Maurice Willis
Department of General Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine
About Maurice Willis
Dr. Willis was born and raised in Georgia. In 1995 he moved to Texas to complete his Internal Medicine residency at UTMB. Upon completion of his residency, Dr. Willis returned to rural Georgia and went into private practice in Internal Medicine, where he cared for underserved individuals. Dr. Willis participated in the National Health Service Corps private practice payback option for 4 of his 6 years in private practice. In 2004, Dr. Willis returned to UTMB to pursue an oncology fellowship. In 2006 he joined the Hematology/Oncology faculty at UTMB and in 2007 was named medical director of the Hematology/Oncology clinics. He has worked to improve clinic efficiency as well as the clinic Press Ganey scores. Dr. Willis also serves as a preceptor for the TDCJ oncology clinic.
Dr. Willis's research interests include lung, head and neck cancers. He is the Principle Investigator (PI) for several lung, head and neck cancer trials. He is The Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) Principle Investigator for UTMB and has opened 10 SWOG trials since attaining this position. Dr. Willis also facilitates a Thoracic Multi- Disciplinary Tumor Board on a weekly basis. Since 2008, Dr. Willis has worked with both the residency program and the residency advisory committee. He is dedicated to improving Internal Medicine residents' knowledge of Hematology and Oncology. Dr. Willis regularly attends morning report and organizes lectures for the residents. He is a Member of the Diess society which promotes resident education and participates in educating the medical students by giving various lectures. He also serves as a facilitator for the Practice of Medicine (POM) and as a faculty advisor for the National Student Research Forum.
In 2010 Dr. Willis was named the UTMB Oncology Fellowship Program Director. Through his dedicated efforts, he has been able to re-expand the fellowship program to 6 Fellows after a post Hurricane Ike reduction. Dr. Willis is also active in the Galveston community. He serves on the Galveston Hurricane Youth Football Board and coaches the 11-12 year old group. Dr. Willis also volunteers as the on-field physician for all of the Hurricane football games. He is also a volunteer for the Lymphoma/Leukemia Society and American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Dr. Willis is responsible for a medical ministry at Live Oak Baptist Church in Galveston and was recently honored by the Galveston Chapter of the NAACP for his community work in 2011. He was also recognized as a trailblazer by the Galveston Zeta Phi Beta chapter in 2015.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of General Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Galveston, TX
Professor, Department of General Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1995 | Morehouse, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA, MD, M.D |
Postgraduate Training
| 2004-2006 | Clinical Fellowship, Medical Oncology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX |
| 1995-1998 | Clinical Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX |
Board Certifications
| 2006 | Medical Oncology |
| 1999 | Internal Medicine |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 2010 - 2017
Assistant Professor, Department of Hematology/Oncology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 2006 - 2010
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Patient Experience Officer, Department of General Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Galveston, TX, 2020 - Present
Administrative Director, National Senior Care Home Health Services, Stafford, TX, 2014 - 2016
Medical Director, Hospice Care Team, Texas City, TX, 2013 - 2014
Medical Director, Victory Lakes Infusion Center, League City, TX, 2012 - 2017
Medical Director, Peaceful Tranquility Hospital, Houston, TX, 2011 - 2012
Fellowship Program Director, Department of General Oncology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 2010 - Present
Practice of Medicine Year Two Facilitator, Department of School of Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 2009 - 2014
Practice of Medicine Year One Facilitator, Department of School of Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 2009 - 2011
Director of Diversity, Department of General Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 2009 - 2018
Clinical Medical Director, Department of TDCJ Hematology/Oncology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 2008 - Present
Co-Director, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Dickinson, TX, 2008 - 2012
Education Director (Division level), Department of Quality Assurance, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 2006 - 2011
Division Head, Muscogee Manor, Columbus Medical Associates, Unknown, 1998 - 2003
Endowed Positions
Charlotte Warmoth Professorship in Hematology, Department of General Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 2019 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2020 | Rose Grundfest Schneider Award, UTMB |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Wright TJ, Dillon EL, Durham WJ, Chamberlain A, Randolph KM, Danesi C, Horstman AM, Gilkison CR, Willis M, Richardson G, Hatch SS, Jupitor DC, McCammon S, Urban RJ, Sheffield-Moore M. A randomized trial of adjunct testosterone for cancer-related muscle loss in men and women. J Cashexia Sarcopenia Muscle, 2018. PMID: 29654645.
- Venkatesan R, Willis M, Campbell B, Nguyen B, Li S. Recurrent head and neck cancer presenting as a large retroperitoneal mass: An exceedingly rare case and review of the literature. The Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology, 2018.
- Venkatesan R, Hirani N, Willis M, Jana B, Cheema Z. Impending Carotid Blowout From a Large Neck Mass Treated Sequentially With Endovascular Coil Embolization Followed by Induction Cemotherapy. J Oncol Pract, 2017. PMID: 29016223.
- Maurice W, Angelica R, Stephan H, et al. Watchful Waiting: Well Behaved Breast Cancers Non-Surgical Management of Breast Cancer. J Adenocarcinoma, 2016.
- Venkatesan R, Salam A, Alawin I, Willis M. Non-small cell lung cancer and elevated eosinophil count: A case report and literature review. Cancer Treatment Communications:55-58, 2015.
- Hijjawi SB, Abdullah SE, Abdelhadi K, Eyzaguirre E, Willis M, Abdulla NE. Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma of the tonsil and its treatment, Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. Journal Impact Factor 114(2), 2012. PMID: 22769418.
- Dillon EL, Basra G, Horstman AM, Casperson SL, Randolph KM, Durham WJ, Urban RJ, Diaz-Arrastia C, Levine L, Hatch SS, Willis M, Richardson G, Sheffield-Moore M. Cancer Cachexia and Anabolic Interventions: A Case Report. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle, 2012. PMID: 22585408.
Abstracts
- Chamberlain0 A, Kinsky M, McCammon S, Jupiter D, Willis M, Hatch S, Richardson G, Dillon E. Adjunct Testosterone Therapy Improves Cardiac Function in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemoradiotherapy, 2016.
- Chamberlain, A, Daniel, Jupiter, D, Dillon, Randolph, K, Danesi, C, Durham, W, Willis, M, Urban, R, McCammon, S, Sheffield-Moore, M, Hatch, S, Richardson, G. Influence Of Adjuvant Glucocorticoid Therapy On Body Composition In Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemoradiotherapy, 2015.
- Rodgers H, Markowitz A, Willis M. M HCC Treatment with Arsenic Trioxide, 2010.
- Johnson T, Willis M. Ftir Studies of Metal Interactions With Proteins, 1991.
Book Chapters
- Willis, M. Cancer follow–up: when normal screenings do not apply. In: Topics in Cancer Care, 2011.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Randomized Phase II Trial of Docetaxel plus Novolumab and Docetaxel alon in patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC previously treated with single agent Nivolumab |
| Funding Source: | Hoosier Cancer Research Network |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Phase 1b/II Trial of Carfilzomib with Irinotecan in Irinotecan-Sensitive Malignancies (Phase Ib) and Small Cell Lung Cancer Subjects (Phase II) Who Have Progressed on Prior Platinum-based Chemotherapy |
| Funding Source: | CRAB |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | A randomized double-blind phase 3 study of avelumab in combination with standard of care chemoradiotherapy (cisplatin plus definitive radiation therapy) versus standard of care chemoradiotherapy in the front-line treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck |
| Funding Source: | Pfizer |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Phase II Randomized Trial of Adjuvant Radiotherapy with or without Cisplatin for p53 Mutated, Surgically Resected Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN) |
| Funding Source: | NRG Oncology Group |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Phase II/III Biomarker-Driven Master Protocol for Second Line Therapy of Squamous Cell Lung Cancer |
| Funding Source: | NRG Oncology Group |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Safety and Efficacy of nab-Paclitaxel (ABRAXANE®) in Combination with Carboplatin as First Line Treatment in Elderly Subjects with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): A Phase IV, randomized, Open-Label, Multicenter Study (ABOUND 70+) |
| Funding Source: | Celgene |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | “A Prospective Observational Multicenter Cohort Study to Assess the Incidence of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) in Cancer Patients with Bone Metastases Starting Zoledronic Acid Treatment" |
| Funding Source: | Southwest Oncology Group |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | A Phase 3 RandOmized Study Comparing PERioperative Nivolumab vs. Observation in Patients with Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Nephrectomy (PROSPER RCC) |
| Funding Source: | NRG Oncology Group |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Androgen Deprivation Therapy +/- Radium-223 Dichloride in Metastatic Prostate Cancer with Bone Metastases |
| Funding Source: | Hoosier Cancer Research Network |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | PHASE II-III TRIAL OF ADJUVANT RADIOTHERAPY AND ANDROGEN DEPRIVATION FOLLOWING RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY WITH OR WITHOUT ADJUVANT DOCETAXEL |
| Funding Source: | NRG Oncology Group |
| Role: | Co-Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Phase II Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Cisplatin with or without ABT-888 (Veliparib) in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer and/or BRCA Mutation-Associated Breast Cancer |
| Funding Source: | ?? |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | A Randomized Phase III Double Blinded Placebo Controlled Trial of Aspirin as Adjuvant Therapy for Node Positive Her2 Negative Breast Cancer: The ABC Trial |
| Funding Source: | NRG Oncology Group |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | A Phase II Clinical Trial Platform of Sensitization Utilizing Total Neoadjuvant Therapy (TNT) in Rectal Cancer |
| Funding Source: | NRG Oncology Group |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | A Randomized Phase III Post-Operative Trial of Platinum Based Chemotherapy vs. Capecitabine in Patients with Residual Triple-Negative Basal-Like Breast Cancer following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy |
| Funding Source: | NRG Oncology Group |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | A Randomized, Phase II Efficacy Assessment of Multiple MET Kinase Inhibitors (Cabozantinib [NSC #761968], Crizotinib [NSC #749005], Savolitinib [NSC #785348], and Sunitinib [NSC #736511]) in Metastatic Papillary Renal Carcinoma (PAPMET) |
| Funding Source: | NRG Oncology Group |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Evaluating Health Related Quality of Life among Patients treated with Abraxane and Gemcitabine for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer – a Pilot Study (Registry) |
| Funding Source: | Celgene |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Phase II Trial of Everolimus or Everolimus plus Paclitaxel as First-line Therapy in Cisplatin- Ineligible Participants with Advance Urothelial Carcinoma: Hoosier Oncology Group GU10-147 |
| Funding Source: | Hoosier Oncology Group |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “A Phase III, Randomized Clinical Trial of Standard Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy +/- Chemotherapy in Patients with 1-3 Positive Nodes, Hormone Receptor-Positive and HER2 Negative Breast Cancer with Recurrence Score (RS) of 25 or Less” |
| Funding Source: | Southwest Oncology Group |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “EVEREST: EVErolimus for Renal Cancer Ensuing Surgical Therapy, A Phase III Study” |
| Funding Source: | Southwest Oncology Group |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Multicentre, randomized, double-blind, Phase III trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of oral nintedanib plus docetaxel therapy compared to placebo plus docetaxel therapy in patients with stage IIIB/IV or recurrent, adenocarcinoma subtype non-small cell lung cancer after failure of first line chemotherapy |
| Funding Source: | Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | A Phase III Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial to Study the Safety and Efficacy of V212 in Adult Patients with Solid tumor or Hematologic Malignancy” |
| Funding Source: | Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “A Phase III Trial of 6 versus 12 Treatments of Adjuvant FOLFOX plus Celecoxib or Placebo for Patients with Resected Stage III Colon Cancer” |
| Funding Source: | Cancer and Leukemia Group B |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “A Phase 2 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, 2-Arm, Multi-Center Study Comparing Tivozanib Hydrochloride in Combination with Paclitaxel Versus Placebo in Combination with Paclitaxel in the Treatment of Subjects with Locally Recurrent and/or Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer” |
| Funding Source: | AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “A Randomized Phase II Open Label Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Gemcitabine + Nab-Paclitaxel (Abraxane) with or Without ODSH (2-0, 3-0 Desulfated Heparint) as First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer” |
| Funding Source: | ParinGenix, Inc |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | An Open-label, Randomized, Phase 2 Study to Assess the Effectiveness of RCHOP with or without Velcade in Previously Untreated patients with Non-Germinal Center B-Cell-Like Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma |
| Funding Source: | Millenium Pharmaceuticals, Inc |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “Development of a Non-Invasive Assessment Skeletal Muscle Loss in Cancer Patients” |
| Funding Source: | 3MH |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “Randomized Double-Blind Phase II Trial of Everolimus versus Placebo as Adjuvant Therapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck (SCCHN) |
| Funding Source: | University of Chicago/Novartis |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “A Phase III Randomized, Double-Blind Trial of Chemoembolization with or without Sorafenib in unresectable hepatocellular carcinomoma (HCC) in patients with and without vascular invasion” |
| Funding Source: | Eastern Cooperative Group |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | “A Phase 1b, Single-Arm, Open-label Clinical Trial to Evaluate Corrected QT Interval and Drug-Drug Interaction of Trastuzumab on Carboplatin in the Presence of Docetaxel in Patients with HER-2 Positive Metastatic or Locally Advanced Inoperable Cancer” |
| Funding Source: | Genentech |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | “A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Farletuzumab in Combination with a Platinum Containing Doublet in Chemotherapy-Naïve Subjects with Stage IV Adenocarcinoma of the Lung” |
| Funding Source: | Morphotek, Inc |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | “A Multi-center, Open-label, Adaptive, Randomized Study of Palifosfamide-tris, a Novel DNA Crosslinker in Combination with Carboplatin and Etoposide (PaCE) Chemotherapy versus Carboplatin and Etoposide (CE) Alone in Chemotherapy Naïve Patients with Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer" |
| Funding Source: | Ziopharm Oncology, Inc |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | “A Two-Part Phase II Study of the Effects of RC-1291 HCL in Patients with Cancer Anorexia/Cachexia: An Inpatient Crossover Study of the Appetite-Enhancing and Biochemical Effects of RC-1291 HCL followed by an Outpatient Parallel Group Study of the Effects of RC-1291 HCL on Body, Weight, Body Composition and Functional Performance” |
| Funding Source: | Sapphire Therapeutics, Inc |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “Validation of Key2 Breast Cancer Hormone Receptor Positive (Key2HR+) and Key2 Breast Cancer Hormone Receptor Negative (Key2 HR-) Tests for Estimating Likelihood of Distant Recurrence in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma” |
| Funding Source: | Exagen Diagnostics, Inc |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | A Twelve-Week, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group Phase II Study of the Safety and Efficacy of RC-1291 HCl in Patients with Cancer Anorexia/Cancer with a Four-Week-Open-Label Extension |
| Funding Source: | Sapphire Therapeutics, Inc |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase IIIb Trial Comparing Bevacizumab Therapy with or without Erlotinib after Completion of Chemotherapy with Bevacizumab for the First-Line Treatment of Locally Advanced, Recurrent, or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer” |
| Funding Source: | Genentech, Inc |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | “A Phase 2 Double-Blind Randomized Study of Oral Enzastaurin HCl versus Placebo Concurrently with Pemetrexed (Alimta®) as Second-Line Therapy in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer” |
| Funding Source: | Eli Lilly and Company |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | “Examination of PNH, by Level Of CD59 on red and white blood cells, in bone marrow failure syndromes (EXPLORE)” |
| Funding Source: | Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | “H3E-US-B001: Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: The Impact of Ethnic Origin on Patients being Treated Second Line with Pemetrexed - An Observational Study” |
| Funding Source: | Eli Lilly and Company |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | “A Randomized, Open-Label, Controlled, Phase II Trial of Combination Chemotherapy with or without Panitumumab as First-Line Treatment of Subjects with Metastatic or Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer, and Cross-over Second Line Panitumumab Monotherapy of Subjects who Fail the Combination Chemotherapy Only Arm” |
| Funding Source: | Amgen, Inc |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “A Phase 2 Randomized Trial of Panitumumab with Radiotherapy Compared to Chemoradiation in Unresected, Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer” |
| Funding Source: | Amgen, Inc |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “A Phase 2 Randomized Trial of Chemoradiation with or without Panitumumab in Unresected, Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer” |
| Funding Source: | Amgen, Inc |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “A Phase 2 Randomized Trial of Chemoradiation with or without Panitumumab in Unresected, Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer” |
| Funding Source: | Amgen, Inc |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “A Multicenter, Randomized Double-Blind Phase II/III Study in the First-line Treatment of Advanced Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) of the Urothelium Comparing Vinflunine/Gemcitabine to Placebo/Gemcitabine in Patients who are Ineligible to Receive Cisplatin-Based Therapy” |
| Funding Source: | Bristol-Myers Squibb Company |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “An Open-Label Multicenter Randomized Phase 3 Study Comparing the Combination of DOXIL/CAELYX and YONDELIS with DOXIL/CAELYX Alone in Subjects with Advanced Relapsed Ovarian Cancer” |
| Funding Source: | Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, LLC |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “DACO-016: Randomized Phase 3 Trial of Decitabine Versus Patient’s a Choice with Physician’s Advice of Either Supportive Care or Low-Dose Cytarabine for the treatment of Older Patients with Newly Diagnoses Acute Myeloid Leukemia” |
| Funding Source: | MGI Pharma |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “IMPACTS Trial: Investigation of the Modulation of Phospholipase in Acute Chest Syndrome (Dose Escalation Study: Varespladib Infusion [A-001] for the Prevention of Acute Chest Syndrome in At-Risk Patients with Sickle Cell Disease and Vaso-occlusive Crisis)” |
| Funding Source: | Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | A Phase 2a, Multicenter, Open–label, Dose–escalation Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of 6R–BH4 in Subjects with Sickle Cell Disease |
| Funding Source: | Biomarin Pharmaceuticals, Inc |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | C80405, A Phase III Trial of Irinotecan/5-FU/Leucovorin or Oxaliplatin/5-FU/Leucovorin with Bevacizumab or Cetuximab (C225) Or with the Combination of Bevacizumab and Cetuximab for Patients with Untreated Metastatic Adenocarcinoma of the Colon or Rectum |
| Funding Source: | CALGB/SWOG |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “N0147, A Randomized, Phase III Trial of Oxaliplatin (OCAL) Plus 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)/Leucovorin (CF) with or without Cetuximab (C225) after Curative Resection for Patients with Stage III Colon Cancer" |
| Funding Source: | NCCTG/SWOG |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Multicenter Phase 2 Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Apricoxib in Combination with Erlotinib in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients” |
| Funding Source: | Tragara |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | “A Randomized, Multicenter Study Comparing Pixantrone + Rituximab with Gemcitabine + Rituximab in Patients with Aggressive B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Who Have Relapsed after Therapy with CHOP-R or an Equivalent Regimen and are Ineligible for Stem Cell Transplant" |
| Funding Source: | Cell Therapeutics |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Program for Procurement and Molecular Characterization of Existing FFPE Tumor Samples to Identify Biomarker-Based Cohorts of Patients as Potential Candidates for CTNeT and Other Clinical Trials and to Establish the CTNeT Annotated Biorepository |
| Funding Source: | Statewide Clinical Trials Network of Texas |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |