non-Cancer Patients with COVID-19: Impact of Risk Factors and Treatment Modalities on Survivorship. medRxiv, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36097568.
- Sheshadri A, Goizueta AA, Shannon VR, London D, Garcia-Manero G, Kantarjian HM, Ravandi-Kashani F, Kadia TM, Konopleva MY, DiNardo CD, Pierce S, Zarifa A, Albittar AA, Zhong LL, Akhmedzhanov FO, Arain MH, Alfayez M, Alotaibi A, Altan M, Naing A, Mendoza TR, Godoy MCB, Shroff G, Kim ST, Faiz SA, Kontoyiannis DP, Khawaja F, Jennings K, Daver NG. Pneumonitis after immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies in patients with acute myeloid leukemia: A retrospective cohort study. Cancer 128(14):2736-2745, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35452134.
- Angelidakis G, Khawaja F, Mulanovich VE, Dailey-Garnes N, Ariza-Heredia E, Chemaly RF. Combination of Baloxavir and Oseltamivir for Treatment of Severe Influenza Infection in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients: A Novel Treatment Strategy for a High-risk Population. Microbes Infect 24(3):104895, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 34756990.
- Handley G, Khawaja F, Kondapi DS, Lee HJ, Kaufman GP, Neelapu SS, Fayad LE, Tummala S, Chi L, Strati P, Mulanovich VE. Human herpesvirus 6 myelitis after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. Int J Infect Dis 112:327-329, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34600133.
- Sassine J, Khawaja F, Shigle TL, Handy V, Foolad F, Aitken SL, Jiang Y, Champlin R, Shpall E, Rezvani K, Ariza-Heredia EJ, Chemaly RF. Refractory and Resistant Cytomegalovirus After Hematopoietic Cell Transplant in the Letermovir Primary Prophylaxis Era. Clin Infect Dis 73(8):1346-1354, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33830182.
- Malek AE, Adachi JA, Mulanovich VE, Sassine J, Raad II, McConn K, Seiler GT, Dhal U, Khawaja F, Chemaly RF. Immune reconstitution and severity of COVID-19 among hematopoietic cell transplant recipients. Transpl Infect Dis 23(4):e13606, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33755273.
- Ariza-Heredia EJ, Frenzel E, Cantu S, Carlson M, Thomas G, Khawaja F, Raad II, Chemaly RF. Surveillance and identification of clusters of healthcare workers with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Multidimensional interventions at a comprehensive cancer center. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 42(7):797-802, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33183368.
- Karri PV, Torres CA, Dailey Garnes NJ, Ronen S, Khawaja F, Bhatti MM, Hosing C, Patel AB. Disseminated atypical mycobacterial infection in an allogeneic stem cell transplant recipient. Dermatol Online J 27(6), 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34387060.
- Simmons SE, Carrion R, Alfson KJ, Staples HM, Jinadatha C, Jarvis WR, Sampathkumar P, Chemaly RF, Khawaja F, Povroznik M, Jackson S, Kaye KS, Rodriguez RM, Stibich MA. Deactivation of SARS-CoV-2 with pulsed-xenon ultraviolet light: Implications for environmental COVID-19 control. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 42(2):127-130, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 32741425.
- Almas A, Ahmed N, Khawaja F, Khan AH. Diuretic induced hyponatremia in hypertensive patients. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 24(8):606-8, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25149845.
Invited Articles
- Bertini CD, Khawaja F, Sheshadri A. Coronavirus Disease-2019 in the Immunocompromised Host. Clin Chest Med 44(2):395-406, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37085228.
- Khawaja F, Daher M, Spallone A, Chemaly RF. COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients With Cancer and Recipients of Cellular Therapy. Oncology (Williston Park) 37(2):69-77, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36862845.
- Khawaja F, Spallone A, Kotton CN, Chemaly RF. Cytomegalovirus infection in transplant recipients: newly approved additions to our armamentarium. Clin Microbiol Infect 29(1):44-50, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 35843567.
- Khawaja F, Papanicolaou G, MD, Dadwal S, MD, Pergam SA, MD, MPH, Wingard JR, MD, Boghdadly ZE, MBBCh, Abidi MZ, MD, Waghmare A, MD, Shahid Z, MD, Michaels L, MD, Hill JA, MD, Kamboj M, MD, Boeckh M, MD, PhD, Auletta JJ, MD, Chemaly RF, MD, MPH. Frequently Asked Questions on Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Hematopoietic Cell Transplant and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Recipients From the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy and the American Society of Hematology Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Khawaja F, Batista MV, El Haddad L, Chemaly RF. Resistant or refractory cytomegalovirus infections after hematopoietic cell transplantation: diagnosis and management. Curr Opin Infect Dis 32(6):565-574, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31567572.
- Khawaja F, Chemaly RF. Respiratory syncytial virus in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients and patients with hematologic malignancies. Haematologica 104(7):1322-1331, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31221784.
Review Articles
- von Lilienfeld-Toal M, Khawaja F, Compagno F, Robin C, Pinana JL, Cesaro S, Einsele H, Ljungman P, Navarro D, Boeckh M, Chemaly RF, Hirsch HH. Community-acquired respiratory virus infections in patients with haematological malignancies or undergoing haematopoietic cell transplantation: updated recommendations from the 10th European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia. Lancet Infect Dis, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40885198.
- Bertini CD Jr, Khawaja F, Sheshadri A. Coronavirus Disease-2019 in the Immunocompromised Host. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 51(1):123-138, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39550101.
- Bertini CD Jr, Khawaja F, Sheshadri A. Coronavirus Disease-2019 in the Immunocompromised Host. Infect Dis Clin North Am 38(1):213-228, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38280765.
Editorials
- Khawaja F, Chemaly RF. Predicting risk of progression to lower respiratory tract infection in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients with respiratory viral infections: where are we now?. Bone Marrow Transplant 57(5):701-702, 2022. PMID: 35220411.
Book Chapters
- Khawaja F, Chemaly RF. Chapter 58: Viral Infections in Patients with Cancer. In: The MD Anderson Manual of Medical Oncology, 2022.
Letters to the Editor
- Marinos A, Ramdial J, Khawaja F, Saliba RM, Shigle TL, Alousi AM, Rondon G, Chen J, Ledesma C, Champlin RE, Daher M, Chen G, Marin D, Rezvani K, Shpall EJ, Chemaly RF. Hematopoietic cell transplantation can be safely performed after COVID-19. Bone Marrow Transplant 58: 1410-1412, 2023.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified March 06, 2026