Dr. Alan P. Venook

Dr. Alan P. Venook, MD, is a nationally recognized leader in gastrointestinal (GI) oncology and a senior faculty member at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He received his medical degree from UCSF and completed his residency at UC Davis, followed by a fellowship in hematology and oncology at UCSF. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, and Hematology. At UCSF, he holds the Madden Family Distinguished Professorship in Medical Oncology and Translational Research and serves as the Shorenstein Associate Director for Program Development at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Venook directs the Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Program and provides specialized care for patients with a wide range of GI cancers, including colorectal, liver, pancreatic, and anal cancers.

Dr. Venook has built a career defined by impactful research and clinical trial leadership. He was the principal investigator of the pivotal CALGB/SWOG 80405 trial, which established key insights into tumor “sidedness” in metastatic colorectal cancer, demonstrating that the origin of a tumor in either the right or left side of the colon significantly affects treatment outcomes. His research interests include the role of the microbiome in cancer immunotherapy and the rising incidence of colorectal cancer in younger adults. He also led a decade-long study comparing cetuximab and bevacizumab with chemotherapy, which provided critical guidance for treatment planning in advanced colorectal cancer. In addition to his research work, he has chaired the National Cancer Institute’s Hepatobiliary Task Force and led the GI Committee for the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, reinforcing his role as a key figure in shaping national research priorities in GI malignancies.

In the clinical setting, Dr. Venook is committed to personalized, multidisciplinary cancer care. He works closely with teams of specialists to develop individualized treatment strategies for patients, and he is actively involved in setting national guidelines through his participation on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) panels for colorectal, rectal, and anal cancers. He offers both in-person and virtual care through UCSF Health, with a practice focused on complex and rare GI cancers. Dr. Venook has been consistently recognized for his leadership and impact, most recently receiving the Luminary Award in GI Cancers. Through decades of research, teaching, and patient-centered care, he continues to play a central role in advancing outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal cancers.