Oliver W. Press

Dr. Press is a medical oncologist who specializes in treating patients with lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma. When he was a kid, Oliver Press, M.D., Ph.D., probably drove his mother crazy. One of his favorite pastimes was catching fish, frogs, snakes and lizards. He wanted to be a marine biologist while growing up. Today, Dr. Press is a full professor at the University of Washington, a member of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the director of clinical research for hematology and hematologic malignancies, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and leukemia, at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. He does have a small tank of freshwater fish in his office.

This has been an extremely exciting decade for leukemia and lymphoma research, largely due to the emergence of antibody therapies which have afforded safer, less toxic treatments. Added with chemotherapy, they’ve also improved cure rates, but there is still room for improvement. His research of late involves radio-labeled antibodies in front line with chemotherapy, as well as, genetic modification of “killer” T cells. In the gene therapy lab, they’re adding a gene to T-lymphocytes to enhance their ability to recognize and kill lymphoma cells. In time, they’ll infuse patients. It’s too early, yet, to assess efficacy, but it is a promising new approach. While nearly 70 percent of his time is dedicated to research and teaching, Dr. Press is energized to bring his findings to patients in the form of high-quality innovative care.

In 2006, Dr. Press became the chair of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Lymphoma Research Foundation, a seat he held for two years.