Robert A. Wolff, M.D.
Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine
About Dr. Wolff
Dr. Wolff is a Professor of Medicine in the Department of GI Medical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is also the Deputy Division Head, Clinical and Educational Affairs in the Division of Cancer Medicine.
Dr. Wolff graduated from Albany Medical College in Albany, New York and completed his residency and fellowship training in Hematology/Oncology at Duke University Medical Center. He joined the faculty of MD Anderson Cancer Center in 1997, where his research has focused on the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
He has been a collaborator with surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and laboratory researchers in trying to understand the causes of pancreatic cancer and to design better treatment strategies for resectable, locally advanced, and metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Gastrointestinal (GI) Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Deputy Division Head, Clinical and Educational Affairs, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
1986 | Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA, MD |
1979 | Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, USA, BA, Mathematical Economics |
Postgraduate Training
1989-1992 | Fellowship Training Hematology/Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Durham, NC |
1986-1989 | Clinical Residency, Internal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Durham, NC |
1983-1984 | NIH-Summer Student Fellowship Biochemistry/Protein Purification, Department of Biochemistry Albany Medical College, Albany, NY |
1981-1982 | Graduate Studies In vitro fertilization / Reproductive Physiology, Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Population Dynamics, The Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD |
Board Certifications
1989 | Internal Medicine - Lifetime |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Director, Educational Programs, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1999 - 2019
Endowed Positions
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Distinguished University Chair of Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2011 - Present
Honors & Awards
2014 | The 2014 Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award, University of Texas System |
2009 | Faculty Educator of the Month, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Wolff RA, Fuchs M, Di Bartolomeo M, Hossain AM, Stoffregen C, Nicol S, Heinemann V. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2 study of maintenance enzastaurin with 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin plus bevacizumab after first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. Cancer 118(17):4132-8, 2012. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 22213153.
- Crane CH, Varadhachary GR, Yordy JS, Staerkel GA, Javle MM, Safran H, Haque W, Hobbs BD, Krishnan S, Fleming JB, Das P, Lee JE, Abbruzzese JL, Wolff RA. Phase II trial of cetuximab, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin followed by chemoradiation with cetuximab for locally advanced (T4) pancreatic adenocarcinoma: correlation of Smad4(Dpc4) immunostaining with pattern of disease progression. J Clin Oncol 29(22):3037-43, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21709185.
- Vaklavas C, Tsimberidou AM, Wen S, Hong D, Wheler J, Ng CS, Naing A, Uehara C, Wolff RA, Kurzrock R. Phase 1 clinical trials in 83 patients with pancreatic cancer: the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center experience. Cancer 117(1):77-85, 2011. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20737567.