Dr. Leonidas C. Platanias
Medical Oncologist, Hematologist Oncologist, specializing in Hematologic Cancers
Dr. Leonidas C. Platanias, MD, PhD, is a distinguished medical oncologist and physician-scientist recognized for his expertise in hematologic malignancies and signal transduction in cancer biology. He serves as Director of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, where he also holds the Jesse, Sara, Andrew, Abigail, Benjamin, and Elizabeth Lurie Professorship of Oncology. Dr. Platanias earned his medical degree and PhD in biological sciences from the University of Patras in Greece, completed his residency in internal medicine at the State University of New York, Brooklyn, and pursued fellowship training in hematology and oncology at the University of Chicago. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Medical Oncology and is widely regarded for his contributions to translational cancer research and leadership in academic oncology.
His laboratory research focuses on the molecular biology of cytokine signaling and the development of novel targeted therapies for leukemia and related malignancies. He has published extensively on pathways regulating cancer cell growth and resistance, helping to identify new approaches for therapeutic intervention. Under his leadership, the Lurie Cancer Center has expanded its research portfolio, clinical trials program, and community outreach initiatives, earning designation as a National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. His scholarship and administrative leadership have advanced both the science and delivery of cancer care.
In addition to his research and leadership roles, Dr. Platanias is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of cancer researchers and physicians. He has trained numerous fellows and junior investigators, many of whom have pursued successful careers in academic oncology. He is a frequent advisor to national and international research organizations and serves on peer review and grant committees for the National Cancer Institute and other leading bodies. Through his dedication to translational research, institutional leadership, and mentorship, Dr. Leonidas Platanias continues to shape the trajectory of cancer science and care.
